M-Audio BX5a Deluxe

****Note**** This review is for the BX5a and not the newer model the BX5 D2

The M-Audio BX5a's have graced my speaker stands for over 4 years now! Back in college I decided that it was time to move on from headphones and a TV surround system. I did have a budget but I wasn't going to cheap out on this purchase. Studio monitors are arguably the most important part of your setup. If you go with something too cheap, chances are you are going to hear it. A lot of cheap models "sound" alright, but when you dig into it they are just boosted in certain frequencies like bass. When looking for a pair of monitors you want to try and find a pair that has a flat EQ. The Bx5a's are active monitors so you won't have to worry about buying and amplifier. In my opinion the M-Audio BX5a's are the way to go.

Specs:
-2 way near-field studio reference monitors
-5" Kevlar curved cone LF driver with high temperature voice coil and damped
-rubber surround. Magnetically shielded.
-1" magnetically shielded natural silk dome HF driver
-56Hz - 22kHz frequency response
-3kHz crossover frequency
-70W total power
-LF Amplifier Power 40W
-HF Amplifier 30W
-S/N Ratio >100dB typical A-weighted
-1 XLR balanced input
-1 TRS balanced/unbalanced input
-Input Sensitivity 85mV pink noise input produces 90dBA output SPL at one meter with
-Polarity: positive signal at + input produce outward LF cone displacement
-20kΩ balanced, 10kΩ unbalanced input impedance
-Sub frequency port on back
-Volume knobs on back
-RF interference, output current limiting, over temperature, turn-on/off
-Blue LED on front of monitors
-115V ~50/60Hz, 230V~50/60Hz or 100V~50/60Hz
-Vinyl laminated high acoustic efficiency MDF cabinet
-Magnetically shielded internally
-250mm(H)X176mm(W)X200mm(D)
-5.0kg
-Limited warranty

SOUNDS

If setup properly (as displayed in the manual) you will enjoy excellent stereo imagery. With a 56Hz - 22kHz frequency response the BX5a is great for that intermediate engineer, musician or avid music fan. Yes, we can hear down to 20Hz, but does it make a difference to the average person, not really. If you are a fan of loud bass you can still look forward to being punched in the chest by the BX5a's. The monitors function well at a low volume also (some speakers/monitors completely cancel out frequencies when turned down).

I REALLY like the sound and so do my non-engineer friends who hear them. They really are monitors where you will hear a song somewhere and wonder how they sound on the monitors. My recommendation is to get the DVD audio mix of Hotel California, sit back and enjoy! These monitors have a really nice high end, I especially like the 1kHz response (it's very crisp compared to the BX5 D2). The 5" woofer gives off a solid punchy bass that doesn't drown in it's own signal. The tweeter is 1" and has a 22kHz response putting it over the range of human hearing.

The BX5a features a 5" woofer made out of a kevlar cone. This was the first kevlar cone I had ever heard and I just love it. Like I said above, the bass is snappy and is like a nice punch. On top of all that, it looks pretty cool!

Although I haven't brought them outside of a recording environment, I would bet that they sound great in other applications such as at weddings, small outdoor events, parties etc. Don't be afraid to watch a movie or two using the BX5a's, they handle movie sound just as well as music.

OVERALL OPINION

What I liked most was the sound. It has a wonderful sound and you would think that the BX5 D2 would be the same if not be improved, but this isn't the case. I work with the BX5 D2's in the studio I work at and they just don't do it for me. They have a strong punchy mid and low-high range but the lower range just doesn't feel right. I am in no way someone who boosts the bass or listens to songs for the heavy bass, in fact it turns me off to hear overpowering bass, so don't think I'm some bass nut who wants the neighbourhood to feel what I'm playing. What I liked least was the touchy volume knobs. For me it feels like I adjust a lot and get a little bit more signal and before I know its it's too loud and I have to turn it back down. It might just be my mind playing tricks on me though!

Excellent value for price. I can't remember exactly how much I paid but I know it was the best choice at the time (cost and quality were the major deciding factors for me). The KRK's were a choice made by many around me and I'm glad I didn't go with them. The KRK's were just too much for me, it felt like I was being bombarded by sound, yes I could get use to it but I'd rather not. The BX5a's are gentle when you want them to, and a workhorse when you need them to be. The BX5a's are pretty flat in their frequency range. M-Audio didn't try to "pull a fast one" and boost favourable frequencies to make you perceive the sound as good.

I didn't test out many other models before buying the M-Audio's. I had already heard many different monitors in the past so I kind of knew where to aim. Knowing what I know now, yes I would make the same choice. When it comes time for better monitors I think I will keep the BX5a's as my B monitors, I've used them for years so I know what to expect out of them.

Pros:
-Great punchy response
-Tight bass
-Active monitors
-XLR or TRS input
-Nice looking
-Comes with an instructional comic type thing
-Solid design
-Vent port on back so woofer preforms better
-Kevlar woofer

Cons:
-Blue LED on front is too bright
-Volume knob is touchy
-15Hz is the lowest output frequency

- What characteristics have motivated your choice? :

I was looking for local speakers who are not too big because my office is small. The dimensions suited me so well that the power 40 w and 30 for low to high frequencies. The room in which I use only 10 square meters, so I think do not need 500 watts to 40 cm from my ears.

- For what purpose? : M initiating the mix, I am totally new at this and "I was disappointed with my little demo done with my Altec Lansing Multimedia Speaker 2.1.

SOUNDS

- The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral? I have no references on the subject is a novice but I find it very neutral to my Hi-Fi speakers Acoustic Energy in my living room. Everything is clear and I do not find that a frequency takes precedence over another.

- The stereo image is good? I found that it is good if it is well placed.

- The dynamics are respected? : The crescendo, decrescendo and attacks right? For me it suits me, but I repeat I am not a small amateur expert.

OVERALL OPINION

I use them for a week only.
The settings are at the back but I have enough room to maneuver and it will then once I've settled, I 've no reason to repeat the operation every time.
The design is class, too bad that a grid is not designed to protect the domes in the event of transport.
Guided by the price and size I have not tried other models. J hesitation between them and Berhinger Truth 2030A because there were adjustments depending on the room where you used them but they were too big. "I had also bought the Tapco S5 delivered to me farted. I finally pulled over this model because I have a master keyboard as M-Audio and my music school uses audio interfaces of the brand with the same keyboard masters as mine.
I think it's a good quality / price ratio. I'll have much experience to tell you I would do if this choice. J 'will talk about may be here at this time, but it's not for tomorrow.
I hope all the same my humble opinion may be helpful in your choice

- What technical specifications motivated your choice
The matrial (Kevlar for the woofer to the tweeter and silk), brand (guarantee of good value quality price)
- For what purpose?
Home studio, Music, and small recording projects

SOUNDS

- The curve frequency drives is it neutral enough?
Enough, I would say yes considering the price. In contrast a small decrease in the low is audible.
- The sound is clear and prcis across the spectrum?
Excellent! I redcouvre certain song, the precision is to go. Only BMOL always not too low to grow at the risk of saturating the woofers.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
2 weeks only
- How do you report qualitprix?
Very good!
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
I could not experience with our answer ...
But overall I think for my needs and my budget I have not found better now.