Macs and music go hand in hand. Whether it’s crafting songs in GarageBand or listening to your favorite new tracks in iTunes, tons of music flows through our Macs. So a decent pair of speakers can do wonders for your desktop jamming, and Blue Sky’s new EXO2 monitors bring studio sound home for both musicians and fans.
The EXO2 is the successor to Blue Sky’s well-regarded EXO 2.1 (naming conventions be damned). It features a similar configuration—two satellite speakers, a subwoofer, and a small preamp for tweaking the sound. The EXO2 supports inputs from XLR/TRS connectors, RCA, and 3.5mm stereo cables. If that means nothing to you, this system probably wasn’t made with you in mind.
The EXO2 is designed for producers and musicians, but it’s not limited to pro use. In fact, the EXO2’s distinct black-and-brushed-metal design scheme looks right at home beside a MacBook Pro or iMac. Which is good, because it’ll eat up more desk space than your average computer speakers. The satellite speakers have a 5x4.8-inch footprint. Of course, that’s assuming you’re intending to use the speakers with your computer; the EXO2 is certainly loud enough to connect to a stereo or add to your entertainment center.
As for audio quality, the EXO2 pushes out pure and unaltered sound, and the small preamp (which fits comfortably on even the most cramped desks) has two knobs to adjust gain and sub volume. Fully cranked, the speakers are plenty loud and perfectly clear—an unquestionable requirement of studio monitors. But even turned all the way to the proverbial 11, the subwoofer can’t offer the bone-crunching, floor-shaking, massive low end demanded by modern hip-hop and dance music.
The bottom line. The EXO2 is an easy sell for anyone who mixes music. The speakers’ high volume and pristine sound (not to mention small-for-a-studio size) makes them perfect for producers looking for a mid-level setup. For the music fans just looking to crank out a little more than their computer affords them, the EXO2 offers big sound, although the tangle of wires and lack of brain-bustin’ bass may not suit everyone.
EXO2 Speaker System
Audio device with RCA, 3.5mm, or XLR/TRS output.
Good, balanced sound quality. Desktop Controller for easy level tweaks. Surprisingly loud.
Bass doesn’t bump enough for clubbin’ music. 5x4.8x7-inch speakers and lots of wires will deter neatniks.
tanker10a
January 24, 2011 at 12:34pm
There is only one problem with this system. Who is making an interface PCI card to go into the slot of a MacPro. I am currently dealing with a 5.1 KLIPSCH issue whereby there is no interface card for the MacPro to accommodate these analog inputs. My Powermac G4 was able to deal with the 5.1 with an interface card made by M-Audio. Since then, M-Audio has not made any effort into the manufacturing of a new PCI card.
Now, every time you visit their website you get the same song: "At this time M-Audio Devices and Drivers are not qualified for use on 10.6.6. ..."
In fact, there is not even an optical driven device in existence that can interface between the Mac and the speakers...Since the MacPro is equipped with an optical audio output device.So, Nic Vargas, if you know of a device that can interface with the MacPro that will drive these Blue Sky speakers, it would have been worth mentioning which ultimately would give value to your silly article...
