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Swan M10s
- Thread starter DEE9299
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It means that the sound is..well...directional. When it is said that it is "directional" it means that the speakers are almost pointed similar to a flashlight and the sound is heard best at very specific points. Speakers less directional would function much like a floodlight, where the sound flows throughout the space.
Hey guys, I have a bit of an odd issue. I got my Swans M10 today and hooked them up. The audio cables are odd colors... although the jacks on the back of the woofer are the standard red and white, the audio cables are yellowish-orange and red (I gather this is the same for everyone). I plugged the red into red and yellowish-orange into white, and everything works fine, but the sound intended for the left speaker is coming out the speaker plugged into the side marked "R," and vice versa.
I can either just switch the speakers to opposite sides of the desk -- which means the one in the "R" jack is on the left side of the desk and the "L" one is on the right side... or I can plug the red cable into the white jack and the yellow-orange cable into the red jack, in which case the sound comes out of the "correct" speakers. Does it make any difference (in sound quality or anything else) which I do?
I can either just switch the speakers to opposite sides of the desk -- which means the one in the "R" jack is on the left side of the desk and the "L" one is on the right side... or I can plug the red cable into the white jack and the yellow-orange cable into the red jack, in which case the sound comes out of the "correct" speakers. Does it make any difference (in sound quality or anything else) which I do?
Thanks for the explanation. I thought that it might mean that you are presented with a narrow stage where it is easy to spot the location of the speakers (which seems like a negative). So I suppose that what you describe goes along with the improved ability to locate instruments in space as well as enhanced separation between them?
Wow--good catch.
I actually just got my pair today as well, and I confirmed that I have the same issue you're talking about. However, it's not an issue with the speakers; it's the supplied 3.5mm to RCA cable. I just switched it out with another one I had around the house and the other cable had the correct L/R channels. So you should technically switch the RCAs for your input, not the speakers.
So far I'm definitely impressed with the sound quality, but the build seems slightly mediocre. My left satellite does not sit quite flat, but it only wobbles if you touch it. The bigger problem seems to be with interference. I've heard GSM chirp already, and earlier my speakers were picking up a radio station. Granted the tower is literally less than half a mile from where I am, but I would expect the speakers to be better shielded than that. I feel like that might be related to the skimpy and mismatched 3.5mm to RCA that was provided, but the GSM chirp worries me that it's internal...
After messing with positioning, I seem to have knocked something in place because now I can only hear the faintest of a hum if I put my ear right next to one of the satellites.
I'm going to give it some more time before reaching a conclusion and if necessary contacting TheAudioInsider. I'm already considering that a new 3.5 to RCA might be a good investment to cut down on interference. Wish I could also replace the RCAs coming from the satellites, but I knew ahead of time that they were permanently attached.
To be clear though, I'm still very happy overall with the purchase, but a little biffed about the interference and this reversed cable. I do wish I had also only paid $85, but that's another story...
update 12/2: all issues with interference, hum, and radio seem to have magically disappeared. Perhaps running them for a few hours affected something. There is usually a decent pop when shutting them on or off, which I assume is a capacitor discharging. It's usually quieter if the volume is turned down. Two days in I'm happier than when I first got them.
Thanks, buzzbuzzbuzz! I didn't even think that it might be an issue with the input cable. I'll pick a new one up tomorrow. That's sort of annoying, but at least it's an easy and cheap fix.
I haven't had any issues with interference so far, and I can't hear a thing from the speakers when they're on and idle. I'm impressed with the sound quality, although I'm going to wait for them to burn in before I really make up my mind.
I haven't had any issues with interference so far, and I can't hear a thing from the speakers when they're on and idle. I'm impressed with the sound quality, although I'm going to wait for them to burn in before I really make up my mind.
I'm not sure what the problem is. This topic is dedicated to Swan M10's, someone is having interference issues, and I'm simply telling the poster that these have a history of that, and that there is nothing you can really do to remedy it.
I am staying on topic, and am posting information about the topic on hand. I personally have no idea what thegoldenmackid posted (assuming he did), because he was added to my ignore list days ago - so I became the bigger person days ago.
not yet jessica trying to finish my desk first but i have a pretty good idea for it
ya you stated you dont like swans so please dont ruin my thread...some people have issues most dont...like with everything you buy some have issues and some dont
Actually, most ARE having issues with interference. It should be noted for people that plan on purchasing these, especially if they have a small desk.
Just trying to help out. There are other computer speakers out there that are better quality, better sounding, with no interference issues, for the same price.
i have a small desk at the moment my speakers are about 1 foot away from each other and i have no interference and also these cost $85 I think all the speakers you have recommended have $130 and up in price..so for a speaker system under $100 these are great
Consider yourself lucky that you don't have interference
Yes, I recommended $130 speakers. That's still in the basic price point of the Swans. The Swans are good, all I'm saying is, with a little research, there are others out there that are a lot better, with better build quality. The Swans do look nice though. But, sound SHOULD be more important than looks. I've said this already in the other thread, so I won't dwell on this. There is a reason no one really purchases these speakers. They are very hard to find. There's a reason for that. I said what I needed to say.
