Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Accurate and detailed sound, like 'looking at something with a magnifying glass', good for hearing every detail
- Fast transient response and accurate phase coherence, which results in good stereo imaging and depth
- Balanced frequency response that translates well to other systems (headphones, big speakers)
- Tight and punchy low-end, rather than a boomy or rumbling bass
- Consistent sound quality, even at low volumes, making it suitable for long mixing sessions
Product Considerations
- Can sound a little 'dark' or 'thick'
- Placement within the room is important due to the rear passive radiators
- May require a subwoofer for those needing to hear frequencies below 38-39 Hz
- Not the loudest speakers in their price range
- Need a bit more distance and are better suited to larger rooms
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs PMC, the Two18 has a nice tight end and, for certain types of music, sounded quite nice and low
- Vs NS10, the Two18 is like a really posh NS10, and it's got low end
- Vs One18, the Two18 brings everything into a slightly more forward and tighter focus
Takeaway:
The Amphion Two18 are accurate and detailed studio monitors that offer a balanced sound, making them great for mixing. They help make good mix decisions that translate well to other playback systems.
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
Helium 510
- Positioning: A versatile bookshelf loudspeaker positioned as the most popular model in the Helium series.
- Description: Offers exceptional midrange clarity and a room-wide sweet spot, making it ideal for small to medium-sized rooms. Its low crossover point and seamless driver integration set it apart from the Argon series, which focuses more on bass extension. This model is perfect for those seeking high performance at lower listening volumes without the need for extensive amplification.
Argon 0
- Positioning: A compact desktop loudspeaker designed for high performance in small spaces.
- Description: Praised for its natural sound and compact design, making it perfect for desktop use or small rooms. Unlike the larger Argon models, it focuses on delivering high-quality sound in a smaller form factor.
Argon 1
- Positioning: A reference-quality bookshelf loudspeaker offering a balance of performance and affordability.
- Description: Provides a clean and detailed sound with a surprisingly low-reaching bass, making it suitable for both music and home theater use. It offers a more refined midband compared to the Argon 0, appealing to those who prioritize sound quality over compactness.
Argon 7LS
- Positioning: A floorstanding loudspeaker known for its deep emotional impact and high performance.
- Description: Uses technologies from Amphion's flagship studio monitors, providing a wide soundstage and exceptional clarity. It offers a more immersive experience compared to the bookshelf models.
Krypton 3X
- Positioning: Amphion's flagship floorstanding loudspeaker, representing the pinnacle of their audio technology.
- Description: Features a unique cardioid midrange design that minimizes unwanted reflections, making it suitable for challenging acoustic environments. Its innovative design and powerful bass response set it apart from the Argon series, offering a full-range sound that is unmatched in the lineup.
Read the reviews
Two18
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Manufacturer's notes
- Operating principle: Two-way, passive radiators
- Drivers: 1" titanium tweeter, 2x 6½" aluminum woofers
- Crossover point: 1600 Hz
- Impedance: 4 Ω
- Sensitivity: 89 dB @ 2.83V/1m
- Frequency response: 39 – 20 000 Hz +/-3dB
- Power recommendation: 100 – 350 W
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 550 x 190 x 305 mm (21.65" x 7.5" x 12")
- Weight: 14 kg (30.9 lbs)
Our take on the brand
Used
Amphion
What if you spend a bit more?
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Extremely clear sound, making them better for mixing and mastering than many other monitors
- Sound like main monitors, offering a large sound footprint not typically found in near-field or mid-field monitors
- Wide bandwidth accuracy and dependability at any volume level
- Midrange performance is particularly notable for realistic, unhyped accuracy, especially on naturally recorded human voices
- Bass performance combines extended bandwidth with great dynamic, pitch, and temporal accuracy
Product Considerations
- Require a significant break-in period
- To get the most out of them, an interface that can connect via AES is needed, as the conversion when using analog is not as transparent
- Correct placement is crucial; at least four and a half feet of distance is needed between the listener and the monitor to be able to get all of the sound that it's trying to give
- SoundAlign software, while useful for EQ adjustments, may introduce unwanted digital artifacts to the sound
- Expensive, these monitors are at the higher end of this sector and share that space with some well-respected designs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ATC SCM25a: The reviewer finds an absence of 'not hearing the box' evident in the 6-2 compared to the ATCs
- Vs Neumann KH310s: The 6-2s outperform them in every respect, sounding much better, with other monitors sounding colored by comparison
- Vs ATC 150s: The reviewer prefers these PMC6-2s over the ATC 150s
Takeaway: The PMC6-2 is a high-performance studio monitor that delivers exceptional clarity and detail. For those seeking accurate and dependable sound at all volumes, these monitors are worth consideration.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The PMC6 is packed with innovation and providing the same sonic signature as our renowned larger monitors, it's ideal for smaller control rooms or for use in larger immersive systems, where its astounding resolution allows critical mix decisions to be made with absolute confidence.
