M-Audio BX5 Vs. Event TR5

[mrface2112]

i have a pair of the older maudio SP5B's. they're fantastic little monitors, especially for acoustic guitar and vocals.

but it's painful to try to mix a rock band on em. the 5in cones just can't accurately reproduce the lows in bass and kick. i've learned to work with them and my mixes turn out pretty decent, but i'm currently saving up for a pair of the BX8's. i have no desire to deal with a sub when i'm trying to mix. that just seems counter-productive to me, unless i'm doing 5.1 stuff.

YMMV

cheers,
wade

 

[whattaguy]

i have a pair of the older maudio SP5B's. they're fantastic little monitors, especially for acoustic guitar and vocals.

but it's painful to try to mix a rock band on em. the 5in cones just can't accurately reproduce the lows in bass and kick. i've learned to work with them and my mixes turn out pretty decent, but i'm currently saving up for a pair of the BX8's. i have no desire to deal with a sub when i'm trying to mix. that just seems counter-productive to me, unless i'm doing 5.1 stuff.

YMMV

cheers,
wade

FYI, GC is blowing out the BX8's for $400. I got quoted $300 out the door if I traded in my SP5B's.

 

[jeffree]

Just FYI for BX8 shoppers... the recent Future Music mag's monitor shoot-out team gave a rather dismal impression of the BX8s. In fact, they seemed rather surprised because they'd liked the smaller BX5s so much. You might want to think about keeping your 5s, if you have them, and just adding an SBX sub. Most everyone seems to agree that this is a winning combination.
I haven't heard the BX8s myself, but I know that the BX5/sub combo rocks.

Best,
J.

 

[CoolCat]

music & monitors

Yes, I as recall from the review, the KRKs did a better job with harder rock n' roll with their bigger low end and softer highs. The BX5s, with their brighter highs and more controlled (lighter) lows, did a good job with other types of less aggressive music.

What the reviewers didn't discuss was how the EQ adaptation switches, of which the BX5s have 4, were set on any of these monitors--probably flat, but a point worth mentioning. The "acoustic space" switch on the BX5 really helped me to shape the sound to my quirky studio space. I'm not sure what type of EQ options are available on any other models tested, but it's worth checking out if you're in the market. (Unfortunately, it hard to hear such subtle changes in a store, which is why I bought a couple of models to compare at home.)

J.

i did my 2nd 3hr monitorsession at gc...

however this time a demo CD with all types of music was available.

the results were very surprising, and my perception of the monitors changed
considerably due to the CD of different types of music.

i didn't care for the Events first time,
on the techno/crap cd...
but today on the acoustic and vocals track,
they were my favorite over the $$$ shined.

the M-Audio 5" i went to buy the first time, i thought sounded like sht.
now today they had them hooked up to a computer system my kid was playing, fruity loops or something mainly keyboard music
...and they sounded great! very good?

very strange...i could go on and on...

and agree the KRKRP8's (my first choice) but had some "missing mid freqs"..came to life on the Rock n Roll guitar stuff....amazing these speakers.
verystrange...

did i make a fhkng decision...hell no. not even close.

i'll probably buy a preamp...i have one of those. (dry gearhead humor)

 

[jamtheguitarman]

Which one's are the best bet for proggresive metal?
Ive been looking at the bx5's and the wharf 8.2A's.

 

[Derrick111]

This past weekend I went to Guitar Center to look at monitors. The BX5s caught my eye, but after comparing several speakers side by side, I left the store with the KRK Rokit 5s. We were switching back and forth between both of them, and the M-audios seemed to be a bit harsh on the high ends. The KRK's are a little more mellow, which suits my tastes better.

Be careful! Most people who go to GC and try out monitors do not adjust to settings so they may be off for the type of music you hear or the room. The BX5s may have been set to treble heavy. Always look in the back to see where things are set and set them to sound best and do the same for ALL manitors that have this capability BEFORE you compair or even try out a pair!! Speaking of adjustments, the BX5s have a particcularly great set of adjustments and this is where one of M-Audio's secret strenths are. I found the KRKs to have blury upper-mids. Maybe this was the mellow characteristic you herd?

