M-AUDIO BX10S STUDIO MONITOR SPEAKERS
Top Features
| 10” composite driver > full, tight bass response for accurate listening |
| 240-watt internal amplifier > lots of power in a compact, convenient package |
| variable 50-200Hz crossover > compatible with any direct-field monitor system |
| subwoofer bypass function > audition how your mixes will sound without a subwoofer |
| video shielding > for use near CRTs |
| compact footprint > appropriate for studios with limited space |
Serious Low-End to Your Studio The BX10s active subwoofer delivers the kind of bass response necessary for today’s music, film, and multimedia projects. Since car and home audio systems have evolved to include subwoofers that reproduce very low frequencies, it has become even more critical that the monitors in your audio production environment reflect these changes. When paired with either the M-Audio BX5a or BX8a active reference monitors, the BX10s becomes part of an integrated system that provides accurate monitoring for the entire 20Hz to 20kHz spectrum. Active Crossover for Two-Channel Setups
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The BX10s accepts the two-channel stereo outputs from your mixer, audio interface or sound card. Then your main monitors connect to the subwoofer’s outputs. The internal crossover network of the BX10s splits the signal at a user-defined crossover frequency (50-200Hz), routing everything below it to the internal sub and everything above it to the main speakers. This significantly improves fidelity because the components aren’t tripping over each other to reproduce the same frequency—and each only has to deliver frequencies to which it is ideally suited. The variable crossover makes it possible to tailor the bass response in your monitoring environment in order to achieve the most accurate acoustic response—and there are even easy settings for compliance with Dolby Digital®, DTS® and THX® specifications.
Don’t Strain Your Speakers—Or Ears Products like the BX5a and BX8a are designed to work well as full-range monitors. Yet when they reproduce bass-heavy material at high volumes, it can be both taxing on the speakers and fatiguing to the listener. However, when they're used in tandem with the BX10s, the system can comfortably reproduce full-range signals at any volume without stressing the components. No More Guesswork Plays Well With Others While the BX10s is designed as a low-frequency complement to the BX5a or BX8a active reference monitors in a professional two-channel or multichannel system, it can integrate easily with any powered direct-field monitors. It's as simple as connecting the cables and adjusting the crossover control as needed. |
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A good monitoring system is, by definition, one that allows you to create material that translates well across a variety of playback environments. As such, it's important to know what your mixes will sound like both with and without the low-frequency extension a subwoofer provides. Fortunately, the BX10s includes a subwoofer bypass function that completely removes the subwoofer amp, speaker, and crossover from the signal path—sending the full-bandwidth program to your direct-field monitors. By plugging the included M-Audio sustain pedal into the footswitch input on the back of the BX10s, you can control this function dynamically as you’re playing back your material—even from across the room. With the BX10s temporally bypassed, it becomes easy to judge how a mix will sound in an environment without a dedicated subwoofer.REMIX MAGAZINE REVIEW: M-Audio Studiophile BX10S
Dec 1, 2006 12:00 PM, BY DOUG EISENGREIN
There is an increasing need for subwoofers these days. On one hand, more music is being produced in project and bedroom studios on smaller monitors with limited frequency ranges. On the other hand, surround sound is no longer a boutique thing, with the plethora of THX cinemas and 5.1 home-theater systems out there. To this end, M-Audio has stepped up with its Studiophile BX10s, a two-channel, 240W self-powered subwoofer. The BX10s is the company's first foray into ultralow-frequency monitoring and is clearly designed to pair with M-Audio's own direct-field, biamplified studio monitors, the BX8a ($599.95, pair) and BX5a ($399.95, pair), which I used to test the BX10s.