With 20mm of excursion, the bespoke 6-inch bass driver is designed specifically to integrate with our latest ATL™ bass-loading and Laminair™ airflow technologies. The combination outperforms most 8-inch monitors, offering unparalleled bass extension, headroom, dynamics, and low distortion at all levels.
The high end is courtesy of a one-inch precision-built fabric soft-dome tweeter, with a shallow waveguide that creates wide, tonally consistent dispersion and rock-solid imaging. Both the bass and treble drivers are precisely and individually controlled by a pair of 200W ultra-low-distortion, high-damping-factor Class-D amplifiers.
Whether in portrait or landscape placement, the PMC6's sophisticated DSP engine automatically adjusts the crossover, ensuring optimum tonal accuracy, phase and imaging. The monitor can be calibrated using the rear-panel controls or with PMC's intuitive browser-accessible SoundAlign™ software.
The PMC6 can be upgraded by adding a PMC8 SUB to create a full-range, free-standing PMC6 XBD system. Activating the 'XBD' DSP mode ensures the perfect marriage of the two units, creating a clean LF extension down to 25Hz.
"Active 2-way nearfield reference monitor with ATL™ bass loading Frequency response: 39Hz - 25kHz (- 3dB @1m full space, on-axis) Max. cont. SPL: 106dB @1m (half space value calculated as +3dB from full space measurement. Un-weighted input,20-20kHz Pink Noise (IEC) with 12dB CF for 2 hours AES2-1984 duration) State-of-the-art Class-D amplifiers: HF 200W, LF 200W Analogue/AES3 digital input (16/24-bit, 18 -192kHz sample rate) Digital 'through' output (AES3 24-bit 96kHz) SoundAlign™ network control interface for single or group EQ & settings Sophisticated DSP crossover, driver protection, EQ, and delay/polarity options Automatic portrait/landscape placement DSP correction PMC6 + PMC8 SUB creates PMC6 XBD, with LF down to 25Hz Ceiling-mount yoke allows suspension in multi-channel or immersive systems"
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Detailed and accurate sound reproduction
- Extended bass response due to PMC's Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology
- Exceptional stereo imaging allowing for precise mixing and monitoring
- Easy configuration through the SoundAlign web interface, offering versatile adjustments
- Attractive and versatile design suitable for both portrait and landscape orientations
Product Considerations
- Minor dip in the frequency response around 300Hz, potentially due to transmission line harmonics, though it doesn't affect the overall performance
- High mids may be revealing and fatiguing to some users
- Users need to ensure proper network connectivity for using the SoundAlign app
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ATC SCM20ASL Pro Mk2, the PMC6 has a stronger low-end, while the ATC offers unmatched clarity and articulation in smaller rooms
- Vs PSI Audio A21-M, the PMC6 is more powerful
- Vs Genelec 8341A, the Genelec has a wider frequency response
Takeaway: The PMC6 is an impressive nearfield monitor that provides trustworthy sound to work on your audio and mixes. It's a valuable studio tool because it allows users to make mix choices with confidence.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Delivers performance beyond what is typically associated with its price.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Full-range sound, impressive bass response, and the ability to pressurize a room, often negating the need for a separate subwoofer
- Smooth, warm, and coherent midrange provides natural and engaging vocals and instruments for long listening sessions without fatigue
- Well-extended treble presents in a naturally smooth, enjoyable, and pleasing manner
- Excellent imaging and soundstage capabilities create a realistic and immersive listening experience
- Sound reproduction makes it a speaker that one can live with
- Connectivity options are available
Product Considerations
- Quality amplification with sufficient power and current is required to achieve optimal performance and control the woofer effectively
- The backplate for bass adjustment uses wood screws, making it easy to strip if not handled carefully
- Placement and setup, especially stand height and toe-in, are crucial for achieving the best high-frequency response, it can sound dull if not optimized
- May not be ideal for listeners who prefer a brighter, more forward sound signature or those who prioritize extreme loudness levels
- Grilles may cause micro-rattling at moderate to loud listening levels due to weaker magnets
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Totem Acoustic Manny 2 Signature: The Studio 2 has a more forgiving presentation, denser midrange, and stronger bass
