M-Audio BX8 Powered Monitors

Bi-amplified. Magnetically shielded.

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M-Audio BX5A Deluxe Active Studio Monitors

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    • 18 people rate: 8 out of 10

The Studiophile BX5A Deluxe monitors update the best-selling M-Audio BX5A systems with a variety of enhancements. New waveguides deliver excellent imaging. Custom amplifier tuning enhances the integration between the high and low frequencies, delivering refined spectral balance and a smoother response. A new low-frequency transducer in the BX5A Deluxe system adds extra definition to the bass response. Learn More...

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M-Audio BX8 Powered Monitors reviews

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55 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

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* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

"DATELINE: Chicago - Guy buys powered monitors that are pretty cool and not too expensive. Does mixing and mastering that transl"

Feature:
WIth the controls on the panel (Low cutoff, High cut, mid/presence boost, Acoustic Space control) you'd have a hard time finding a room that you couldn't tune these to fairly accurately. The "Acoustic Space" adjustment can be deceiving - READ THE MANUAL CAREFULLY as that switch SHELVES frequencies ABOVE the lower mids (500-900Hz). Once read and understood, the adjustments are simple and effective. The high cut helps a bit with the "harshness" in the highs, but that seems to be subsiding over time as the units are breaking in. On a more mundane note, the power cables supplied could be longer...

Quality:
I did have a minor problem with my #2 monitor - After listening to them for the first time, I noticed something "crooked" in the low end. I ran a sweep from 40-120Hz and found that the #2 woofer was a bit... "flabby" sounding at around 65Hz. A quick check of the woofer found no flaws, but a replacement is on the way. Other than that, the fit & finish are pretty flawless. I suppose they're "attractive" (which doesn't really concern me) and clients always "ooh" and "ahh" the pretty blue power lights, which now act as my "night light" in the suite (I never power them down except for rare occasions). For the bucks, they're not too shabby at all.

Value:
As mentioned, these are "afterthought" monitors for me - I was looking for some inexpensive, powered reference monitors that were pretty flat just for A/B purposes. That being said, these are some pretty decent sounding squares. For the money, I haven't heard much of anything that can approach the cost vs. sound quality of these monitors. I didn't pay "retail" for them, but I certainly wouldn't feel cheated if I did.

Sound:
Nice and FLAT. I own a mastering suite, so I'm normally NOT looking for flat - However, I occasionally come across a situation where flat reference monitors come in handy. The BX8's do a fine job. I have to say, I originally had them mounted in my "B" mid-field postion and I was not happy. After moving them to the "B" near-field position (I removed my old "B" set that I never used anyway), I was very happy with the sound. Highs are just a whisker harsh, but I've definitely heard worse at several times the price point. SMOOTH lows WAY DOWN (however, see "Quality" remarks below). ALSO, the clarity improves greatly once they're properly warmed up. Not a big problem for me, as I never power them down anymore anyway. Top volume is just plain dangerous, and everything stays pretty clear at ridiculous levels.

Support:
On the woofer issue, I informed them of it and it's being handled to my satisfaction. Without getting into details, they seemed prety easy to deal with. I'm looking forward to my "R" sounding as good as my "L" ASAFP.

Overall:
Solid construction, good sound, nice crankablity, fantastic price point, and pretty blue lights. What more could anyone ask for?

Submitted: 9/1/2003

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"MONITOR SPEAKERS YOU CAN EVEN GIG WITH (NO KIDDING)"

Feature:
Aaah yes, "features" ... Well, this is something that is often overlooked in monitor speakers. These speakers have an internal power supply and are switchable between (110/220 Volts). This can be extremely useful depending on "where" you travel. Another thing I especially like is the flexibility insofar as connectivity, e.g. you can use either XLR (balanaced) or TRS (balanced/unbalanced) cables. I also like the "Acoustic Space" setting which can shape the sound depending on placement near walls, ambience, etc. There is even a degree of "equalization" capable using the "low cutoff" "mid-range" and "high freq" adjustments. I mean, what more could you want insofar as features ??

Quality:
I will have to research finding some type of carry case to keep them "safe" while travelling. Nonetheless, I have travelled extensively with them and they're rock solid. In other words, they can take a bang or two without so much as a scratch or problem in functionality. I wouldn't recommend dropping them, but they're not delicate and seem quite "heavy duty". I've had them for almost 9 months now without any problem at all. Here's the ultimate expression of satisfaction ... I would (and probably will once I have the money) buy another pair. That's how much I like these speakers.

Value:
They're not the cheapest speakers. But I think they're worth ever penny spent. I would definately buy another pair and plan on doing this in the future to get more of a surround sound speaker setup going on.

Desirability:
I spent a long time researching the product before making the purchase. I don't purchase on "looks" but rather quality and functionality. I would recommend the Studiophile BX8 speakers to anyone interested in a high-power speaker that accurately expresses sound while allowing adjustment for speaker placement and ambience (important factors to consider when recording).

Sound:
Excellent (I mean truly excellent) sound ... Completely adjustable depending on speaker placement. More than enough power, e.g. they can get loud (without loosing any clarity). Here, let me say it straight out ... I bought these monitors to use with my recording equipment (Yamaha AW16G-CD) and they accurately express the recorded sound. But now (after 8 months) I don't even play through my Marshall Amplifier anymore. I just use these monitor speakers (even for gigs). So even though they were never really intended to be used as a PA system (so-to-say). They offer true sound representation and more than enough power that I'm using them in this dual capacity and they're superior to my amplifier. This is a true statement.

