M-Audio AV 40

Overview

M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing.

-- As reviewed by cnet

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 6 expert reviews

Excellent:

2
Good:

3
Average:

1
Bad:

0

8.8

User Score

Based on 1,465 reviews
as rated by users

TechSpot is supported by its audience. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Last revision on January 10, 2024

Reviewers Liked

Clean, powerful sound
20 watts per speaker
Lots of connection options
Rock solid medium-density fiberboard construction
Magnetically shielded, so you won't catch abuzz off your cell phone or mess with your laptop's screen

Reviewers Didn't Like

Large for powered PC speakers
High frequency rendering leaves a little to be desired (slightly recessed sound)
Backside power switch means you're constantly doing a reach-around at bedtime

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.

Expert reviews and ratings

The M-Audio AV 40 is an impressive pair of powered desktop speakers that are perfect for enjoying multimedia and gaming. They produce sound (especially at high volumes) that is as good, if not better, than just about any other 2.0 speaker set on the market. Where these speakers fall short is when used as studio monitors. While hobbyists may find that these speakers are adequate as monitors, audiophiles won’t be happy with the performance of the AV 40 when used in this manner.

By All Sound Lab on October 28, 2015

M-Audio is by far my favorite creators of studio monitor speakers. If anybody ever asks me which kind of monitors they should buy, especially if they’re new to the speaker game, I appoint them to M-Audio.

By The Wire Realm on June 28, 2014

The M-Audio AV 40 remains a solid performer after some running manufacturing changes, and still straddles the line between higher-end home audio speakers and low-end studio monitors.

By PCMag on April 16, 2012

Fancy yourself a recording artist? A pair of quarter-inch inputs lets you connect the AV 40s to a mixing board and use them as studio monitors. Try blasting some Journey “Faithfully” on these. You won’t regret it.

By Wired on April 19, 2010

These are really nice speakers for desktop studio use. A buyer wouldn't regret the investment.

By VideoMaker on June 01, 2008

M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing.

By cnet on March 28, 2008

M-Audio AV 40

Overview

Pros & Cons

Reviews

Price: $150

TechSpot Metascore

User Score

Reviewers Liked

Reviewers Didn't Like

Competitors and Related Products

Yamaha NX-N500

Q Acoustics 3020 Monitor Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2

Audioengine A5+ Speakers

Expert reviews and ratings