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speakers: m-audio AV 40 or DX4?

I

introspectrum

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 18, 2007
34
0
new york
Hi everyone,

i've done some due diligence research throughout the forums before posting this, but i can't seem to find any info about m-audio's AV 40 speakers.

there are great reviews all around about the M-audio DX4 speakers and they seem like a great deal for the price but they are the same price as the M-Audio AV 40 speakers. Does anybody know the difference? I'm more of a video guy and quite ignorant about speakers.

Here are links to their specs off of the m-audio site. Hope you guys can help me out.

Studiophile AV 40

Studiophile DX4

I will be using them with my Macbook Pro primarily as audio monitors for my video work and editing.
 
Thanks sblasl. I'll check those speakers out as well. Looks-wise they're very cool.

Does anyone have any info comparing the two m-audio speakers i mentioned?
 
I heard those m-audio's at TekServe NYC; wasn't too impressed. I was pleasantly surprised, however, at the quality of the Audio Engine A5's (is what I believe they're called).

I thought they were originally "ipod-only" speakers, but they sound like quasi-pro monitors. Price tag is high though ($300+).
 
I have been using the Studiophile AV40 for about 3 weeks. I couldn't be happier. I used to use $1000 Event 20/20bas (200 watts RMS each), and these are just as satisfying. Midrange and treble are crisp, and bass is ample.

The AV40 replaces the Studiophile DX4 (dark gray) and its twin, the StudioPro 4 (silver). It improves on them by replacing the Mylar tweeter with a silk dome (added): and providing an AUX input mini jack on the front panel. Power rating is now 20W RMS per channel, vs. 18W. There may be other improvements, as well.

(added) The original cable joining the two speakers is thin-gauge speaker wire. I replaced it with a $3 5-foot length of 12-gauge speaker wire. To my ears, the right speaker now sound fuller. I recommend 14- or 16-gauge gauge wire; the 12-gauge is too thick to all fit in.

For various home PCs, I've also used the following speakers; here's how the AV40s stack up:

  • Studio Pro 3: I just received these yesterday because Amazon is offering a sweet deal: $62 shipped after rebate. The Studio Pro 3 is a 10W/channel (RMS) scaled-down DX4 (except it's missing the DX4's OptImage III wave guide) and two improvements shared by the AV40: a front AUX mini input and a silk dome tweeter. Indeed, the 3's midrange and treble are as sweet as the AV40's. The treble may, in fact, be slightly better; I thought I heard cymbols taking longer to decay instead of suddenly extinguishing. Three shortcomings: They can't get as loud as the AV40s or even the Creative T20s, bass output will not please bass lovers (though it's there), and the headphone amp is woefully lacking in volume. These speakers will probably soon be replaced by the AV30; that model was announced together with the AV40 and AV20 but all mention of it has since disappeared from m-audio's site. I suspect that the company wants to clear out stock of the Studio Pro 3. If the AV30 shares the AV40's more powerful headphone amp, it will be a nice improvement.
  • Creative Gigaworks T20: 90 percent as good as the AV40 at $50 less ($90 shipped vs. $140). Gobs of bass for their size, and midrange and treble that are highly satisfying, especially when cranked up. Two shortcomings: They tip over easily, and the Left-to-right connector wire is molded in to the left speaker; if it gets ripped out, you must have the left speaker repaired. The newly announced T40 will have two midrange drivers, adding 2.5 inches to the T20's already topheavy height. But power remains 14W RMS per channel (18W reported for the T20 elsewhere).
  • Klipsch ProMedia 2.0: I've owned two pairs. They sound nice while they work. But the right speaker will erratically cut out (a known problem, fixable though internal surgery) and one AC adapter overheated and failed. They sound great at low volumes but distort quickly when you turn up the volume. I was glad to give away one set of these when I recently donated my old synth keyboard to a school.

If you can afford $140, I strongly recommend the AV40. If you are on a more limited budget, I recommend the $90 Creative T20. Be sure to budget another $40 to $50 for speaker stands to raise the speakers 10 to 12 inches off your desk.
 
Err, folks... the obvious difference between these speakers is that the AV40 are powered, whereas the DX4 are not!

That said, I spent only $400 (for brand new from Amazon) and got the much, much better BX8a... check 'em out:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileBX8a-main.html

Believe me, if you work with music, you want near field extremely accurate neutral speakers - and these fit the bill. I've also used them for big parties with a lot of hip hop, and they were great for that too. A little more $ but sooo worth it.
 
DX4 not powered?

OldCorpse said:
Err, folks... the obvious difference between these speakers is that the AV40 are powered, whereas the DX4 are not!
Click to expand...
Say what? The DX4 is powered: 18W per channel.

OldCorpse said:
That said, I spent only $400 (for brand new from Amazon) and got the much, much better BX8a... check 'em out:...A little more $ but sooo worth it.
Click to expand...
For many readers of this forum, that's a LOT more money. Once you get to $250 a pair, there are many fine choices. It's easier to build a great $34,000 car--or a $300 pair of powered speakers--than one that costs half as much.

In the $125 to $150 price point, the AV40/DX4's closest competition are the Behringer MS-40 (20W/channel) and Samson Resolv 40A (50W/channel).

At $175, you have the Roland DM-20 and its near-twin, the Edirol MA-15D, both with a headphone OUT, AUX In, and volume control on the front.

At $200, you have the Alesis M1 520 and several others.

At about $120 a pair shipped, the 35W/channel (RMS) silk-domed GemSound SMA-50 (available on eBay and online stores) looks like a standout bargain. But it may be more suitable for recreational listening than for critical monitoring. For those who want it all on the front panel volume--volume control, headphone OUT, and AUX IN, the pickings are slim indeed. (added: The SMA-50's rear panel includes high and low trim dials, master volume trim dial, RCA in, balanced XLR IN, and AUX OUT.)
 
For truly outstanding speakers, take a look at Genelec. Their speakers are used in many hi-end studios, and they have speaers to suit even those with tighter budget. IIRC; their lineup starts at around 400-500 bucks.

I truly can't recommend them enough. Their speakers might cost a bit more than you had planned to spend, but they are worth every penny.
 
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