Barefoot Sound is one of the leading manufacturers of pro-audio studio monitors for recording, mixing, and mastering. The company was founded in 2004 by Thomas Barefoot, who started hand crafting monitors out of his garage in San Franscisco, CA. His designs have set the bar for studio monitoring, often blurring the lines of traditional distinctions between nearfield, main, and mastering monitors.
My first experience with Barefoot Sound was at an AES convention, where I was wandering the crowded corridors of music technology vendors. I was immediately drawn to the sound quality, as I hadn’t heard anything so clean, pure, powerful. Needless to say, I’m a big fan and jumped at the opportunity to present this brand overview.
There are several product lines available for specific application and budgets, including the Footprint Series, MicroMains Series, and the flagship MiniMains Series. Before we dive into each monitors series, I’d like to point out some of the innovative, cutting-edge, and proprietary technologies that help bring the very best out of each monitor.
MEME Technology
Multi-Emphasis Monitor Emulation (MEME) harnesses sophisticated DSP modeling to bring you voicing characteristics and responses of classic studio nearfield monitors. It comes with a four-position wired remote.
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Old School: Captures the essence of the NS10M, rolling off the sub-bass and top-end information, and bringing forward mid-range presence.
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Cube: Nods to the classic “Aura” tone full-range micro monitors of yesteryear. A great setting to test signals reproduced by laptops, tablets, and earbuds.
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Hi-Fi: Sweetens the high end and warms mid-range to behave much like consumer hi-fi systems, the perfect setting for quick artist playback or when listening to favorites in the studio.
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Flat: The prized default setting, offering the true, revealing Barefoot Sound.
Dual-Force Technology
A significant source of distortion is created from cabinet vibrations caused by the driver motor forcing the cone to move back and forth to generate sound. This force is transmitted through the driver fame to the cabinet. The effect is especially prevalent in the low frequencies where the cone motion is greatest.
Barefoot Sound’s Dual-Force drivers mitigate this vibration before it even begins by way of force cancellation. The low frequency drivers are mounted on opposing sides of the cabinet and their motors are locked together. As the cones are driven in and out in opposite directions the forces exerted on the motors cancel one another. And because the wavelengths generated by the subwoofers are much larger than the speaker cabinet dimensions, the subs radiate as if they were a single point source located on axis with the tweeter.
Dual Ring Radiator Tweeter
Conventional convex and concave dome tweeters focus the highest frequencies into a narrow beam due to off axis phase cancelation. This causes a loss of high-end detail as the listener moves around in the normal course of working.
By pinning the center of the diaphragm and directing the sound waves with a precision-shaped phase plug, the dual ring radiator provides a wide sweet spot out to 40 kHz. The powerful neodymium motor and deep tuned waveguide rear chamber also give the tweeter outstanding dynamic range with minimal power compression. Additionally, copper shorting rings in the magnetic gap reduce distortion and increase bandwidth.
MicroMain Series
MicoMain27
This was the original flagship model and what put Barefoot Sound on the map. The MicroMain27 is a 3.5-way active system with five drive units housed in sealed enclosures spanning 30 Hz to 45 kHz, boasting vanishingly low distortion, remarkable dynamic range, and an incredibly fast transient response. The monitor features the signature opposing 10″ Dual-Force subwoofers, a 5.25″ midbass yielding clear midrange detail, and the 1″ ring radiator tweeter that delivers incredible detail and wide dispersion out to its highest frequencies. Each MicroMain27 comes with two handles, which are handy for lifting and positioning the monitor. Additionally, these handles can double as base “skids” for mounting the speaker horizontally, adding versatility to its placement options.
MicroMain26
Builds upon the success of its predecessor while raising performance to new heights, the MicroMain26 is a four-way active system with 6 drive units housed in sealed enclosures spanning 30 Hz to 45 kHz with remarkably low distortion, breathtaking dynamic range, and ultra-fast transient response. The ring radiator tweeter produces a highly detailed sound with very wide dispersion, while the 2.5” aluminum cone midrange is housed in a cutting-edge 3D printed waveguide enclosure. The 5.25″ woofers feature a phalanx of advanced technology, yielding upper bass and lower midrange detail that rivals any driver on the planet. Each MicroMain26 comes with two pedestal legs. These pedestals provide clearance for the down-firing subwoofer while the speaker stands in its normal horizontal orientation. The monitor may also be used in a vertical position.
MiniMain12
Introducing the latest flagship monitor from Barefoot Sound, the MiniMain12 is a four-way active system with seven drive units housed in sealed enclosures spanning 20 Hz to 40 kHz with astonishingly low distortion, remarkable dynamic range and ultra-fast transient response. Every driver has an under-hung voice coil moving inside an advanced geometry motor that enables extremely long linear excursions. The ring radiator tweeter offers an incredibly detailed sound and produces very wide dispersion, while the aluminum cone subwoofers, woofers and midranges radiate as perfect pistons to at least 2.5 octaves beyond their respective bandwidths. The MiniMain12 produces a seamless and coherent wavefront from less than 3 feet away with no sonic compromise, but also works perfectly out to far field distances, producing SPLs equivalent to big mains. The MiniMain12 is available with handles and without handles.
