Review: Pelonis Model 42 Monitors

At first glance, the Pelonis Model 42 monitors are just a uniquely shaped set of nearfield reference monitors. And though this unique, rhomboid-shaped set of monitors look interesting, that’s really not what’s important when dealing with most reference monitors. That rhombus shape turned out to be useful when placing the monitors, and, by using the shape to your advantage, you can angle them perfectly to your mix position whether they sit atop monitor stands or a meter bridge.

By employing this shape, the Model 42’s provide a perfect trajectory of sound from the tweeter that reaches your ears at precisely the same time. This bi-amped pair of active monitors employs a set of 4” two-way dual concentric speakers powered externally by a single rack space unit. This rackmount power supply gives you 400 watts via four 100-watt amplifiers. Some of the benefits of housing the electronics externally are seen in the size and weight of the monitors. The other benefits can be heard (or not heard). By leaving the excess electronics, and possible vibration and interference, out of the monitors, there’s less to get in the way of delivering an incredibly pure, clear, and detailed sound.

The external power supply also includes a USB connection, for access to 96k DSP. While the DSP GUI isn’t anything special, the tools are quite useful. You have access to a 5-band parametric EQ, which can be of great use when you’re working in a room with acoustic problems. You can carve out problem frequencies with ease, then store that EQ curve as a preset for later use. The DSP software (called CP control), also allows level control and delay of each speaker individually, which could be extremely useful when setting up a 5.1 system. The stereo imaging is particularly detailed, and made my NS-10’s seem almost mono by comparison. The frequency response is almost perfectly flat, with a drop off at about 75Hz.  If you’re starving for low end, then an optional sub woofer is a good option. These monitors won’t give you the tight, punchy low end that some other monitors will, but what they do deliver is an un-colored, accurate picture of your sound that’s essentially when tracking, mixing, or mastering.

 

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