M-AUDIO BX5A User Manual

Studiophile™

BX5a Deluxe

User Guide

English

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Studiophile BX5a Deluxe

English

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Studiophile Series BX5a Deluxe bi-amplified studio near-field monitor
speakers. M-Audio is well known for digital audio interface technology, digital converters, audio
preamps and mixers. Now, after extensive research and development, M-Audio is proud to present the
Studiophile BX5a Deluxe.

The BX5a Deluxe was designed and tested by veteran audio engineers to meet your needs in a studio
monitoring environment. It is focused on the functional goal of delivering pure, original sound without
any additional coloration. The BX5a Deluxe monitor is self-powered, directly accepting a line-level
signal from a variety of sources.

The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe is designed to overcome all the limitations of conventional studio
reference monitors within the digital audio environment. This system delivers a wide-range frequency
response by employing two extraordinary drivers and unique crossover technology licensed by
M-Audio. It boasts a stable and balanced low-mid frequency response along with a defined mid and
high-frequency response as well. Both drivers are magnetically shielded for desktop music production.

For pro engineers at commercial studios to home studio owners, the Studiophile BX5a Deluxe sets a
new affordable standard in studio monitoring.

What’s in the Box?

Your Studiophile BX5a Deluxe box contains:

‣ Two BX5a Deluxe speakers
‣ Two detachable AC power cords
‣ This manual

Studiophile BX5a Deluxe Features

1. Woofer

The woofer unit is 5 inches in diameter with a magnetically shielded Kevlar cone, high-temperature
voice coil and damped rubber surround. It is designed to deliver balanced mid and low-frequency
response. M-Audio’s new BX5a Deluxe employs Kevlar for low-frequency driver construction. The
same material used in bullet-proof 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 Deluxe.
Needless to say, Kevlar represents a significant improvement over the polypropylene and paper used
in most monitors at this price.

2. Tweeter

By employing a specially developed 1-inch silk dome with magnetic shielding, the tweeter can deliver
distortion-free original sound and offer an extremely natural response. Its design minimizes reaction
time by using a specially shaped silk dome for excellent delivery, and also minimizes resonance by
adapting a unique internal damping technology.

3. Sub-Frequency Port

The air vent hole in the rear panel is called a Sub-Frequency Vent Port and is designed to allow the
discharge of extremely low frequencies occurring below 60Hz.

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4. Enclosure

Like the other components, the BX5a’s enclosure has an important role in shaping the overall sonic
response. In order to provide more stable performance, the BX5a’s enclosure employs a special high
acoustic efficiency MDF and unique interior reinforcement designed to absorb vibration and impact
generated under extreme conditions. The custom design on the front panel will aid in diffraction and
will benefit stereo imaging.

5. Network and Power Amplifiers

The active crossover network and power amplifiers for the BX5a Deluxe are specially designed for
its woofer and tweeter. The network properly distributes low, mid, and high frequencies to the driver
components in order to reduce distortion and loss of sound, thus achieving a naturally balanced
sound.

In order to generate powerful, ultra-crisp sound, there are two separate power amplifiers inside the
BX5a Deluxe for driving the woofer and tweeter separately in a high-end bi-amp structure. The power
delivered to the woofer driver at a low-rated distortion is 40W, and 30W is also delivered to the
tweeter.

Front and Rear Panel Features

Rear Panel Features

1. XLR INPUT: This jack accepts XLR input connections with either balanced or unbalanced
wiring. The input wiring of an XLR connector should be as follows:

 <XLR PIN 1 . . . . . . . . signal ground (shield)

 <XLR PIN 2 . . . . . . . . signal positive (+)

 <XLR PIN 3 . . . . . . . . signal negative (–)

2. TRS INPUT: This jack accepts 1/4” connections with either balanced or unbalanced wiring.
For balanced wiring, a three-conductor TRS plug is necessary. The input wiring of a TRS
connector should be as follows:

 <TRS TIP . . . . . . . . . . signal positive (+)

 <TRS RING . . . . . . . . signal negative (–)

 <TRS SLEEVE ......signal ground (shield)