Yamaha monitor loudspeakers

By Alexey Chernoskulov

Review contents:

Audio accompaniment for TV programs The audio measuring equipment from LES Company Headphones and sets from Beyerdynamic Systems from D.A.S. Audio Monitor systems from Digilab Electronics Sound monitors ESI Acoustic systems for audio control in TV production. Monitors from Event Electronics Active sound monitors of the Fostex Company Devices for the audio control from Genelec Company Sound monitors from JBL Pro Equipment of Klark Teknik Company Loudspeakers KRK Audio equipment M-Audio Audio equipment Mackie Marshall Electronics monitors Monitors and headphones from Samson Snell and Wilcox equipment for the embedded audio control Tektronix instruments for audio signal measurements Production of Wharfedale Pro Yamaha monitor loudspeakers

Some years have passed from the moment as the production of legendary NS-10 has been stopped. Black cases and white diffusers of these loudspeakers is possible to see in the majority of the Russian and foreign studios. According to expert evaluation, NS-10 became the most widespread studio monitors of the near plan. Practically simultaneously with disappearance of NS-10 the Yamaha Company has put on the market the MSP series. Somebody have begun to compare these two series and to argue that sound is worse and that is better (that is not absolutely correct). But all are unanimous in that the sounding of monitors of new series differs from NS-10. First of all the MSP3 and MSP5 systems successfully have been conquering the broadcast and cinema industry. Editing stations and off-the-air studios with the small and medium budget are actively equipped with these monitors. Systems are well transmitted the balance, have no too much detailed sounding, and the operator does not distract from the original task decision, i.e. convergence of signals. Little apart from MSP3 and MSP5 are MSP10 models, which are found the application in musical studio sound recording.

Popularity of MSP is also provided with the technical decisions given a base for their design. Every loudspeaker of the series is active, that allows to ensure good concordance of elements. Speakers of MSP series are provided with magnetic shielding for maintenance of protection from pickups on computer and video monitors located in immediate proximity to them.

Modeling line MSP is included the following devices:

The double-band active monitor of near field MSP3

The basic features are the following:

• Frequency range — 65 Hz…22 kHz;
• Maximum sound pressure — 98 dB;
• Power amplifier by 20 W, controls of the high and low frequency level;
• Two inputs: symmetric (+4 dB, parallel connectors XLR and jack) and asymmetrical (-10 dB, RCA), everyone with the independent level control. This feature can be used, for example, for transmission in the channel with connector XLR of base signal from symmetric line; in the channel with connector RCA — a signal from an asymmetrical line of internal communication;
• Installation of the monitor on the microphone rack is possible by means of additional adapter BMS10A;
• Dimensions of the monitor — 144×236×167 mm;
• Weight — 3.7 kg.

Due to small size the MSP3 can be used as monitors for operation in mobile equipment rooms. They are still used in studios of preparation of speech programs in TV broadcasting and as monitors of near field in domestic sound recording studios, and also as acoustics in Surround sound systems. There are popular as monitors for operation with systems of nonlinear video editing.

Double-band active monitor Yamaha MSP5A

The basic features are the following:

• Double-band system. There are two amplifiers (by 40 W for low frequency and 27 W for high frequency);
• One input line. Input connectors XLR and TSR (jack);
• Frequency range — 50 Hz…0 kHz;
• Dimensions of the monitor — 169×279×222 mm;
• Weight — 7.5 kg.

Monitors of this model are successfully used in off-the-air studios and program studios. Its can be applied in low-budget musical and domestic studios.

Double-band active monitor of medium plan MSP10M

MSP10M is the modernized version of MSP10 model. The monitor includes a low-frequency speaker by 8" diameter (polypropylene diffuser, rubber corrugation, magnetic shielding) and the high-frequency dome emitter by 1" diameter with titanic diffuser, and also two amplifiers (low-frequency by 120 W power and high-frequency by 60 W power) and an active crossover (separation occurs on frequency 2 kHz). The loudspeaker is made under the circuit with a phase inverter.

The basic features are the following:

• Frequency range — 40 Hz…40 kHz (-10 dB);
• Maximum sound pressure — 110 dB;
• Input line — there is a symmetric input (XLR) on the back panel;
• Circuit of an input amplifier cascade there is a control of sensitivity (-6…+4 dB), switches of level for each band (0, -1.5 or -3 dB on 50 Hz; +1.5, 0 or -1.5 dB on 10 kHz), the switch of the cutting filter of low frequency (80 Hz);
• Dimensions of the monitor 264×327×419 mm;
• Weight — 16.5 kg.

Yamaha MSP10, MSP5 and SW10 loudspeakers

These monitors are applied for musical studios as the monitor of the medium plan and in studios of program production. High maximum sound pressure allows to carry out the correct control of “explosive” sounds. It is very important in film production with use of 5.1 format and in other applications if listening with high volume and operation with wide dynamic range are required. At the same time the systems correctly work at low and medium level of volume. If using of subwoofer is needed the installation of SW10, designed for application with MSP10 and MSP5, is recommended. It is necessary to note, that MSP10M correctly enough and confidently transfers the bass below 50 Hz.

Active studio subwoofer SW10

The basic features are the following:

• Amplifier by 180 W power;
• Magnetic shielding;
• Switch of polarity, the filter passing low frequency in the range 40 Hz…120 Hz;
• Frequency range — 25…150 Hz (-10 dB);
• Maximum sound pressure — 111 dB;
• Dimensions 328×459×476 mm.

Subwoofer SW10 is designed for operation with MSP10 and MSP5.

Material provided by Tivionica Broadcast Systems Company