 

[CoolCat]

settings

i agree with Derrick111 on the settings. (i'm guilty)

i almost went behind the speakers and started playing around with
the settings, but the gc setup was so bad, it took the poor guy
20 minutes to get the speakersystem to even work, and even then the switchboard was still messed up...
ex. the V8's only had one speaker playing yadayada.

i plan to bring some home next trip.

really sucks the WHarfs and Yorks aren't available to checkout.

B&W 303 passives got a good review/test. These I can try at home.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jun02/articles/monitors.asp

 

[jeffree]

A suggestion for anyone considering BX5s...

What I like most about these babies is their adaptability switches for a variety of environmental issues. Like most people who've heard them, I really like their crystal clear mids and highs while noting that their low-end (like most 5" monitors) can be challenging to mix with. The mids and highs of my recordings always translated well to other systems although mixing the lows was always a trial-and-error approach: burn a copy, try it on other systems, and and then try again until the sound was right. A lot of wasted time.

I'd agree with others that the M-Audio SBX would be the way to go. It integrates very well and solves to low-end problems--if you have $350 to spare.

I've been buying other equipment for my little studio, though, and have been holding off on the SBX sub, hoping for a price break--at least I was, until I found an excellent temporary fix.

I spent some days searching for a much cheaper sub that would integrate well with the BX5s, and I finally found one: the Wharfedale PowerCube. Because I have such limited physical space, I bought the 8"/100-watt model for $99 but noticed that the 10" model was available for $125 (+ shipping.)

The 8" model sounds great, at least for my jazz-fusion music at the medium volumes I like to work with. I can't speak for other types of music, higher sound levels, or a larger studio space.

I believe that this Wharfedale sub is a great budget find for the following reasons:

* it has RCA line ins and outs, so there's no messing with speaker wires. Just plug and go. Most subs at this price don't offer both line ins and outs.

* it has an adjustable crossover, so I've set the low-end cut on the BX5s to 80Hz and the sub's crossover at 80Hz. Easy.

* it has a phase switch, which made a big difference in my set-up.

* the sound is well integrated and, in particular, lacking any boominess or low-end mush. In fact, I'm wondering if the small 8" model (down to 40 Hz)might even be preferable since the low-end is so damned punchy and tight now. It just brings my whole monitoring set-up alive--I can't stop listening to them for pure music enjoyment.

Best of all, after taking an hour to tweak the settings, my first sample mix translated beautifully to other stereo systems. No more guessing about low-end response. For $120 (shipped), I have a workable system that actually sounds killer. One day, I may move up to the SBX sub, but then again, I may not. For now, this budget monitoring system works well for me, and I have some extra money to spend on all the other equipment I need.

http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/powercube.htm

When I bought the Wharf sub a week ago, I thought I could use it with my office computer if it didn't work well with my BX5s in my music studio. But it ain't going nowhere for a good long while. It's a cheap fix that works much better than I'd hoped.

Best of luck in your own search,

J.

P.S. I bought my sub from www.audioadvisor.com but I see that they've recently sold out their smaller Wharf subs.

 

[Dracon]

Well, now that I have monitors.
Event SP6. I like them a great deal. Not my first choice (HR 824) but nicer than say the M-Audio or the Rock-It IMHO.

 

[junplugged]

ain't it funny how the result will be heard on home stereo and stereo speakers, yet someone wants us all to mix and record and use studio monitors, but then of course, we have to go and check our work on home stereo gear, somewhere else, and in the car, and on a boom box, etc., so we can see how it will sound where it will be most likely heard. Makes you wonder....is it all just a huge pile of BS?

I have the bx5's and they have huge top end, lot's of mids, and a very narrow sweet spot, in my room, there is a ton of low end up towards the celing, sure were kind of harsh when I first got them, still quite bright, but I'm getting used to hearing top end since the system I was using was really muted.

I really didn't like the bx8's when I compared, they were so hyped in the lows I thought it was bizzare. The trn5's seemed like they were just booring, like stereo system speakers that needed a lot of eq'ing. The samsons were kind of harsh in sections of the mid, upper mids, and for their size, made me wonder where were the lows? ...and ugly.

