Ya Want Flat? We Got Flat.

We were recently graced with the presence of Robby Scharf, Market Development Manager, and all-around studio gear whiz from Sennheiser. The occasion of his visit was to introduce BSW to the

Robby Scharf, Sennheiser Super Genius

Klein+Hummel line of studio monitors, of which Sennheiser is the parent company.

Let me get right to the point. Wow. I spent the morning listening mostly to the three-way O300. Flat? Oh yes. But that doesn’t really capture the gestalt of this diminutive beast. I’ve always felt the term ”flat”, while technically desirable, somehow denotes boring. The O300 is anything but boring. Quite the opposite. It delivers punchy, controlled low end (down to 35hz!) that is convincing on a wide variety of program materials. The high range is detailed and never hyped-sounding. As you would expect of a three way, the mid-range is very clear and smooth, offering astounding vocal clarity without a hint of

O300 Frequency Response

edginess. Unless, of course, the source program is edgy to begin with. In addition, the stereo field is wide and deep, offering a three-dimensional listening experience.

For all of it’s standout performance, the O300 is small. It is perhaps the only three-way studio monitor I know of that’s small enough for desktop use (10″x15.1″x11.4″) while delivering enough output and impact to

The O300

easily fill a medium-sized control room. The wide range of mounting options for wall and ceiling are a boon for broadcasters – as is the optional metal grill. As you might expect of a German-engineered piece of gear, the ”fit and finish” bears up under the closest scrutiny.

As you’ve probably already guessed, the O300 is not inexpensive. The analog-input model carries an MSRP of $3158 ea (though BSW has them on sale for $2199 ea.) But consider this: if the sound of your station’s program affects the size and loyalty of your listener base, if you want to hear the truth of your recordings or broadcast program – then you want the O300. It delivers all this, and no small measure of listening delight.

It’s also worth noting that the O300’s smaller sibling, the O110, is very simliar in sonic character, with some what reduced low-end extension. This makes it an excellent choice for smaller production suites where space is at a premium, and full-room impact is not required.