So I have these M-Audio BX8a 'studio monitors' from when I had little experience with good sound. Since then I've realized they sound simply awful; fatiguing and terribly inaccurate. In fact, I don't even want to sell them because I would not want to ruin someone's mixes by letting them use them! haha
Anyway, what I was thinking was that perhaps these speakers could be salvaged by choosing some different drivers. They currently have an 8" woofer and 1.25" tweeter. The main problem is that the woofer is weak in the low mids (esp 250Hz-500Hz), and the tweeter is brash/harsh in the hi mids (esp ~2.5-4kHz). I think they would both have to go.
I mean, they are active speakers with crossovers built in. I understand that more than the drivers might be part of the problem, but I'm not looking for 'main monitors' or anything, just an acceptable sounding set of second reference speakers, or maybe even surrounds.
Here are the specs, hopefully they are useful:
Specifications:
frequency response: 40Hz-24kHz (notice that no +/- db is given here? it's because these would probably measure +/- 8db hahaha)
crossover frequency: 2.2kHz
crossover filter network: 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley
amplifier type: class AB monolithic
low-frequency amplifier power: 70 Watts RMS into 4 ohms (woofer) at 0.5% (-46 dB) THD
high-frequency amplifier power: 60 Watts RMS into 6 ohms (tweeter) at 0.5% (-46 dB) THD
maximum signal-to-noise (dynamic range): > 100dB (typical A-weighted)
polarity: positive signal at + input produce outward LF cone displacement
input impedance: 20k ohms balanced,10k ohms unbalanced
input sensitivity: 85 mV pink noise input produces 90dBA output SPL at one meter with volume control at maximum
power: factory programmed for either 115V ~50/60Hz or 230V ~50/60Hz
protection: RF interference, output current limiting, over temperature, turn-on/off, transient, subsonic filter, external mains fuse
cabinet: vinyl-laminated MDF (enclosure natural Helmholtz resonance frequency: 30 Hz)
size: 12" x 10" x 15"; 30.48cm x 25.4cm x 38.1cm
weight: 26.4 lbs./unit; 11.97 kg.
I haven't really delved into speaker design, so I'm excited to try a small project like this and get into it.
I'm look forward to hearing what your thoughts are. Cheers!!
Anyway, what I was thinking was that perhaps these speakers could be salvaged by choosing some different drivers. They currently have an 8" woofer and 1.25" tweeter. The main problem is that the woofer is weak in the low mids (esp 250Hz-500Hz), and the tweeter is brash/harsh in the hi mids (esp ~2.5-4kHz). I think they would both have to go.
I mean, they are active speakers with crossovers built in. I understand that more than the drivers might be part of the problem, but I'm not looking for 'main monitors' or anything, just an acceptable sounding set of second reference speakers, or maybe even surrounds.
Here are the specs, hopefully they are useful:
Specifications:
frequency response: 40Hz-24kHz (notice that no +/- db is given here? it's because these would probably measure +/- 8db hahaha)
crossover frequency: 2.2kHz
crossover filter network: 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley
amplifier type: class AB monolithic
low-frequency amplifier power: 70 Watts RMS into 4 ohms (woofer) at 0.5% (-46 dB) THD
high-frequency amplifier power: 60 Watts RMS into 6 ohms (tweeter) at 0.5% (-46 dB) THD
maximum signal-to-noise (dynamic range): > 100dB (typical A-weighted)
polarity: positive signal at + input produce outward LF cone displacement
input impedance: 20k ohms balanced,10k ohms unbalanced
input sensitivity: 85 mV pink noise input produces 90dBA output SPL at one meter with volume control at maximum
power: factory programmed for either 115V ~50/60Hz or 230V ~50/60Hz
protection: RF interference, output current limiting, over temperature, turn-on/off, transient, subsonic filter, external mains fuse
cabinet: vinyl-laminated MDF (enclosure natural Helmholtz resonance frequency: 30 Hz)
size: 12" x 10" x 15"; 30.48cm x 25.4cm x 38.1cm
weight: 26.4 lbs./unit; 11.97 kg.
