VL-S3/VL-S3BT
Powered Desktop Monitors
The VL-S3 is a 2-way powered studio monitor speaker that includes a 3’’ woofer that can easily fit on your desk. With its space-conscious compact size, it boasts reproduction capabilities of 80Hz-22kHz.
This model has been discontinued in North, Central and South America.
Please check the availability with your local distributors in other areas.
Creates high-quality music through the sound production that makes mutual use of headphones and speakers
Even in this day and age in which many excellent monitor headphones are being sold, there are many elements that cannot be checked by relying only on headphones during music production. However, it is not easy to replicate an environment where you can blast music like when using large-scale monitor speakers. Unlike in the past in which most of the production was done in a studio, it is becoming more and more important to create an excellent monitoring desktop environment at one’s home in order to create high-quality pieces of music. The VL-S3 is a speaker that will be optimal for creating such desktop monitoring environments. It has a 2-way built-in (powered) amplifier monitor speaker pair with a compact size of 110mm x 170mm and a wide frequency response of 80Hz-22kHz.
Delivers clear, rich monitor sounds even during low-volume playback
The size that does not force restrictions on installation location enables VL-S3 to be installed in production environments comprising of a laptop and compact audio interface without a hitch. Not only does this make it perfect for a PC and DAW environment, the VL-S3 also works great in a production environment that utilizes compact MTR, including the TASCAM DP-006. The power amplifier output of 14W+14W is enough for a home environment, and the VL-S3 reveals its true value at low volumes; well-balanced monitor sounds can be provided even at low volume. You can comfortably utilize these speakers even at night or other times when you can’t easily play at full volume.
Equipped with RCA and stereo mini phone jack input
Equipped with a RCA and a stereo mini jack input, the VL-S3 can be connected to many acoustic devices, as well as mobile music players using the separately-sold conversion cable. In addition, an RCA to phono conversion cable is included for sources such as TASCAM audio interfaces and other devices that use a phono output jack.
Recreates a studio-like monitor environment at one’s desktop
The VL-S series has been newly added to the lineup of the already-successful VL-X series, VL-A series, and VL-M series.
The VL-S3 is a new addition to the TASCAM monitor speaker series that meets the needs of the production environment that is constantly changing rapidly. The VL-S3 recreates a monitor environment that matches that of a studio at your desktop, paving a way to a next-level music production.
Compact 4.5" × 6.7" Cabinets Fit Almost Anywhere
Even with professional 2-way drivers and rich power amplifier, the footprint is a compact 4.5" × 6.7" (110mm × 170mm) – perfect on a desktop or next to your laptop PC. There's no need to make space for speaker stands. The compact monitors can fit below many monitors or in crowded machine or server rooms.
2-way system and bass reflex port provides a wide frequency response of 80 Hz to 22 kHz
Even though they're priced like standard PC desktop speakers, the VL-S3 provide professional monitoring quality. With a frequency response of 80Hz to 22kHz, every sound is faithfully reproduced – from the body resonance of a bass drum to a tinkling wind chime. The wide response is reproduced by the 2-way system design – consisting of a woofer, tweeter, and the bass reflex port located on the rear of the cabinet.
Built-in Power Amplifier with 14 Watts Per Channel
Designed specifically for desktop systems, the integrated 14 W + 14 W power amplifier provides you not only powerful, full volume monitoring, but also features well-balanced sound at low volume. The VL-S3 work great in areas where excessive volume might be a problem, such as bedrooms, dorm rooms, and apartment buildings.
RCA and Stereo Mini Jack Line Inputs
The dual RCA inputs provide a common, compact interface for connecting with unbalanced sources. A 1/4" stereo phone plug to RCA conversion cable is included for sources like an audio interface or Portastudio with a 1/4" phone output jack can be interfaced.
The VL-S3 also includes a 1/8” stereo mini input jack, which automatically shuts off the RCA inputs. Using a standard stereo mini cable, a portable MP3 player, iPad or smartphone can be connected.
Bluetooth® playback compatible with aptX®/AAC codecs for low latency and high definition (VL-S3BT)
A Bluetooth® receiver is built into the cabinet, making wireless playback possible from a smartphone, PC, or any Bluetooth-enabled device where the reference sound is saved. Bluetooth® playback supports aptX® and AAC codecs – higher definition and lower latency than the typical SBC codec. So, without any cables, the sound can be compared to the sound in production – resulting in high-definition playback which does not feel wireless. Switching input and pairing can be done using the buttons on the front side of the body.
Transmission protocols, called profiles, are standardized for the purpose of wireless transmission via Bluetooth®. VL-S3BT uses the profile A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), and can wirelessly play back from devices compatible with A2DP.
Furthermore, the sound is compressed for wireless transmission. This compression method is called "codec." Confirm which codec your device is compatible with on the webpage describing your device.
Qualcomm aptX® is a type of codec with low compression rate, allowing for playback in high definition – closer to the original sound. The time lag is also negligible.
In addition to aptX®, the VL-S3BT also employs conventional codecs widely available on smartphones, SBC (Sub Band Codec) and AAC (Advanced Audio Codec).
The SBC is the standard codec which all A2DP-compatible equipment support. It is higher in definition than a headset mic, for example, but is inferior to the codecs described below. Also, latency occurs at the time of compression, so a time lag may be felt when listening to a video or the like. The AAC is the codec used mainly in iPhones and other iOS devices. The time lag is negligible. The compression rate is on par with SBC, but has superior definition.
Features at a Glance
- Power amplifier output: 14W + 14W (Left speaker contains the power amplifier)
- 3-inch woofer/0.5-inch tweeter
- Bass reflex port
- Specially tuned 8kHz crossover circuit – well outside the vocal range
- Stereo RCA Pin jacks and 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mini unbalanced inputs (the stereo 1/8" mini jack is preferred)
- Volume control
- Power switch/Power LED
- Dedicated AC adapter included (TASCAM PS-P1524E)
- Built-in Bluetooth® receiver (VL-S3BT)