- Vs Klipsch Forte 3: The Studio 2 offers a more natural tone, especially in the midrange and upper bass, along with greater soundstage depth
- Vs Vienna Acoustics Mozart Symphony Editions: The Studio 2 beats them in bass and midrange
- Vs Harbeth (SHL5 and Compact 7 XTs): The Studio 2 cannot be matched by the Harbeth's articulate bass response
- Vs Celestion SL6-S: The Studio 2 has deeper roots in the trunk, and they got high branches and leaves, but they don't go all the way up to the highest branches and leaves at the tippy top
Takeaway:
The Studio 2 is a well-built bookshelf speaker that delivers a smooth, full-range sound with surprising bass and clear imaging, making for an engaging listening experience. With the right setup and quality components, these speakers can provide years of musical enjoyment in a variety of room sizes.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The SCM25A Pro Mk2 is a compact 3-way high-performance active studio monitor loudspeaker, based around a 6.5”/164mm bass driver. The monitors combination of exceptional mid-range clarity, high output, extended bass response and modest size makes it ideal for nearfield monitoring in a wide range of critical applications. The latest Mk2 version is updated with ATC’s latest SH25-76S ‘Dual Suspension’ tweeter, extending the high-frequency response along with a reduction in distortion. These improvements ensure faster decision making and outstanding translation outside the studio.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Broad dynamic range with extended high frequencies and low distortion
- Precise and detailed high end that is clean and dimensional
- Highly dimensional, reach-out-and-touch-it midrange representation
- Full, firm, and punchy low end
- Tonal consistency is good no matter where you are in the room
Product Considerations
- Requires the purchase of a left and right model
- Low mids may be more forward than some users are accustomed to
- Needs a robust speaker stand due to its weight
- The sweet spot seemed a bit shallower in depth than other monitors produce
Takeaway: The SCM25A is a studio monitor with great clarity that can help make better mixing decisions and identify problem areas in tracks. It's built to provide accurate and trusted counsel, making the technical parts of tone-building quicker.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What else competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional bass performance for its compact size, with bass that is fast, clear, and tight
- Multiple 'Master Tunings' offer customizable sound profiles, adapting to different room acoustics and user preferences
- A high-quality Purifi woofer and SB Acoustics tweeter contribute to clarity, detail, and low distortion
- A solid wood cabinet made in Denmark provides a luxurious look and feel
Product Considerations
- Bass output may diminish or be limited at high volumes to protect the drivers from damage
- A separate purchase of the Platin Stereo Hub may be required for full wireless functionality and room correction
- The 'Made in China' label applies to the electronics inside the cabinet
- While the A10 offers impressive bass, some may still prefer to add a subwoofer for a true full-range experience
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Buchardt S400 Mark II, the A10 is more transparent with greater inner detail, clarity, and top-end extension—and deeper, tighter bass—while the S400 Mark II is more relaxed and forgiving with harsh recordings
- Vs Buchardt A500, the A10 has comparable performance, with possibly a crisper sound in some instances
Takeaway: The Buchardt Anniversary 10 is a compact yet powerful speaker that offers a customizable listening experience. Its impressive bass and versatile tuning options make it a great choice for those seeking a high-quality audio solution in a small to medium-sized room.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers greater tightness and precision from the crossover point on down
- Delivers an extended high-frequency range, with greater detail and more openness without harshness
- Stereo imaging is amongst the best
- Has no sweet 'spot', which allows the engineer, producer, and client a fairly similar listening experience
- Has a smoothly extended bass response that reveals what is really going on in that elusive bottom octave
Product Considerations
- The BM-15As may be overkill for a smaller mixing environment and better suited for larger rooms
- High end is as clean and accurate as the BM-12s, but the mids were a little lacking
- While they have a slightly forward characteristic, it doesn't get in the way of accurate monitoring
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Dynaudio BM-12 MK3s—BM-15A has more bass extension and pure raw SPL power
