PreSonus R80 V2 8" Active AMT Studio Monitor

The PreSonus R80 V2 is an 8-inch active studio monitor designed for critical listening, mixing, mastering, production, and post-production work. Its self-powered two-way design eliminates the need for a separate amplifier, making it suitable for desktop studios, dedicated control rooms, and editing suites. It is sold as a single monitor, so a stereo setup requires two units.

The R80 V2 is built for users who need to hear mix details clearly while working at nearfield listening distances. Its 8-inch woven-composite low-frequency driver supports substantial low- and mid-frequency output, while the Air Motion Transformer tweeter is designed for quick transient response and wide horizontal coverage. The result is a focused monitoring presentation intended to help reveal balance, placement, and tonal decisions.

A custom 6.8-square-inch AMT tweeter is the centerpiece of the R80 V2 design. Its folded diaphragm provides a large radiating area while maintaining narrow vertical dispersion, which can help reduce reflections from desks, floors, and ceilings. This design is intended to create a broad listening area across the horizontal plane while keeping the monitor oriented vertically.

Built-in acoustic controls make the R80 V2 adaptable to different rooms and placements. High-frequency and mid-frequency adjustments allow tonal tailoring, while the low-cut and Acoustic Space controls help manage low-end buildup near walls or corners. These controls are useful when the monitor must work in rooms that are not fully acoustically treated.

With balanced XLR and 1/4-inch TRS inputs plus an unbalanced RCA input, the R80 V2 can connect to common audio interfaces, mixers, monitor controllers, and consumer playback sources. Its 140-watt Class A/B biamplified architecture powers the low- and high-frequency drivers separately. It can serve as a full-range stereo monitoring pair or be used with a subwoofer system using its selectable low-cut settings.

Key Features

• 8-Inch Woven Composite Woofer: Supports transparent midrange and extended low-frequency monitoring.
• Air Motion Transformer Tweeter: Delivers fast transient response and wide horizontal imaging.
• 140W Class A/B Biamplification: Provides dedicated power to both driver sections.
• Acoustic Tuning Controls: Helps compensate for room boundaries and placement.
• Three Analog Inputs: Connects easily to balanced and unbalanced audio sources.
• Vertical Monitor Design: Maintains the intended horizontal and vertical dispersion pattern.

Design & Installation

The R80 V2 uses a vinyl-laminated MDF cabinet with an 8-inch woven-composite LF driver and a custom AMT high-frequency driver. Its front-panel status LED illuminates blue when the monitor is powered on. The cabinet measures 9.5 inches wide, 15 inches high, and 12 inches deep, with a weight of 19.8 pounds per monitor.

For a stereo setup, use one R80 V2 for each channel and place both monitors vertically with the tweeters at ear height. PreSonus recommends positioning them about 8 to 12 inches from walls where possible, toeing them toward the listening position, and using balanced XLR or TRS connections when available. Use only one input source per monitor at a time, then adjust the level, EQ, low-cut, and Acoustic Space controls for the room and system configuration.