Final Thoughts and Conclusion
For the average computer user or even someone looking to play some video games on their television, the M-Audio Studiophile AV40 Desktop Speaker System is high quality, compact, and totally overkill. They’re definitely built well with a good amount of weight that will surprise a lot of people used to the flimsy things that seem packaged with most computers.
However, because of their relatively compact nature, they are a good choice for travelling musicians that need a compact set of powered monitors while on the road. Even home musicians will benefit from the high sound quality and ability to reveal flaws in source material. This is both a blessing and a curse because it can make bad sounding sources sound worse, especially poorly ripped MP3’s.
There is no denying versatility of this speaker system and you know that you’re getting studio-quality equipment here. The MDF construction is seriously solid and the matte black appearance (and weight) remind you that these are not toys. The Studiophile AV40 speakers were a pleasure to use, but the average consumer may need some convincing to drop $200 on these “studio monitors”. However, budding musicians and even upcoming “Spielbergs” will enjoy having these attached to their audio and video editing systems. In fact, compared to some studio monitor setups, the AV40’s are a downright bargain.
Pros
- Added versatility with inclusion of audio-in jack, RCA inputs, and TRS inputs.
- Very solid construction, professional appearance
- Good sound quality, deep bass notes
- Ridiculously easy to set up and use
Cons
- Too heavy and large for some desks
- Might be a bit too revealing with low quality sources
- Volume knob doesn’t turn speakers off
- Power cable is a little short
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10.0
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