MACKIE CR4 LTD Limited edition Silver ACTIVE STUDIO Reference MONITOR 4” 50W (Pair)

Mackie CR4 LTD 4" Woofer Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors (Pair, Limited-Edition Silver Trim)

Styled in a limited-edition silver trim, the Mackie CR4 4" Woofer Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors (Pair) are a compact and portable solution for providing audio playback in home and studio environments. They're designed for multimedia work such as mixing music or post-production sound design. The pair consists of one passive speaker and one Class-AB powered speaker that connect with an included stereo cable. The monitors use 4" polypropylene-coated woofers with a rear port tube for the low end, and 0.75" silk dome tweeters for the highs to deliver a frequency response of 60 Hz to 20 kHz with a maximum SPL of 100 dB.

A switch allows you to select whether the powered speaker will function as the left or right speaker. This is helpful when having to position the speakers near power outlets or when deciding which side is preferable for the volume knob. A front-panel, LED power-ring illuminated on/off switch and volume knob allows you to control level. A dedicated front-panel headphone jack defeats the main speaker output and can be used to expand the system's monitoring versatility.

A front-panel 3.5mm stereo input and included 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable allows you to connect your smartphone or other mobile device directly to the monitors. Other equipment such as audio interfaces, CD players, or mixers, can be connected to the rear panel's 1/4" TRS, 3.5mm TRS, or RCA inputs.

The monitors come with a 3.5mm stereo to RCA cable for connecting to a computer. Also included are isolation pads for reducing the transmission of structural vibrations and for allowing the monitors to be tilted slightly up or down for a better listening angle. The CR4 LTD ships in a brown box.

The CR4 features a download of ProTools | First and Waveform software and The Musician's Collection plug-in package including 23 high-quality plugins with BBD Delay, Level Lite, 304E EQ, and 304C Compressor. To authorize the software, simply input the mixer's serial number on the website.

• Content
  • Pro Tools | First and Waveform OEM professional software and plugin packages included
  • The DAW Essentials Bundle for Waveform OEM includes 16 powerful plugins like Equalizer, Compressor, Reverber8, and Limiter
• Included Software from Avid, including Pro Tools | First
  • An industry standard for decades, Pro Tools | First is easy enough for beginners yet sophisticated enough for experienced musicians. Get many of the same tools used by your favorite artists and recording studios. And now you can collaborate online with anyone, anywhere, and create at the speed of your imagination. Available for macOS and Windows operating systems
  • In addition to the powerful plug-ins within Pro Tools | First, this mixer comes with the exclusive Mackie Musician Collection featuring 23 fantastic plug-ins, including:
    • Avid 304E EQ: Add musical warmth with a treble and bass equalizer with sweepable mid control
    • Avid 304C Compressor: Tweak the clarity, balance, and rhythmic feel of music with this optical-modeled compressor
    • BBD Delay: Create delay, chorus, and vibrato effects based on a classic guitar pedal
    • Black Op Distortion: Add rich distortion based on a classic distortion pedal
    • Black Shiny Wah: Achieve the famous classic tones of a respected wah wah pedal
    • Black Spring Reverb: Get the twang and space of a vintage amplifier
    • C1 Chorus: Emulates a classic chorus pedal
    • DC Distortion: Dial up a range of overdriven tones with this Avid custom distortion effect
    • Eleven Lite: Get the sound of popular guitar amps and speaker cabinets
    • Flanger: Create esoteric sounds with this homage to vintage and modern flangers
    • Graphic EQ: Sculpt frequencies with ease
    • Gray Compressor: Add warmth to tracks based on a vintage Ross compressor
    • Green JRC Overdrive: Get the coveted sounds of a classic IC overdrive pedal
    • In-Tune: Keep your instruments in tune with this digital tuner
    • Orange Phaser: Create interesting effects with this phase shifter based on a classic design
    • Roto Speaker: Recreate the sounds of a Leslie rotary speaker cabinet
    • Sci-Fi: Add analog synth-type ring and frequency modulation
    • Studio Reverb: Create natural-sounding reverb and ambient effects
    • Tape Echo: Add vintage analog delay and chorus effects
    • Tri Knob Fuzz: Get the Hendrix tone with this fuzz box based on one of the first fuzz pedals
    • Vari-Fi: Create the effect of audio changing tape speed
    • Vibe Phaser: Add phase-shift and rotary speaker effects
    • White Boost: Boost gain without coloring tone

Specification

PRICE PER UNIT

The original A5

The small A5 managed to make itself a big name in both professional environments as well as in computer or desktop applications. A wealth of truly outstanding reviews and many awards helped to establish this speaker as one "of the best small monitors” and a "great choice for the small studio.” (Future Music, 01/2009).

The new A5X

The similar dimensions and name could make one believe that the A5X is nothing more than a new version of the A5. A quick listening however leaves no doubt that the A5X is much more than that.

Like all other models of the AX-Series it features the proprietary X-ART tweeter. The very data of this technology shows that it is at the forefront of what tweeters can accomplish. Numerous listening tests have confirmed this.

A 5.5” Midwoofer reproduces the frequencies below 2.5kHz. The diaphragm is made from Carbon fiber/Rohacell/Glass fiber, which is the same composite structure shared in the next two bigger models. This material with minimum weight and maximum rigidity prevents break up resonances, resulting in an outstanding dynamic behaviour and impeccable sound characteristics.

Stereolink

A very handy and exclusive feature found in the two smaller AX monitors is the Stereolink. This is accomplished by a pair of additional RCA connections that allow for a bypass of the second stereo channel to the other speaker.

