Swan M10 Unboxing & Review (Updated)

[thegoldenmackid]

There is a huge difference between the GR80s and PS1000s. Is it worth the price, absolutely not for most users. If most users spend $100 on headphones and $100 on computer speakers they will have sets that will be more then satisfying for them.

As for the production work, I just did some work for local artists through contacts I had and that spurred to a fairly constant flow of work that funded my speaker habit over the course of the years.

 

[OptyCT]

I really like my grados sr-80, but i do understand that the shures are nice too though I didn't choose them because they plug into the ear canals and I was afraid of hearing damage lol (also I thought was kinda gross with ear wax especially if i ever wanted to share them with others)

~v
El Burro

I own a 15 year old pair of the Grado SR-100's and they're still going strong. I recently upgraded the worn out ear pads to the donut ear pads (part #GRADOEARLG over at Elusive Disc) and noticed a nice increase in bass. I don't know if you're SR-80's have these earpads on them already, but if they don't, it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[KidMoe85]

Thanks for the review - nice job.

One thing I was going to mention...traditionally subs sound better (deeper bass) when they're put on the floor. From you pictures it looks like you posted it up high.

Cheers.

It's actually a midwoofer, not a subwoofer, and they instruct you to place it in between the two speakers. I have mine on the floor though because I think it looks ridiculous up top.

 

[El Burro]

Btw, can you give any recommendations on personal advice on setting these speakers up such as bass, treble, etc. etc. --- what you think the optimal settings are for these speakers and for different types of music? Do you use the itunes equalizer or do you use winamp or some other program?

Any articles you can link me up so I can have some understanding of the best practices for setup and optimizing sound on the computer?

Thanks,
El Burro

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Btw, can you give any recommendations on personal advice on setting these speakers up such as bass, treble, etc. etc. --- what you think the optimal settings are for these speakers and for different types of music? Do you use the itunes equalizer or do you use winamp or some other program?

Any articles you can link me up so I can have some understanding of the best practices for setup and optimizing sound on the computer?

Thanks,
El Burro

I use iWow as an equalizer. I'd say I have the bass knob turned between 65 and 75 percent, but it's really a personal preference. I'm not sure what you mean by optimal settings, as with anything it depends on the application.

okay so after further research i think that i am going to buy the swans to basically start me off...how much better will these sound compared to the m-audio av40's and also have u had any problems with them at all so far? (white noise, static,humming when idle???)

These sound better then the M-Audio's, I'm not sure how to arbitrarily measure them sounding better. They sound better to me, they might sound worse to you as it's all in the owner's ear. I have had no problems, def. none of the white noise, static or humming.

 

[jaredwaynef]

Just out of pure interest in these (being a fellow college dorm kid), where did you purchase them from? An internet site? A local store?

 

[jamesdmc]

See post #3.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Just out of pure interest in these (being a fellow college dorm kid), where did you purchase them from? An internet site? A local store?

theaudioinsider.com

See post #3.

Thanks.

Make sure you read my actual review, it covers a significant amount of things that have been asked here.

 

[joe19812]

M12?

How do the M10's compare with the M12's? Currently the M12 is on sale for cheaper and in stock vs M10's slightly higher cost and out of stock.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

How do the M10's compare with the M12's? Currently the M12 is on sale for cheaper and in stock vs M10's slightly higher cost and out of stock.

The M12's are a more traditional 2.1 set-up. They feature a subwoofer instead of a midwoofer. They are louder, but at a sacrifice in a tad bit of sound quality.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I ask that if you have questions, please place them in this thread rather then PMing me. It's not that I don't want to answer questions, but chances are others might have the same question. Thanks.

Is the crossover freq & sub volume fixed relative to the satellites or can the sub levels be tweaked relative to the satellite volume?
I've never had a computer 2.1 setup before so I'm just trying to understand the setup relative to a home avr sub/satellite setup.

There are two controls. One is for general volume, the other controls the subwoofer independently of the general volume.

I am considering getting the M10 for my dorm setup. I noticed in one of your threads that you own the Shure SE530, which i also have. I know it would be comparing apples and oranges, but how does the M10 stack up to the SE530?

