M-Audio BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors

by M-Audio

Product Features

• Repairs distortion and gaps in audio; Spectral Repair re-synthesis; automatically rebuild clipped sections of audio
• Standalone application designed for audio restoration; next-generation restoration technology; removes hiss, buzz, clicks
• Magnetically Shielded
• Rear-Ported Cabinet Design
• Bi-Amplified Efficiency
• Silk-Dome, Waveguide-Loaded, High-Frequency Drivers

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.9 x 9.8 inches ; 11 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0014IEBM0
• Item model number: Bx5a
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,817 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #10 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Studio Monitors

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Recording professionals around the world rely on M-Audio Studiophile reference monitors for exceptional sonic accuracy. The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors update the bestsellers with new waveguides and enhanced driver integration for a cohesive and refined sound. The 5-inch low-frequency driver cones are crafted from Kevlar, an extremely resilient material. Curved cone design coupled with high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds deliver excellent fidelity and durability. The 1-inch waveguide-loaded, high-frequency drivers are made of magnetically shielded silk domes for a crisp top end that's gentle on the ears. 70-watt bi-amped power and expertly tuned crossovers round out a first-rate pair of reference monitors with a footprint small enough to fit just about anywhere.

A first-rate pair of reference monitors with a footprint small enough to fit just about anywhere. Click to enlarge.

XLR or 1/4-inch TRS inputs.

Kevlar drivers with rubber surrounds for accurate reproduction.

Deluxe Edition
The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors update the best-selling M-Audio BX5a system with a variety of enhancements. The updated waveguide delivers excellent imaging. A new low-frequency transducer provides well-defined bass. Custom amplifier tuning enhances the integration between the high and low frequencies, delivering refined spectral balance and a smoother response. An elegant new industrial design completes the package.

Kevlar Drivers
M-Audio's Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors employ Kevlar for low-frequency driver construction. Kevlar's high mechanical and thermal resilience makes it ideal for use in speaker cones. Our engineers also created a curved conical design that improves room dispersion. High-damping reliable rubber surrounds provide percussive musical bass, and also insure that the cone reaches its optimal excursion for accurate reproduction.

Silk-Dome, Waveguide-Loaded, High-Frequency Drivers
Our high-frequency domes are made from natural silk to counter the high Q ringing that's inherent in the poorly crafted metallic materials commonly found in other monitors. In addition, our new waveguides refine the high-frequency response. M-Audio's FerroFlow technology uses ferrofluid liquid cooling to dissipate heat for maximum efficiency and extended usage.

Bi-Amplified Efficiency
Active monitors have a distinct advantage over unpowered monitors because the built-in power amps are designed to work with the drivers and crossovers in a tuned system. Bi-amplification further refines the concept by dedicating separate power amps to the highs and lows. Combined with a finely tuned crossover, this design insures that both the high- and low-frequency drivers are asked to deliver only the frequencies they are most efficient at reproducing.

Rear-Ported Cabinet Design
The BX5a Deluxe monitor's cabinet is integrally designed with its other components for optimal performance--right down to rounded corners for reduced edge diffraction and superior imaging. Custom rear-port design audibly reduces the turbulence and resulting distortion caused by poorly designed ports.

Magnetically Shielded for Desktop Use
Unchecked, the electromagnetic waves emanating from your speakers can wreak havoc with your computer's video monitor or a nearby TV. The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors are magnetically shielded so all of your electronic equipment can coexist on your desktop without interference.

What's in the Box
Two BX5a Deluxe Speakers, Two Detachable AC Power Cords, User's Manual

Product Description

M-Audio BX5a Studiophile 70 Watt Bi-Amplified Speaker System. Recording professionals around the world rely on M-Audio Studiophile reference monitors for exceptional sonic accuracy. The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors update our bestsellers with new waveguides and enhanced driver integration for a cohesive and refined sound. The 5 low-frequency driver cones are crafted from Kevlar, an extremely resilient material. Curved cone design coupled with high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds deliver excellent fidelity and durability. The 1 waveguide-loaded, high-frequency drivers are made of magnetically shielded silk domes for a crisp top end thats gentle on the ears. 70-watt bi-amped power and expertly tuned crossovers round out a first-rate pair of reference monitors with a footprint small enough to fit just about anywhere. Measurements: 6.9" L x 7.9" W x 9.8" H 11 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Very Nice, April 12, 2009

By 

Opus Maru "Les M" (Santa Clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors (Electronics)

I compared these with the M-Audio AV40. I decided on these. They sound great. They're very clean and as other reviewers noted, a little directional. They are monitors. The cones are open and exposed, so I can't recommend them around small children. Their construction is solid with precise fit and finish. I really like them. There are a couple things you need to know about these before you decide to purchase them.

