Of very similar dimensions to the BBC LS5/8, the Monitor 40 builds on the ‘BBC Grade 1 Reference Monitor standard’ with an overall presentation which is remarkably 5/8-like, minus the residual colourations. Extensively used throughout the BBC in drama and speech related applications the three optimised drive units (including the mid and tweeter units from the Monitor 30) are seamlessly combined for pin-point stereo and neutruality so that no matter how long or late the session, the Monitor 40 delivers clean, smooth natural sound on and off axis in the near, mid or far field. The clean, netural characterless 'family' sound of the Monitor 20 through Monitor 40 permits projects to be started and completed on any of these family speakers with confidence in the final mix.

The active Monitor 40 Series 3, with the new 19" rack-cased electronics is a comprehensive convenient and future-proof system that can be adjusted to get the best out of any control room acoustics, with ease of servicing and interchangeability of signal cards. The LF and HF shelving EQ makes available typical adjustments based on our knowledge of LS5/8 and Monitor 40's installed in BBC control rooms and a multi-stage subsonic filter can be turned on and adjusted to suit as can a room-Q adjuster for rooms with a lift at 35-40Hz.

Audio input is XLR to a prcision balanced receiver, and externally the only control available to the user is a gain trim - all other controls are covered by the casework. An anti-thump off/on circuit continuously monitors the mains supply and should the mains supply cease, output mute relays immediately disconnect the drive units from the MOSFET amps to protect them. The HF unit is additionally protected by an in-line semiconductor switch.

With the emphasis firmly on a convenient and sensibly priced package (leaving the passive Monitor 40 available to customers wishing to invest in sophisticated audiophile amplifiers) the Monitor 40 Active is the comprehensive solution to production, post production and transmission monitoring.