M Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
Recording engineers and music producers around the world rely on M-Audio reference monitors to insure that their mixes are accurate. The StudioPro 3 active monitors bring that same standard of audio fidelity right to your desktop. Custom-tuned cabinets, optimized speaker design, and advanced crossover technology combine with generous built-in amplification to deliver the best sound you can get in monitors this size. Complete with magnetic shielding to prevent interference with computer and video monitors, StudioPro 3 speakers deliver great audio experiences from your music and multimedia applications. They're also great for traveling.

Most small, inexpensive speakers simply don't have the design and material standards found in professional studio monitors. The StudioPro 3s change that, delivering the same M-Audio technology and attention to detail we put into our monitors used in studios around the world. The StudioPro 3s deliver a host of features not typically found in monitors priced this affordably?MDF rather than plastic cabinets, internal acoustic foam for better bass response, custom port design for optimal efficiency and more.

Customer Reviews

Cheap, poorly-built, lackluster sound.

2008-08-25
After using these speakers for two years, I can confidently say they suck.

The low price and purported high-quality sound sold me, but in the end I am disappointed. At home I have two KRK RP5 speakers, and it is a night and day difference in sound quality.

Cons:
- The right speaker is noticeably quieter than left speaker, especially at low volumes.
- They really, seriously lack bass.
- They are not well-built - the right speaker often cuts out as the circuitry gets confused, thinking I have headphones plugged in. I have to repeatedly thrust and jiggle my headphone plug into the jack to unconfuse it.

Pros:
- They come with awesome little plastic wedges that you can use to angle the speakers up to point at your head, if they rest on your desk.

I would recommend buying any powered computer speakers with subwoofer instead of these. They are really not worth the money.

M-Audio desktop speakers

2008-07-21
McWorld gave the M-Audio speakers a high rating. Found a great price on Amazon and ordered a pair. The speakers may be a bit too large for a crowded desk but their size contributes to their great sound. Wonderful sonic balance with incredible imaging. A remarkable speaker for the price. Very happy with the purchase.

Good Starter Speakers

2008-07-15
I bought these speakers for professional studio use but I find they dont have enough deep bass. I you want deep bass you would want to add a sub- woofer. In addition to the bass, you have to watch you dont blow the tweeters. After three days of usage, I found I blew the right tweeter. If you're looking for heavy duty professional speakers these are not the ones to buy. However, these speakers are good for game playing and movie watching but you will still want to add a sub for deep bass

Sounds Good

2008-07-01
It sounds good to my ear and I don't have any balance issue either. The speakers also come with an optional stand such that they will tilt upwards.

Nice product, poor quality control.

2008-05-24
I read the reviews here before buying them locally. I noted the reviews observing the defects of a crackly - distorted right channel, and reduced volume in the right channel. I figured after several months, and geography of distribution would have eliminated the chance of me getting a defective set. I was wrong. Same problem, distorted right channel and reduced volume (as measured with a sound level meter, down about 2 db) right out of the box. Exchanged for a second set, same problem!

The store staff were obviously annoyed at my returns, but it wasn't my fault. Their display set was defective too, but they just buried their heads in the sand and refunded my credit card. I don't blame them, 3 defective speaker sets they have to return to their distributor, or lose money on.

I'm very disappointed, as the speakers have good build quality, and had good sound at low levels (when not distorting).

M-Audio needs to monitor their Chinese manufacturing plant(s) for quality control, or their business will suffer, especially with products marketed to professionals. These are not aimed at the cheapie plastic toy computer speaker market.

I filed a polite trouble ticket on their website, so at least they know they have a run of defective product, and can solve the problem.

I have two pair

2008-04-10
Recording engineers and music producers around the world rely on M-Audio reference monitors to insure that their mixes are accurate. The StudioPro 3 active monitors bring that same standard of audio fidelity right to your desktop. Custom-tuned cabinets, optimized speaker design, and advanced crossover technology combine with generous built-in amplification to deliver the best sound you can get in monitors this size. Complete with magnetic shielding to prevent interference with computer and video monitors, StudioPro 3 speakers deliver great audio experiences from your music and multimedia applications. They're also great for traveling.