- Vs Dynaudio BM-12 MK3s—BM-12 MK3s have more detail in the mid-range
- Vs Dynaudio BM-12 MK3s—BM-15A are far louder and put out substantially larger amount of energy in the bass and subs
- Vs Genelec, Focal, Neumann, and Event—the Dynaudio BM series are in the same class as these monitors
Takeaway: The BM15A is a speaker that gives great stereo imaging with a wide frequency range, and produces an accurate sound which is nice to listen to for long periods. Full-range monitoring in a smaller studio is possible with these speakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a clean, smooth, even, and detailed sound with pleasing subtlety and fine imaging
- Midrange is incredibly natural and fatigue-free with a slight warmth
- Exquisite build quality
- This version is reportedly one of the best-sounding LS3/5A variants on sale
Product Considerations
- Rolled-off bass response may need a subwoofer
- The sensitivity is very low, requiring more power from the amplifier
- Uppermost treble may lack the extension and air of ultra-modern speakers
- Some compression may be heard at high volumes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonos Faber Lumina 2: The Lumina 2 is even crisper up top, but leaner in the mid-bass
Takeaway: The Musical Fidelity LS3/5A is a classic speaker design reborn, offering a smooth, detailed, and natural sound that is particularly well-suited for small listening rooms and those who prioritize midrange richness. It can work well with a variety of music and amplifiers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Harwood LS 5/9 is a largely faithful replica of the legendary BBC monitor
- It has a pleasingly high efficiency of 88 dB
- It has a pleasingly linear progression of impedance, phase and EPDR, making it easy to drive with almost any amplifier
- High maximum level of 95 dB (continuous) and up to 105 decibels with music
- The sober and precisely tuned bass range enables the listener to push the LS 5/9 close to the rear wall without excessive booming bass
Product Considerations
- The replica tweeter is a good 2 decibels quieter than the original, which called the original BBC poll into question
- The LS 5/9 has a restraint in the mids (between 1.5–4 KHz), which is also reflected in the sound
- The LS 5/9 is not among the liveliest loudspeakers under the sun
- The tweeter adjustment requires re-soldering cables to the tweeter on the front
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The LS 5/9 plays lively compared to the LS 3/5a, which has virtually no dynamics at all
- The LS 5/9 is roughly on a par with the Dynaudio Heritage Special in terms of agility
- The Dynaudio Heritage Special produces much more and deeper bass from a considerably smaller cabinet
- The Dynaudio Heritage Special presented details in the mids and highs with even more grip, finesse, and airiness
- The LS 5/9 offers a very independent, highly cultivated form of reproduction that can be a charming alternative to equally expensive, modern designs
- The Harwood LS 5/9 sounds like an original Rogers model from the late 1980s
Takeaway: The Harwood LS 5/9 is a well-made replica that offers a musically natural tuning. It is electrically undemanding, making it suitable for any amplifier, and offers a charming alternative to modern designs.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Accurate and detailed sound, like 'looking at something with a magnifying glass', good for hearing every detail
- Fast transient response and accurate phase coherence, which results in good stereo imaging and depth
- Balanced frequency response that translates well to other systems (headphones, big speakers)
- Tight and punchy low-end, rather than a boomy or rumbling bass
- Consistent sound quality, even at low volumes, making it suitable for long mixing sessions
Product Considerations
- Can sound a little 'dark' or 'thick'
- Placement within the room is important due to the rear passive radiators
- May require a subwoofer for those needing to hear frequencies below 38-39 Hz
- Not the loudest speakers in their price range
- Need a bit more distance and are better suited to larger rooms
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs PMC, the Two18 has a nice tight end and, for certain types of music, sounded quite nice and low
- Vs NS10, the Two18 is like a really posh NS10, and it's got low end
- Vs One18, the Two18 brings everything into a slightly more forward and tighter focus
Takeaway:
The Amphion Two18 are accurate and detailed studio monitors that offer a balanced sound, making them great for mixing. They help make good mix decisions that translate well to other playback systems.
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