First, they don't come with cables. They accept standard XLR (3 pin) male plugs or standard 1/4 inch patch chord for the clean, balanced, installation needed in a recording studio. I purchased my cables from a local guitar shop (Guitar Player). Adorama sells special XLR stereo sets with a 3.5mm stereo pin for computers. That's a better set up than the two individual XLR cables and Y-adapter I picked up (less connections). This site (Amazon) lists them as "HOSA STEREO 3.5mm (M) - TWO XLR(M), 3m (9.9 ft.)". They also offer a 6 footer. If my cable set up gets noisy, I'll order one for myself.

Second, the speakers are a bit larger than your typical computer speakers, but not unwieldy. While I was at the Guitar Player, they had the BX8a speakers on display. They were a bit bigger, and also sounded very nice (hard to listen to them over the constant cacophony of disjointed, (bad) guitar and drum players).

The final consideration is that each speaker requires its own power outlet. Keep in mind that they are 70 watt, so make sure you shut them off when you're not using them (unless you like burning 140 watts for nothing :-) ). If you can accommodate the power outlet and cable requirements, these are well worth it.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything I hoped for, March 4, 2009

By 

Matt. J. "HavokJester" (San Diego, Ca, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors (Electronics)

I did my homework on studio monitors before getting these and based on what I heard in guitarcenter and read about online, these monitors are the best bang for your buck. they are very heavy duty and solidly built as well as powerful. The kevlar cones are awesome and I won't worry about blowing them out like paper cones do! I have a smaller studio space and I sit about 4 feet from them and out of 1-10 on the volume dial a 2 or 3 is PLENTY loud, almost too loud being that close. The sound is pure and clean, better with them on some Mopads like I have. 1/4" TRS and XLR input gives you options and each one is independently powered giving strong signal and no pass-through latency like you sometimes get with a passive speaker in a pair. Unless money is a major issue it is worth buying these over the M-audio AV40's. Also, the BX8a's are just bigger versions of these. Unless you need major volume or that extra smidgen of bass for whatever reason, these 5a's will handle anything you throw at them.

I have them on Mopads like I said and I'm using monster 500 studio patchbay cables running direct from my Tascam US1641 monitor out L/R. I'm using them mostly for mixing Bass guitar and drums in my studio after recording and the bass is plenty capable on these. The speakers sound just like my huge amp does minus the EQ's of course. i don't hear any frequency loss or lack of presence from me playing through my amp and playing back what I've recorded on bass guitar. Drums are crisp and I can't say anything bad about these speakers. These are the BX5a Deluxe speakers which are the new version of the old BX5a's. If you're buying BX5a's, make sure they are the deluxe ones as amazon has a couple different listings under m-audio BX5a.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't be happier., February 15, 2009

By 

Superabounder "Stephen" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors (Electronics)

These monitors provide a beautiful sound. I use them attached to my mac with an Apogee Duet for recording my own music. I find that I spend more time just listening to my itunes through these things. The sound is as if I have a good pair of headphones on. It is true that you will hear plenty of details in your music that really stand out that you may not have heard before. The one suggestion I have is that you make sure you are using them in a set up where you are positioned for listening between them. They are very directional. Although the sound is fine outside of directly in front of them, it is substantially better in the line of fire. The speakers themselves are also of very solid build quality. I have sometimes heard some pops from them, but not sure if it is a speaker issue or the cleanliness of my power supply. In some cases, I think I have just heard recording defects in the source material due to how clean the sound is.

I tend to like buying the best thing I can afford instead of buying something cheap, and these have not disappointed at all. Anyway, these are a great choice for someone who appreciates good sound and doesn't want to break the bank.