MicroMain45
Featuring the same signal path, amplifier, and driver technologies as the MiniMain12, the MicroMain45 is streamlined to deliver Barefoot’s renowned resolution and translation at a more affordable price. This expertly designed three-way speaker includes a 1” radiator tweeter, two 2.5” aluminum-cone midrange drivers, and an 8” aluminum-cone subwoofer, offering an impressive 40 Hz to 45 kHz frequency response. This 610W studio monitor utilizes amplifier stages for maximum sonic transparency. Ideal for small and mid-sized project studios, the MicroMain45 delivers the high-level performance of the MicroMain27 and MicroMain26 in a value-packed nearfield monitor.
MasterStack12 and MicroStack45
For the absolute best performance, the MiniMains12 is paired with additional subwoofers to create the MasterStack12, the pinnacle of Barefoot’s achievements in monitor speaker design to-date. Barefoot’s flagship reference monitor system is a 4.5-way active modular tower with 10 drive units including a 1” ring radiator tweeter, two 2.5” mid-range, three 7” woofers and four 12” subwoofers, all housed in two cabinets. A third enclosure houses signal and power distribution and may be optionally used as a decoupling base unit for each tower. The MasterStack12 is available with handles and without handles.
For a more affordable, yet equally impressive configuration, the MicroStack45 is comprised of two MicroMain45 three-way active nearfield reference monitors and two MicroSub45 Dual-Force technology subwoofers. Each system combines six high-excursion 8” woofers, four 2.5” midrange drivers and two 1” tweeters working seamlessly together as a single unit driven by 2220W of power.
MicroSub45
For individuals who purchased the MicroMains45 and wish to update to the MicroStack45, the MicroSub45 is available as a separate purchase. Designed to add depth, power, and headroom to the MicroMain45, the MicroSub45 houses a pair of opposing 8” Dual-Force woofers that deliver clean low-frequency extension down to 25 Hz.
Footprint Series
The Footprint Series is a top choice for engineers, producers, composers, and musicians working in smaller spaces and with smaller budgets.
Footprint01
The Footprint01 is an active 3-way speaker that shares the same Barefoot signature designs—Dual-Force technology opposing sub woofers, dual ring radiator tweeter and Multi-Emphasis Monitor Emulation technology—as the MicroMain and MasterStack monitor lines. Footprint01 features dual opposing 8” paper cone subwoofers, a 4” aluminum cone midrange driver and a 1” dual ring radiating tweeter, components that all share a lineage with Barefoot’s other products.
Footprint02
The Footprint02 is a smaller active nearfield speaker at an even more affordable price, offering the same uncompromising audio quality and design characteristics as the Footprint01. It features the same Barefoot signature designs and includes dual opposing 6.5” opposing subwoofers for deep bass extension, dual-ring radiator tweeter, and MEME technology.
Footprint03
The Footprint03 is the smallest monitor from Barefoot and is the first to depart from the traditional sealed cabinet design in favor of a fast-transient ported speaker design. It maintains the exceptional audio quality and design of its predecessors, achieving remarkable low-end extension while upholding Barefoot’s renowned standards in cabinet construction. The speaker boasts a 1″ ring radiator tweeter, a 3.5″ midrange driver with an aluminum cone, and a forward-facing 6.5″ aluminum cone woofer. The introduction of SPOC (Spectrally Optimized Conversion) technology and a groundbreaking Digital Signal Processor (DSP) further elevate the audio experience, providing higher resolution, reduced latency, and optimized frequency response for audiophiles and professionals alike. The speaker also includes the MEME technology for added versatility.
Footprint03C
The Footprint03C Center Channel active monitor is designed to complement the Footprint03 right and left channel monitors, delivering unmatched precision essential for accurate mixes in surround sound and immersive environments. The Footprint03C ensures seamless tonal consistency when paired with the Footprint03, forming a fully integrated and cohesive monitoring system that elevates any professional setup. The Footprint03C features a 1″ ring radiator tweeter, a 3.5″ aluminum cone midrange driver, and two forward-facing 6.5″ aluminum cone woofers. Its state-of-the-art magnet and motor systems, copper shorting rings, and enhanced heat-sink technology work together to minimize distortion, support extended driver excursion, and ensure reliable performance even under demanding conditions.
LFE15 Subwoofer
The LFE15 Subwoofer is designed for low-frequency effects channels and features the powerful Dual-Force technology with two opposing 15” drivers working in unity to eliminate cabinet vibrations at the source. The LFE15 delivers tight and dynamic low-frequency extension down to an earth-shaking 15 Hz. The LFE15 pairs effortlessly with any Barefoot Sound monitor. Great when you are enhancing your Barefoot surround system or building a Dolby Atmos setup. The LFE15’s includes a boost mode that enhances and extends low frequencies in a stereo setup by way of a 1st-order minimum phase low-pass filter. This prevents phase cancellation and brings unprecedented power, depth, and impact to your sound.
As you can see, Barefoot Sound offers some incredible monitoring solutions for music production, mixing, mastering, and surround/immersive environments. For more information including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the Barefoot Sound.