I haven't really delved into speaker design, so I'm excited to try a small project like this and get into it.
I'm look forward to hearing what your thoughts are. Cheers!!
Welcome to diyAudio Jon Tornblom,
Buy a Kit or design your own monitors. (Are you in the UK, to shop from? Cheers!).
Wilmslow Audio, Mercury - Basic Kit
ScanSpeak 15W/8530K-00 5" Revelator Woofer
ScanSpeak D2905/9700 28 mm Dome Tweeter
Join in http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/153620-ultimate-monitor-one-better.html
Buy a Kit or design your own monitors. (Are you in the UK, to shop from? Cheers!).
Wilmslow Audio, Mercury - Basic Kit
ScanSpeak 15W/8530K-00 5" Revelator Woofer
ScanSpeak D2905/9700 28 mm Dome Tweeter
Join in http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/153620-ultimate-monitor-one-better.html
Last edited:
I know this is a very old thread, but I've been trying to find info on exactly the same issue. I've grown tired of these BX8a's and I've been looking and looking for nice DIY 2-way reference monitor ideas (I'd prefer sealed or front ported if it has to be ported).
They need to be active as I have no amp and have no interest in trying to build a very quiet, neutral amp and I've been thinking why not just use the amp/crossover/cabinet from the BX8a and use some better drivers.
I have enough experience that I can change around some of the crossover components if need be but I was curious if anyone has gone down this route already and had some good advice or any input at all? One thing I figure I might run into issue with is the the tweeter waveguide setup on the BX8a but I'm sure I could modify it if need be. Also, I know the BX8a's claim they have an 8" woofer but if you ask me it's barely 7", so finding one that fits properly might also be an issue but again, I'm sure I could work my way around it.
I'd like to seal the port as there's no way I'm going to get away from being right against the wall and I like the sound of a nice quality sealed cabinet.
If these all seems like a waste of time and I'd be better off stealing the amp's and making my own cabinet and crossover I can do that, but I've been searching and searching and I can't find one design that seems to be a 2-way design, with an 8 or 7" woofer, sealed and flat enough response to be used as a proper reference monitor. If someone knows of a design that fits this criteria I'd love to see a link to some schematics, measurements and pictures of the completed monitors.
I'd like to be able to use something like the HiVi M8a for the woofer and I'm not too picky on the tweeter, I've considered ribbons but that would be for a completely DIY design and not for fitting into the BX8a's.
As for close contenders these are ones that I've considered but I'd like to find something slightly better.
Dayton Reference RS225 -I like this one the best
Zaph|Audio
They need to be active as I have no amp and have no interest in trying to build a very quiet, neutral amp and I've been thinking why not just use the amp/crossover/cabinet from the BX8a and use some better drivers.
I have enough experience that I can change around some of the crossover components if need be but I was curious if anyone has gone down this route already and had some good advice or any input at all? One thing I figure I might run into issue with is the the tweeter waveguide setup on the BX8a but I'm sure I could modify it if need be. Also, I know the BX8a's claim they have an 8" woofer but if you ask me it's barely 7", so finding one that fits properly might also be an issue but again, I'm sure I could work my way around it.
I'd like to seal the port as there's no way I'm going to get away from being right against the wall and I like the sound of a nice quality sealed cabinet.
If these all seems like a waste of time and I'd be better off stealing the amp's and making my own cabinet and crossover I can do that, but I've been searching and searching and I can't find one design that seems to be a 2-way design, with an 8 or 7" woofer, sealed and flat enough response to be used as a proper reference monitor. If someone knows of a design that fits this criteria I'd love to see a link to some schematics, measurements and pictures of the completed monitors.
I'd like to be able to use something like the HiVi M8a for the woofer and I'm not too picky on the tweeter, I've considered ribbons but that would be for a completely DIY design and not for fitting into the BX8a's.
As for close contenders these are ones that I've considered but I'd like to find something slightly better.
Dayton Reference RS225 -I like this one the best
Zaph|Audio
Just as a quick note, I also have been considering these but making them sealed.
The Seas ER18DXT ported two way
The Seas ER18DXT ported two way
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