Audio Smile LBM Monitor Review

[AudioSmile_UK]

Thank you very much, Amir, for taking the time and effort to carry out this review.

The detail and reliability of your measurements are invaluable and truly appreciated.

I’ll address a few of the comments here - please feel free to ask if you have any other questions.


The subwoofer output is full-range, while the LBM includes a 100 Hz high-pass filter that can be enabled by turning the ‘Boundary’ control fully clockwise.

I really appreciate the EQ suggestions. The step in directivity around 1 kHz is mainly due to baffle step. I realise it’s unusual to see it that high — it’s typically around 300–500 Hz — but the LBM’s front baffle is only 12 cm wide. Below is the simulated ‘baffle response’ of a 12 × 20 cm baffle (with no edge rounding).

There’s also a small, sharp feature in the directivity near 1.1 kHz. I believe this comes from the woofer’s large-roll surround, as I’ve observed the same behaviour even on a wider baffle.

Since this is a DSP-based design, it would be straightforward to implement @Maiky76’s EQ suggestions directly in the product. I’d be interested to hear the general view on whether that would be desirable.

Just because it's pretty - individual 'score' EQ filters:

Not that anyone asked, but for reference, there’s a ¼-inch UNC threaded insert on the bottom of the LBM, allowing it to be mounted on most photographic stands or arms.

Finally, those who enjoy the technical side might like to read the >white paper< I prepared for the LBM.

The current USD price for the product version inc. shipping to the USA is $777 (Oct '25).

 

[AudioSceptic]

Thank you very much, Amir, for taking the time and effort to carry out this review.

The detail and reliability of your measurements are invaluable and truly appreciated.

I’ll address a few of the comments here - please feel free to ask if you have any other questions.


The subwoofer output is full-range, while the LBM includes a 100 Hz high-pass filter that can be enabled by turning the ‘Boundary’ control fully clockwise.

View attachment 485190

I really appreciate the EQ suggestions. The step in directivity around 1 kHz is mainly due to baffle step. I realise it’s unusual to see it that high — it’s typically around 300–500 Hz — but the LBM’s front baffle is only 12 cm wide. Below is the simulated ‘baffle response’ of a 12 × 20 cm baffle (with no edge rounding).

View attachment 485191

There’s also a small, sharp feature in the directivity near 1.1 kHz. I believe this comes from the woofer’s large-roll surround, as I’ve observed the same behaviour even on a wider baffle.

Since this is a DSP-based design, it would be straightforward to implement @Maiky76’s EQ suggestions directly in the product. I’d be interested to hear the general view on whether that would be desirable.

Just because it's pretty - individual 'score' EQ filters:

View attachment 485192

Not that anyone asked, but for reference, there’s a ¼-inch UNC threaded insert on the bottom of the LBM, allowing it to be mounted on most photographic stands or arms.

View attachment 485193

Finally, those who enjoy the technical side might like to read the >white paper< I prepared for the LBM.

The current USD price for the product version inc. shipping to the USA is $777 (Oct '25).

It's great to see you here. I wish I had an excuse to buy a pair but have too many speakers already. Are there plans for something larger?

 

[AudioSceptic]

A great little speaker that can double as a piggy bank, or maybe even a sandwich bank for the kids. Nice!

Seriously, does the port/slot need some sort of grille to stop this, accidental or otherwise? ;-)

 

[Grotti]

It's great to see you here. I wish I had an excuse to buy a pair but have too many speakers already. Are there plans for something larger?

+1

A speaker with a 6.5" midwoofer and a bass extension of about 40 Hz -3dB anechoic would be great..

 

[DSJR]

This is one of the nicest surprises I've had in an audio review for a very long time. I can't believe that it's so flat down to ~90 Hz and can still take boost below that. Just think what they could do with something a bit larger...

I'll need to read subsequent posts to this but - was the boundary control tested for bass alteration? They make a neat little tilted-up stand for desktop and similar use, so adjusting the boundary control so the bass doesn't totally fall off a cliff and placing them on these neat little stands, may well work well in the home market.

EDIT - I should have read on before posting the above, as I think it's been answered!

May I suggest that some cheaper tweeters may actually 'sound' better set slightly down as this one is. Subjectivity over total-Klippel flatness and at this price, I'm inclined to forgive it, especially as the active JBL equivalents do the opposite and don't get panned for it

I wonder how much more they could save by using MDF or HDF as carcasses? Ply these days can be variable with internal voids I understand, although in a tiny box like this, it may not matter...

Anyway, very well done to the designer and makers of this little speaker. I wish them well and hope that larger models may follow.

