TEST: Presonus R65

 You really can't complain about a lack of product variety at Presonus. In addition to mixers, interfaces, software and all kinds of detailed solutions, there are also various monitor solutions in the American company's catalogue. With the Presonus R65 made in China, there is now another representative in the retail price class under 300 euros in the program, which can come up with an old familiar in the high-frequency range.

Structure of the Presonus R65

The Presonus R65 is an active 2-way near-field monitor, which is comparatively compact with the dimensions (W x D x H): 203 mm x 261 mm x 328 mm and a weight of 6.4 kilograms. The system features a 6.5-inch woofer made of Kevlar and a ribbon tweeter separated at 2.7 kHz, which is based on the Air Motion Transformer (AMT) principle, as known from the industry leader Adam. The woofer material Kevlar also seems to be developing more and more into a standard in the field of bass loudspeakers, since the low weight and quick response are a popular argument for the woven material.

According to the manufacturer, the Presonus R65 has a frequency range of 45 Hz to 22 kHz (-3dB) and a sound pressure level of 107 dB @ 1 m. The performance data of 100 watts in the bass range and 50 watts in the treble range once again allow for use in a small close control room or in home studio. Even if the performance specifications are convincing, one should never forget the corresponding headroom for impulse peaks, which can occur with hard bass peaks.

The Presonus R65 has a rich arsenal of tonal correction options to counteract the frequently occurring problems with reflecting walls or the (forced) close positioning of the monitors on standing walls or in room corners. In particular, the swinging up in the bass range can lead ad absurdum to any perception that is kept as neutral as possible, which is why Presonus wants to tackle this problem with 2 different filters. More on that later in the connection area.

Visually, the Presonus dares to get used to terrain, although the blue on the front, reminiscent of old turbo sound systems, will definitely find its fans. As the official company color, it is quite understandable, but most users will probably prefer the neutral black, which can be done quickly by exchanging the black front baffle included in the scope of delivery. Only six Allen screws have to be loosened and tightened again. The scope of delivery of the Presonus R65 also includes the appropriate hexagonal wrench as well as a manual and the power cable. Unfortunately, it was not possible to find out whether Presonus is considering offering further Buffels in additional colors for an individual color comparison.

In terms of housing, a lot has been done to counteract the standard problems of the reflection zones. In order to minimize comb filter effects, the front edges of the housing have been angled backwards, and the bass reflex opening has also been moved to the front. In general, in my opinion, near-field monitors that are used in home studios should always have their bass reflex opening facing the front. In small control rooms, who has the opportunity to position their monitors on high stands freely in the room with the appropriate clearance of at least one meter to the rear?

In terms of workmanship, the Presonus R65 has to be attested to have a good picture. The MDF panels covered with black vinyl fit neatly together and do not allow any corners to protrude or unclean foiling to be seen. The scope of delivery also includes a small foam board, from which you can cut four feet for the purpose of decoupling from the ground. Nice, but 4 small stick-on feet would make this step superfluous again.

The back of the Presonus R65

As already mentioned, the Presonus R65 offers extensive filter settings, which are housed in addition to the entire peripheral connection on the back of the housing. On the one hand there is a gain controller with a raster at 0 dB (U). Unfortunately, only this 0 dB range can be firmly defined, but if you consider how many products in this price range have no grid at all, you cannot rate this fixation aid highly enough. The connection options are also really extensive with symmetrical XLR, symmetrical TRS and asymmetrical cinch. Especially in the home studio you should take into account the different signal sources, a high-quality XLR signal routing is not always available.

When it comes to filters, Presonus comes up with a standardized treble and bass filter. The treble filter allows the settings 0 dB, -1.5 dB and -4 dB via a pressure switch, as well as an increase of +1 dB from around 2 kHz. The practical test will show whether an increase in a ribbon tweeter is necessary. In the bass range there is the option of a high-pass filter at 60 Hz, 80 Hz and 100 Hz, or you can also leave the filter on linear.

A special feature is the "Acoustic Space", which performs bass shelving below 250 Hz with 0, -1.5 dB, -3 dB and -6 dB. This should at least rudimentary the o. can get a grip on the tonal problems of an unfavorable positioning. The practice of the user will have to show whether these comparatively ruthless interventions in the sound can be better solved by an optimized positioning of the monitors. Remember, the more capital you invest in optimizing the control room in advance, the less you have to try later to get tonal over- or under-emphasis under control.

The energy-saving mode, which switches the speakers to standby mode after about 30 minutes of inactivity, is also very pleasant. It is activated by holding down the HF Driver and the Acoustic Space button for about 3 seconds.

The Presonus R65 in action

After activating the Presonus R65, the listener is initially offered a comparatively neutral sound, which is immediately noticeable in the ribbon tweeter. However, not in the form of a harsh, rather aggressive high frequency range, as was previously the case with some suppliers, but rather with all its advantages that ATM technology offers. The high-frequency range is comparatively airy and very quick to respond. There is no overemphasis, although the sound of an ATM tweeter requires a certain listening time for some users.

If we go a little deeper into the high mids in terms of frequency, we come across a weak point of the Presonus R65. The sound in this frequency range is comparatively "throaty", possibly also a bit "hollow", which makes the vocal range in particular sound a bit cold. In general, the system sounds comparatively harsh, which is not necessarily a disadvantage. However, you should always listen to it against another reference pair, especially in the mixdown, in order to regularly put your hearing into perspective.

