All user reviews for the 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.

What technical specifications motivated your choice?

Size, price, incorporated amp ...
- For what purpose?

In dpart to make HP multimedia pc for my girlfriend
then, after some tests it's a nice second pair of cost.
I also had a pair to put before the master keyboard in the recording booth. it's almost ca for this purpose.
I do not expect even to what it can do. while awaiting bigger and prcis, I placed a single mono, so I can also control the recording room (mate) in mono, and another control on a low-end PC with internal sound card on a single desktop (still single) What luxury!



SOUNDS

The curve frequency drives is it neutral enough?
Somewhat limited. Low (below 80 hz) enough away and I deprecated this forum as a main speaker or as sole cost if we do not know dj to mix the sound and avoeugle or headphone! because we will add SUB basses that do not appear here but will kill a real sound system.

I possde instalation with a sub bass, sometimes it seems to have too low with, or it must be placed in the room cost. I mix with my big system can be easily rcout with BMX5A, and can be corrected down mdium to reinforce the bass ... the opposite seems to me very difficult.

It seems a little lacking in the top mdium. many very acute (even analytic), but lacks a bit of medium height.
Nothing serious. by comparing it with other observations that come to me.
.
One can add a sub bass of the mark (rather expensive) but you can get into my problem placement costs.
Maybe the 8 "it enough to do everything?
- Stereo image is good?

Really pretty. the environment is at the center, (you must haggle for volumes not serrated but hey, if the teeth are just that would be worse).
this is really very enjoyable on this little pair.

- The sound is clear and prcis across the spectrum?

Again, it is above everything costs. (The piano is a bit hard, a sound not loudness (but not with real but very low low medium).
but all the same really better than those plastic enclosure rsonnent in the lower medium.
- The dynamic is it respect? ...

across rather yes. thundering enough for these sizes and prices.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

Several days of intensive use.

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?

+: Almost everything, price and size, sufficient power to mix and control.
minimum, low, and sometimes voices Submitted too aggressive or not (or high end bizareries replaces a high mdium) but it also allow to solve the problem in the mix, without changing the lot of listening on a better pair. So finally it is a less or more?

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

I had dj costs by the pass in search of good cost. the 5 "card so taient. Again I was looking for a small PC Listens secondary school as well. It's beyond then all esprences.

- How do you report qualitprix?

Very very good, although in this game there is the price of the world. full of small dtails cool. little or no 'cloc' at power on or off.
volume easy to catch because it exceeds box, bass reflex ariere very little embarrassing, I place a 4 DIFFERENT places without problems. blue LED that illuminates the front and not the entire City and OUFFFF.sobre lgante, small foam pad colant car came with the package and notice little choice and placement of COST cool bonus ...



- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
in the use prcise YES, definitely. to be the only pair of a home studio, I will deal all the same to the 8 inches that I still have never heard but should have more precision in the bass. or to pro prodipe 8 "or Dynaudio BM6, or a tape adam ARTIST.

Now with the sub and its complement in the MUTE pedal, adjusting the cutoff frequency well and the volume of sub ... It is surely possible to have it once Systm call.
<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>
I&#39;m a little "critical" is my usual. in 3 minutes I found all the default of a device.
then after a few days I relativized, pretty cool prizes (10 years ago for that price it was just a 50W stereo amp first prize!)

and some can become deffauts qualities if they are very familiar.</span>
Good music to all.

I was looking for speakers for computer music and especially for listening to audiophile ambient, pop and house.

SOUNDS

The high and low frequencies suffer from an imbalance. The highs are over-represented rather discreet and serious. But all can be easily reversed with a good equalizer. The speakers know so reproduce almost the entire spectrum without any problems. With 6 dB below 80Hz and-3dB of 5kHz-16kHz, the result is near perfect. One would think that a subwoofer is under the desk (not a box to 3000 euros but it's not always that)! The monitors are remarkably accurate. Spatialization is stirring as one remains in the area equilateral. A few meters, the rendering is not bad either, but a bit prescriptive. Fortunately, the power can compensate for this impression.

OVERALL OPINION

I tried the Studiophile AV40 for a few days before the trade for them. Strangely, the original spectrum of AV40 seemed more harmonious. But on low, it has nothing to do. The AV40 is technically unable to go below 70Hz and are generally not very powerful. I use BX5a past few days and made the atmosphere is great for the house and when properly equalized.

Assets:
+ Design
+ Power
Price
+ Low-impact (after equalization)
+ Clarity

Cons:
- EQ required for normal listening

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
Honestly the price and quality!
# To what purpose?
Plays close to home studio mix.


SOUNDS

The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?
There was no frequency curve on the record ... too bad, but having listened to several mix it (pop / rock / acoustic), it is not perfect, but it is not bad ... for that price, you still have not even among the top of Genelec ... and after all the good old home NS10 Yam were not neutral ...
The stereo image is good?
RAS, for me it is cleaner than clean Mr.



OVERALL OPINION

I'm not Sound engineer, and I did not have the luxury of listening to hundreds of mix on hundreds of monitors ... but for the price they agree with me completely, I'm using the head in the handle to mix. The sound is very detailed, we re-discover the richness a bit of the stereo image on some good songs. It's nice for that price.

-What characteristics have motivated your choice?
--- The power sufficient for my living room (mix in a flat)

-For what purpose?
--- Private use in my apartment for the evening mix and also add sound to a small room.
-What amp / What configuration?
--- Auto amplified.

SOUNDS

-The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?
--- No experience pregnant studio

-The stereo image is good?
--- Yes

-The sound is clear and accurate across the spectrum?
--- Yes

-Dynamics is respected? ...
--- Yes


OVERALL OPINION

-For how long have you been using it?
--- May 2009

"What is so special that you like best?
--- The design, congestion

-Did you try many other models before getting this one?
--- No a hand in store

-What is your opinion about the value for the price?
--- Very good

-Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?
--- Yes