Studio monitors

Notes: Designed in conjunction with the expertise of mixer Chris Lord Alge, the CLA10 studio monitors are the faithful modern reproduction of the most iconic studio monitor of the last 30 years. Mix with the studio monitors that truly define "the sound of hits".

CLA10 is Avantone Pro's keenly reworked take on the classic Yamaha NS10M design known from recording studios around the world. The speaker's role is to highlight shortcomings from any mix to appropriate the sound for consumer listening devices such as TVs, radios and in-ear headphones.

The CLA10s are not the easiest of speakers to listen to. They provide a mid-heavy, almost fatiguing sound with limited bass shelving and can, at times, sound clinical to the point of chilliness. However, the benefits of mixing with CLA10s for engineers who stick with them are bountiful, such that if a mix can be made to sound pleasing on this speaker it is almost guaranteed to translate well whatever system the track is played on thereafter.

Avantone Pro took every measure in the design of the CLA10 to physically and sonically match the frequency response, resonance and power of the classic NS10M. The tweeter dome uses the same phenolic resin doping technique to match the original performance curve, whereas the woofer is composed of the same original pulp - sourced from the same original manufacturer. Crossover network capacitors are also set at the same value, and the MDF chassis matches the resonance of the original NS10 exactly.

To ensure uniformity across each new CLA10, Avantone opted for a machine-pressed technique for the AV10LHF woofer (in place of the lapped seam design). Also, whilst the capacitors have been carefully matched, higher quality components for the crossover have been selected for increased life. The speaker's banana plugs have also been upgraded to ensure extra stability and longer-term guarantee.

Notes: The Avantone MixCubes are shielded, full-range mini reference monitors. Their design is inspired by the legacy of the 5C Sound Cubes used in virtually all-major studios for the last 25 years.

Studios primarily use 2-way & 3-way larger monitors designed to represent a wide range reference viewpoint at higher listening levels. However, in this newly developing age of high definition audio, there is still a need to also hear what your mix will sound like when played back over small bass-challenged systems such as televisions, clock radios, computers, car stereos, iPod docking stations, etc. It is important to make mixing judgments based partially on listening to reference monitors that will not impart tonal anomalies caused by crossovers or inferior full range drivers. Particular attention is always paid to the critical mid-range vocal/guitar/keyboard areas. This is where having a full-range monitor without a crossover is truly revealing. Ten months of R&D comparative listening & tweaking went into the voicing of the Avantone MixCubes. The result is a very smooth sounding, full range upgrade from the original 5C Sound Cubes. Listening tests reveal that the MixCubes have a smooth, more open, transparent top end response with extended bass while maintaining their basic original character.

The original 5C Sound Cubes were made of 1/2" particleboard covered with a glue-on wood grain contact paper. Avantone chose to use thicker, denser MDF board because of its high rigidity and inherent low-resonance characteristics. Avantone started with a 165mm (6 1/2") sealed cube design with radiused edges. Avantone then chose an elegant polyurethane high gloss retro-cream finish. The originals had either screws or on later models plastic binding posts mounted on a recessed plastic cup. Avantone upgraded to high-end nickel plated, machined solid metal binding posts (dual banana spacing) mounted on a black anodized, milled and silk-screened aluminum terminal plate. Next Avantone added a 7mm thick neoprene pad embedded into the base of the cabinet to serve as a skid-resistant acoustic isolator. Additionally, for creative mounting situations, Avantone recessed an industry standard 5/8"-27 mic stand mount into the base.

The originals were a basic 5" stamped frame design. Avantone designed a proprietary 5.25" die cast aluminum frame driver/cone assembly to exceed the performance of the originals. The mounting bezel is then polished for an elegant appearance. The paper cone, chosen for its musical character, is custom designed & crafted using the finest New Zealand pulp with mica fibers added for lighter weight & rigidity. The cloth surround is made in Japan to exacting uniform thickness tolerances. The top plate and T-Yoke of driver are made of Sumitomo 1008 low carbon steel enabling the highest modeled flux density in the gap. The magnets are Y- 40 grade (MIL-spec) yielding a 43oz. High power-low distortion motor structure.

Avantone designed the amp module from the ground up to be a true professional-grade amplifier. It incorporates overkill concepts in component selection as well as safety. The result is a no-compromise amp with robust headroom characteristics that will rival the performance of much higher priced studio rack mount amps.