Consider yourself lucky that you don't have interference
Yes, I recommended $130 speakers. That's still in the basic price point of the Swans. The Swans are good, all I'm saying is, with a little research, there are others out there that are a lot better, with better build quality. The Swans do look nice though. But, sound SHOULD be more important than looks. I've said this already in the other thread, so I won't dwell on this. There is a reason no one really purchases these speakers. They are very hard to find. There's a reason for that. I said what I needed to say.
I found mine quite easily...but anyways I like mine for the price... I personally dont see the need to spend a lot of money on speakers for my laptop and for the price I will listen to them all day long.....now if I could get these white covers off I could paint to match my mac color...
anyone knows a store that can ship the m10 for portugal?
It seems that onyl next years swans will be more available in the EU..
In deutschland it cost 150eur :S
My alternative are the M-audio Av30,,do they match the swans?
It seems that onyl next years swans will be more available in the EU..
In deutschland it cost 150eur :S
My alternative are the M-audio Av30,,do they match the swans?
I have had both and in my non-professional experience I never had computer speakers (2:1) that sounded as good as the swans. Understand, I've owned creative labs, off-brands, HK, Bose, and now Swans. I think overall the Swans for me have given me the most range even over the $400 Bose.
I have only heard the sound sticks at a apple store so I cant say which ones are better but the sound sticks sounded good and the have a sub whch was on the desk at apple so I am sure that played apart.
Try this place they are in Spain
AUDIOTOPIA S.L.
Home Theater
Add:C/Petunia 3, El Soto de la Moraleja,Alcobendas, Madrid 28109, Spain
www.hivispain.com info@hivispain.com
Tel: 34 91 663 6322
Hi,
I have been mulling over the decision to purchase these speakers. Currently I am running a receiver and a set of Klipsch's / Klipsch sub. I want to down size to give me a bit more room. I plan on wall mounting the satelites, but that leaves me no room for the midwoofer. So..
Does anyone have any experience with how badly the sound degrades with a floor placement? I really cant think of any other placement that will work for me, if the sound degrades too badly I will have to look at another set of 2.1's.
Thanks Much,
Dave
I have been mulling over the decision to purchase these speakers. Currently I am running a receiver and a set of Klipsch's / Klipsch sub. I want to down size to give me a bit more room. I plan on wall mounting the satelites, but that leaves me no room for the midwoofer. So..
Does anyone have any experience with how badly the sound degrades with a floor placement? I really cant think of any other placement that will work for me, if the sound degrades too badly I will have to look at another set of 2.1's.
Thanks Much,
Dave
The Swans are significantly better. The accuracy is not comparable. The entire range is significantly crisper. The only place where the Soundsticks might win is the category of loudness, but both are probably loud enough.
I put mine on the floor, it's not unbearable, but the difference is night and day. I would recommend getting another system given how directional the M10s are. Possibly the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 or the Swan D1080?
Thank you for your help Thegoldenmackid.
How do you think M10's would work with the midwoofer just slightly above the monitors? I plan on mounting a shelf above my monitors to hold some pictures and possibly camera gear. I could probably put the midwoofer on that.
Here is a picture of a shelf mounted above the monitors. I was thinking something along these lines. (*Note: not my actual set up)
This is probably the most likely way I will set up at my new house, satellites on small shelves next to desk etc...
Thanks
Dave
How do you think M10's would work with the midwoofer just slightly above the monitors? I plan on mounting a shelf above my monitors to hold some pictures and possibly camera gear. I could probably put the midwoofer on that.
Here is a picture of a shelf mounted above the monitors. I was thinking something along these lines. (*Note: not my actual set up)
This is probably the most likely way I will set up at my new house, satellites on small shelves next to desk etc...
Thanks
Dave
That setup would be fine I am using a shelf like that myself to place my m10 woofer on one suggestion would be to keep it only a couple of inches above the top of your monitor and you could always get some cool little circle lights from ikea to put on the underside of the shelf to give you some mood lighting as the lights come in different colors that shelf and desk both come from ikea in case you were wonderingThank you for your help Thegoldenmackid.
How do you think M10's would work with the midwoofer just slightly above the monitors? I plan on mounting a shelf above my monitors to hold some pictures and possibly camera gear. I could probably put the midwoofer on that.
Here is a picture of a shelf mounted above the monitors. I was thinking something along these lines. (*Note: not my actual set up)
This is probably the most likely way I will set up at my new house, satellites on small shelves next to desk etc...
Thanks
Dave