Tascam VL-X5 (Pair) Description

VL-X5 is a powered near-field studio monitor system. Designed as an addition to Tascam’s Digital Portastudios or FireWire computer interfaces and control surfaces, each cabinet contains a 5,25" (13-cm) woofer and a 1" silk-dome tweeter bi-amplified by an power amp delivering 60+30 watts. The deep cabinet and ported design produce a relative high amount of bass for the size of the system. However, low- and high-frequency controls and an Acoustic Space Control are provided to optimise the speakers' performance for room placement or listener preference. The components are shielded to prevent magnetic interference if the system is set-up near CRT computer monitors.

The VL-X5 monitors cover nearly the entire range of human hearing, with a frequency response from 45Hz to 22kHz (±3dB). Their amplifiers have very low Total Harmonic Distortion (0.01%) at normal listening levels offering crystal-clear audio playback, and a combo XLR/TRS input jack allows connection to professional equipment.

Features

  • 90-watt active bi-amped near-field design
  • 1-inch (2.5-cm) natural silk high frequency dome driver
  • 5.25-inch (13.3-cm) low-frequency driver
  • LF control: 150Hz or 800Hz, ±1.5dB, via DIP switch
  • HF control: 3kHz or 8kHz, ±1.5dB, via DIP switch
  • Separated amplifier space
  • Acoustic Space Control optimises performance regardless of placement
  • Magnetically shielded for desktop operation
  • Deep size provides rich LF sound
  • Dual power amp (Low: 60 watts, High: 30 watts) perfectly matched to the drivers
  • Sub-frequency ports deliver amazing bass response

Specifications

Overall system and audio specifications
System configuration   2-way near-field studio reference monitor
Frequency Response   45Hz to 22kHz, ±3dB
Nominal SPL (60W/1m)   103dB
LF amplifier power (RMS)   60W
HF amplifier power (RMS)   30W
LF driver   5 1/4” (133 mm)
HF driver   3/4” (19 mm) soft silk dome
Crossover frequency   3kHz
HF control   3kHz / 8kHz, ±1.5dB (DIP type switch)
LF control   150Hz / 800Hz, ±1.5dB (DIP type switch)
Low-cut frequencies   40Hz / 500Hz (12dB/Oct.)
T.H.D (40W, 1kHz, 8 ohms)   0.01%
Input connectors   One XLR / TRS Combo
Input level   200mV, 10k ohms
Power supply and other specifications
Power requirements   100–120V AC (50–60Hz) or 200–240V AC (50–60Hz)
Cabinet material   MDF
Colour   Black wood
Dimensions (W x H x D)   198mm x 291mm x 290mm
Weight   7.0kg

Tascam VL-X5 (Pair) Reviews

Great Value!!

Jan Jachnik
March 29, 2007

Rating: 9/10

I bought these speakers wanting a decent but cheap pair of studio monitor speakers for mixing down my recordings and these pass with flying colours!

These monitors really do show you what you are listening to. Sometimes i play professionally recorded CD's through them and i can pick up mistakes and unwanted sounds in the recording. For example: In one song in which there is piano at the beginning i managed to pick up the sound of a metronome and some coughing in the background. My old speakers (cheap computer speakers) never showed this to me and neither did my headphones.

The bass response is very good for the size of the drivers. I think this is helped by the fact that these monitors are very deep. However, If you are a bass maniac you may want to consider getting a subwoofer.

My recordings transfer well from these speakers to other audio systems and in my opinion, that is what they should do.

Another great thing is the acoustic space control, you can adjust the frequency response to suit the environment they are in. This is very useful in my small room i call my studio.

In my opinion these are some of the best budget speakers out there. For budget home recording these are perfect. The sound good and look good also. I give them 9 out of 10.

Tascam VL-X5 review

Dan Smith
January 26, 2007

Rating: 9/10

My first set of studio monitors, and wow was I impressed!
With my low uni-student budget, I was not expecting such quality for money. The firewire cable is refreshing as i can connect the monitors directly to my laptop without fuss, which is especially useful for when I go back home. Moving them around isn't a problem either, as the acoustic controls can be changed to suit whatever room I am in, be it in my bedroom or in a studio. The only let down is its relatively low level of volume. I borrowed a set of KRK Rokit speakers, and comparitively the Tascams came out on top, for half the price.
If you don't want to be spending a small fortune on a beautiful pair of monitors, look no further than the Tascam VL-X5's. I promise that you will be thanking me for the advice!

Tascam VL-X5 (Pair) News

Sign up for special offers & industry news...

Also sign me up for

Sign up now for Tascam VL-X5 (Pair) alerts

Product RSS feeds

Tascam VL-X5 (Pair)