A strength of the Presonus R65 is the mid and low-mid range. E-guitars and e-basses are reproduced quite succinctly and can assert themselves well in terms of sound. The playback is taut and well fanned out, so that many subtleties find their way into the listener's ear. Incidentally, the stereo image of the Presonus R65 is somewhat more focused thanks to the ATM technology, which means the stereo triangle is smaller, but it can also assert itself better in acoustically difficult rooms.

What the Presonus R65 lacks, however, is real bass. I am inclined to claim that everything below 150 Hz is only reproduced acoustically in a rudimentary manner. Unfortunately, this shortcoming cannot be compensated for using appropriate filters, since all sound measures in the bass range were only designed to reduce bass. Although Kevlar woofers are known for their quick response and clean definition, the Presonus R65 woofer seems to me to be clamped in very tightly, or is fixed by a very strong magnet. The tonal definition is very good as a result, but the hub suffers greatly as a result. Only the use of a subwoofer can help here, with Presonus offering a suitable extension with the Tremblor series.

The impulse behavior of the boxes, on the other hand, is very decent, and the spatial resolution is also absolutely convincing in the somewhat smaller stereo triangle.

Conclusion

With the Presonus R65, the American manufacturer has a near-field monitor in its ranks that can shine with a neutral basic sound and convincing high-frequency reproduction. Thanks to extensive filter settings, the system is also impressive in rooms with difficult acoustics.

If the manufacturer could get the somewhat underrepresented high-mid reproduction and the weak low bass under control, the system could definitely establish itself in the first league of the retail price class under 300 euros.


Additional Informations:

Comprehensive Report on PreSonus Audio

1. Introduction:
PreSonus Audio is a leading technology company specializing in audio hardware and software solutions for music recording, production, and live sound applications. Founded in 1995 by Jim Odom and Brian Smith in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, PreSonus has rapidly grown into a prominent player in the pro audio industry. This report provides a comprehensive overview of PreSonus Audio, including its history, product range, technological innovations, market position, and commitment to empowering musicians and audio professionals.

2. Company Background:
PreSonus Audio was established with the vision of providing accessible and user-friendly audio solutions for musicians and recording engineers. The founders, both musicians and audio enthusiasts, sought to bridge the gap between professional audio quality and affordability. Through innovative technologies and product offerings, PreSonus has become synonymous with high-quality audio equipment that empowers creatives across the globe.

3. Product Range:
PreSonus Audio offers an extensive product range that caters to musicians, audio engineers, and content creators. The company's product lineup includes:

a) Audio Interfaces: PreSonus audio interfaces provide high-quality audio input and output for recording and live performances. They are available in various configurations, offering a range of connectivity options.

b) Digital Mixing Consoles: PreSonus digital mixing consoles combine intuitive control surfaces with powerful digital processing, enabling seamless mixing and signal routing in both studio and live sound settings.

c) Studio Monitors: PreSonus studio monitors deliver accurate and transparent audio reproduction, essential for critical listening and professional audio production.

d) Studio One Software: Studio One is PreSonus's flagship digital audio workstation (DAW) software, offering a robust platform for music production, recording, editing, and mixing.

e) Audio Processors: PreSonus offers a range of audio processors, including compressors, equalizers, and channel strips, designed to enhance audio signals and achieve optimal sound quality.

f) StudioLive Series: PreSonus StudioLive series combines digital mixers, recording interfaces, and software integration, providing an all-in-one solution for live sound and recording applications.

g) Notion Software: Notion is PreSonus's notation software, catering to composers and arrangers for music notation and scoring.

4. Technological Innovations:
PreSonus Audio has been a driving force in technological innovations, revolutionizing the audio industry with its products. Some notable technological advancements by PreSonus include:

a) Fat Channel Processing: PreSonus introduced the Fat Channel processing technology, a powerful digital processing engine, incorporated into their mixers and audio interfaces, allowing users to apply studio-quality effects and signal processing in real-time.

b) Integrated Hardware and Software Solutions: PreSonus is known for its seamless integration of hardware and software products, ensuring a cohesive and efficient workflow for audio professionals.

c) Remote Control Software: The company developed remote control software for its digital mixers, enabling users to control mixer functions wirelessly from their smartphones or tablets.

d) Advanced DSP Technology: PreSonus utilizes cutting-edge DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology in their products, enabling low-latency monitoring, audio effects, and real-time audio processing without taxing the computer's CPU.

5. Market Position and Global Reach:
PreSonus Audio has garnered significant market recognition and has established a strong global presence. Their products are distributed through a network of authorized dealers and retailers, reaching customers in various countries.

6. Empowering Musicians and Audio Professionals:
PreSonus Audio is committed to empowering musicians and audio professionals through accessible and user-friendly technology. Their products are designed with a focus on usability, efficiency, and seamless integration, allowing creatives to focus on their artistry without technical limitations.

7. Awards and Recognition:
PreSonus Audio's dedication to innovation and product excellence has earned the company numerous awards and accolades. These accolades affirm the company's commitment to delivering high-quality audio solutions.

8. Education and Support:
PreSonus Audio provides extensive educational resources, including tutorials, webinars, and online communities, to support musicians and audio professionals in mastering their products and techniques.

9. Conclusion:
In conclusion, PreSonus Audio stands as a leading force in the audio technology industry, providing innovative and user-friendly solutions for musicians, producers, and audio engineers. With a diverse product range, technological advancements, and a commitment to empowering creativity, PreSonus continues to shape the future of audio production, recording, and live sound, solidifying its position as a trusted and influential brand in the pro audio market.