SPL Volume 2 OR M-Patch 2

Spec · 17th September 2007, 01:41 AM

need a monitior controller and narrowed down to these two.

SPL Volume 2 (active)and the M-patch 2 (passive)

i thought passive controller was the way to go in less expensive volume controllers. however SPL says that passive circuitry results in "impedience variations that degrade linearity in frequency response." is this a real reason to go with the SPL over the passive m-patch 2?

i realise there has been a recent thread "tell us about your monitor controller " but i speciaifcally wanted some input for these two controllers that seem the best in the budget range. also v. different approaches to controllers.

i should say i just want to control one set of monitors so just want the most transparent option. not interested in lots of features.

any help much appreciated as i need something this week.

thanks

spek

Pyxis360 · 2nd October 2007, 12:35 PM

Do not buy the M-Patch 2. It's a piece of crap. I'm returning mine from Thomann.

It crackled at low attenuation, the output on both right outs on mine had considerably less decibels than the left making it useless to mix with unless you like constantly turning up your right monitor speaker - rubbish. The buttons felt cheap too and headphone amp is so bad sounding I cannot imagine why they included it other than to add more features.

Avoid at all costs. It's cheap and feels and sounds that way.

SPL products are made in Germany. The Volume 2 does one thing only but it does it perfectly.

Buy the Volume 2.

Slaytex · 2nd October 2007, 12:58 PM

I have the Volume 2 and must say it is very well made and completely quiet. It's pot is very smooth as well. I highly recommend it.

to-pse · 2nd October 2007, 02:37 PM

I do have the M-Patch 2 for some time now and I have not had any
problems with it. Sounds pretty ok for me...

Tobias

EleKtriKaz · 2nd October 2007, 03:35 PM

We're using an M-Patch 2. They definitely have quality control issues. We bought 2 at the same time from Musiciansfriend or something, one was fine (the one we're still using), the other one if I remember correctly just didn't work at all straight out of the box.

There is nothing special about this unit. It's extremely cheaply made, ugly and probably not very durable. However, it works fine for our purposes...basically using it to attenuate a set of monitors. If you buy one that has a problem, send it back to whoever you bought it from and tell them to make it right. If you want something that has a high build quality, look elsewhere.

warhead · 2nd October 2007, 04:26 PM

These are two different universes of product quality.

The Volume 2 is amazingly clean and worthy at any price point.

The M-Patch 2 will at least get the job done though.

Build quality is reflected in price for each.

War

Spec · 3rd October 2007, 04:54 AM

thanx guys for the feedback.

when i contacted the dealer who sold both of those untis he also mentioned he had returns of the m-patch because of pops and crackles. so i went with the SPL volume 2.

hooked it up to my Focals and RME and have been v. v. pleased with the results. extremely clean signal with v. sensative control dial.

also the unti is v. well built. solid unit indeed.

could not be happier for under $500 unit.

Spek

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17th September 2007, 01:41 AM	#1
Spec Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 147	SPL Volume 2 OR M-Patch 2 need a monitior controller and narrowed down to these two. SPL Volume 2 (active)and the M-patch 2 (passive) i thought passive controller was the way to go in less expensive volume controllers. however SPL says that passive circuitry results in "impedience variations that degrade linearity in frequency response." is this a real reason to go with the SPL over the passive m-patch 2? i realise there has been a recent thread "tell us about your monitor controller " but i speciaifcally wanted some input for these two controllers that seem the best in the budget range. also v. different approaches to controllers. i should say i just want to control one set of monitors so just want the most transparent option. not interested in lots of features. any help much appreciated as i need something this week. thanks spek

2nd October 2007, 12:58 PM	#3
Slaytex Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 946	I have the Volume 2 and must say it is very well made and completely quiet. It's pot is very smooth as well. I highly recommend it. __________________ Clayton Yunt Full Volume Sound Full Volume Sound

2nd October 2007, 04:26 PM	#6
warhead Jai guru deva om Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 7,932	These are two different universes of product quality. The Volume 2 is amazingly clean and worthy at any price point. The M-Patch 2 will at least get the job done though. Build quality is reflected in price for each. War __________________ Warren Dent Email: warren (at) frontendaudio (dot) com Front End Audio Sells Gear Tuesday Testers: Hear the Gear Shootouts Product Videos on YouTube: Overviews of Gear

3rd October 2007, 04:54 AM	#7
Spec Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 147	went with the SPL Volume 2 thanx guys for the feedback. when i contacted the dealer who sold both of those untis he also mentioned he had returns of the m-patch because of pops and crackles. so i went with the SPL volume 2. hooked it up to my Focals and RME and have been v. v. pleased with the results. extremely clean signal with v. sensative control dial. also the unti is v. well built. solid unit indeed. could not be happier for under $500 unit. Spek

2nd October 2007, 12:35 PM	#2
Pyxis360 Gear nut Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 137	Do not buy the M-Patch 2. It's a piece of crap. I'm returning mine from Thomann. It crackled at low attenuation, the output on both right outs on mine had considerably less decibels than the left making it useless to mix with unless you like constantly turning up your right monitor speaker - rubbish. The buttons felt cheap too and headphone amp is so bad sounding I cannot imagine why they included it other than to add more features. Avoid at all costs. It's cheap and feels and sounds that way. SPL products are made in Germany. The Volume 2 does one thing only but it does it perfectly. Buy the Volume 2.

2nd October 2007, 02:37 PM	#4
to-pse Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 77	I do have the M-Patch 2 for some time now and I have not had any problems with it. Sounds pretty ok for me... Tobias

2nd October 2007, 03:35 PM	#5
EleKtriKaz Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 105	We're using an M-Patch 2. They definitely have quality control issues. We bought 2 at the same time from Musiciansfriend or something, one was fine (the one we're still using), the other one if I remember correctly just didn't work at all straight out of the box. There is nothing special about this unit. It's extremely cheaply made, ugly and probably not very durable. However, it works fine for our purposes...basically using it to attenuate a set of monitors. If you buy one that has a problem, send it back to whoever you bought it from and tell them to make it right. If you want something that has a high build quality, look elsewhere.

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