Many months ago now, I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing an awesome home product made by Digital Designs… At this, my ears perked up as I had already been studying up and reading about Digital Designs new powered monitors and was on the verge of requesting a set, when low and behold… Ashley was indeed talking about the DD PM151 powered monitors. Well I can tell you now, not a breath was passed before I eagerly agreed to put these through their paces and write up my own review of them.
After thinking about this review a little, I decided to ring Ashley back and enquire if he had one other thing I could add to this system, and I could do a combined view… He did, and this is how I will also be reviewing the ABC-10, 10” home subwoofer from Digital Designs also, (or to more accurately call it as Digitals Designs have coined it, the “Active Bass Circuit”).
As with previous reviews let us start at the beginning, and finish at the conclusion after twisting through a myriad of information, and specifications that may dazzle, or baffle, but ultimately amaze you all.
The unboxing
Unboxing and seeing these speakers for the first time is akin to opening that first present on Christmas morning, leaving you more excited at the thought of what is to come.
Opening the box you will find one powered, and one unpowered studio monitor (the DD PM151’s) veneered in a brushed metal finish, and rounded edging to soften the boxy look they may have otherwise had. Each fronted with magnetic framed, acoustic material finished speaker covers, emblazoned with a Digital Designs logo badge. I must add here… excellent choice by the guys at Digital Designs to go with the magnetic points rather than the push in lug system, this give a very clean look whether you run the DD-PM151 with or without the front covers. Also included in the box are, the power cord of course to power the monitors, a very liberal length speaker wire, and, to my surprise I must say, not only a stereo 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable for the AUX input, but a 3.5mm to 2 RCA for the Line In also.
Specifications and features:
Digital Designs list this best so hope they don’t mind me using their work.
The DD PM151 Studio Monitors:
- Type: Two-way Powered Speaker System
- Amplifier Output: 60 Watts RMS Stereo
- Driver(s): Woofer 5″, Tweeter 1″ Silk Dome
- Source Inputs: 1xRCA, 2×3.5mm
- Output Connectors: 120v AC, 5v USB
- Tweeter: 1” Natural Silk Dome, Cavity back
- Woofer: 5” driver, low distortion shorting ring motor design, high Performance Cone.
- Enclosure: Like the other components, the DD-PM151’s enclosure has an important role in shaping the overall sonic response. In order to provide more stable performance, the DD-PM151’s enclosure employs MDF walls and unique interior reinforcement designed to absorb vibration generated under extreme conditions. We also utilize a tuned rear ports to extend the reproduction of very low frequencies
- USB : To charge 5V devices such as smart phones.
- RCA Input: Used to connect signals from unbalance, -10dBv devices. The white connector is for the Left input and the red connector is for the Right input.
- AUX Inputs: For maximum flexibility, we have included 2 stereo “Aux in” input allowing a three audio sources (such as your portable music player, computer, etc.).
- Voltage-Select: Provides 2 selections, 115VAC and 230VAC, and should be set to match the “house supply” (receptacle) voltage of the country or location in which the speaker is used. The 115V setting is correct for the USA, while the 230V setting is correct for most of the UK and Europe.
- Aux AC Output: Power outlet for Airport Express or wireless repeater devices.
- SUB Out: Supply signal below 80Hz Low Frequency for subwoofer
- High Pass Switch: Cuts frequencies below 80Hz when used with a subwoofer.
The Lowdown:
Not being able to wait until I had run the speakers in before I listened to them properly I sat through a couple of the tracks I had chosen as ‘wear in’ tracks. Then, as you should with all audio gear new from the packaging, I left the Studio Monitors to ‘wear in’ for a time before putting them through their paces. I must say, after a 5 hour ‘wear in’ period I could easily hear the difference in the tone. There are people out there that may say you don’t really have to put gear through a ‘wear in’ process, but this is my personal preference and I have always found benefits to ‘wearing in’ gear.
For those interested, here was my wear in process:
1) Select a track that is long (use repeat if necessary), has a good mix of highs and lows, and
most importantly (if using digital music) ensure it is of the highest quality you can get (this
once again is personal preference), in this instance I decided to use 3 tracks for this process (Rock, Digital Music, Bass).
2) 1 hour – low volume
20 minutes – no music
3 hours – mid volume
20 minutes – no music
1 hour – slightly louder that you would generally listen to day to day
Now, with the ‘wear in’ process complete I can FINALLY sit back listen and enjoy!
For the purpose of this review, I chose the same tracks used in a previous review, with the addition of 2 Digital music tracks (found on the “Animusic One” Album), listed below.
Tracks:
a) Easy Listening (Track: Hotel California)
b) Rock (Track: November Rain)
c) Drum and Bass (Track: Music in my mind) {Chilled Deep Dubstep version}
d) Dubstep (Track: Reality)
e) Digital music (Track: Acoustic Curves)
f) Digital music (Track: Harmonic Voltage)
The above tracks allow me a chance to review the wide range of audio bands from the very high frequencies through to the low, low frequencies.
For the purpose of this review, I split my listening to both, without the ABC-10 connected, then again connected, Each time, I spent a couple hours listening to the above tracks multiple times to absorb as much of each song as possible.
Tracks ‘e’, and ‘f’ were actually added after listening to the first 4 songs and thinking that a little digital music would be an awesome addition, VERY pleased with that decision.
