From my years of being an audio enthusiast, one thing I've learned about entry-level speakers is that they're not all that good. They sound like, well, entry-level speakers. So, you can imagine my surprise when I tested yet another entry-level speaker, and it sounded the way it did. Yes, I'm talking about the Pioneer DM 40 speaker.
It’s a portable speaker that every beginner and newbie would love. But, as a professional sound engineer and enthusiast who's worked with and tested several speakers, I can tell you that professionals won't appreciate this sound system. Of course, they shouldn't because the almighty Pioneer did not create it for PROs.
They made it for beginner enthusiasts and DJs to kick start their careers. Hence, unless you're an entry-level DJ or an entry-level sound enthusiast, you won't have fun with this speaker. Now that it's out of the way, let's dive into the core of this speaker and why I think this speaker is perfect for newbies.
Contents
Pioneer DM-40 specifications
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- Pioneer dm 40 specifications
- Dimension:15.6 x 10.6 x 13.6 inches
- Weight: 12.4 pounds
- Connector Type: RCA, Mini-jack
- Speaker Type: 2-way Active
- Woofer: 4” fiberglass
- Power Consumption: 35 W 0.5 W or less (standby)
- Tweeter:0.75” soft dome
- Impedance: 10 kOhms3
- Enclosure Material: Vinyl-laminated MDF
- Power Requirements:110 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
- Output Wattage: 21 Watts
- Operating Temperature: 41 to 95°F / 5 to 35°C
The benefits of Pioneer DM-40 Speaker
Before we dive deep into the review, here are some of the features you stand to gain when using this speaker.
- Overall, it is a portable speaker, making it easy to carry from one place to another.
- It delivers excellent sound quality.
- You’ll find it easy to set up and use.
- The speaker is reasonably loud.
The drawbacks of Pioneer dm-40 Speaker
- Unfortunately, this speaker doesn’t have any tuning option.
- It has a limited range with regards to
Related: PIONEER DDJ-400 DJ Controller
Pioneer DM-40 Speaker Details: features
DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY:
You can always trust that any product from Pioneer always comes with fantastic design and high-quality build Quality. The first thing you might notice about this speaker is that it has curved front edges that are not just for beauty.
The frontal curve edges are part of what contributes to the smooth and clear sound the speaker produces. Here’s how it works. These curved edges produce minimum resonance that’s important to creating the clear sound that the speaker makes.
When it comes to how it’s built, this speaker feels solid and firm. The speaker has a beautiful crescent diffuser to lead the high frequencies that nest around the bass driver. Furthermore, this speaker has two ports in the front. These ports ensure that you can mount the speaker next to a wall without effect.
Related: Buying guide for DJ controller for beginners
SOUND QUALITY:
Unlike what you might have heard before about budget speakers and how they sound, this budget speaker seems to raise the bar for how budget speakers should sound. For starters, beginner DJ would love the punch it produces when they play songs through it. It doesn't punch as hard as premium speakers, but I think it's simply impressive, especially for a portable budget speaker.
The best part is that it has comprehensive coverage that engulfs a room. Of course, it's thanks to the diffuser that deploys the classic Pioneer DECO technology to ensure the high frequencies it produces spread across the room. As a result, you could be far away from the speaker but still hear the music it plays. However, you have to be in the same room as the speaker to listen to the song's being played. The best thing about the diffuser is that it ensures the speaker only produces clear and smooth sounds that won't be polluted by distortions, regardless of how high you increase the volume.
Truthfully, the bass isn’t excellent, but it's not bad either. But you would only appreciate it when you play it alongside a speaker that functions in a similar capacity as this speaker. It would fill up a small, enclosed space. Nevertheless, the bass is still punchy, warm, and deep enough for beginner DJs.
This 2-way active speaker has an AB amplifier embedded in the left speaker. You’ll also find connections and controls for the speaker on the left speaker. One limitation to this speaker is that you can't swap which speaker functions as a left or right speaker. If you want a flexible speaker placement, you can achieve it with the available audio connections and how long your power cable is.
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CONNECTIVITY:
When it comes to the connection, the speaker offers two unbalanced connection options: the stereo mini-plug and an RCA connection. It also has a converter cable for audio. You can use the audio converter cable to connect the RCA to the mini-jack.
To establish a connection with the speakers, you'll have to do it with the left speaker as it carries the necessary ports to establish the required connections. Of course, you’ll need speaker wires to establish the connection to your speaker.
One feature that might discourage anyone from investing in this speaker is that you can't connect to this model via Bluetooth. However, Pioneer made another version of this speaker with Bluetooth. You might want to check that out if connecting to speakers via Bluetooth is an essential factor for you. If not, you can make do with the connection types as a beginner DJ, especially if you're going to test your DJ skills at small, enclosed parties.
Related: Home DJ setup
Rate performance
- Ease-of-Use:4.5/5
- Design:4/5
- Sound Quality:4/5
- Value for Money:4/5
- Diffusers:4.5/5
- Connectivity:3.5/5
- Size/ Portability: 4/5
- Weight: 4/5
Pioneer dm-40 speaker alternatives
There are many alternatives to the Pioneer DM 40 speaker. Here are a few.
• PRESONUS ERIS E3.5:
This speaker is as compact and portable as the Pioneer DM 40 speaker. Although it delivers a tremendous flat response to help you analyze your music, it's not precisely perfect for casually listening to music like the Pioneer DM 40 speaker. But it's an excellent choice for the audio enthusiast who needs a budget speaker to help them analyze the depth of their favorite songs.
• JBL ONE SERIES 104:
If you need a speaker that defies the regular square shape that other speakers come with, this speaker is an excellent choice for you. It is oval-shaped, lightweight, and portable. This speaker boasts Bluetooth connectivity with a fantastic range. The only downside to this speaker is that it is not that great when you try to play music at lower volumes.
Related: DJ Speakers
Verdict
As a beginner DJ, you'd benefit greatly from this speaker, depending on where you intend to use it. If you need something for gigs, you should go with a more prominent speaker unless the gig requires you to play in a small, enclosed space. The reason is, this speaker works best as a studio speaker. It is the perfect replacement for computer speakers.
Hence, they are best used in your home studio. Another thing is, you can only enjoy this speaker if you intend to use it to listen to music casually. If you want to analyze music, these speakers are a terrible choice. That's why you have to, first, determine what you need this speaker for before you invest your money in it.
HI, John Andrew here. I’ve been an audiophile since I was a little kid. I’m an original member of myaudiolover . It emerged as a way for me to share my passion and knowledge for audio technology. If you’re looking for tips, techniques, and insights about audio-tech, that can enable your productions that professional edge, then MyAudioLover is the place for you!
