ReviewS

By George Petersen

Pelonis Sound and Acoustics Model 42

Compact Studio Monitors With a New Slant
It doesnt happen often, but every once in a while I encounter a studio neareld reference monitor that really gets me jazzed about listening. A relative newcomer, the Pelonis Sound Model 42 is ready to make its mark in control rooms everywhere. Created by awardwinning studio designer Chris Pelonis, the Model 42 is the newest release in the Pelonis Signature Series, which ranges from the two-way PSS110P to the four-way, 1,000-watt, dual-15 Model 215AW active reference system. All the Pelonis monitors are based on Tannoys Dual-Concentric coaxial drivers, with custom cabinets and electronics. navigate. From a main page, you have remote access to controlling mute, L/R speaker solo, L/R level match, alignment delay (1 to 10 ms) on either side or both, and a versatile system equalizer. The EQ is a 5-band parametric, with the two outer bands switchable to provide LF or HF shelving control. Designed for system tweaks, the EQ has a +3/-18dB gain range and adjustable Q from an ultra-wide 0.5 to a narrow, surgical 20 ratio. The software can store an almost endless number of DSP presets, To maintain their small footprint, the Model 42 speakers come so you could create an entire library with external amplification and DSP. of tweaked settings to emulate other monitors, presets for dierent rooms The controllers custom, 4-channel Class-D they work in or how I like it preferences. Enter the Model 42 amp delivers 100W to each of the 4-inch multiThe smallest in the line, the Model 42 puts ber, paper-pulp cone woofers and coaxial neo- The Sound 4-inch, two-way Dual-Concentric drivers into pat- dymium magnet HF drivers with 0.75-inch The DSP access for tweaks is nice, but the Modent-pending, rhomboid-shaped enclosures that titanium domes. The rack also contains the ac- el 42s sound great right out of the box. The eect are fed from a single-rackspace DSP controller/ tive crossovers and a DSP section for system is listening to a much larger speaker. The LF recrossover/amplier unit. The Model 42s are bare- tweaks, accessible via a front panel USB port sponse is down about 3 dB at 75 Hz, but there was ly larger than an Auratone cube, but dont let their for connection to a free Mac/PC control app. Inno feeling of wheres the bass, and these are diminutive size fool you. Beyond those 6x8-inch puts are Neutrik combo XLR/TRS jacks (with nearly ruler-at out to 20 kHz, with HF extendfront-ported baes, theres a lot going on. Rath- a -10/+4dB sensitivity switch) that accept bal- ing beyond 35 kHz. Pelonis is currently working er than going the self-powered route, with elec- anced or unbalanced lines. Amplier outputs on an optional subwoofer; in the meantime, I also tronics inside the speakers, Pelonis opted for an are standard ve-way binding posts. tried the 42s with a JBL LSR sub with great results. external system controller, which oers numerSetup is easyits mostly plug-and go. The key to the Model 42s sound is its consistent ous design advantages. The speaker boxes can be However, this is a bi-amplied system with response at nearly any volume, with the bass only kept as small as possibletheres no need to sup- external connections via (supplied) 3-meter becoming nonlinear at extreme (i.e., painful) ply AC power to each speakerand the design/ speaker cables with tinned bare ends. You relevels. The system oers tons of headroom and selection of the crossover and ampliers is not ally need to double-check how youve attached incredible levels of low-level detail with no distorcompromised by the requirements of space and/ those eight speaker terminals on the ampli- tion or listening fatigue. or heat management, which are two major con- er end and the four on each speaker to ensure The use of the rhomboid shape is brilliant. siderations in any self-powered speaker. proper polarity and that the HF and LF lines Placed on the meter bridge in my main control are not reversed. Some color-coding to prevent room (almost exactly ear level), the slanted front PRODUCT SUMMARY the (disastrous) latter condition would be a nice bae pointed the speakers slightly inward addition on future models. Another possible right on-axis. For studios with a very high meCOMPANY: Pelonis Sound and acoustics improvement would be a recessed sensitivity ter bridge, the 42s can be rotated on their side to PRODUCT: model 42 WEBSITE: pelonissound.com switch. I accidentally bumped it, changing the point slightly downward. I later used them in my PRICE: $999 pair (with amp/controller) setting several times while connecting all those video post suite at desktop level; here, the 20-despeaker lines during setup. gree slant was just right to keep the monitors PROS: compact size. CONS: caution is Slanted baes oer required to avoid The software provides access to DSP param- pointed slightly upward toward me. This proved versatile placements. damage from reversed eters, although this is optional and not necessary to be a real revelationnear-eld listening withFlat frequency response. lF/hF driver hookup DSP control available via during setup. to operate the monitors. The app is fairly basic out console reections! Anyone looking for a new free software. the GUI isnt exactly slick, but it is easy to use and slant in monitoring should check these out. 56
MIX march 2011

www.mIxonlIne.com

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2/14/11 12:19:57 PM

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