EEVblog #169 - Samson StudioDock 4i USB Monitor Speaker Review

Dave got the Samson StudioDock 4i USB speakers for editing the blog. What's inside?

[EEVblog]

@Bastimon It uses standard USB audio drivers that are built into Windows, no need for a special driver. Just plug and go.
Having a sound card with Line out does not help you drive higher powered external speakers (they can only drive headphones typically), so you would still need an external amplifier. Powered Studio Monitors are quite common in recording studios. For computers, USB powered monitors do the same things, but with a convenient USB interface.

[EEVblog]

@EEVblog I meant some internal sound cards can be poor quality compared to external ones. The microphone input is one typical example.

[EEVblog]

@k0rmus If you have a computer with Line Out then you can use any external amplifier and speakers (some are poor quality though if you are talking high end audio). But then you have 3 boxes on your desk.
But I have a notebook that does not have a line out, so the simplest solution is a set of powered USB connected speakers like these.

[EEVblog]

@Mtaalas You can always glue a weight inside the other box....

[tp]

Pulled a fair few amplifiers apart, very well made even when you compare it to even some big brand gear. As others have said, the glue will also serve as a sealant as any leaks can cause the tuning of the enclosure to change and some holes can even cause noise as air rushes through, great that they actually did that!

[EEVblog]

@snik2pl Yeah, important for around the connectors I guess. They use the same stuff for vibration on the large components too. OneHungLow brands probably wouldn't have bothered?

[envisionelec]

Now, this is a subject that is near to my heart - I design speakers (well...the amps) like this! These sound very good, Dave. Good choice!

[artifactingreality]

Dave reviewing audio gear, it doesn't get better than this :D

[RandyLott]

@jfernandmy If you are talking about a tuning port, they are used to precisely "tune" the enclosure to pronounce certain frequencies.

[EEVblog]

@Albinorama That's next. Was going to shoot that on the same day (or this morning), but time does slip away...

[tagno]

@EEVblog The PID and VID are the Product and Vendor ID for the USB device(s).

[sonodrome]

Nice video Dave- cheers, just a quick point to reinforce what you're saying: it's good to take a rest from closed back headphones because prolonged usage can damage your hearing, you're supposed to take regular breaks whilst editing, thought it was worth mentioning :)

[Afrotechmods]

Weird Al!
Samson makes some cool stuff. Nice teardown!

[EEVblog]

@mitpatterson Yes, I suspect that would be a fair bit harder... Does any USB product have such a feature?

[PatheticComputing]

I like how those PCBs are mounted to the back. Maybe I'll try that on a future project.

[robertbiggs]

The glue is actually to seal the cabinet so that pressure (SPL) doesnt leak from anywhere but the port and transducer (the intended places).

[CyclingGamerOfficial]

THIS is how reviews are supposed to be done!!

[F]

@EEVblog but you should consider that the soundcard in these speakers probably won't come close to anything like "studio" quality. so in my opinion, one should get a decent soundcard and standard studio monitors with line input. i myself have the cheapest behringer monitors, ms16 for 40€/pair.

[Mr.Laidukas]

The main purpose of the glue in such construction is to cancel air whistle from speaker compression. This is why glue is all the way around connector perimeter. I used to build different audio constructions and believe me, those air whistles are very loud and annoying :)

[CampKohler]

Rather than for vibration, I would think all the glue was for sealing the cracks to prevent unintended venting of the enclosure out the back. Likewise, the entire electronics assembly should be sealed to the enclosure. That you could pry it off says there wasn't any glue, but you could always put in some soft, tacky caulk before putting back together and still be able to open it later.

The enclosure skin is officially known as "genuine simulated imitation faux leatherette." :-)