Desktop Dynamo

MONOPRICE MONOLITH MTM-100 AND THX CERTIFIED 8-INCH, 150-WATT POWERED SUBWOOFER

- Howard Kneller

FOUNDED IN 2002, California-based Monoprice is an online retailer and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that operates in the consumer electronic, professional audio, medical, and outdoor product areas. The company states that by controlling the design, manufacture, and sale of its products, it eliminates supply chain inefficiencies, thus allowing it to offer premium products at below market prices.

Monoprice's strategy seems to be working. It now sells over 7,500 products under its namesake brand and has OEM relationships with an ever-increasing number of third-party sellers. Whether you need a 3D printer, arial drone, wheelchair, audio/video component, guitar, camping sunshade, computer monitor, or almost any type of audio cable or adapter, Monoprice not only likely sells it, but may make it for someone else who does.

Monoprice's website states that the company's Monolith products constitute "the best value in high-end audio," which brings me to the MTM-100 powered, stereo desktop stereo speaker ($500/ pair) and THX Certified 8-inch, 150-Watt Powered Subwoofer ($350) samples that the company sent over for review. Although not constituting "high-end audio" products in my mind, they must nonetheless offer excellent performance to find a place in the ever-competitive world of desktop audiophile gear.

FEATURES: MTM-100

Removing the stereo pair of MTM-100s from their packaging revealed large (14"H x 6.3"W x 7.9"D each), heavy (approximately 21 14 pounds combined), and handsome speakers whose MDF (medium-density-fiberboard) cabinets are finished in black satin veneer. Most of the speakers' bulk is in their height so their footprint is rather small. Build quality is excellent, even more so when considering this product's price. I used gloves when handling the speakers as their finish easily shows fingerprints.