One of the main features of the RM-07 is that they are coaxial drivers with the tweeters mounted in the center. After you started using them, could you notice the distinct quality of the coaxial driver units?

"I had never used speakers with coaxial drivers before. This studio has been remodeled a number of times and I had the opportunity to test the new equipment that was installed each time. I installed a different make of mid-range speakers and used them when I was working on processing the surround sound timing for the DVD and Blu-ray releases of MISIA's live performances. I could really sense how well the phase sounds when I started using the RM-07, but they have a really narrow sweet spot. The sound image sounds perfect when mixing and listening to tracks from the middle of the mixing deck, and their excellent phase is their best quality. The sweet spot is quite narrow, so it is best not to move your chair when dubbing sounds like choruses. We normally play the speakers at quite a high volume, but not so loud that you can't have a proper conversation."

How was the first month when you were burning in the speakers?

"While I was burning in the speakers, I did notice that they were crackling at high frequencies. Tweeters still need burn-in time, even if they are coaxial units."

It has been half a year since you installed the RM-07, but have you become used to how they sound?

"I am mostly used to how they sound now. MISIA also commented that they are difficult to get used to at the start when she was here, but now she actually listens to the RM-07. Someone else who said that they sounded great was Satoshi Shimano, a producer/music arranger who also uses this studio. Satoshi has been providing music to MISIA from her earliest days."

Did you notice any difference in sound with MISIA's album since installing these speakers?

"I made the switch quite quickly, and was actually surprised at how soon I felt comfortable with the way they sound. MISIA's album covers a wide range of musical styles, from guitar instrumentals to full orchestras."

Is there any difference between audio speakers and monitor speakers?

"Audio speakers are designed as speakers for listening to music at home, but I think that monitor speakers need to be built sturdy like speakers in guitar amps. People use audio speakers just to listen to the final, mixed music. With these monitor speakers, there are some cases when I just play the base notes at a high volume, and if I did this with consumer grade speakers they would probably blow the first time. Monitor speakers need to be rugged so that I can listen to just the guitar notes or as decide how to mix the kick drums without blowing the speakers."

Is there any difference with live recordings and studio recordings?

"The audience makes quite a noticeable difference in sound. Even if the recording is only made from microphones on the stage, the sound of the audience creates a completely different ambience."

Are there instruments or musical genres that sound particularly well with the RM-07?

"I think these speakers play any type of music excellently, from small bands to orchestras. They have a punchy delivery that also makes them suited to dance music, and I don't feel they are limited to any particular genre. I haven't worked on any orchestral recordings with these speakers, however they sound perfectly fine for the recordings I have mixed of single instruments."

The RM-07 is capable of playback up to 50 kHz. How do feel about the wide frequency range of the speakers?

"My work is easier with a wider frequency range, as it makes it easier to distinguish the ambience."

What was your key priority when installing the RM-07 in the studio?

"The current position is the best for small speakers. This creates a perfect triangle when you are sitting down, with sound from equally from both sides."

The rear panel of the RM-07 has an EQ and other controls. Have you used them to customize the settings?

"I have the EQ set quite flat. I first played some pink noise and set up a microphone where I would be sitting so I could see the sine wave generated. It looked flat, so I thought it was great that the speakers sound natural. They also sounded completely fine when I played back a CD that I am used to listening to."