One of the most bizarre-looking machines ever invented is the monster truck. Failing to notice the tires on monster trucks is impossible, as they weigh nearly 1,000 pounds each. While not suitable for daily driving, monster truck tires are perfect for their task: crushing cars.

Many smaller production studios today simply have a computer, a microphone and possibly a favorite rack-mounted processor or two. Plus, if editing software is loaded onto a laptop, one must ask, Does a pair of permanently mounted near-reference studio speakers look like monster truck tires by comparison? When it comes to choosing speakers, deciding on their size, SPL and frequency response is tough. To make the choice easier Genelec developed the 6010A and 5040A active speaker system and it performs like a car-crushing, all-weather radial.

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The system is actually a union of the 6010A active loudspeaker and the 5040A active subwoofer. The sub is a 12" round metal canister-like LFE speaker (next page) that fits nicely under a desk or in a corner. It weighs just under 14 pounds and is the connection point for the system, which can facilitate two to five 6010A loudspeakers (stereo or 5.1 surround). Inputs and adjustments are located on the bottom of the speaker facing the floor (the sub sits on three legs for total height of 10").

For stereo operation (using two 6010As), two RCA jacks or a 3.5mm stereo jack are available. The 3.5mm input jack makes portable setups quick and easy, as the headphone output from a laptop or other editing device can feed the system. The connector and control section of the 5040A contains all audio inputs and outputs, the mains input, subwoofer level control, volume control unit jack, and roll off and phase dipswitch adjustments. The subwoofer level control adjusts the sub level to the main speakers. Roll off adjustments can be set in 2dB increments to achieve anechoic response. Phase control dipswitches allow for phase correction due to subwoofer placement in relation to the main loudspeakers, and can be adjusted in 90-degree increments.

The handiest feature of the system is the volume control unit. It looks like a miniature 5040A, except that it sits on the desk at arm's reach. The 5040A is equipped with six inputs to facilitate 5.1 surround operation. The integrated crossover network in the sub feeds five main channels, directing frequencies below 85Hz to the subwoofer and the rest of the range to the loudspeakers. It contains a 6.5" magnetically shield driver with a response range from 35 to 120Hz that can generate SPLs up to 98dB (measured at 1 meter). The driver cone faces downward toward the floor. The design of the 5040A makes its placement in the studio seemingly transparent. It reacts well to the acoustic environment, making LFE reproduction true and accurate. Of course with any speaker system, experimentation in subwoofer placement is inarguably mandatory.