If I want to hear the deeper lows, I just stand up.

 

[jeffree]

Yep, Junplugged--or add a small sub, which really makes these babies shine.

J.

 

[CoolCat]

what!!! maybe it's all BS!!! doh!!!? PROFESSIONAL STUDIO MONITORS

ain't it funny how the result will be heard on home stereo and stereo speakers, yet someone wants us all to mix and record and use studio monitors, but then of course, we have to go and check our work on home stereo gear, somewhere else, and in the car, and on a boom box, etc., so we can see how it will sound where it will be most likely heard. Makes you wonder....is it all just a huge pile of BS?

QUOTE]


yeah. i went thru the whole article monitor holy grail frenzy search
with $200.
(then the someone said you gotta listen, reading doesn't work, reading articles is BS...)

so then I even listened to a few sets...did the GC thing at the store..
(but then someone said you can't trust what you hear at GC, settings are different, different room acoustics...
you gotta listen at your own room..GC tryouts are BS....)

so then I tried some listening at home....
(then someone said well, your room acoustics probably are fhkng with your ears, because sound bounces around like a superball on crack and well you don't even know if your hearing 2nd,3rd,4th reflections!!!! so basically my ears can't tell wht the hells good or bad either!!!...so basically if you don't have the right kind of room acoustics it's all just BS....)

so I did some Ethan home-made traps and some foam.. I thought it sounded much better..????
(then someone said too much foam sucks out too much of the mids!!!thats Bad!!! one only wants some reflections sucked out..
basically most foam setups are BS....)


then someone said "if your tunes transfer thats all that matters"

I wonder, transfers to what?and where? and according to whom?

i agree, it's funny if you think about it.
I'm happy with my monitors.

Mine translate awesome.
I'm very happy with my crisp translating monitors.
They have good low end and high end and translate well,
thats what its all about. Their flat too!

What I learned to do....... is this!
Problem:
If your friend plays your tune and it sounds like ASS;
Response:
you immediately say "damn YOUR stereo is ASS!!!!
fhk, burn that fkng thing man!!!"

Problem:
If your friend says it sounds bad on the Internet too???
Response:
you quickly respond with
"Damn, YOUR converter SUCKS DONKEYDICK!!! Damn man..your system SUCKS!! HAHAHAHAAAA...you need to get a GOOD System!!!!!fhkng plastic pc speakers hahahaa"

Problem:
Finally when your friend starts getting smartass and says
"but everything else sounds good on my system????"

Response:
you tell him "well...its simply because YOUR not using
PROFESSIONAL STUDIO MONITORS and thats what my songs were mixed on!!
MY SONGS WERE MIXED ON PROFESSIONAL STUDIO MONITORS, MAN!!!! Don't You Get it!!! ..your stuff is Ametuer Home speaker fhkrs?....
you just don't get it, man, but it's like the difference between PRO and CONSUMER man...!!
read my lips..
PROFESSIONAL STUDIO MONITORS....I don't use Home Stereo Speakers!!!
..damn...now you get it... come on over I'll show you the speakers, it says Professional STUDIO MONITORS. It's really complicated physics on how it all works...too much to explain right now.

 

[Yareek]

Mini-review of the BX8's

So I got a chance to listen to some BX8's at a friend's house...

I really didn't like 'em. I was dead set on the BX5's or SP5's but now I just don't know. They BX8's had no bass until you CRANKED them. Then they had the bass, but they were just plain goofy like that. So I don't know WHAT would be accurate bass or not on those guys.

By the way, they were incredibly detailed and I could pinpoint locations very well. BUT the highs were so much louder than the lows (and it's probably both the tweeter and the mids, just like most systems I've heard), that it seemed very difficult to mix with. Great crossover and all, but like I said, absolutely NO midbass and that whole 120 - 300 Hz sounded like it was sucked out.

In contrast, the Audix OM-1's that I've been using for 3+ years that I returned to him sounded a little lackluster in both the bass and the treble (read: not hyped and somewhat dull). BUT, the midbass was punchy as hell and it sounded fairly flat and smooth all the way through about 5-6k before it rolled off.

Anybody else find the M-Audio's too forward in the highs? What do you guys use?