I mean, it's Apples and Oranges. The SE530s are isolating earphones that's greatest attribute is the ability to isolate sound. They both produce relatively accurate sound, the SE530's biggest flaw is a lack of strong bass, the same to some extent could be said about the Swan M10s. Both feature a deep bass in the sense that there is quite a bit of depth, but not a shaking bass.

I'm not really sure how else to compare, they both are at the top of their respective markets IMO.

My review of the Shure SE530 can be found here.

 

[umgoblue2008]

I ask that if you have questions, please place them in this thread rather then PMing me. It's not that I don't want to answer questions, but chances are others might have the same question. Thanks.


There are two controls. One is for general volume, the other controls the subwoofer independently of the general volume.


I mean, it's Apples and Oranges. The SE530s are isolating earphones that's greatest attribute is the ability to isolate sound. They both produce relatively accurate sound, the SE530's biggest flaw is a lack of strong bass, the same to some extent could be said about the Swan M10s. Both feature a deep bass in the sense that there is quite a bit of depth, but not a shaking bass.

I'm not really sure how else to compare, they both are at the top of their respective markets IMO.

My review of the Shure SE530 can be found here.

How did you manage to put the white triple flanges in? I could never get that thing into my ear. I am currently using the smallest gray rubber pieces, which are the most comfortable for me (can't feel that they are there).

 

[thegoldenmackid]

How did you manage to put the white triple flanges in? I could never get that thing into my ear. I am currently using the smallest gray rubber pieces, which are the most comfortable for me (can't feel that they are there).

Ummm? Idn, I did. They were never painful for me. I've used Shure earphones for 4 years now.

 

[striatedglutes]

The M12's are a more traditional 2.1 set-up. They feature a subwoofer instead of a midwoofer. They are louder, but at a sacrifice in a tad bit of sound quality.

If I prefer the look of the m10s, don't mind waiting for them, and don't mind spending an extra $10, would you hazard a guess that the m10s are better for me than the m12s? Usage would be 95% music 5% movies.

Oh, and out of curiosity, how the hell do they get away with being self powered?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

If I prefer the look of the m10s, don't mind waiting for them, and don't mind spending an extra $10, would you hazard a guess that the m10s are better for me than the m12s? Usage would be 95% music 5% movies.

Oh, and out of curiosity, how the hell do they get away with being self powered?

I would take the Swan M10s over the M12s given my preference for the midwoofer versus the subwoofer.

They are self-powered via the subwoofer, common for computer speakers.

 

[striatedglutes]

Oh ok, so you're still plugging the woofer in. I was for a second.

Now the real question...authentic TopGun "Maverick" costume for Halloween, or a pair of Swan M10s...

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Given the amount of days that you can use the former, I'd say the latter.

 

[umgoblue2008]

Tried to order some today, apprently they are backordered. Going to try and find out when they'll be available.

 

[timeslip]

Those speakers look attractive, but would like to demo them first before buying. I am currently using B&W VM1's with the matching AS1 subwoofer running off of a Cambridge Audio integrated amplifier.

I couldn't stand most of the "computer speakers" out there on the market.

The sound is very neutral sounding.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Those speakers look attractive, but would like to demo them first before buying. I am currently using B&W VM1's with the matching AS1 subwoofer running off of a Cambridge Audio integrated amplifier.

I couldn't stand most of the "computer speakers" out there on the market.

The sound is very neutral sounding.

They aren't going to compete with high-end home theater components, obviously. The B&W's alone are over three times the price.

 

[gfhoward]

I ordered some M10s, and they told me they'll be shipping in two weeks. They also said one of the differences between the M10s and the M12s is that the M12s are more powerful and have full-range satellite drivers. What difference does full-range vs less-than-full-range satellites make?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

The M12s satellites are each individually amplified.

 

[JML42691]

I am considering purchasing these soon for a computer setup in my dorm room and space on the desk shelf where I would like to put the subwoofer is very limited, I am wondering if you could measure the dimensions of the subwoofer for me.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I am considering purchasing these soon for a computer setup in my dorm room and space on the desk shelf where I would like to put the subwoofer is very limited, I am wondering if you could measure the dimensions of the subwoofer for me.

9.7 x 10.2 x 6.8in.

 

[JML42691]

9.7 x 10.2 x 6.8in.

Thanks, that fits perfectly, the shelf I am planning on putting it on is just over 10" deep, so it looks like it will be a tight fit, but it should work, hopefully I'll be able to get this soon.