Support:
I simply have never had to use the support and can not comment on something which I have no experience with. I hope I never have to use "support" since most of the time, the support is often less than expected. But you never know ...

Overall:
Somehow I feel that I'm repeating myself. These speakers kick ass. So much so, that they have replaced my Marshall Amplifier and speaker cabinet. They're smaller, easier to carry to gigs (yea, I even use them as PA speakers at gigs) and the sound quality is superior. You can feel the sound (get me). And it's clear even at higher volumes. To be honest, I've never had to go "full" power on the volume. They easily fill a small room (20' x 30') or hall (50' x 50') without problem. And as I mentioned, I would definately buy another pair. That says a lot since I'm rather prudent with my money (you should be too). And therein, you can't go wrong here.

Submitted: 11/12/2004

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About This Product!
Description
The BX8s are the latest in the popular Studiophile series that delivers exceptional quality and professional sound at affordable prices. The BX8s offer 8 in. low-frequency drivers, 1 in. high-frequency drivers, and 130 watts of bi-amped near-field technology at a fraction of the cost of other monitors of this quality.

Monitors that Adapt to Your Needs
Your monitors should be able to adapt to any changes in placement or work environment. That's just what the BX8s do. Since a monitor's bass response can change depending upon proximity to walls, the BX8s Acoustic Space control section allows you to optimize their performance -- no matter whether you need to put them on stands, on a bookshelf or in the corners. You can also adjust the high-frequency response to compensate for reflective surfaces like glass. The presence control gives you an automatic mid-range boost for added flexibility. There's even a variable low-frequency roll-off to optimize response at crossover points when adding a subwoofer like the Studiophile SP-8S.

The 1 in. natural silk high-frequency drivers employ a flush design and electronic time alignment with the low-frequency driver, resulting in controlled dispersion for superior three-dimensional imaging. The tooled rear Sub-Frequency Ports reduce low-frequency turbulence and optimize driver excursion for amazing bass in a small footprint.

Features:
Active design with integral crossover and amplification

Silk high-frequency drivers incorporate ferro-fluid cooling and internal damping technologies to minimize resonance

Low-frequency drivers feature mineral-filled polypropylene cones with high-temperature tolerant voice coils and damped rubber surrounds

Electronic time alignment of drivers delivers controlled dispersion for superior 3-dimensional imaging

All drivers are magnetically shielded for desktop music production

Tooled rear Sub-Frequency Ports reduce low-frequency turbulence and optimize driver excursion for amazing bass in a small footprint

The Affordable New Standard in Reference Monitoring
The Studiophile line proves that world-class reference monitors don't have to cost a fortune. Integral bi-amplification and crossover networks distribute the optimal frequencies to the high and low drivers for superior performance over component systems. Benefits include flatter frequency response, reduced distortion and maximized power handling. The optional SP-8S subwoofer extends accurate low-frequency reproduction to deliver bass you feel as well as hear. The bottom line: The Studiophiles deliver exceptional quality at a fraction of the cost of other monitors their size.

Acoustic Space Control Adapts Monitors to Your Needs
Your monitors should be able to adapt to any changes in placement or work environment. That's just what Acoustic Space Control does in the BX8s and BX5s. Since a monitor's bass response can change depending upon proximity to walls, this control section allows you to optimize performance -- no matter whether you need to put your Studiophiles on stands, on a bookshelf or in the corners. You can also adjust the high-frequency response to compensate for reflective surfaces like glass. The presence control gives you an automatic mid-range boost for added flexibility. There's even a variable low-frequency roll-off to optimize response at crossover points when adding a subwoofer like the Studiophile SP-8S.

Technical Info

Type: 2-way near-field studio reference monitors

Low-frequency drivers: 8 in. magnetically shielded mineral-filled polypropylene cones, high-temperature tolerant voice coils and damped rubber surrounds

High-frequency drivers: 1 in. swivel-mounted natural silk domes incorporating magnetic shielding, ferro-fluid and internal damping technologies

LF Amplifier Power: 65W (EIA RS-490 dynamic power)

HF Amplifier Power: 65W (EIA RS-490 dynamic power)

Crossovers: 4th-order Linkwitz Riley for smooth frequency response

Crossover Frequency: 1.25kHz

Low-frequency rolloff: 6th-order filter optimizes maximum driver excursion

Input Connectors: XLR balanced, TRS balanced/ unbalanced

Input Sensitivity: 85 mV pink noise input produces 90dBA output SPL at one meter with volume control at maximum

Input Impedance: 20k ohms balanced, 10K ohms unbalanced

Protection: RF interference, output current limiting, over temperature, transient on/off, subsonic filter, external main fuse

S/N Ratio: > 100dB below full output, 'A' weighted

Frequency Response: 37Hz - 20kHz

Power indicator: Power on/off indicator on front panel

Power Requirements: 115V/~60Hz or 230V/~50Hz (selectable); power via detachable 3-conductor line cord

Dimension: 14.97 in. (h) x 9.85 in. (w) x 11.82 in. (d)

Weight: 20.32 lbs./unit (without packing)
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