SOLD: my STUDIO ELECTRIC M4s in wenge with robust, sonically transparent stainless steel grilles (a design used by Neumann microphones).
This is a true reference quality standmount speaker of uncommon musicality, authority, and an ability to produce lifelike holographic sound. When Benchmark wanted to offer a reference speaker, they used an earlier variant of these, and these are even better. Good condition with minor cosmetic wear at edges, common to this finish. Rating 7/10 just to be conservative. Grills – a visual treat – are as new.
Msrp: $2,850
Asking: $1,550 Sold
I will pay Paypal. Shipping $75 in Conus.
Local pickup available in NYCI have an established 100% USAudiomart and Audiogon score (username: transience on both), so you can buy with confidence as I do my all to ensure buyer satisfaction.
Easily bests similarly priced speakers I've had from Dynaudio, Harbeth, Trenner & Friedl, Aerial, and others. In my setup, I even prefer them to the Devore 93s I had last, which are a much more space-consuming and expensive design. I am selling as a new pair of custom Studio Electric speakers are now en route to me – I have been impressed enough to spend serious $$$ and to move up the line. Incidentally, the company's service is fantastic.
Accuracy and musicality align here in a really special way. Gobs and gobs of resolution, speed, and air while maintaining a highly musical, muscular, and long-term listenable tonal balance. I don’t know how Studio Electric does it, but it's very satisfying. The midband is rich, palpable and, natural; the treble is open and recreates shimmer and ambience without a trace of etch, and the bass is lightning quick. I will not go back to ported designs.
The Studio Electric M4s are surprisingly forgiving of placement (as you would expect from an acoustic suspension design). Huge sweet spot while low-reaching bass remains accurate even with slightly nearer than perfect wall proximity. Ultimately, a sensational speaker.
Countless Impressive Reviews"Ear-opening clear silences, extreme transparency, and timbral beauty" – Stereophile, (re: earlier variant Benchmark SMS1), Jason Victor Serinus
"The sound was surprisingly convincing despite the speakers’ small size." – Stereophile (re: earlier variant Studio Electric SE monitor), John Atkinson
"I felt that the M4’s had done one thing better than I could have ever predicted. They had given my every-man audience exactly what I wanted them to have; a masterclass in audiophile sound. Their precise imaging, extension in dynamics, realistic textures, organic timbre, energetic speed, and most importantly, the ability to evoke the emotional connection that audiophiles gush about so regularly. The Studio Electric M4 might be one of the best teaching tools I’ve ever had at my disposal. It’s not often that you can demystify a multitude of abstract concepts within the time it takes to listen to one song — but that is exactly what the M4’s were readily doing. I can’t help but express what a bargain these are considering they check a lot of the boxes I’d often associate with much more costly, bigger, and complex designs.
What separates the M4’s apart from the bulk of their competition is how clean and clutter free their approach is to capture the sound of larger speakers. Yes, many monitors in the market through the use of ports, transmission lines, wave-guides, and radiators have done their best to fool you into thinking their boosted bass is near equal to that of floor-standers, none do it as convincingly within their stated frequency range limits as these sealed monitors do from Studio Electric.” – Part-Time Audiophile
“Bottom line: If you’re in the market for a stand mount speaker costing at this price point that can do it all don’t bother putting the Studio Electric M4 speakers on “A” shortlist… they are your shortlist!” – Dagogo, David Blumenstein
“The M4 offers all that any sane listener will likely ever want or need. They look great, sound fantastic, and won't jeopardize financially what remains of your household's marital or partnership bliss. They are as near to perfect a small speaker as I have encountered, certainly at anywhere near their very fair asking price, and can give certain wee boxes from across the pond (sealed and bass-reflex) a real run for their money. That is a Brexit deal worth embracing, I'd say. Highly recommended and quite the exceptional value.” – Positive Feedback, Maurice Jefferies
“The sound was tactile, detailed, and inarguably musical. Bass transients were especially well served by these sealed enclosures. Sure, monitor speakers may never be full-frequency monsters, but these showed a confidently lifelike presentation down to its mid-40hz limits. My notes here tell me “somewhere between Audio Note and Harbeth with detail!” – Part Time Audiophile, Eric Franklin Shook
“About as close to neutral as you can get out of a reasonably priced small loudspeaker. Its compact size makes it easy to place, and it is suitable for many kinds of listening environments. Standout characteristics include vocal clarity and imaging. Bass is pretty darn good as well, especially for an acoustic suspension/6.5-inch driver arrangement” – Everything Audio Network
"The space and air around the midrange helps these speakers to tackle even the most complex of arrangements while the allied meaty bass means that they will be a good performer within any genre of music." – The Audiophile Man
SpecsLF: SE HighX™6.5" / 170mm /copolymer
HF: 1" / 25mm soft dome
Frequency Response: 44Hz-22kHz
Sensitivity: 88dB @ 1W / 1 meter
Recommended Power Amplifier: 30 to 200 Watts
Impedance: 6 Ohms
Crossover Frequency: 3.4kHz
Construction: HDF and MDF with a choice of rich veneers
Cabinet Dimensions: 13Hx8.625"Wx13.5D" (sans grill)
Weight: 19 lbs. / 8.5 kg (shipped two per carton) @ 43 lbs.
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