Event TR5 vs. M-Audio BX5 monitors

[jeffree]

I hate these comparison threads, but we've narrowed our search for some extra monitors down to these two and could use any
personal experience. Has anyone tried one or the other, or both?

We've tried them in a store, but it's so hard to tell much in that environment: small, punchy, good highs and mids, weak bass.

Thanks for any experience of oyur own,

J.

 

[jeffree]

Nothing like replying to your own thread, but it seems that this
comparison has generated as much response as it did a year ago
at this site. Zippo. So, for future future seekers who find this thread, I drove down to Guitar Center yesterday and checked out these mini-monitors. The staff there is evenly split on which is the better monitor--typical of monitor opinions--with some staff saying that the Events are "smoother." In the end, I bought the M-Audios because of their significant EQ options, and after two days of mixing at home, I couldn't be happier. In fact, I'm finding them easier to mix with than using my older Alesis M1 MKIIs--the BX5s are crisp and clear, with excellent imaging, and the bass, while barely enough (typical of 5" speakers) is clearly present enough to let me know what's going on there. Very nice, overall.

If you're like me, with very limited desktop space (my Alesises were overwhelming me physically), under $300 to spend, and with a preference for balanced sound (not mixing bass heavy dance tunes), then I'd recommend putting the BX5s on your short list of small monitors to check out. They're a surprising amount of bang for buck, and lots of folks--jazz great Ray Charles and jazz-rocker guitarist Carlos Rios, to name a few--seem as satisfied as I am with their little BX5s.

It's all about compromise, but this one works well for me and my Yamaha aw16g.

Best,

J.

 

[LooneyTunez]

I have the BX5's as my secondary and mobile monitors. I wholeheartedly agree they are probably the best bang for your buck. They are just a shade bright (IMHO) when set flat, but taking 2db off the top takes care of that. Bass is very even, without the midbass hype many other small monitors have...they don't have much extended bass, but for their size, what can you expect? Hook them up to a sub, and they rock! BTW, I compared them to the Event PS5's (the old TR5), and the Fostex PM-1's, and the BX5 won hands down (again IMHO).