BX5 vs. BX5a

[rothy]

I have the opportunity to purchase either M-Audio BX5 monitors for $199 or BX5a's for $299. Are the kevlar uprages worth another $100?

By the way, I'm a noob, and you guys are great. So many of my questions were answered yesterday in the Newbie forum.

[AlexW]

Actually, the main difference is that the BX5a's are active monitors while the BX5's are passive. Active monitors include and amp which drives the speaker built in. With passive monitors (similar to most home stereo speakers) you need to provide a separate amp to drive them. If you don't already have a power amp to use with the monitors I'd consider getting the BX5a's.

[Cartwright]

The BX5'S are indeed active, for the record.

[Hard2Hear]

Yeah, Alex's information is wrong. The "a" is the new version, just like rothy was asking.

I haven't heard them so I can't help you, man. But I bet theyd take a bullett better than the old ones would!

H2H

[DonaldChang]

Originally Posted by Hard2Hear

Yeah, Alex's information is wrong.

SONNED!!!!

[Yareek]

I got a chance to listen to the new BX5a's at Guitar Center yesterday.

Now I've only heard the BX8's so I don't really know about the BX5's, but I thought the BX5a's were very smooth and detailed. They may be a little overly bright, as they were brighter than KRK v4's, v6's, rokkit's, Mackie 624's, and Dynaudio BM5's. However, they weren't harsh at all, although that might have been the music they had. Unfortunately, they were wired out of phase and I was unable to hear any imaging, but I imagine it would be very good like the BX8's.

As I imagine the BX5's would be, the BX5a's lacked in the bass and midbass department. Compared to every other monitor, they had very little "oomph". Like many people say about the BX5's, I couldn't see using this guy as my main monitor without a subwoofer. As a nearfield, though, it would be a perfect check for imaging.

I really dug them. If you look at their website, you'll see the tweeter shape of these guys is really flat, don't really know what that does, but it reminds me of a JL audio car tweeter because of the rubber surround. I may go back and try to A/B it with the older BX5's to get a better comparison, but I really like these guys. I'll probably end up with a pair, but I'd have to look at subwoofers as well.

[shackrock]

I had a pair of bx5's for a while, just upgraded to the bx8s

the bx5's = active indeed, NOT passive!
the bx5a's = also active, just new design.

I'd say, if you are deciding between the 2 for $100, do 2 things:

1 - consider the bx8's, as you will probably be able to score a perfect used pair on ebay for $300 or less (I did).
2 - bx5a's are PROBABLY not worth the $100. OF course, take a listen for yourself...or pretty soon you'll probably be able to google a search of that and pick up some reviews.

[Monkey Allen]

I have the BX5's and I give them a thumbs up all round. I haven't listened to the BX5a's. To me, and these are my 1st monitors, the BX5's have plenty of bass, great clarity, enormous sound, very articulate. They cost me a little bit too much here in Australia, but I love them just the same.

[shackrock]

ah, enormous bass???
I'm sorry but I gotta disagree! haha. I mean, if you listen to any bigger speakers, or in your car, you'll see how much little bass clarity you really have....

[Monkey Allen]

"plenty" of bass mate, plenty of bass

[shackrock]

haha, sorry I musta read enormous frmo "enormous sound"

yes, there is enough, or plenty...but still I say 5" cones can only produce so much. haha

[Monkey Allen]

I agree. I have definately heard bass in the backs of cars that would make birds drop out of the sky. The BX5's are bassy enough for me.

[7string]

Originally Posted by Monkey Allen

I agree. I have definately heard bass in the backs of cars that would make birds drop out of the sky. The BX5's are bassy enough for me.

But how do the mixes translate to other systems? I am about to buy some new monitors and have been looking at the BX5's as well as some others.

[shackrock]

they do a good job. it was hard to mix hip hop/rap bass on them. with my bx8's the bass (of course) translates better, simply because I can hear more of it!