Dynaudio LYD 48 monitor speaker review
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Dynaudio LYD 48 Review


Dynaudio is a manufacturer specializing in creating high-end speakers for the home audio, professional recording studio, automotive, and multimedia markets. For a long time, Dynaudio has been deeply involved in the Hi-Fi world. Until 1992, in order to enter the recording studio and broadcasting market, Dynaudio established an independent department to develop monitor speakers. And here is the review of the Dynaudio LYD 48 monitor speaker.

Dynaudio’s professional monitor speakers are highly appreciated all over the world, and the BM series speakers have been popular on a large number of occasions for many years.

In April 2016, Dynaudio released the first near-field/midfield studio monitor speakers: two-way LYD 5, 7, and 8. Later, with the launch of Dynaudio LYD 48, the LYD series was upgraded from two-way to three-way active monitor speakers. Finally, Dynaudio successfully squeezed a three-way monitor speaker into a cabinet of the same size as the Dynaudio LYD 8.

Dynaudio LYD 48 monitor speaker

Design

The Dynaudio LYD 48 ‘s front panel is available in both the studio standard black version and the innovative white version. The configuration is the same 8-inch woofer as the LYD 8. An independently isolated 4-inch midrange unit and a 1.1-inch common to all LYD series speakers Soft dome tweeter. The LYD 48 has a low-frequency reflective port cabinet design, and the bass port outlet is a slender vertical rectangle.

The Connection and Control

The Dynaudio LYD 48 ‘s rear panel has IEC input, power switch, auto-standby mode switch, analog input (balanced XLR input and unbalanced RCA input), and four switches for adjusting the speaker’s response. However, Dynaudio believes that in actual use, adjustments to speaker response are infrequent. Therefore, the number of DSP driver options for all LYD speakers is relatively limited.

The first switch option is the input sensitivity, with 6dB as the level, which can optimize the gain function of the speaker. The remaining three switches are mainly used to optimize the frequency response of the LYD 48. Finally, a low-frequency control is used to set the maximum limit of the low-frequency response to be higher than 40 Hz or lower than 40 Hz.

Usually, the audio engineers in the recording studio work in the range of 70-85dB sound pressure level, so the sound pressure level of Dynaudio LYD 48 is allowed to be -5dB attenuation in exchange for the lower low-frequency limit of 32Hz.

The Sound Balance switch of LYD 48 has a Bright option and a Dark option. The Bright option uses a linear phase filter to increase 1.5dB at 20KHz and 2 to attenuate 1.5dB at 20Hz, avoiding phase problems in the listening position. In the Dark option, the boosted frequency and the attenuated frequency are interchanged.

Suppose the distance between LYD 48 and the wall is less than 50cm. In that case, select the “Wall” option of the “Position” switch is recommended to help solve the abnormality caused by the back wall reflection, especially at low frequencies.

Dynaudio LYD 48 speaker

The Sound Field Setting

To set the speakers, you need to make sure that the distance between the sitting position and the speakers does not exceed 2m, and the two speakers and the listening position form an ideal equilateral triangle.

After setting the location of the listening environment for the Dynaudio LYD 48, the next step is to send the pink noise to the speakers to measure the sound field. Dynaudio provides a free RTA (spectrum analysis) App—Dynaudio Meter iOS, which can be measured on the iOS device using the internal microphone.

Finally, there is room for acoustic treatment to solve any reflection problems and room mode problems. A reflection is caused by the sound waves emitted by the speaker reflecting from a hard surface near the listening position and may cause high frequency and sound field problems. You can preferentially use sound-absorbing panels to deal with it.

The resonance at a low frequency has a wavelength equal to or greater than an integer multiple of the space size. To solve these problems, bass traps need to be used to suppress these resonances.

Sound Performance

The digital audio signal format of Dynaudio LYD 48 is 24bit/96KHz, with a PWM class D power amplifier inside and a DSP module developed by Dynaudio. The tweeter and woofer of LYD 48 are driven by 50W and 80W power amplifiers, respectively, and 50W power amplifiers drive the midrange unit. The speaker frequency response is 32Hz-21KHz.

Dynaudio LYD 48 review

The crossover points of LYD 48 are 490Hz and 5.6KHz. Compared with other three-way speakers, the intermediate frequency unit of LYD 48 can cover a more comprehensive audio frequency band. The wide frequency range of LYD 48’s mid-frequency unit is primarily due to its MSP cone. The two-way speaker LYD 5 with MSP cone also has a crossover point of 5.2KHz.

After completing the above steps, the position of LYD 48 is about 10 cm away from any wall. My listening volume is around 80dB, so I can set the monitor’s bass extension to a higher level and listen calmly.

Dynaudio LYD 48 can reproduce ultra-low frequencies while providing clarity and transient details between midrange and treble. Then it was tested with a large-scale symphony. LYD 48 can confidently produce these excellent performances with the original sound. In addition, its dynamics, sound density, and harmonic complexity have been proven to undergo rigorous listening tests.

I have never encountered a monitor speaker with such a wide coverage of the single midrange frequency. The crossover in the midrange causes no abnormality, so this area’s sound and instrument reproduction are impressive. Can clearly express all the details, effortlessly let you find the problem. The soft dome tweeter is smooth, and the delicate sound performance enables the monitor speakers to listen uninterruptedly for a long time.

In general, the stereo sound field of the LYD 48 is broad and solid, giving people a real sense of depth, and musical instruments and other sound sources can be placed finely in it. Its reproduction of details is also impressive.

Dynaudio LYD 48

Conclusion

Dynaudio LYD 48 is a high-precision and powerful monitor speaker. It provides a high level of performance for this high-quality three-channel monitor speaker at a relatively moderate price. If you are looking for affordable high-performance active monitor speakers, then LYD 48 should be on your list of options.


Dynaudio LYD 48 Specifications

  • Max SPL (1m, pair): 112dB
  • Principle: Bass reflex
  • Crossover Frequencies: 460Hz / 5.5kHz
  • Tweeter: 1in soft dome
  • Midrange: 4in
  • Woofer: 8in
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 369 x 234 x 328mm
  • Weight: 12kg
  • Sensitivity (85dB @ 1m, free field):
  • +6dB: 50mV
  • 0dB: 100 mV
  • -6dB: 200 mV
  • Power (Tweeter/Midrange/Woofer): 50W/50W/80W
  • Type: Class D
  • Power consumption standby: <0.5W
  • Power consumption max.: 100W
  • Input voltage: 90 – 264V AC, 50 – 60Hz
  • Inputs: XLR balanced/RCA unbalanced