For maximum flexibility, SP3s includes a stereo ?Aux? input which allows you to plug in a secondary audio source (such as your portable music player) in addition to the main RCA inputs in the back. The volume control works on both inputs simultaneously. Additionally, there is a stereo headphone output next to the ?Aux? jack that mutes the sound coming out of the speakers and redirects it to your headphones. Magnetic shielding prevents computer/video monitor interference Vented port design for added bass Transportable, compact design is ergonomic and flexible Internal standing wave acoustic absorption for greater efficiency Bass Boost switch Factory programmed for worldwide use RCA rear-panel inputs; convenient front-panel 1/8? inputs

VERY UPSET 2008-04-09
Okay, so I've been planning to buy these monitors for a long time and I finally got the money to get them. I read all the reviews, disregarded the ones that mentioned problems because I figured those individuals just got lemons. Well.... I guess Im a lemon head because Im sitting here listening to one amazingly sounding good speaker, while the other cracks and punches if I can even hear it at all. Im so mad that it hurts. These speaker(s) sound awesome, at least the one with the amp in it (left), hence the reason I provided two stars. But the fact that the right speaker doesnt work is really disappointing. I was really looking forward to making music on these, but I cant even listen to my cds right now because the cracking and going in and out is so annoying. Please M-AUDIO, fix these speakers!!!!! Theres no reason why they should be doing this.

Basically, my advice to everyone, do not buy these speakers. Unfortunately they are flawed, and I will return these and maybe get the Studiophile AV-20's. Lets hope they work!

Kind of disappointed 2008-03-06
First, I am not sure the problem that I met is a special case or a general case. I rated 2 stars on the assumption that the problem is a general case because more than one person have also mentioned more of less the same problem in their reviews. If the problem is a special case, I will rate the speakers as 5 stars.

I was playing music from high quality CDs on the M-Audio StudioPro 3 speakers and the sound card on my computer was Creative X-Fi platinum fatal1ty. The left speaker, the one with power supply and amps worked pretty well and the sound was real and clear. However, the right speaker always made some annoying cracking background noise even I set the volume at a medium low level. On M-Audio's web site, it is suggested the background noise comes from grounding problem. My computer and speakers were connected to the same surge protector and it was not the issue. At a price around $90 for 2.0 speakers, such defect should not be there at all. For example, I also own T20 speakers from Creative and they do not have such problem. So I ended up with returning the speakers.
Amazon's returning service was great and I got refund without any hassel.

Distortion!!! 2008-02-25
I bought one pair and the right speaker was distorted. I am an audiophile nerdy in enough ways so I tested various outputs... all that stuff before returning it. I actually held onto it while they sent a replacement, so that I could just plug in the right speaker of the new system. It too was distorted! I eventually replaced the whole thing. Still... distortion.

I'm just saying if you are a musician and you think you are saving a penny... these won't work for you.

I mean, if you listen to classical music it will (should) make you want to punch yourself in the face.

Otherwise, I suppose they are ok expensive computer speakers. I'm mad because if that distortion weren't there the rest of the spectrum and the referencing is great.

I sent an email to m-audio and received no response (two weeks ago), and have been on hold for the past 40 minutes (c'mon people) with their customer support. Not good.

What are the chances that I received two in a million defective products?

I can't believe no one has mentioned the crackly distortion in the upper range. Impossible to listen to any clean music, classical or other wise. If you listen to rock (which I also do) you might not notice.

Totally unacceptable as "monitors"

Good speakers. 2008-02-06
They're great little audio monitors. The audio sounds full and rich. I notice that they do get crackly at high volumes, which others have noted. I also don't believe they get loud enough.