New Gear: M-Audio BX5 D2 Powered Audio Monitors
A long while ago I described my experience comparing some low-end powered audio monitors for use around the home and office. We have had a mix of things in use since then, although in every case there’s a Logitech Squeezebox feeding a pair of powered monitors.
In the post-holiday exhale I’ve taken an opportunity to add a pair of M-Audio BX5 D2 5″ Active 2-Way Studio Monitor Speakers
I’ve had a pair of the earlier BX-5a’s for some time. Over time I’ve come to appreciate them above almost everything else on-site. Thus the decision to buy the updated version was very easy to make.
Just a few days later Mashable posted an article offering “6 Laptop Speakers for Astute Audiophiles.” That article starts with the Audio Engine A5+ as their top-of-the-line offering. At $400 for the pair they’re a fine product, but I think that my BX5’s deliver equally well for less money.
In fact, it’s worth comparing the specs of the two directly.
| Product: | Audio Engine A5+ | M-Audio BX5 D2 |
| Configuration: | Two-way Single amplifier Passive cross-over Rear ported enclosure |
Two-way Bi-amped Active cross-over Rear ported enclosure |
| Woofer: | 5” Kevlar cone | 5” Kevlar cone |
| Tweeter: | 3/4” silk dome | 1” silk dome |
| Amplifier Power: | 50 watts rms | 40+30 watts rms |
| Frequency Response: | 50 Hz – 22 KHz +/- 1.5 db | 56 Hz – 22 KHz +/- 1.5 db |
| Input configuration: | – 10 dbm unbalanced RCA type x 2, 3.5 mm mini jack | +4 dbm balanced XLR + 1/4” balanced TRS |
The Audio Engine offering has a couple of nice conveniences, like a USB port for powering and iPod as a signal source, and a corresponding 3.5mm input for using such a source. It places the amplifier electronics in one speaker, requiring a speaker lead to the other which is otherwise passive.
The M-Audio speakers are identical, each requiring AC power and an input connection. The inputs use the professional, balanced signals via 1/4” and XLR type connectors. That implies using an adaptor to connector something like an iPod or Squeezebox. In practice such adapters are cheap and easily found.
The bi-amplified M-Audio speakers are considerably more powerful than the AE offering. The fact that Audio Engine quotes 75 watts “peak” power as well as 50 watts RMS power is a bit disappointing. I had thought that peak output measurements, once a common way to confuse the consumer, were frowned upon by the FTC.
The A5+ are a little more convenient in that the connectivity is tailored for a laptop or mobile device. The inclusion of a front-mounted volume control make that setting source independent, which may also be convenient.
In the end, I still think that professional powered monitors from the likes of Avid’s M-Audio