MediaDesk 2.1 & 5.1 Monitoring System
Blue Skys entry level 2.1 system, MediaDesk offers full-range monitoring on the desktop and is optimized for computer-driven audio recording and production. Easily expandable to a 5.1 system as with all of our systems, MediaDesk 2.1 incorporates two ultra-compact 2-way satellite speakers, each featuring a highquality 4 driver and a 1 tweeter, along with a dedicated 8 Powered Subwoofer and bass management system. MediaDesk can be easily upgraded to a spaceefficient 5.1 multi-speaker system with the 5.1 Upgrade, which includes three more satellites, the amplifier / control module and the 5.1 Remote.
Blue Sky International 70 Sea Lane Farmingdale, NY 11735 www.abluesky.com
Satellite Lacquer finished baffle Low diffraction front baffle design with flush mounted drivers Solid 3/4 MDF enclosure with 1 MDF baffle Dimensions: Please see Satellite Cabinet Dimensions Weight 5 lbs. 1/4x 20 inserts for attachment of OmniMount 3/8 x16 insert for attachment to microphone stand with adapter (adapter not supplied) 4 cast frame Neodymium hemispherical woofer 1 fabric dome Neodymium tweeter Fully video shielded Satellite Low frequency crossover 110 Hz Tweeter Crossover Frequency 2.0 kHz The following specifications are measured using the MediaDesk Amplifier Frequency Response Satellite +/- 2.5dB 300 to 10 kHz +/- 3.0dB 110 to 20 kHz Voltage Sensitivity (at reference gain) -12 dBu = 90dB SPL @ 1M Balanced Input attenuator set to +12 dBu 1 dBu = 90 dB SPL @ 1M Balanced Input attenuator set to +24 dBu 240 mV = 90 dB SPL @ 1M RCA input 4 ohm nominal impedance 8 Sealed Box Subwoofer Fully video shielded. Vented motor Foam surround Coated non-resonance paper cone Solid 3/4 MDF construction with 1 MDF baffle Flush mounted driver Isolation feet are included. Inserts for optional attachment of spiked feet provided Dimensions: 16 H x 14 W x 15 D (including heatsink and grille) Weight 45 lbs. Frequency Response Subwoofer Anechoic Response: 35 to 110Hz +/-3dB Typical In-Room Response: 20 to 200Hz (3000 Cubic Feet)
MediaDesk Technical Information
This next section outlines the components, specifications and performance data that make this product such a uniquely high value. In order to continually improve all of its products Blue Sky reserves the right to change these specifications without notice. MediaDesk 2.1 Specifications General Specifications Input Impedance (all inputs) 20k Ohms balanced Input attenuator =+12 dBu 52k Ohms balanced Input attenuator =+24 dBu 5k Ohms unbalanced RCA input Common Mode Rejection Ratio 40 dB typical @ 60Hz (balanced input only) Maximum Input Level +12 / +24 dBu balanced (Set by input attenuator) +14 dBu unbalanced Subwoofer maximum output +24 dBu balanced Subwoofer output impedance 200 ohms balanced Amplifier power output Note: Long term power output is limited by the speaker protection circuitry Short term power output 1 channel driven: 65 watts x 1 @ <.05% THD into 4 ohms @ 1 kHz Short term power output 2 channels driven : 55 watts x 2 @ <.05% THD into 4 ohms @ 1 kHz Subwoofer power output: 65 watts x 1 @ <.05% THD into 4 ohms @ 50 HZ Mains voltages: 115/230V 50/60 HZ switchable Maximum power consumption: 380 watts MediaDesk 5.1 with 3 channel upgrade Note: Long term power limited by speaker protection circuit. Input Impedance ( all inputs) 20k Ohms balanced Input attenuator =+12 dBu 52k Ohms balanced Input attenuator =+24 dBu 5k Ohms unbalanced RCA input Common Mode Rejection Ratio 40dB typical @ 60Hz (balanced input only) Maximum Input Level +12/+24dBu balanced (Set by input attenuator) + 14 dBu unbalanced Short term power output 5 channels driven 45 watts x 5 @ <.07 % THD into 4 ohms @ 1 kHz Volume control range 50 dB in 1 dB steps Channel trim range +/- 6 dB in 1 dB steps Lfe gain range 0 /+10 dB switchable
Satellite Cabinet Dimensions
MediaDesk SAT Dimensions in US/English Standard (inches)
Subwoofer Cabinet Dimensions
MediaDesk SUB Dimensions in US/English Standard (inches)
MediaDesk 5.1 Remote (5.1 Upgrade Only)

MediaDesk 5.1 Remote Dimensions in US/English Standard (inches)

