AudioSmile ActiveSmile Little British Monitors Review:
I was excited to test the AudioSmile ActiveSmile Little British Monitors (LBM)—a pair of compact, active desktop speakers designed by Simon Ashton in England. Launched in their latest iteration (MK3) in November 2024, these speakers promise high-end studio monitoring in a tiny package, complete with Bluetooth aptX HD connectivity and advanced DSP technology. After spending a few weeks with them in my setup as of May 2025, I’m ready to share my thoughts on their design, sound quality, and practical applications for dance music production. Let’s dive into this review and see if the ActiveSmile LBM lives up to its reputation—complete with a final rating out of 10.
Overview of the AudioSmile ActiveSmile Little British Monitors
The ActiveSmile Little British Monitors (LBM) are the brainchild of Simon Ashton, a British audio engineer and founder of AudioSmile. These compact active speakers are hand-built in England, designed to deliver audiophile-grade sound in a small form factor—perfect for desktop monitoring, mobile recording, or unobtrusive listening setups. The LBM MK3, as reviewed on Audioholics in December 2024, features a 3-inch long-throw mid-woofer, a wide-band tweeter with a waveguide, and a meticulously designed port that extends bass down to 58 Hz. With 50 watts of Class A/B amplification per driver, a 1500 Hz crossover, and a CSR 8675 chipset for Bluetooth aptX HD, the LBM is packed with technology. Priced at £634.80 (including VAT in the UK, as noted on the AudioSmile website), they’re a premium investment for their size, but their build and feature set aim to justify the cost.
Design and Build Quality
The ActiveSmile LBM immediately impresses with its thoughtful design and craftsmanship. Measuring just a few inches wide (tiny enough to fit on a small desk, as noted by Sound on Sound), the speakers are truly compact—yet they feel like “little boulders,” according to an Audioholics review. The front baffle is crafted from 12mm birch plywood, chosen for its acoustic properties and stylish appearance, while the enclosure uses high-resin MDF with internal bracing, including steel bars around the woofer and a slot port that doubles as a brace. A knock test confirmed their inertness, with egg-crate acoustic damping foam lining the interior to minimize resonance.
Aesthetically, the LBMs are a departure from typical black-box desktop speakers. The birch plywood and custom-mixed black finish with subtle metallic sparkle give them a playful, organic character—described as “less mechanical” by Audioholics. They come with matching Little Feet desktop stands, which feature a constrained layer support plate to reduce vibrations and an adjustable tilt mechanism for precise listening alignment. The stands’ arched design complements the speakers’ look, though some might prefer a more traditional stand for studio use. Connectivity includes a 3.5mm jack, RCA/phono inputs, Bluetooth, and a subwoofer RCA output, making them versatile for various setups. However, the lack of a power switch (you toggle via the PSU) was a minor inconvenience during testing.
Sound Quality and Performance
I tested the ActiveSmile LBM in my dance music production setup, running them through Ableton Live at 24-bit/48kHz, focusing on their performance with drum loops, synth pads, and vocal samples—key elements in dance music.
Drum Loops: Punchy and Defined
Dance music relies heavily on tight, impactful drum loops, so I played a house drum loop with a prominent kick, snare, and hi-hat. The LBM’s optimized port design, detailed in a 39-page technical paper by AudioSmile (as referenced in audioXpress), delivered impressive bass extension for such small speakers—reaching down to 58 Hz with clarity. The kick had a surprising amount of weight, though I added a subwoofer via the RCA output for deeper sub-bass, which the LBMs can’t fully reproduce due to their size. The snare and hi-hat were crisp and defined, thanks to the wide-band tweeter and 1500 Hz crossover, which ensures cohesive driver integration. The midrange remained clean, free from port noise—a common issue in small speakers that AudioSmile has clearly addressed.
Synth Pads: Wide and Immersive
Next, I ran a lush synth pad through the LBMs to test their stereo imaging and high-frequency response. The tweeter’s waveguide and phase lens, as highlighted in audioXpress, created a broad sweet spot, making the pads sound wide and immersive even in my small studio space. The linear, neutral frequency response ensured the pads retained their clarity without artificial coloration, which is crucial for accurate monitoring when producing dance tracks. However, the high end could occasionally feel a bit restrained—adding a slight EQ boost around 8 kHz brought out more air for my taste.
Vocal Samples: Clear but Limited Dynamics
Finally, I played a vocal sample to assess the LBMs’ midrange performance. Vocals were detailed and articulate, sitting well in the mix with a natural tone. The Analog Devices DSP and time-aligned crossover kept the mids free from distortion, even at moderate volumes. However, the LBMs’ small size limits their dynamic range—pushing the volume too high (above 80% of max) introduced slight compression, as noted in a Sound on Sound review. For critical vocal mixing, larger monitors might be necessary, but for casual listening or referencing, the LBMs performed admirably.
Practical Applications for Dance Music Producers
The ActiveSmile LBM is a fantastic tool for dance music producers working in small spaces or on the go. Their compact size and Bluetooth aptX HD connectivity make them ideal for mobile recording setups—perfect for capturing ideas at a gig or festival. In the studio, they excel as desktop monitors for producing beats and synth-driven tracks, offering accurate monitoring for genres like house and techno where clarity in the midrange and highs is key. The subwoofer output is a thoughtful addition, allowing you to integrate a sub for deeper bass when mixing low-end heavy tracks—a must for club-ready productions.
Their portability (weighing just 3.75 lbs for the master and 3.1 lbs for the slave) also makes them a great choice for DJ-producers who need a reliable reference system on tour. However, their small size and limited low-end response mean they’re not ideal for large studio spaces or critical mastering tasks, where larger monitors with more dynamic range would be better suited.
Drawbacks and Considerations
While the ActiveSmile LBM impresses, it’s not without flaws. The limited bass extension, while impressive for their size, requires a subwoofer for full-range monitoring—a point echoed in Sound on Sound’s review of their compact dimensions. The lack of a power switch on the speakers themselves (you toggle via the PSU) can be inconvenient, especially in a multi-device setup. Additionally, at £634.80, they’re a premium investment for desktop speakers—some might find alternatives like the Audioengine A2+ (around £200 cheaper) more budget-friendly, though they lack the LBM’s DSP precision and build quality. Lastly, pushing the volume too high can reveal their dynamic limitations, making them less suited for loud monitoring sessions.
Final Verdict and Rating
The AudioSmile ActiveSmile Little British Monitors are a triumph of compact audio engineering, delivering audiophile-grade sound in a tiny, beautifully crafted package. For dance music producers, their clarity, wide stereo imaging, and portability make them an excellent choice for desktop monitoring and mobile production. The DSP-driven design, optimized port, and high-quality build ensure accurate sound reproduction, while the Bluetooth connectivity adds versatility for casual listening or on-the-go creativity.
However, their small size limits bass extension and dynamic range, requiring a subwoofer for full-range monitoring, and the price might deter budget-conscious producers. For my needs—producing dance tracks in a small studio—they’ve been a reliable and inspiring addition, though I’d pair them with a sub for critical low-end work.
Rating: 8/10
The ActiveSmile LBM earns an 8 out of 10 for its impressive sound quality, thoughtful design, and versatility, but it loses points for its bass limitations, dynamic constraints at high volumes, and premium price. If you’re a dance music producer looking for compact, high-quality monitors for a small setup, the LBM is well worth considering—just be prepared to supplement with a sub for deeper frequencies.
Have you tried the AudioSmile ActiveSmile Little British Monitors, or are you considering them for your setup? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear about your experiences on this sunny May 13, 2025!