The BX5a refines the highly acclaimed BX5 near-field reference monitors, renowned for packing a lot of punch for their size. The new 5” low-frequency driver cones are crafted from Kevlar, an extremely resilient material typically found in much more expensive monitors. Curved cone design coupled with high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds deliver incredible fidelity and durability. The 1” high-frequency drivers’ magnetically shielded natural silk domes produce crisp top end while still being gentle on the ears. Integral cabinet and electronic engineering work together to deliver improved bass response. 70-watt bi-amped power and expertly tuned crossovers round out an incredible sounding pair of reference monitors with a footprint small enough to fit just about anywhere.

Extended information

Kevlar drivers - M-Audio’s new BX5a employs Kevlar for low-frequency driver construction. The same material used in bulletproof vests, Kevlar’s high resilience makes it ideal for use in speaker cones—although it is typically reserved for monitors with higher price tags than the BX5a. Needless to say, Kevlar represents a significant improvement over the polypropylene and paper used in most monitors for this price.

Magnetically shielded for desktop use - Unchecked, the electromagnetic waves emanating from your speakers can wreak havoc with your computer’s video monitor or a nearby TV. The BX5a is magnetically shielded so that all of your electronic equipment can coexist on your desktop without interference.

Bi-amplified efficiency - Active monitors have a distinct advantage over unpowered monitors, in that the built-in power amps are designed specifically to work with the drivers and crossovers in a tuned system. Bi-amplification further refines the concept by dedicating separate power amps to the highs and lows. Combined with a finely tuned crossover, this design insures that both the high- and low-frequency drivers are asked to deliver only the frequencies they are more efficient at reproducing.

Technical specifications

- two-way studio reference monitors
- 70 watts of distributed power (30w HF amp, 40w LF amp)
- 5” low-frequency drivers with:
- curved Kevlar cones
- high-temperature voice coils
- damped rubber surround
- 1” natural silk high-frequency drivers
- magnetically shielded
- XLR balanced and 1/4” balanced/unbalanced inputs
- power indicator
- volume control

Specifications:
- frequency response: 56Hz-22kHz
- crossover frequency: 3kHz
- low-frequency amplifier power: 40 watts
- high-frequency amplifier power: 30 watts
- signal-to-noise: > 100dB (typical A-weighted)
- polarity: positive signal at + input produces outward LF cone displacement
- input impedance: 20k Ohms balanced, 10k Ohms unbalanced
- input sensitivity: 85mV pink noise input produces 90dBA output SPL at one meter with volume control at maximum
- power: factory programmed for either 115V ~50/60Hz, 230V~50/60Hz or 100V~50/60Hz;
- protection: RF interference, output current limiting, over temperature, turn-on/off transient, subsonic filter, external mains fuse
- cabinet: vinyl laminated MDF
- size: 250 mm (H) x 176 mm (W) x 200 mm (D)
- weight: 5.0 kg/unit