MSP5A

The short answer is "quality." The interaction between a power amplifier and the speaker it drives has a huge impact on the way the system sounds. Since component amplifiers are expected to drive a wide variety of speakers with varying characteristics they have to be designed with a certain amount of compromise. The same goes for passive speakers. But in the MSP series monitors the speakers and built-in amplifiers have been designed from the outset to work together for uncompromising audio quality. Convenience is another benefit. Obviously you won't need external power amplifiers, and your monitor system can be easily transported and quickly set up anywhere you need outstanding audio reproduction.

The usual approach in speaker systems is to power the separate drivers — low-mid driver and tweeter in a 2-way system — from a single power amplifier through a passive crossover network in the speaker's cabinet. A properly designed system of this sort can provide excellent performance, but some phase aberrations and distortion introduced by the passive network, and speaker interaction near the crossover point, are unavoidable. There is also some power loss through the passive components. Bi-amplification completely bypasses these problems by using separate power amplifiers for the low-mid driver and tweeter. An active crossover separates the frequency bands before the power amplifiers. This means that the crossover handles line-level signals, while the speakers are directly driven by separate power amplifiers so electronic interaction is virtually impossible. Building the amplifiers into the speaker cabinet allows for the best possible damping, for tight, controlled bass and fast transient response for accurate high frequency reproduction. The overall result is exceptionally smooth, natural response over the crossover range with an absolute minimum of distortion at all frequencies. In short, you get incredibly accurate reproduction. Specifically, the MSP5A powers the low-mid driver with a 40-watt amplifier and the tweeter with a 27-watt amplifier (total power 67 watts).

The MSP5A takes advantage of the latest advances in materials and design technology. The 12-cm (5") woofer and 2.5-cm (1") titanium-dome tweeter feature advanced magnetic structures that achieve exceptionally low distortion. Tweeters on all MSP series monitors operate in conjunction with a unique waveguide horn that achieves broad, uniform high-frequency dispersion for optimum balance regardless of listening position. Titanium offers excellent response, separation and durability, while the combination of dome tweeter and waveguide horn offers a broad coverage area of 120 degrees. Advanced driver and enclosure designs also ensure smooth, uniform dispersion across the system's full reproduction range.

Flat frequency response out to 40 kHz makes the MSP5A great for mastering, where high sample and bit rates are the norm.

The MSP5A has balanced XLR-type inputs for direct compatibility with professional equipment. Balanced lines are ideal if the speakers are to be placed at the end of long cable runs which, if unbalanced, might be susceptible to hum and induced noise. The MSP5A also offers an unbalanced 1/4" phone jack connector.

The MSP5A is equipped with 4-position low and 3-position high trim switches that allow the system's response to be optimized for a wide range of acoustic environments.

Along with their compact size and excellent performance, full magnetic shielding allows the MSP5A speakers to be positioned near all types of audio, video, and computer equipment without sound degradation or negative effects on surrounding equipment.

The MSP5A can also be attached to a wall using the optional BWS20-120 and BWS20-190 Wall Mounting Brackets.