Dynaudio BM5A Compact

Active speakers with high-pass and low-pass filters that you can set to + or -3, 6 or 9 db, if I remember correctly.
Near-field, in my view you shouldn't use them more than 6-8 ft away.
For professional use. They are somewhat limited for use with music due to the lows. Well-suited for multimedia, broadcast, etc.
No protection, so manipulating, moving and placing them back in their original box is a bit delicate. They have a somewhat fragile air and the tweeter isn't well protected. In short, they were made to be unpacked and installed, period.
The power switch is on the rear...There are still designers who don't think about their users' backs. It can't be that hard to put the power switch on the front panel, but anyway...

SOUNDS

Good frequency response curve, they are excellent quality professional speakers: They are very good working tools.
The sound is relatively "flattering and brilliant," it's like night and day with the NS10.
Their stereo image and dynamic response are impeccable, their depth is great.
Their defect is being small speakers, so the lows fall short of my expectations, While being quite all right they lack some precision. Having tested the BM6A, which are a bit more expensive and bigger, the difference is a bit frustrating.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used them for 8 years for mixing at home. They are nice to work with, impeccable as near-fields when you don't have too much space.
A bit expensive maybe, you pay for the brand, in my opinion.
Their main strength is that they are really compact while being excellent working tools.

With hindsight, if I had had a little more space and a little more money, I would've gone for the BM6A.
I currently work with a couple of Adam A7x. Very good speakers. They are also a bit bigger, but very good for near-field applications. The lows of the ADAM A7x are better than those of the BM5A. They nevertheless have something that annoys me, but that may have to do with the fact that I'm used to the BM5A.

In conclusion, for the same use and with more or less the same format:
- Genelec: I have always found the frequency response of their small speakers useless. Be it the 1030A or the 8010: Eccentric lows and extremely-hard highs, yuk, don't buy them.
- Dynaudio BM5A: The best option if you don't have much space.
- Dynaudio BM6A: The best option when you have a bit more space. Very musical sound, nice, round, really great...
- Adam A7X: Very interesting speakers, both in terms of price and performance.
- Adam Artist: A little bit more compact than the BM5A, slightly less expensive but the bass reflex port vibrates bizarrely when you're working with them and the highs are pretty hard..

Active speakers, compact dimensions, serious brand.

I use them for mixing (music and post-production) but together with a BX30A sub. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to work. But I'm old and deaf!

SOUNDS

I think it has a pretty honest frequency response, but I cheat because I have a 31-band EQ to correct it. I know that makes purists crazy, but I don't care. My mixes are better since I did that.
Otherwise I always had problems with the cut-off frequency of 2-way speakers, which I think it's tricky to work with vocals.
No ugly surprises concerning the dynamic response, but I work at relatively high volumes.
My speakers are placed according to the norm (isosceles triangle) and the acoustics of my studio are treated. As a result, my stereo image is perfect.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used them for five years and I have nothing bad to say about their value for money, except for a big drawback: I use them with a sub. Without it, they clip with the kick alone!
My only motivation when choosing a pair of speakers is that I can recognize my mixes in my car, on my music system at home, on my laptop...and, before any mastering, which is what happens with the spatialization (stereo image and effects), a little less with the vocals and the lows. Cut-off frequency at 1.5kHz, a sub and an appropriate mode for my room at 80Hz.
I prefer them to the Genelecs, whose highs are too in-your-face, the somewhat soft Tannoys, the Adam (nice ribbon tweeter for listening but dangerous for mixing due to transients), and the Mackies, which I've never understood what makes them so interesting to some.

The sound and the price

SOUNDS

I find the sound pretty neutral, without too heavy lows nor mids, but you need to consider a distance of 3ft between the wall and the back of the speakers to have clean lows, due to the bass reflex port.
They are not flattering, but they are nice to work with in a good room.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using these monitors for 3/4 years.

I tested some KRKs, which I found too flattering in the low end, Mackie...
I love their neutral and, at the same time, nice character.
They are a very good value for money. $1000-$1200 for a pair of quality speakers is pretty decent.

They are mid-range speakers so I plan to invest in a couple of PSIs, but I'll keep the Dynaudios. I also use the Yamaha msp5 to complement them.