TECHNOLOGY

FIELD TEST

BY BOBBY G. FRASIER

Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 Monitoring System
Expandable and Affordable Desktop Speaker Solution
s the world ready for a diminutive speaker system that is articulate, affordable, basically sounds great and is expandable to 5.1? Blue Sky has created exactly that in the MediaDesk 2.1 Monitoring System. The MediaDesk ($599) comprises two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. Both of the satellites (SATs) and the sub have a brushed faux-pewter finish with contoured edges, giving them a modern look that truly sets them aparttheyre not just another computer speaker. And, unlike off-the-shelf computer speakers, Blue Sky wants your set to be calibrated. The manual includes extensive guides to set up the system; test files must first be downloaded from the Blue Sky Website (www.abluesky.com). Blue Sky is definitely on the right track here.
COME ON, COME ON, NOW TECH ME
Both the sub and SATs are fully video-shielded. The SATs comprise a 4-inch cast-frame neodymium hemispherical woofer and a 1inch fabric-dome neodymium tweeter. Using the amplifier that resides in the subwoofer, the frequency response is rated at 110 Hz to 20 kHz, 3 dB. Everything below 110 Hz goes to the subwoofer, with crossover duties happening in the amplifier and I/O section housed in the sub. The tweeter is locally crossed over at 2 kHz. All boxes are manufactured using solid 34-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The subwoofer comprises an 8-inch, coated nonresonance paper-cone driver with a foam surround and vented motor. Isolation and spiked feet are provided to de-couple the unit from the floor. The baffle comprises a dense, 1-inch MDF construction. Anechoic frequency response is rated at 35 Hz to 110 Hz, 3 dB, with in-room response at 20 Hz to 200 Hz based on a 3,000-cubic-foot room. Short-term power output for two channels driven is 55 watts x2 @ <0.05% THD into 4 ohms @ 1 kHz. Subwoofer power is 65W x1 @ <0.05% THD into 4 ohms @ 50 Hz. Mains voltage is 115/230V, 50/60Hz switchable.

THE SETUP

handle up to +24 dBu of signal level. There is a 2.1 Overall Gain knob and associated 2.1/ 5.1 mode selector switch. An Input Attenuator switch matches the XLR input level to the output of your source (+12 dBu or +24 dBu). A Subwoofer Gain knob controls the relative level of the subwoofer compared to the overall system output. There is an additional XLR subwoofer out to feed other subs. The speaker outputs are the familiar binding posts that accept bare/stranded wire, spades and banana plugs. Blue Sky conveniently supplies two 10-foot pairs of copper speaker cable, pretinneda nice touch to get you up and running immediately.

SOUND ON, ILL SOUND OFF

The I/O section on the sub provides XLR and RCA connections for +4dBu and -10dBV input levels, respectively. The XLR input can
I A/Bd the MediaDesk against a set of Alesis M1 actives, which were located on the bridge of the KK Audio desk. Now this is not a shootout, but I felt it necessary to listen to something in close proximity to the 2.1s price range that I was familiar with. I used both Red Book CDs and original Pro Tools files. On first listen, I thought the speaker to be slightly crispy. As the drivers warmed up, this was not the case. As with all speakers, there is a break-in period that varies from product to product. After listening for a short time, I noticed the articulation: You can hear back into the mix. The reverb was represented with much more detail and separation than I expected in a speaker of this size and price point. The critical midrange was accurate, although the 125 to 250Hz range was slightly lower in amplitude on some tracks. Various sources reveal some very nice results. Vocals on every source were virtually identical. Electric and acoustic guitars on the 2.1s were also extremely accurate. Snares and piano came slightly forward on certain cuts. Rhodes tracks were ever so thin in the mid-bass region, but the low bass was

stellar due to the inclusion of the subwoofer. Electric jazz guitar sounded woody, true to the original tone. Cymbals were open and airyright where they should be and not splattery as you might expect from a little speaker such as this. The clean midrange signal made background vocals sound great. Slide guitar tracks produced nice harmonics, making them seem more alive. Synth parts were well-defined, producing clean upper harmonics. Overall, the 2.1s were the more open speaker in every instance. Higher SPL can produce a bit of splatter that is not generally evident at lower levels. Lovers of low end will appreciate MediaDesks punchy sub. While mixing Dont Talk to Me by the New Hampshirebased group Thinline, I found everything to be right where it shouldsynths, background vocals and guitars, with the low bass obviously represented in the range that the M1s lack.

GET SURROUNDED

The 5.1 upgrade adds a 3-channel amplifier module to the back of the subwoofer, three additional SATs, a wired remote calibration and volume control, and three sets of speaker wire for $599. Anyone whose sights are set on mixing in surround should not make their speaker decisionin this price range until they hear the Blue Sky MediaDesk. Definitely a must-listen. Blue Sky, 516/249-1399, www.ablue sky.com. I Bobby Frasier is a digital audio product specialist, professional audio consultant and educator based out of Phoenix.
MIX, December 2004 www.mixonline.com