The first thing I noticed listening to the DD PM151 Studio Monitors on their own, was that they have a very neutral and natural sound, I found them more than capable of delivering both the high notes with crisp precision, and the mid to low notes with no loss of punch or follow through, their balanced neutral toning, I found great for allowing me to adjust the audio properties with external equalizers without creating any harsh tones or “punched out” lows.
Although the PM151s handled the Easy Listening, Rock, and Digital Music tracks with ease, I did feel, they did fall a little flat on the low and very low notes in the Drum & Bass, and Dubstep tracks, that being said, comparatively with another set of bookshelf speakers I own, these still comfortably exceeded what I expected to hear.
Whether at low volume or pushing them to their limits the PM151 didn’t skip a beat, and provided smooth clarity right through the volume range.
If there is only one critique I would give, that would be around the bright blue light placed prominently in the front between the Woofer and Tweeter, with even the front covers connected, the light shone brightly through.
The Digital Designs “Active Bass Circuit” ABC-10:
The unboxing:
Like the DD-PM151, to compliment the overall package, the ABC-10 is also veneered in a brushed metal finish, and rounded edging, the only thing I could say that would have been a nice touch (personal preference here), a Digital Designs badge to match the PM-151 and help break up the solid brushed metal finish.
Specifications and features:
Like the PM-151, I will take a little licence from Digital Designs, and share the specifications they have published themselves.
The ABC-10, 10” “Active Bass Circuit”:
- Type: Subwoofer System
- Woofer Size: 10 inches
- Bass Extension: On/Off switch for extended bass at 35Hz
- Phase: 0°/180°
- Power Requirements: 100-120V/60Hz & 220-240V/50Hz AC Select
- Frequency Response: –3dB @ 25Hz (up to full-rated power)
- Crossover Frequency: 30-90Hz, bypassable
- Crossover Slope: 24dB/Oct
- Dimensions (US): 16.93″(H) x 12.64″(W) x 17.72″(D)
- Dimensions (Metric): 43 cm (H) x 32.1 cm (W) x 45 cm (D)
- Input Sensitivity: 10K Ohms Unbalanced
- Power Handling (RMS/Peak): 400 Watts (Peak) 4Ω
- S/N Ratio: >95dB (typical, A-weighted)
- Shipping Weight: 50 lbs / 22.67 kg (without packing)
The Lowdown:
After the run in period, and running the DD-PM151’s through their paces on their own, it was time to connect the Digital Designs “Active Bass Circuit” ABC-10. This is my first experience with a bottom firing subwoofer enclosure so i was not sure in this regard what to expect.
Connecting the ABC-10, I remembered there is a crossover switch on the DD-PM151 that effectively cuts frequencies below 80Hz from playing, so I switched this to cut the lower frequencies and turned everything on.
In the video review I saw online of this package they recommended to set the crossover on the ABC-10 to around halfway on the dial, ultimately after experiencing a few different settings, I settled on a couple of notches past half on the crossover, and around half on the volume for a nice balance in the room I was in.
I must start by saying, the ABC-10 really brought the experience to a whole new level and awaked new notes to the ears. The ABC-10 handled the mid low, and low bass notes of the Dubstep and Drum and Bass with exceptional ease, while still delivering a high precision punch to the higher bass notes of the rock, Easy Listening, and Digital Music tracks, so I decided to set it a little challenge, and added one more track to push it and see how the ABC-10 handled some very low high throw bass, so I selected a DJ Slow n’ Throw Remastered Track called “Tunechis Back” I have to admit, (as most standard home theatre subwoofers are tuned a little higher than what most bass music will play, (I know, I know, this is Digital Designs, they don’t do anything ‘standard’) the bass tends to start getting washed out and lacks the punch you would hope for) I wasn’t expecting hard hitting ground shattering bass when I played the track.
I will happily eat humble pie, the ABC-10 not only delivered but delivered far in excess of anything I hoped to hear from it, handling the punch and long drawn bass notes like a skilled chef with their favourite blade in the kitchen, carving each bass note, and delivering it on a golden platter for my listening pleasure.
Digital Designs PM-151
Build Quality
¤¤¤¤½
Versatility
¤¤¤¤
Sound Quality
¤¤¤¤½
Value for money
¤¤¤¤¤
”[OUTLWD] Factor”
¤¤¤¤½
[OUTLWD] Factor:
What is The “OUTLWD” factor?
The [OUTLWD] factor is my overall rating taking all factors into consideration, and the overall factors that I feel could make the entire experience better.
Key: ¤ = 1 Star ½ = ½Star
Digital Designs ABC-10
Build Quality
¤¤¤¤½
Versatility
¤¤¤¤¤
Sound Quality
¤¤¤¤¤
Value for money
¤¤¤¤¤
”[OUTLWD] Factor”
¤¤¤¤½
[OUTLWD] Factor:
What is The “OUTLWD” factor?
The [OUTLWD] factor is my overall rating taking all factors into consideration, and the overall factors that I feel could make the entire experience better.
Key: ¤ = 1 Star ½ = ½Star
The complete package
Build Quality
¤¤¤¤½
Versatility
¤¤¤¤¤
Sound Quality
¤¤¤¤¤
Value for money
¤¤¤¤¤
”[OUTLWD] Factor”
¤¤¤¤¤
[OUTLWD] Factor:
What is The “OUTLWD” factor?
The [OUTLWD] factor is my overall rating taking all factors into consideration, and the overall factors that I feel could make the entire experience better.
Key: ¤ = 1 Star ½ = ½Star
Aaron “OUTLWD” Bublitz