Simple, small and affordable, M-Audio’s mini monitors tick all the boxes for beginners. Greg Scarth finds out why they make the ideal first pair of production speakers.
For anyone getting started in music production, DJing, podcasting or just about anything relating to audio, a good pair of speakers is a must. The best studio monitors can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, but in recent years we’ve seen a lot more entry-level options which do a good job of bringing clear, reliable sound quality to those on a budget. They might not necessarily qualify as full-on studio monitors, but as all-round multimedia speakers they offer good sound at a beginner-friendly price point. M-Audio’s BX4BTs fit the bill perfectly. An updated take on the original BX4 model, this Bluetooth-equipped version promises to tick all the boxes for sound quality, versatility and ease of use.
The BX4BTs follow a formula which we’ve seen on a few entry-level speakers lately, with the pair included in one box (most high-end monitors are sold as individual units) and all the necessary cables included. One speaker contains all the powered elements, i.e. the amplifier circuits, headphone output and power supply. This is where you hook up the stereo audio connections to your interface, mixer or other hardware. Power is connected via a figure-eight lead, then the powered speaker is connected to the second speaker via an included audio cable. A nice touch is that the powered speaker can be set to function as either left or right, so you can position it closest to your mains socket without worrying about the stereo image being flipped (most similar setups require the powered speaker to be on a specific side).
One of the key features for any good pair of monitors is that they should be versatile and work well for any audio source. Despite their modest specifications and low price, the BX4BTs fulfill the criteria in that respect. They’re clean and clear speakers with a relatively flat frequency response, plenty of power to reach a decent volume level, and surprisingly decent bass response for such a small unit. With only a 4.5-inch woofer, they’re never going to deliver ground-shaking sub-bass, but response down to 69 Hz means that you can get a good idea of what your kick drums and basslines are doing. Simple high- and low-frequency EQ adjustments on the back of the main speaker allow you to tweak the sound if necessary to match your room’s acoustics, while a volume control on the front lets you control the level of both speakers simultaneously and a headphone output makes it easy to plug in if you need to work in silence.
You do have other options from M-Audio’s own range if your needs are slightly different or your budget is tighter. The Bluetooth functionality of the BX4BTs is a nice bonus, allowing you to quickly stream music from Bluetooth-equipped devices, but if you really don’t need it then you can save around £25 with a pair of the standard BX4s. Alternatively, if you’re on a really tight budget, the smaller BX3s come in at under £80 and the BX3BTs at £110. You’ll sacrifice some bass response with the latter two, but the M-Audio range is proof that you can get a solid pair of beginner-friendly studio speakers for a very affordable price. You can’t go wrong with any of them as a first pair of monitors.
Greg Scarth
More info/buy