Monoprice just came out with 5" & 3" Studio Monitors @ $165 & $75

[RonaldDumsfeld]

I used to have a Fast Track Pro USB audio interface. Since the sale there is no more driver support, the product is effectively dead.

 
 
Not so. Amazingly Avid have released new drivers, windows 8 (spit) compatible too.
 
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Download/Fast-Track-Pro-Drivers

 

[dspang]

This might be a ridiculous question, but why do so many of these powered speaker/monitors have the volume and controls on the back?  I've been looking at pairs of these for a long time and the one deal killer for me is that I have to reach to the back to adjust the volume.  I know the 3-monitors have it on the front though which is rare from what I've found.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Active speakers have the amplifiers, one for each driver, co-located ln the box. Even if they had the volume control on the front you would still have to adjust the volume of each enclosure individually.
 
It's much more convenient in this situation to set them up once, usually at full gain, and control the overall system volume from a central point. Usually the mixer, a monitor controller or, in hybrid systems, the audio Interface.
 
If you don't have any of the above you can control overall system using a mouse and keyboard on your PC or, if you want an actual  physical knob next to you, the least expensive option would be a ( ~$25)  Fostex PC-1e or similar.
 
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/volume_controllers.shtml

 

[dspang]

Thank you sir.  That clears that up quite nicely.  

 

[romeozdistress]

guitarcenter has a presonus audiobox usb on sale for $99 right now. its gold but color shouldnt matter. i got it to control some monitors im gonna buy soon.

 

[buzzy]

So if you want the real deal, M-Audio BX5 D2 at $160 a pair and you get a $30 Guitar Center promo
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-BX5-D2-Studio-Monitor--Each--109426767-i3226541.gc
 
There's a lot of unsupported statements being posted here. Until someone opens up a pair of each and evaluates the components, to me the more likely explanation is that the Monoprice stuff is a lower quality copy, not a clone or the same OEM. It's easy enough to make substitutions, and the quantities can be small on orders like that.  As others have pointed out, there are physical differences. Also, in the past there have been amp copies that appeared identical, and probably were the same manufacturer, but were not built to the same quality as the original.
 
A copy is not a rebadge.  Even using the same OEM doesn't make it a rebadge, when the OEM is a contractor.
 
Also, be sure to compare the warranty.  The chances of needing that with powered monitors are much higher than with passive speakers.

 

[cel4145]

There's a lot of unsupported statements being posted here. Until someone opens up a pair of each and evaluates the components, to me the more likely explanation is that the Monoprice stuff is a lower quality copy, not a clone or the same OEM.

Huh? Can you point to all of these "unsupported statements?" There's only been a little speculation that these are clones, and it has only been speculation. If you are going to call people out, might as well be accurate. As for the points about the Monoprice and Energy Takes, that has been confirmed by CNET's testing. More recently, Monoprice was made to stop selling the Energy Take clones and has come out with a new model that is similar, but no longer the same. So there is some evidence that Monoprice has been selling clones, although notably the enclosures are different on the Monoprice studio monitors.

Even using the same OEM doesn't make it a rebadge, when the OEM is a contractor.

Well, I don't think anyone in the thread claimed these were rebadges, did they? But true. There have been instances of similar reuse of a particular model design in Chinese manufacturing. The Pioneer SW-8 subwoofer design is thought to be based on the Energy ESW-8 and the tSC ASW-8 clone, only with a different driver. On the other hand, with headphones, there has been a lot of examples of outright rebadges.

 

[htr2d2]

Thank you all for your reviews of Monoprice's 5-inch Powered Studio Monitor speakers!
 
I purchased Monoprice's 5 inch powered monitor speaker model 605500 for $170 (pair). Purchased Thursday, shipped Friday, and received today, Monday, using the $9 overnight next business day shipping option. Speedy delivery!
 
Been sitting here listening to Bassnectar and Borgeous to gauge the bass. Not bad. Not over emphasized and considering they are only 5 inches, I am impressed. I am not suggesting they are professional studio quality, but perfectly acceptable for a home studio or just kicking back and listening.
 
If ordering and using unbalanced / TRS you may want to pick of a couple of each of the following:
 
Product Number: 2680
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2680
 
Product Number: 7149
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042906&p_id=7149
 
 
Quote:

  So if you want the real deal, M-Audio BX5 D2 at $160 a pair and you get a $30 Guitar Center promo
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-BX5-D2-Studio-Monitor--Each--109426767-i3226541.gc

 
To clarify, as of the week of 8/24/2014 the M-Audio BX5 D is $150 each or $300 a pair from the link above. Perhaps they were on sale.
 
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I am using a Schiit Audio Lyr 2 headphone amp that has volume controlled preamp out for monitor speakers.