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M-Audio BX8A Active Monitor

M Audio BX8a studio monitors refine their earlier highly acclaimed near-field reference monitors, renowned for packing a lot of punch for their size. Their new low-frequency driver cones are crafted from Kevlar, typically found in much more expensive monitors. Curved cone design coupled with high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds deliver incredible fidelity and durability. The 1 in. high-frequency drivers' magnetically shielded natural silk domes produce crisp top end while still being gentle on the ears. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Less is more with these. Just the way I like it.

Quality:
Heavy duty and built to take a beating. Probably 25 pounds a piece and built to last. Don't drop them! (read below)

Value:
By far the best sound and quality in the price range. Better than units in the $1000 range.

Desirability:
Are studio monitors supposed to be sexxy? Really this is just a solid addition to my set up that makes me sound pretty good. Actually, they are better at telling me when I sound lousy.

Sound:
Certainly the best in my price range. Planned on begrudgingly spending up to a grand but was amazed when guitar center sales guy showed me these! I am mixing african drum rhythms (djembes, djun djuns, bells)with an old Dell computer and I am blown away. Dununba is as deep as can be. Bells are bright. Djembes ring clear and true.

Ease of Use:
Plug them in, crank the volume knob, and let them rip! Placement is critical though. I like mine a little lower than recommended.

Support:
The story goes a little like this: In a moment of shear madness, I decided to load these beasts into the car along with my Roland R-09 digital recorder and my drums and haul it all over to a friends for a impromtu drum circle. Yes, I was showing off a bit but it is also a great way to get instant feedback with lots of volume. The short version is that I dropped on of the monitors and sheared the volume knob off of the back. I drove it to the M-Audio distribution center to get an estimate and to leave it for repair. 20 minutes and about $35 bucks later I was driving home with a fully repaired monitor. They actually fixed it while I was waiting.

Overall:
These do everything that I need them to do and more. I can't imagine a home studio african drum freak like me needing anything better. So as long as I don't blow them up,why spend more money?

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Just volume.

Quality:
Very durable. And heavy. Like all monitors, the cones are exposed, and I worry about my kids poking them, but that just comes with the territory.

Value:
There's nothing at this price point that even comes close. I did A/B comparisons with a lot of other monitors in all price ranges, Yamaha, KRK, Alesis, Behringer, Mackie, Genelec, and the only ones that really obviously topped these ones were $2500 Genelecs. Mackie's were only marginally better, but more than twice the price.

Desirability:
When bands come to record, the general response I get is, "Hey, nice monitors."

Sound:
These monitors are great. When I first got them I was impressed with how much detail there was in the sound. Then when I got them properly positioned in the room and added some acoustic treatments I was literally blown away with how crystal clear they were. People have said that the highs are too harsh, but I'm guessing that's because they have them positioned too low with the tweeters right in line with their ears. The manual has good instructions regarding setup. Positioning makes a huge difference. I have owned these for months now and have yet to crank them up to 11. There is way more gain than you should ever need on these monitors.

Ease of Use:
Just plug it in. Again, though, positioning is imperative for good balance and imaging.

Overall:
As long as my mixes are making the customers happy, I likely won't upgrade until I can afford the Genelecs.

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Overall:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Sound:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Quality:
is a commercial product not for professional music...

Sound:
the tweeter is metallic and middle is not present... bass ok... for me this is not a good monitor for studio... www.roymorris.tk

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
The enclosures are smooth, and I like the fact that it has two types of inputs, TRS or TS and XLR Balanced. It doesn't come with cables, only the power chords. You need to set them up so you have easy access to the volume on back of the monitors. They have power switches for the amp.

Quality:
They say the woofers are made of kevlar but upon touching it lightly, it felt real thin almost like paper, I was expecting it to be stiff and more sturdy. With the pair I bought, one volume knob adjusts easier than the other.. weird

Value:
I couldn't be happier with them

Sound:
I've been making instrumentals since 1998, I am using the Bx8a's for computer speakers and studio monitors. My first impression was well balanced and crystal clear, even with unbalanced TRS cables. I have the volume on them at halfway and my windows mixer at -24 threshold and that is what seems to be the comfortable hearing zone. The bass isn't really prominent, I'd have to load a real big kick sample in order for the bass to boom, but that it did.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
only volume control in the back so not too much but even if i had alot of features to mess with i'd prob just find one thing and stick with it so its not a big deal to me

Quality:
Very sturdy and m-audio packs their monitors very securely so it came outta the box looking great.

Value:
i paid 500 for these and unless I was wanting to drop another 500 for some dynaudios then i didnt hear anything else that would be worth it for around the same price range. thank god i went and did a couple 1 hour listening sessions before i made this purchase because i almost jumped on the krk bandwagon just going by reviews

Desirability:
blue lights look alright but the looks didnt make the purchase happen

Sound:
the sound is great. compared them to all of the krk rp series and these sounded much crisper and better lows imo. i do a mixture of hip hop drums mixed with piano and bass, also for my guitar recordings as well and these are perfect for me.

Ease of Use:
hooked up to my interface and its ready to go

Support:
havent used it but with m-audio in the past they worked great compared to most technical support

Overall:
If i keep doing what im doing now and get good results i dont see why i'd upgrade unless something happened to these. I was looking for some good monitors to replace my bx5a's and i wanted something that gave me enough low end so I wouldnt feel the need to have a subwoofer and these so far are working perfect. before you buy something in this price range i'd definitely recommend giving them a listen and compare.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Volume Knob, On/Off Switch, Voltage Switch. Easy as it gets.

Quality:
Very well made. I like the fact that they are heavy. I alos Love the Kevlar Sub and the silk tweeker. They were also alot bigger then i thought they barely fit on my desk.

