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- First reviewAugust 10, 2012
- Last reviewAugust 10, 2012
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Saths's Reviews
Learn moreabout Magnolia PremiumInstallation Enjoy robust sound with this Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45 2-way bookshelf speaker that features a 5-1/4" BDSS woofer and an aluminum dome tweeter for a dynamic range. The Linear Response Waveguide evenly distributes audio throughout the room.
Customer Rating
5
Amazing Speakers
on August 10, 2012
Posted by: Saths
from AZ
Background - I am an active studio musician and a bassist/pianist, own focusrite pre amps, M-audio studio monitors and Sony MDR-V6 headphones as a part of the studio gear.
With that out of the way.....had been planning to downsize my living room HT/Audio system to bookshelves for a while. Moving down from Polk TSI500 fronts, they are extreme speakers capable of very loud performance. I was running the fronts alone using a pioneer stereo receiver and the rest of the HT gear using a Sony ES receiver STR DA2400ES which doubles as pre amp for fronts. Even with a lot of power left in tank I never really could run them at full blast in a (15x20) living space.
Started to look around for bookshelves, not the stereophile recommended $20000+ pair of magico Q1s but somewhere in my comfortable $300-500 range and narrowed my choices between Definitive Techs new studio monitor series bookshelves, B&W 686 and the Mirage OS3 satellites.
If you are an audiophile and love running seperates, $500-1000 pre amp, $1000-2000 amplifiers, and $100 or more cables then do not read further...you will not like the equipment choices below.
I listened to these, switching back and forth between these speakers in the magnolia HT room withtout subwoofers. Im glad best buy has these acoustically treated rooms for comparison!
Used the following reference tracks on my CD for testing played from a sony Blu Ray player that was in the room. All speakers were powered by a Denon 2113 Reciever which is very comparable to my Sony STR DA-2400ES
1. Michael Bubble - All of me
2. Dark Knight OST - Why so serious
3. Deadmau5 - Slip
4. Norah Jones - Come away with me
2. Dark Knight OST - Why so serious
3. Deadmau5 - Slip
4. Norah Jones - Come away with me
I generally look for speakers that are easy to drive with modest amplification, 8 ohm loads work!. Should have great high and mid frequency performance. I have a Polk PSW-505 sub, which is a monster and takes care of low frequencies 100hz down for both audio and HT use.
Listening tests revealed the following
Crystal clear highs - SM45 followed by B&W and then Mirage. To me the mirage sounded a bit exagerated. This was a concern, as my home has hard floors and if a speaker sounded bright in a treated room, it will sound harsh in living room like mine. If you have carpets, it might work out differently.
Mid Range - B&W took the win here closely followed by SM45...mirage was weak here.
Low end - SM45 and B&W were tied in this, both of the speakers seem to have light low end performance. Mirage had none till I turned volume further up by around 6db. Remember these are bookshelves with 5inch woofers and for them to provide a balanced bass is an excellent acheivement. If you do not plan to use a subwoofer check out the SM55 or the 685B from B&W.
Finish - Studio Monitor 45 takes the cake in this round for me. B&W with their yellow cones and black finish looked bad compared to the eleagant finish of the SM45.
Mid Range - B&W took the win here closely followed by SM45...mirage was weak here.
Low end - SM45 and B&W were tied in this, both of the speakers seem to have light low end performance. Mirage had none till I turned volume further up by around 6db. Remember these are bookshelves with 5inch woofers and for them to provide a balanced bass is an excellent acheivement. If you do not plan to use a subwoofer check out the SM55 or the 685B from B&W.
Finish - Studio Monitor 45 takes the cake in this round for me. B&W with their yellow cones and black finish looked bad compared to the eleagant finish of the SM45.
I told the manager I liked them and she was kind enough to give me a great discount on the speakers. Instant gratification..:)...thanks Best Buy...you beat any online rate available on that day.
Took the SM45 home and set it up on my bookshelves, the sound is just full, smooth and silky mated with my subwoofer. I am totally in love with the speakers.
Took the SM45 home and set it up on my bookshelves, the sound is just full, smooth and silky mated with my subwoofer. I am totally in love with the speakers.
Studio Monitor 45 is an amazing speaker from Def Tech, buy them you wont be dissapointed!
Equipment used for driving the speakers
AV Receiver/Pre Amp - Sony STR DA2400ES
Stereo Amp - An old Pioneer VSX 516K running stereo
Cables - 14GA cables from parts express.
RCA - Monster RCA cables for pre amp to amplifier.
Source -
Roku2 XS(Pandora/tunein) - connected through HDMI to Sony ES
Sony PS3 for audio CDs/DVDs connected through HDMI passing LPCM
Stereo Amp - An old Pioneer VSX 516K running stereo
Cables - 14GA cables from parts express.
RCA - Monster RCA cables for pre amp to amplifier.
Source -
Roku2 XS(Pandora/tunein) - connected through HDMI to Sony ES
Sony PS3 for audio CDs/DVDs connected through HDMI passing LPCM
What's great about it: Size, performance and Finish
What's not so great: none!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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