This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Meyer Sound MM-4XP, active "micro" monitor (4 inches). It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $1,180 plus the cost of external power supply.
While quite dense and solidly built, this is one tiny speaker that you can easily pick up with one hand. Part of the reason is that the power supply is external (48 volt/1.5 amp in this case):
Company sells rack mounted power supply to power multiple speakers. Internal capacitor storage allows short-term voltage drops so you can use long lines to drive it. It also has compressors for both average and peak playback levels. Here is a quick video showing it around:
Speaker is meant to be used with the grill so I left it in place for testing. If you are not familiar with my speaker measurements, please watch this tutorial:
Meyer Sound MM-4XP Speaker Measurements
Let's start with our family of anechoic frequency responses of the speaker:
High level picture is quite good in how flat the on-axis response is, if you ignore the half a dozen narrow resonances. Also obvious is the intended narrowing of the directivity to get more power out of this small speaker. Nice to see some of those resonances disappearing off axis:
Predicted response shows a sharp drop off in high frequencies if one is to rely on our model in residential usage of typical speakers:
Directivity plots show what we already know:
Distortion is kept in check for a speaker this small:
I could tell a tonality shift in bass sweep but nothing outside of that -- quite remarkable for a speaker this size.
Waterfall graph as usual highlights resonances:
Finally, here is the step response, showing some latency:
Meyer Sound MM-4XP Listening Tests and EQ:
I put the MM-4XP in my near-field testing spot and turned on the music. I was shocked at the sound being incredibly under water. Then I remembered the directivity issue and propped up the speaker and pushed it back some (about 5 feet). This had a massive impact with high frequencies now coming forward (major benefit of measuring and then listening). I wanted to see the effect of the narrowband resonances so developed a handful of filters for them:
The difference in each one was subtle but combined, there was more clarity and less high frequency distortion. You could definitely do without but if you have EQ, you need to apply it.
Playing music with sub-bass showed that, as measurements indicate, none of that spectrum is played. Cranking up the volume made the speaker act like a lot larger one in how it kept getting louder without getting distorted. I kept going but then it became clear that the limiter was kicking in the way the increase in volume was countered by a decrease internally. Still, at that player the single 4 inch speaker was quite loud.
I closed my eyes and paid attention to spatial qualities. Imaging is about a 4 foot halo that is forward of the speaker. So much better than a little point source.
Alas, as I went through my reference tracks, other than a few vocals where performance was quite good, nothing rose up to minimum level of fidelity. Not having bass really takes out the soul of music.
Conclusions
This design dates back to 2007. Company aim seemed to be tiny speaker that would be used in commercial spaces (restaurants, bars, shopping centers). By narrowing directivity, they are able to get high SPL, much like a focused flashlight. Owner wondered if they make for good Atmos speakers. I guess they could and being able to power them with one cable is nice. Other than that, I don't see a use for them in home listening given the cost.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
While quite dense and solidly built, this is one tiny speaker that you can easily pick up with one hand. Part of the reason is that the power supply is external (48 volt/1.5 amp in this case):
Company sells rack mounted power supply to power multiple speakers. Internal capacitor storage allows short-term voltage drops so you can use long lines to drive it. It also has compressors for both average and peak playback levels. Here is a quick video showing it around:
Speaker is meant to be used with the grill so I left it in place for testing. If you are not familiar with my speaker measurements, please watch this tutorial:
Meyer Sound MM-4XP Speaker Measurements
Let's start with our family of anechoic frequency responses of the speaker:
High level picture is quite good in how flat the on-axis response is, if you ignore the half a dozen narrow resonances. Also obvious is the intended narrowing of the directivity to get more power out of this small speaker. Nice to see some of those resonances disappearing off axis:
Predicted response shows a sharp drop off in high frequencies if one is to rely on our model in residential usage of typical speakers:
Directivity plots show what we already know:
Distortion is kept in check for a speaker this small:
I could tell a tonality shift in bass sweep but nothing outside of that -- quite remarkable for a speaker this size.
Waterfall graph as usual highlights resonances:
Finally, here is the step response, showing some latency:
Meyer Sound MM-4XP Listening Tests and EQ:
I put the MM-4XP in my near-field testing spot and turned on the music. I was shocked at the sound being incredibly under water. Then I remembered the directivity issue and propped up the speaker and pushed it back some (about 5 feet). This had a massive impact with high frequencies now coming forward (major benefit of measuring and then listening). I wanted to see the effect of the narrowband resonances so developed a handful of filters for them:
The difference in each one was subtle but combined, there was more clarity and less high frequency distortion. You could definitely do without but if you have EQ, you need to apply it.
Playing music with sub-bass showed that, as measurements indicate, none of that spectrum is played. Cranking up the volume made the speaker act like a lot larger one in how it kept getting louder without getting distorted. I kept going but then it became clear that the limiter was kicking in the way the increase in volume was countered by a decrease internally. Still, at that player the single 4 inch speaker was quite loud.
I closed my eyes and paid attention to spatial qualities. Imaging is about a 4 foot halo that is forward of the speaker. So much better than a little point source.
Alas, as I went through my reference tracks, other than a few vocals where performance was quite good, nothing rose up to minimum level of fidelity. Not having bass really takes out the soul of music.
Conclusions
This design dates back to 2007. Company aim seemed to be tiny speaker that would be used in commercial spaces (restaurants, bars, shopping centers). By narrowing directivity, they are able to get high SPL, much like a focused flashlight. Owner wondered if they make for good Atmos speakers. I guess they could and being able to power them with one cable is nice. Other than that, I don't see a use for them in home listening given the cost.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