This new technology connects two A5X speakers in such a manner as to allow the user the option to control the overall stereo volume of the system from either speakers gain control. This makes the A5X a natural for "mixer-less” desktop applications where overall system volume needs to be adjusted easily.

Controls and Connectors

The front of the A5X sports dual ports for surprisingly low frequency response down to 50Hz. The front panel also has power and gain controls. The rear panel includes a tweeter gain control as well as balanced (XLR) jacks and unbalanced (RCA) jacks, allowing for greater connection flexibility. There are also two M6 (6 mm) metric screw threads for stand/wall mounting.

Review: "The A5X: a superb impression.“

"A sparkling and lively desktop monitor with an open, powerful character. Good filters and practical ergonomics as well as useful equipment make ADAMs A5X an ideal partner in multimedia nearfield sound." (Stereo, 10/10)

The Twin6 Be is the best seller of the Focal Professional range and the most versatile work tool of the SM6 line. It represents the only necessary solution for recording, mixing and mastering. The image precision, treble definition as well as midrange neutrality are at the heart of its reputation.
The excellent articulation of the bass and midbass registers, even at very high sound levels, makes it an unavoidable reference for engineers who require absolute transparency. Furthermore, the design of the Twin6 Be permits a high SPL while at the same time offering a stable tonal balance. One of the two 6.5" woofers works in large band (midrange – bass) whereas the other reproduces from 40 to 150Hz. This creates a bass that preserves all the signal dynamics, without any masking effect in the midrange, thereby keeping all its neutrality and transparency. Additional control of the bass register is accomplished by fine-tuning on the control plate on the back of the Twin6 Be in order to obtain a perfect mirror configuration with its mate. The Twin6 Be can be installed vertically or horizontally to respond to the space requirements of each studio.

PRICE PER UNIT

S1X

The S1X nearfield monitor delivers high quality sound in a very small cabinet. The S1X has all the critical features of the new SX-Series: the X-ART tweeter in combination with the ADAM designed class A/B amplifier and the HexaCone woofer with optimized magnet/voice-coil systems, driven by premium PWM amplifiers.

The smallest reference speaker

The combined features of crystal clear resolution, tight and precise low-frequency reproduction and the effortless musical reproduction sets this speaker apart from all conventional designs.

The S1X is the first choice in all environments that require high quality within a small space, whether it is a smaller studio, an OB vehicle, or a 5.1 installation.

PRICE PER UNIT

A revolutionary formula: 2 x 7 = 77

In some set-ups it can be advisable to use a horizontally designed speaker rather than a vertical one. Until now, such monitors were only available within the SX top line.

The brand new A77X, due to its outstanding features, might become a true game changer: Equipped with the same advanced technologies as the A7X, it therefore is very similar to the two-way speaker. The A77X, however, distinguishes itself by much higher, compression-free maximum sound pressure levels and dynamics. Due to its power and radiation characteristics, it also is perfectly suited for both near- and midfield monitoring.

Driver technology

Like all models of the AX series, the A77X features the ADAM proprietary X-ART tweeter. The ʽXʼ stands for ʽeXtended frequency responseʼ and thus for one of the features of the Accelerating Ribbon Technology that has been drastically improved: the frequency response. It now extends all the way up to 50kHz. In addition, the X-ART tweeter has higher efficiency and higher maximum sound pressure levels.

The two 7” woofers are identical with that of the A7X. With their large voice coils (1.5”) and powerful amplifiers, they are capable of both very high maximum sound pressure levels as well as very deep registers. The woofers do not cover the same frequency bands: while both of them are responsible for the (sub-) bass frequencies up to about 400Hz, only one of them reproduces the midrange. This prevents interferences between the two drivers. For stereo setups the A77X is available in A and B versions in order to guarantee a precise stereo image.

Amplifiers / controls

Each driver has its own dedicated amplifier. A 50W A/B amp is responsible for the X-ART tweeter, while the bass-/midwoofers are driven by a 100W PWM amp each. The front panel includes a power switch and a control for the volume that retains the volume setting independently from the on/off switch.

The rear panel features several additional controls: a gain for the high frequencies (± 4dB) and two shelf filters for high and low frequencies.
To ensure greater compatibility, there are both XLR (balanced) and RCA (unbalanced) connectors.

Review samples:

“… a refreshing change“
"… if you liked the A7X youʼll like the A77X even more, and if the companyʼs smaller near-fields werenʼt your cup of tea, the A77X are definitely worth another listen. They are not much bigger than a two-driver cabinet design, so should slip into any installation where a near-field speaker will fit, but the extra low/ mid frequency drivers mean that the bass is more naturally extended and the mid-range clearer and more detailed. I like the A77X a lot and they make a refreshing change from the usual mid-priced near-field speakers." AUDIO MEDIA magazine / February 2012

“… wide and spacious soundstage with solid left/right imaging“
"… they are fun and easy to work with, covering all the essential functions required of high-end monitors with aplomb." MusicTech magazine / April 2012

The CMS 50 is the most compact monitoring loudspeaker of all the Focal Professional range. Its design permits listening from 50cm away, while still keeping the possibility of the monitors at a great distance from one another without damaging the soundstage. The 5” mid-woofer reaches down to 55Hz, while offering a controlled bass and a totally linear midrange. The midrange register of the CMS 50 has unequalled neutrality in its price range. The Al-Mg inverted dome tweeter offers outstanding dynamics and a degree of definition in the treble that allow precise measurement of reverb and other effects which are normally very difficult to assess.