 

[daniboun]

Just a quick note; the quoted price of £529 in the review doesn’t include VAT. For British consumers, that brings the actual cost of a pair to £634.80 including VAT, which is roughly US $846 at current exchange rates. Worth keeping in mind when comparing prices.

Let's not lie to ourselves, but there are many other alternatives in terms of active speakers, if we filter by price and score, in the active bookshelf speakers category:
I'm thinking in particular of the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus speakers....

Quick shot with a filter a spinorama filter :

A collection of loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

 

[AudioSmile_UK]

It's great to see you here. I wish I had an excuse to buy a pair but have too many speakers already. Are there plans for something larger?

Yes, there is something nice being cooked up, but being honest I'm not sure how quickly this will come to market as I have my first child on the way and something else planned before that.

 

[adamd]

Since this is a DSP-based design, it would be straightforward to implement @Maiky76’s EQ suggestions directly in the product. I’d be interested to hear the general view on whether that would be desirable.

Hi Simon,
Seems like e good idea, but can you retrofit changes to the product once it has been delivered? and could the be be swtiched in and out (i am assuming not as there is no relevant control)?

 

[Crosstalk]

When not used for a long time, the port will collect all the dust inside perfectly. Then the first Loud bass would throw it straigt up.

 

[AudioSmile_UK]

Hi Simon,
Seems like e good idea, but can you retrofit changes to the product once it has been delivered? and could the be be swtiched in and out (i am assuming not as there is no relevant control)?

I can not retro-fit upgrades, the back panel needs to be removed and an analog devices programmer tool connected to update the DSP.

So, any change to the EQ would only be applied to product sold from here onwards.

 

[daniboun]

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Audio Smile Little British Monitor (LBM) Active Speaker (Monitor). It was sent to me by the company and costs £529.00 (VAT Excluded). Kit version is available for £349.00.

Shouldbe nice to update the tittle : LBM - Product MK3

 

[daniboun]

Here is the technique I was referring to above...

 

[totti1965]

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Audio Smile Little British Monitor (LBM) Active Speaker (Monitor). It was sent to me by the company and costs £529.00 (VAT Excluded). Kit version is available for £349.00.
View attachment 485117
As a woodworker, I appreciate how the baltic birch plywood edges are used as a design element around the edges. I am not sure if it comes across but this is a tiny speaker! Low frequency is handled by a 3 inch driver. Dual class AB amplifiers are used for each channel:



View attachment 485118

Dual analog inputs are provided together with bluetooth. A subwoofer output is provided as well (which I did not measure).

As you see power is external through a switching adapter.

Dual controls are provided for gain and "boundary." I found that it is best to set the gain to max as otherwise input can overload. Boundary at 12:00 o'clock gives you flat bass. Turn it one way or the other and you adjust the bass through a shelving filter.

The design is DSP optimized which we don't usually see in such low cost/small speaker (together with bi-amping).

Unusually, the port is on top!
View attachment 485131
Clever idea as then you don't have to worry about putting it flush to the wall.

Audio Smile Little British Monitor (LBM) Measurements
As usual, we start with our family of anechoic frequency response measurements:

View attachment 485119
I was stunned at how flat the on axis response is! This is better than vast majority of speakers I test regardless of cost. There is just a tiny dip around 1.07 kHz. Directivity is smooth but it takes a step function around the same frequency. This impacts early window response together with predicted in-room:
View attachment 485120
View attachment 485121

Sadly I forgot to measure the port response but here are the other two drivers:
View attachment 485122

We see that the break up in the woofer is nicely attenuated. Company has a nice sound sample comparison showing clean output of the port:

This is a small speaker so of course, can't get too loud but I was still impressed that it got up to 91 dBSPL:
View attachment 485123

View attachment 485124

There are internal limiters to keep the drivers from being damaged which may be responsible for much worse response at 96 dBSPL (not shown).

Horizontal directivity narrows with frequency:
View attachment 485125
View attachment 485126

Vertical response shows that you better listen at tweeter axis:
View attachment 485127

Finally, here is the CSD (forgot to capture Step Response):
View attachment 485128

Audio Smile LBM Listening Tests and Equalization:
I should start by saying that my reference tracks are designed for larger speaker and in some cases, full range ones. So it is a bit unfair to throw them at the LBM. I did anyway as I don't want to lower my standard here and set wrong expectations.

Going into the listening tests, I expected superb fidelity but I got the opposite at first. The sound was dull and quite localized to the speaker. Then I realized that the LBM is fair bit shorter than the typical speaker in my near-field setup so I raised it to near ear height. Difference was dramatic with far better overall response and more spacious sound. Going through my track list, I would say about half sound excellent but the other did not. At first, I filled the on-axis dip. That was a toss up as far as improvement.

