M-Audio BX5a Monitors

[Phobea]

M-Audio BX5a Deluxe Monitors

I am by no means an expert on monitors, in fact I've been using a high-end Sony hi-fi amp and speakers as monitors for a long time and have absolutely no room treatment at all.

However, I'm extremely impressed, and quite surprised. I didn't have a huge budget but in searching for some decent nearfields I've listened to a lot of models and the BX5s sounded better to me than some double the price - even the highly regarded KRK Rokits and VXTs. In fact in a direct comparison test between the BX5s and the Rokit 6s the difference really surprised me, the highs were a lot crisper and the lows were a bit more distinguishable to my ears too. Like I say I'm no expert, I'm just incredibly impressed at these monitors for just £169 ($350ish).

The other thing that really surprised me was quite how loud they were. Bearing in mind that my hi-fi system had a seperate amp the BX5as are actually louder, and a hell of a lot clearer.

So now I'm listening to my (far too big to repurchase or re-rip) music library of mp3s and cringing at the extremely noticeable lack of quality. I fear I'm going to be one of those people that's really fussy about sound quality of other people's recordings and home entertainment setups now, heh.

I know it's not up to everybody's standard but the quality of all of the M-Audio gear I've bought in the last few years, considering its ludicrously cheap price tag, has been absolutely astounding. The monitors feel really well built and I really quite like the look of them too.

Anyway I'm no expert like I say, just wanted to share my opinion and excitement about moving another small step up the home recording ladder.

 

[iqi616]

I wasn't at all impressed by the BX-8a monitors, especially in comparison to the KRK RP8-G2. Very hyped, almost no mids. Distorted, harsh highs. Mushed all the highs together so it's almost impossible to differentiate between presence, brightness, or air.

 

[superspit]

I am by no means an expert on monitors, in fact I've been using a high-end Sony hi-fi amp and speakers as monitors for a long time and have absolutely no room treatment at all.

However, I'm extremely impressed, and quite surprised. I didn't have a huge budget but in searching for some decent nearfields I've listened to a lot of models and the BX5s sounded better to me than some double the price - even the highly regarded KRK Rokits and VXTs. In fact in a direct comparison test between the BX5s and the Rokit 6s the difference really surprised me, the highs were a lot crisper and the lows were a bit more distinguishable to my ears too. Like I say I'm no expert, I'm just incredibly impressed at these monitors for just £169 ($350ish).

The other thing that really surprised me was quite how loud they were. Bearing in mind that my hi-fi system had a seperate amp the BX5as are actually louder, and a hell of a lot clearer.

So now I'm listening to my (far too big to repurchase or re-rip) music library of mp3s and cringing at the extremely noticeable lack of quality. I fear I'm going to be one of those people that's really fussy about sound quality of other people's recordings and home entertainment setups now, heh.

I know it's not up to everybody's standard but the quality of all of the M-Audio gear I've bought in the last few years, considering its ludicrously cheap price tag, has been absolutely astounding. The monitors feel really well built and I really quite like the look of them too.

Anyway I'm no expert like I say, just wanted to share my opinion and excitement about moving another small step up the home recording ladder.

winners are grinners..........!
It's exciting when we go down a path that leads to improvements!

 

[AMcB]

I like my bx5s. I think they were clearer than the bx8s, not as much bass, I got a rocket 10 sub. It compared to the rokit 5s the bx5s had beter bass definition. But then again I couldn't adore the 8s so mabye I convinced myself the 5s were better.

 

[Phobea]

I wasn't at all impressed by the BX-8a monitors, especially in comparison to the KRK RP8-G2. Very hyped, almost no mids. Distorted, harsh highs. Mushed all the highs together so it's almost impossible to differentiate between presence, brightness, or air.

I can't say for certain but there may be a bit of difference between the sound of the 5s and the 8s, I certainly remember there being more bass with the 8s.

What is definite though, is that there is a big difference in both the 8s and 5s between the originals and the 'Deluxe' version. Not a fan of the word deluxe at all, as these are still cheap, but the definitely improved the sound. If you haven't given the deluxes a listen I would recommend it.

 

[jeffree]

Congrats, Phob! You did your homework and found some monitors that work for you. Can't beat that. I haven't heard the BX5 "a" series, but my older BX5 + matching SBX sub has been an excellent system in my tiny studio. When I bought them, I auditioned several models in my studio and the M-Audios won out. Physiology, room acoustics, and tastes vary so much that auditioning in one's own space really helps.