- Jarick

 

[Richard Monroe]

I'm not a big fan of the BX8's, but they can work, if you are familiar with them. I personally think the BX5's are better monitors. Sorry, they just need a subwoofer. Then you get the bass without cranking them, which won't help.-Richie

 

[fernandoesmaron]

Did anybody hear the new m-audio BX5´s with Kevlar woofer ?

They are looking like the new ESI near05 EXPERIENCE. 250 € streetprice for the ESI and i think 300 till 350 € for the M-audio.

Did read in the june/05 issue of german KEYS that the new ESI with kevlar is better than the old bx5 especially in the mids.

it´s interesting to see that now m-audio and ESi uses kevlar drivers like wharfedale, krk, adam too !!

 

[CoolCat]

mmm...monitors

i got a Wharfedale booklet from a local sales guy/Namm show handout.
the Wharf passive, yellow cone is quadruple weave (looks like the KRK V series).
there are many different methods in manufacturing Kevlar.
its all how they design and mfg it. interesting stuff.

Sony has a pair of kevalr speakers at Best Buy for $50 right now.
Their yellow and kevlar...but they sure don't look like the KRK V series or the Wharfedale yellow Diamond cones?
The KRK RP kevlar is processed different too.
Sonys would be a cool little "auratone" type for a 4th pair or something.
its a whole physics, mfg thing i guess.

the Bx5's and a sub...
probably the best home monitor system I had the chance to play around with. hard to explain in words, but very,very surprised.
with the sub, its like those high dollar two cabinet systems. where each speaker gets its own cabinet.
i don't think they are anything like the BX8's,other than a logo.

but then all the Wharfedales aren't the same or all the Shure mic's aren't the same. the Bx5 maybe their "best" design?

i have the BW303/sub and have been happy enough with the translations.
they sound kinda flat, not a lot of sparkle or the "V" eq sound...but i think that actually helps. "good-cheap-stuff" monitors.

.

 

[alexthacowboy]

KRK V4 v2, i have V6 and sounds greats, i tested the v4, and sounded very nice too, for my ears v6 kicked the mackies both models 6 and 8 inches, but that was my ears.

i use my krk with my B&W and for me very good results.

 

[ace516]

wow this is still going...

well
Yesterday I went to guitar center .. I needed some monitors cuz i lacked bass blah blah whatever. point is i went and I wanted to listen to some M audio's or possibly a sub .. then I ask the dealer where the M audio's were at cuz i couldn't find them except for a pair of DX 4's .. and then he's all like "well we're not carrying any more M audio's we're trying to get rid of them cuz they don't sound that good" .. i was just blown away since everyone seems to be digging them .. but I knew there had to be something behind that low price .. Oh well I ended up walking away with some ROKIT 5's by KRK .. came with just the low end i was looking for and they're pretty damn flat.
just remember it's all about your ear and getting used to the sound coming out of those speakers. learn to TRANSLATE unto another sound system. good luck

 

[scrubs]

.. then I ask the dealer where the M audio's were at cuz i couldn't find them except for a pair of DX 4's .. and then he's all like "well we're not carrying any more M audio's we're trying to get rid of them cuz they don't sound that good" .. i was just blown away since everyone seems to be digging them .. but I knew there had to be something behind that low price ..

I would take anything said by a salesman at GC with a huge chunk of salt. In my experience, they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Also, don't discount profit margins as a motivation for pushing certain products. As for the M-Audio monitors, they are certainly not the best monitors, but for the price they are hard to beat. The BX5's have good midrange and upper end detail. They do better with a sub (especially for music with deep bass), but the bass response is not terrible. I checked them with a test CD and got good speaker excursion down to 20-30Hz (though there definitely is a pretty steep rolloff below about 50Hz). The older BX5's are being liquidated due to the new BX5a that is now out.

 

[jeffree]

Has anyone tried the new BX5a? It might sound better somehow, but I can't believe that it no longer has the helpful selection of adaptability switches--at least they're not mentioned in the new promo info. Some of us with wacky home studio environments, which we can't change, really need that adaptability. Seems like M-Audio may have missed the boat this time--but I'm just guessing.

J.