Pioneer DJ VM-50 5″ 2-Way Active Studio Monitor (White)

The Pioneer DJ VM-50 5″ 2-Way Active Studio Monitor (White) produces clear audio with fast-attacking, punchy bass. The Pioneer DJ VM-50 5″ 2-Way Active Studio Monitor (White) can be tuned to suit the characteristics of any room, making it perfect for recreating a club sound when you’re DJing or providing a flat frequency response when you’re producing music in a home or professional studio setting.

Key Features

– 5.25″ Woofer, active monitor speaker
– Clear, Accurate Sound Frequencies with Fast Response
– Low-end audio remains tight and free from unwanted vibrations
– Special design flat playback frequency crosses over to the tweeter easily

High-quality components

Every VM series speaker includes a Class D amplifier with 96 kHz sampling DSP to enable wide-bandwidth audio reproduction. Its highly efficient performance results in low distortion and high-energy sound. The 4-mm-thick rigid aluminum front baffle further suppresses resonance and vibrations, delivering sound that’s authentic to the original source

Aramid fiber woofer cones and Vortex Bass Accelerator

Aramid fiber woofer cones provide outstanding punch that you’ll feel in the bass and low-mid frequencies. These newly developed cones are 30 percent lighter than conventional paper-lined Aramid cones, making them stronger with deeper sound

The Vortex Bass Accelerator ensures that low-end audio is tight and free from unwanted vibrations, as ribs in the bass reflex port mean that air flows freely from the speaker to deliver pure sound

Constant directivity horn

Mid and high-frequency sounds are delivered with power thanks to the constant directivity horn, which also creates a broad, uniform listening space. The shape of the horn and the woofer edge are specially designed so the flat playback frequency crosses over to the tweeter easily, resulting in a natural sound

Fresh, professional design
The brand-new design of the hexagonal aluminum front baffle brings a fresh look, as well as improved sound quality and durability. It cuts down unwanted vibrations for lower distortion while the tweeter protective guard reduces the risk of damage to the high-frequency diaphragm. And the Alumite treated brushed texture gives the speakers a professional finish so they look right at home next to Pioneer DJ gear.

DSP control

All VM series speakers are voiced flat to ensure you hear the natural sound of the music. To help you tweak the output and find the sound that’s perfect for the room you’re working in, each speaker includes DSP settings. On the rear panel, you’ll find 2 knobs: Low EQ and High EQ. Without needing to look, you can click the knobs into 4 different positions each, giving you 16 possible EQ settings that are simple to engage. Choose the one that sounds best for DJing or producing music in your home or studio, depending on the shape, size, and construction of the room

AMPLIFICATION AND EQ

The VM series speakers feature bi-amp class D amplification. A dedicated 30-watt amplifier drives the same one-inch soft-dome tweeter at 4 ohms across the entire range. Each woofer size comes with a dedicated amplifier, with each speaker’s total output ranging between 60, 110 and 120 watts.

Each amplifier features digital sound processing to help tune the sound. The sound processing applies a preset EQ with the user having four options for both the low-frequency response and high. Sampled at 96kHz, the presets allow the user to change between 16 preset EQ at ease. Each frequency features one preset the lowers the output, one flat and two settings that boost the output.

Although the preset options are easy to change, we still felt the need to move the speaker to see the available options. Having to move the speaker to change these limited settings do make us question Pioneer DJ’s decision not to include a fully customisable DSP. Such as the one found on main rival KRK’s speakers.

SOUND QUALITY

Speakers are a personal item and a very personal choice. With so many factors influencing a speaker’s output, including the room, the music source, and even the listener’s ears, it wouldn’t be correct to subjectively tell you to buy one speaker over another without recommending you first listen to both yourself. With that said, though, we can critic the speaker and test the manufactures claims within a studio we know very well.

Pioneer DJ has put a lot of emphasis on the speakers flat tuning, promoting the ability for this speaker to be used in the studio and the DJ booth. With most DJ monitors being critiqued for being too bass-heavy, Pioneer DJ aren’t the first company to emphasise their latest speakers’ flat tuning. Using the VM-50 at home in the flat EQ, we agree this is a very balanced unit with tight bass response. The speaker sounds superb, with great separation and clarity throughout.

Reaching around the speaker’s back to change the speakers into a more DJ friendly tuned setting, the speaker certainly changes in character. That said, we never found the larger VM-80 became punchy enough to really excite when placed in our studio. Sure the bass drops low, but it’s more a frequency you hear rather than feel. Something the addition of a subwoofer might have aided. 

IN CONCLUSION

The new VM series by Pioneer DJ is a clear improvement over the previous models offered by the company. The speakers sound excellent for the price point, with their clarity and separation impressing. The VM series will benefit most DJ/Producers looking for a great all-around speaker for home use.

Price matched to the industry-leading KRK Rokit speaker is an interesting choice, especially given that the KRK offers a fully customisable DSP with an accompanying room correction app. The VM series on the other hand aims to be easier to use than the KRK, changing between flat and tuned sounds with far less hassle. Which matters most, accurate sound or ease of use will come down to personal choice.

For an easy to set up, great-sounding monitor speaker, the VM series will please most users at this price point. It’s a clear improvement over Pioneer DJ’s older offerings and looks as good as it sounds. 

What’s Included:

• Pioneer DJ VM-50 (White)
• Power cord
• Cushioned feet pads x 1 (4pcs / 1sheet)
• Warranty (for some regions)
• Quick Start Guide
• Precautions for Use