As it sometimes happens, I resorted to equalization using the predicted in-room response. There, we have flat bass and what we should have is one sloping down. At first, I corrected the response below 1 kHz but there still was not enough bass to satisfy me. Using a trick I have used before, I dialed in a bass boost to simulate a small subwoofer. This made a huge difference:

View attachment 485129
I couldn't believe that the LBM was able to handle that bass boost which was just a guess on my part. The sound now had warmth down to low frequencies. Combined with startling treble detail at times, made for a mostly excellent experience. There were of course tracks that could still use a much larger speaker but the promise was delivered.

Conclusions
The LBM shows what happens when you put your mind towards highly optimizing a speaker design despite severe size and cost limitations. Audio Smile objectively gets there as far a frequency response, delivering some of the best I have ever measured. Off-axis is good but there is a step in there and flat response otherwise. A couple of filters fixed that although a subwoofer may be a more ideal setup.

Despite the speaker being built in UK, the cost is kept extremely low. Availability as a full kit at even lower price is nothing short of amazing.

I am going to recommend the Audio Smile Little British Monitor (LBM) for its excellent design and great value.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Appreciate any donations using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

Okay, now a message to all new Wilson Audio Sasha V or Sabrina V owners: Please loan Amir your pair for testing purposes! Did you get the message? Get it?

 

[AudioSceptic]

I'll need to read subsequent posts to this but - was the boundary control tested for bass alteration? They make a neat little tilted-up stand for desktop and similar use, so adjusting the boundary control so the bass doesn't totally fall off a cliff and placing them on these neat little stands, may well work well in the home market.

EDIT - I should have read on before posting the above, as I think it's been answered!

May I suggest that some cheaper tweeters may actually 'sound' better set slightly down as this one is. Subjectivity over total-Klippel flatness and at this price, I'm inclined to forgive it, especially as the active JBL equivalents do the opposite and don't get panned for it

I wonder how much more they could save by using MDF or HDF as carcasses? Ply these days can be variable with internal voids I understand, although in a tiny box like this, it may not matter...

Anyway, very well done to the designer and makers of this little speaker. I wish them well and hope that larger models may follow.

I think that only the baffle is birch ply; the rest looks like MDF in the DIY destructions.

 

[kemmler3D]

I don't think I've seen better performance at this size and price. Maybe Genelec 8010, nothing else comes to mind. Would be a great kitchen speaker or kids bedroom speaker, or just for anyone that wants a 3" for some reason...

 

[daniboun]

I don't think I've seen better performance at this size and price. Maybe Genelec 8010, nothing else comes to mind. Would be a great kitchen speaker or kids bedroom speaker, or just for anyone that wants a 3" for some reason...

Maybe the Adam D3V...if we consider the price

Measurements for speaker Adam D3V

www.spinorama.org

 

[kemmler3D]

Maybe the Adam D3V...if we consider the price

Measurements for speaker Adam D3V

www.spinorama.org

Oh good call, that's another contender.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Maybe the Adam D3V...if we consider the price

Measurements for speaker Adam D3V

www.spinorama.org

The D3V bass also goes a lot deeper.

 

[GWolfman]

Since this is a DSP-based design, it would be straightforward to implement @Maiky76’s EQ suggestions directly in the product. I’d be interested to hear the general view on whether that would be desirable.

If there’s the time to do it, I vote yes!

 

[totti1965]

Oh good call, that's another contender.

Here is the cheapest contender by far. Passive Crossover but one stereo Amp build in in one of two speakers:

I have purchased this tiny little speaker more than 2 years ago from the Company Magnat.
It is the Magnat Active 2000.

Test Aktivbox Magnat Monitor Active 2000 – HiFi war nie günstiger - LowBeats

Bodenständiges HiFi, ganz ohne verspielte Smart-Technologien, dafür mit viel Klang fürs Geld? Das ge

www.lowbeats.de

I was completely blown away from its performance: I like the sound even slightly more than the sound of my 7 times more expensive Ellis Audio 1801 speaker.
I live in Germany and here you was able to buy this little speaker for little money - a pair for just EUR 199,--!
It would be so cool, if @amirm could take a look at this little wonder.
Here is -as an attachment - the Frequency response and the distortions. It can´t do 96 dB but with 86 dB it is remarkably clean and it can go down easily to 64 Hz -the C - as an f3 point.
I think, it is worth a deeper look. Here in Germany it is a so called "Geheimtipp" for audiophiles with no money.

I don’t know if this remarkable speaker got a successor. Magnat uses Klippel measurements, but I even don’t know if it is the real, expensive, fully robotized Near-Field-Scanner (NFC).