In the world of audio, finding a speaker system that resonates with your unique needs can feel like a herculean task. This is doubly true in the music production community. Here, we turn the spotlight on the Vigilant Audio SwitchOnes, a compact yet powerful set of speakers designed for high-fidelity audio. As we take a look at the capabilities of the SwitchOnes, we will explore everything from their robust sound and aesthetic appeal to the practicalities of their size and connectivity.
Do let’s dive into our experience of using these speakers over two months in a studio space, discussing some of what impressed us alongside a few minor quibbles that surfaced along the way!
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What Is Vigilant’s SwitchOne Set Of Speakers?
The Vigilant Audio SwitchOnes labels itself a high-fidelity speaker system specifically engineered to deliver optimal audio performance. Equipped with custom-tuned drivers, Class D amplifiers, and dual passive radiators, these speakers ensure precise sound reproduction and enhanced bass. The system provides versatile connectivity options, allowing users to connect to various audio sources such as computers, TVs, turntables, and more via Stereo Balanced 1/4″, Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, and AUX inputs.
Despite the SwitchOnes’ compact design, the speakers do not compromise on audio quality, ensuring they fit seamlessly into any home, studio, or office setting. A distinguishing feature is the signature switch, offering a choice between HiFi and Studio modes for optimal performance across different audio scenarios.
Now with the technical stuff out of the way, let’s dive into what we thought of these speakers after using them in the studio space over the last two months.
What I Liked Most About The SwitchOnes
There’s a lot to like about these small little speakers, and while we could probably talk about all of their merits for the better part of 10k words, let’s instead dial in on the few things that stood out in these small little speakers.
Small Speaks – Big Sound
When it comes to small speakers, people often assume that the sound quality will be thin and tinny. I must admit that I shared this assumption when I unboxed and set up these speakers. However, as soon as I turned them on, I realized how wrong I was. Despite working in a reasonably large studio, these speakers were able to fill the room with their warm and full-bodied sound.
Unlike other speakers of this size, these little guys did not require me to crank up the volume to unreasonable levels just to get an even signal. I could comfortably listen to conversational podcasts at lower volumes and enjoy music turned up loud during work hours without worrying about disturbing my sleeping baby in the adjacent room.
The Size
So I understand that this could have fit in the previous section but I feel like the size of these speakers deserves its own recognition. In a world where more and more people are working from home, often setting up their workstations in a side nook or bedroom table, desk real estate is utterly precious. And the small design profile the SwitchOnes offer means that they take up little room on the desk which was really good to see.
By ensuring high-quality sound output without consuming excessive space, the SwitchOnes cater perfectly to the needs of the modern workspace. It’s a well-thought-out balance between design and functionality, making them an ideal addition to any professional or personal setup, regardless of spatial constraints!
And speaking of design, we have one last point!
They Look Cool
Yeah okay, maybe the look and aesthetic shouldn’t play such a massive role in deciding whether these speakers are right for you and your space but it’s undeniable that these speakers look awesome. We’ve found that all too often, smaller speakers or more budget-friendly options simply look a little… dumb as if they are trying to appeal to all age ranges of music lovers and listeners (ending in something that’s 33% sleek, 33% cartoony, and 33% rugged).
But based on the design and look of these speakers, I can’t help but draw a comparison between IK Multimedia’s flagship MTM monitors or other industry-standard options that cost 10x the price.
TL;DR? They look great, mature, and as if they’re designed for a working professional (whatever your trade).
What I Wasn’t Crazy About
No set of speakers will ever truly be perfect, especially at this price point. And while it’s always important to focus on the better qualities of gear and how those qualities can improve your life and workflow, we would be doing you a disservice by not mentioning the couple of things that stood out to us during the review.
They Shouldn’t Be Your Main Mixing Monitors
These monitors from Vigilant Audio may have been intended for casual listening and consumer use, but they have caught the attention of music producers and mixing engineers as well. Although their compact and sleek design makes them ideal for bedroom producers and those with smaller setups, I would not recommend them as your main set of mixing monitors due to their lack of clarity and driver strength commonly found in high-quality mixing monitors.
However, they are a great choice as a secondary set of monitors for referencing purposes. They offer a clear and full-bodied sound that accurately represents how your mixes and productions will sound on smaller systems and setups. Using them primarily for consumer music listening while also utilizing them as a reference monitor is a solid option.
Not Much Variation
Not that I had many gripes with these speakers, but I will say the one that stood out the most to me was the difference between the standard sound and the Hi-Fi options. I was excited and curious to check out how the two different sound profiles compared to each other during A/B texting but to be honest, I noticed only a small difference in the sonics of the sound.
That being said, I am not sure how often I would have been toggling between the two anyways outside of doing this official review of the product so this is more of a theoretical gripe than an actual one seeing as I was pretty damn impressed by the standard sound profile option!
Final Thoughts:
To sum it up, the Vigilant Audio SwitchOnes is a great addition to the audio equipment market. They are small in size but big in sound, providing a powerful and well-rounded audio experience without taking up too much desk space. Not only do they look sleek, but they also deliver impressive performance and can connect to various devices, making them a versatile solution for modern workspaces. While they may not be the best choice for primary mixing monitors, they excel in general listening and reference monitoring.
The difference between their standard and Hi-Fi settings may be subtle, but this does not diminish their overall value. These speakers offer excellent sound quality and a professional design at a competitive price point, making them a top contender for anyone seeking a compact, high-quality audio solution.
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Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
