German online audio magazine amazona.de gave our LYD 48 studio monitors and 18S subwoofer a thorough test under the headline: Danish Delicacies. During their review they evaluate the LYD 48 speakers on their own, but also adds the 18S sub to create a true 4-way monitoring system.
The review is available in full on their website in German, but we have translated some fo the key findings for you right here:
"The LYD 48 monitors have a clearly divided sound spectrum in which each frequency range is reproduced analytically. As is usually the case when it comes to good three-way speakers, the different areas of the mids are differentiated. The lower mids appear tidy and strong, while the upper mids have a clear presence without being harsh. This is particularly noticeable at high volumes, where the LYD48 always remain very balanced. The same applies to the bright and clean-sounding highs, which are non-fatiguing even during long mixing sessions. The upper bass is extremely powerful, while the low end is more subtle. Both areas are efficiently separated and you can distinguish between them in the mix.
The adjustment options of LYD 48, which focus primarily on the treble and bass, can be useful depending on the taste or room conditions. However, during this test, the neutral settings were the most honest and convincing.
[Adding the 18S sub, ed.] The result is a beautiful, full-bodied Sub bass. The frequencies below 40 Hz are also clearly audible and noticeable. Even at high volumes, the sound of the 18S remains punchy and precise, highlighting the difference to low-cost subwoofers: no annoying resonances, no signal muddy or fuzzy, and the powerful power amp eliminates any distortion.
The results of the time alignment function were also impressive during the test. After precisely measuring the distances from the monitors and the subwoofer to the listening position, the special delay and phase compensation feature can be activated. In comparison, the sound image now seemed a bit punchier and more precise.
The Dynaudio LYD48 and 18S studio monitors combine to create a great-sounding four-way system. Due to the numerous options of the DSP systems for frequency adaptation, passable results can also be achieved in rooms that are not acoustically optimal.
Especially the LYD 48 have - due to the three-way design - a very good price-performance ratio. It doesn't take long to get used to work with them, because the sound is balanced and all frequency ranges are reproduced equally. The transparent representation of the individual instruments of a song gives you a lot of confidence in what you're hearing when mixing, so that details can be nicely highlighted and you quickly get useful results.
The 18S subwoofer is not only recommended in conjunction with LYD 48, but can also be used with speakers from other manufacturers as well. Once again, it's the versatile possibilities for sound correction that enable a targeted integration of the subwoofer. Its powerful and extremely precise sound makes it easier to assess sub basses. Working with the 18S is quite simply a lot of fun!"
"The Dynaudio LYD 48 studio monitors and 18S sub combine to create a great-sounding four-way system. The transparent representation of the individual instruments of a song gives you a lot of confidence in what you're hearing when mixing, so that details can be nicely highlighted and you quickly get useful results."
Chris Pfeil, Amazona.de
