For this special, we’re focusing on the massive range of studio monitors – the heart and soul of any studio set-up – glancing our eyes over everything from entry level creative reference monitors through to high-end solutions for mixing and mastering professionals.
Amphion One18
Key Features: It’s a well-known fact that most of the finest pro audio gear of today comes directly from the European market, and Amphion’s One18 monitors act as perfect proof of why this is the case. Designed and manufactured in Finland, these passive nearfield monitors are sleek as hell and sound just as good, if not better, than everything else on the market, with their release causing a minor meltdown among forum dwellers and their reputation solidified by the gamut of big name mix engineers who immediately secured a pair for their work.
With a two-way design that makes use of a custom 6.5” woofer and a 1” soft dome titanium tweeter to handle the high frequencies, the One18 certainly makes its heavyweight status known straight off the bat. A passive radiator on the back and the sealed enclosure of the monitors ensure that the One18s deliver a transparent, phase coherent sound at all times: even when monitoring audio from abrasive sources or at low volumes, it’s amazing how natural the monitors sound.
A frequency response of 48 – 20 000 Hz (+/-3dB) ensures that the One18s excel in both rumbling sub bass and shimmering high frequencies alike, making for an effective solution for tracking, mixing, mastering and even just casual listening, if you’re so inclined.
The Amphion One18s also make use of a 1600Hz crossover frequency, which is significantly lower in pitch than that of typical two-way monitors. This is due to the design of the SEAS metal-cone drivers installed in the enclosures, which create resonance around the 5kHz zone, and it’s nice to see Amphion putting in the hard yards in the electro-acoustic field to ensure that the One18s remain efficient here. Finally, it’s worth noting that due to their passive build, you’ll need a power amplifier to use the Amphion One18s.
Mixdown Says: While some pro-grade monitors tend to cop flak for being too unflattering or flat-sounding, listening to audio through the Amphion One18s is nothing but a revelation. Of course, like any monitor of this calibre, you’ll need to spend some time getting them set up properly in your room, but the effort is definitely worth the reward: whether you’re critically listening to mixes or simply kicking back with your favourite record on, the sheer audio quality output by the One18s is something unto itself.
Overall: NS-10s on steroids, plus some. The Amphion One18s certainly aren’t cheap, but their elegant aesthetic, intricate electro-acoustic design and mind-blowing audio quality are more than enough to salve any financial woes you might have while buying them – I genuinely can’t compliment them enough!
Find out more about the Amphion monitor range through Federal Audio today.
