M-Audio Studiophile DSM1 Monitors
M-Audio’s DSM1s represent the smallest (and cheapest) model in M-Audio’s new ‘middle’ range of monitors. Built in collaboration with Digidesign, they have ‘bigger brothers’ in the form of the DSM2 and DSM3.
The DSM1’s appearance is clean and attractive, if slightly functional, with a front-panel LED indicating that power is present. So, is the slightly constrained design reflected in the sound and options on offer? Not at all.
In detail
Most of the action happens at the back, with XLR, TRS, S/PDIF and AES/ EBU inputs all present, with digital specifications of up to 24-bit and 192kHz supported. Here, clearly, is a monitor designed to deal with signals from almost any studio device you can think of.
The power switch is also mounted on the rear panel, which is a touch frustrating, particularly if you’re going to mount these speakers any further than an arm’s reach away. Having front-panel power buttons makes switching from monitors to headphones to check mixes much more simple, for instance.
Also round the back you’ll find the EQ controls which can be used to tailor the sound of the DSM1s to the space in which they’re going to be used. [read]