Value:
Very good buy. anything cheaper then this is not worth it and you get alot for the price for these monitors.

Desirability:
Very nice looking, gray and black With Blue Light. Nothing to colorful, but a real simple look that I like.

Sound:
After mixing and mastering with normal stereo speakers...The BX8A's are amazingly clear I would have to admit that the hi's are a little much but i dont mind. If your mix is good the BX8A's won't lie to you. But if your mix is bad the BX8A's will tell you right away and i realy love that about these Monitors. They alos have Amazing Bass & never distort even at full volume.

Ease of Use:
Plug them in, sit back and enjoy.

Support:
hopefuly I won't need any.

Overall:
Overall i think these are very good sounding monitors. M-Audio did a good job. I couldent see myself using anything eles now that i own these. A very good buy and well worth the money.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Just a volume knob.

Value:
It's definitely a good option for the price range. Make sure to look at the Event TR series too. I got mine for $350 so I am pleased for the deal.

Desirability:
Look great.

Sound:
Good sound. Highs may be a bit too much, but haven't really tested the extremities.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with them.

Overall:
I think I will have these pair for a few years, I plan on buying another brand to go with these just for reference sake.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Quality:
Sound like the most professional monitors. Incredibe sound

Value:
Great quality. Great price and value

Sound:
Perfect sound, not coloured. A must have in semi-professional studio.

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Overall:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Support:
Poor support! I emailed them question regarding the BX8A about a weeks ago but still haven't heard anything so far. I tried to call the sales rep but they don't have the answer. Then I call the tech support twice but they put me on hold for more than 20 minutes... but no one answer the phone. Not professional at all... Really piss me off! By the way, do you know my question is? Very simple Does BX8A has the built-in overload protection feature? I ask this because most retailers say no, but M-Audio website mentioned yes, but their manual didn't say anything about it. I wasn't sure so I asked...

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
the back only had a volume knob, I wish it had a switch for flat response or an selector to adjust the frequences.

Quality:
The kevlar cone is durable and I believe will last a long time because of the material, and the box that surrounds the speaker is well constructed, I son't think I will have any problem with this product.

Value:
This product is priced just right..

Desirability:
Over all looks great not to bulkey looking, sleek rounded cabinet.

Sound:
i've been in the studio room at guitar center in Virginia Beach, Va and heard various monitors and the BX8a's sounded great, better then some of the more expensive pairs. I traded up to get these speakers from Alesis MKII'S they were alright but they were sixes so I couldn't get the bass response I needed.

Support:
I don't think anyone who invest's in this product will have any regrets. I havent had to contact the company and don't think I ever will.

Overall:
I expect to have this product for a long time unless MAUDIO comes out with a better monitor...

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
There are no fancy features with these speakers, other than they are bi-amplified. The back has a power switch, volume control and the jacks for connecting them to your source.

Quality:
Quality seem quite good. The enclosures are vinyl-laminated MDF, but this material seems to be more prominent in speakers now. I'm a furniture maker, so I love natural wood products. But...these speakers weigh over 26 lbs. each and have a solid feel. I think they will last a very long time.

Value:
In my opinion, these speakers sounded better than models costing at least twice as much -- hands down. Even the sales people in the store agreed with this statement. Superb value!

Desirability:
The speakers have smooth, rounded curves that make them look less boxy and more "sexy". The woofers are also black (like the enclosure), so the speakers don't stick out like a sore thumb like the other models that have white or yellow woofers. I like the "subdued" look better.

Sound:
These speakers took me by surprise. I went into the store, set on buying the KRK V8 speakers for $1000/pr. The sales guy convinced me to listen to 4 different speaker models, side-by-side. I immediately realized that the KRK V6 and V8 speakers sounded much more "flat", if not muddy! And I was all set to buy the KRK speakers just on what I read about them. They were definately OUT! When I heard the M-Audio Studiophile BX8a speakers, I was blown away. They have great "highs" and very good bass response (not muddy like the KRK speakers). The KRKs may be better suited if you do a lot of mixing/recording, since they are quite "flat" sounding. The M-Audio speakers are a must if you are looking for a more fuller, richer playback sound. The clean bass response will shock you. When I hit the low notes on my keyboard, the whole room vibrated and caused my dog to run out of the room!

Support:
I just bought these speakers and they work fine, so no experience with the Service Dept. yet.

Overall:
I'll keep these speakers until my house gets blown-up by a SCUD missile! I bought a Roland Fantom-X7 keyboard about 8 months ago and have been using my older (mono) Peavy amplifier. It is big, has lots of power, but sounds harsh in a house setting. As soon as I hooked-up the M-Audio speakers and started playing, I felt like my Roland was let out of a cage. It was pure candy to my ears! I'm gladly selling the Peavey amp now! My wife commented that the new M-Audio speakers actually made my performance on the Roland sound 5 times more professional! What else could you ask for??? Keep the monitors at ear level while playing!

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
I understand the BX8's had a high frequency control; that would have been nice for them to retain. You don't need perfect high's for everything you do, such as tracking drums, and the control would have helped to reduce some of the fatigue you experience with those perfect tweeters.

Quality:
Solid and well made.

Value:
These monitors are better than the Mackie's that are almost twice the price.

Sound:
They don't necessarily sound "good", they tell the truth. If the mix is good they sound great, if it's not, the BX8a's will tell you. I like that in a monitor. These babies are extremely full range. Deep lows and strong highs. The highs are almost too powerful and you get ear fatigue a little more quickly because of it.

Support:
Don't know, hope I never find out.

Overall:
I think I will use these monitors hapily for many years.

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