Out of the box, the BX10s appears well-built; it is quite heavy (54.6 pounds) and all the knobs and switches feel sturdy. The enclosure's rear panel sports all controls, cable and power-connection points, as well as a bass reflex port tube. Controls include a continuous sweepable crossover pot that ranges from 50 to 200 Hz with useful additional markings at 80, 100 and 120 Hz, which is particularly useful for Dolby Digital, DTS or THX use. There's also a smooth volume pot with -30 to +6 dB range with markings at -6, 0 and +3 dB, and three switches: a 0/180-degree invert Phase, a Standby mode and a normal/+10 dB Gain Boost. The Gain Boost contributes to BX10s' respectable maximum gain range of 46 dB. The knobs' smoothness could be better; the volume gain is nice and silky, yet the crossover pot felt a tad dry. Balanced stereo inputs and outputs are provided on both XLR and TRS connectors — a nice touch — and while they feel sturdy, connections made to their respective cable types could be slightly tighter. The power connector and on/off switch are rear-mounted, and while I prefer a front-mounted power switch, the BX10s does include a switchable, timed auto-sleep feature, which is a good trade off.
One of the unassuming yet sweet features of BX10s is the ¼-inch Subwoofer bypass jack, which accepts a standard footswitch (included). I applaud this feature, which when activated, mutes the BX10s' output and sends the full-frequency signal (sans crossover) directly to the satellites.
M-Audio includes some eye candy; the attractive blue LED (indicating active mode) situated on the front panel blinks red whenever the BX10s is in bypass mode. When the sub switches to auto-sleep mode, the lamp glows solid red. I like this “traffic light” approach. The enclosure's front baffle also features a 10-inch driver cone and removeable protective grill. Finally, the bottom panel features four screw holes into which four plastic cone-shaped feet fit. The feet are designed to minimize unwanted signal transference, and they look hip, too.
I tested the BX10s in my home studio's 10-by-13-foot control room. I set the sub on the floor a short distance away from a foam-treated wall, directly below and midway between two sets of near-field monitors: M-Audio BX5a and Tannoy Reveal active. The initial settings I tried with the Tannoys were approximately 80 Hz crossover (according to the manual's recommendation), 0-degree phase, 0 dB volume and normal gain boost (+10 inactive). Out of the gate, these settings worked well, and while monitoring some bass-heavy house, downtempo, rock, funk and reggae tracks, the bass was pleasantly thick, tight and not muddy. I made some tweaks to the settings, but the BX10s really shined when I switched satellites to the BX5a monitors. They employ only a 5-inch woofer and achieve a reported frequency response down to 56 Hz, though in my space it clearly sounded like a higher bass rolloff point. With the BX10s in bypass mode, bass was fairly thin; however, with the sub active, the picture became much more complete. The additional bass frequencies became part of the whole, as if also emitting directly from the satellites.
After additional testing, I give high marks to the BX10s, especially for its very reasonable price. Unlike many speakers (subs in particular), the BX10s is only minimally disturbed by common modern interferences, such as nearby cell phones or hard drives. My Tannoy sub, for example, produces all manner of horrendous chatter. The BX10s is affected, but only slightly. It also produces absolutely no hum or stray air when idle. The one peeve I have is with auto-sleep mode: Though rated at only 7mV, to my ears it takes a fairly substantial signal to kick the BX10s to life; that may not be so good for certain home-studio dwellers (especially those who have neighbors on adjoining walls). Though auto-sleep is a good energy saver, I suggest using BX10s in “always-on” mode.
Pros: Well constructed and shielded. Footswitch for sub-bypass mode. Full, tight bass response with wide crossover range. Fully balanced I/O. Cone-shaped legs. Crossover settings for use in Dolby Digital, DTS or THX surround environments.
Cons: Revival from auto-sleep mode requires substantial signal level. Sweepable control pots feel a little dry. Cable connections could be tighter.
M-Audio warranty policy:
Should you have a manufacturing defect in your product within 30 days of your order date, simply reply to your original email receipt with an exact description of the problem; We will provide instructions for you to send back the defective product (at your expense) and we will ship you a brand new replacement product (at our expense). Should you have a defect in your product after 30 days from your order date, but before the 1 year warranty expires, simply reply to your original email receipt with an exact description of the problem; We will provide instructions for you to send back the product (at your expense), and will have the product repaired by the manufacturer and returned to you (at our expense).
