MixCube Active 10th Anniversary Red Mini Reference Monitors (Pair)

Description

While originally inspired by the 5C sound cubes from decades ago, the Avantone MixCubes have become the industry standard in studios around the world and have become the #1 best selling speaker of its type in history. ApplicationActive Recording / Mixdown Monitors Engineering ObjectiveThe Avantone Active Mixcubes are designed to be high-resolution, full-range powered mini-reference monitors for fixed or remote locations.The secondary engineering facet was to create a timeless design that compliments a single full-range transducer. Performance ObjectiveStudios primarily use 2-way & 3-way larger monitors designed to represent a wide range reference viewpoint at higher listening levels. However, in this newly developing age of High Definition Audio, there is still a need to also hear what your mix will sound like when played back over small “bass-challenged” systems such as televisions, clock radios, computers, car stereos, iPod docking stations, etc. It is important to make mixing judgments based partially on listening to reference monitors that will not impart tonal anomalies caused by crossovers or inferior full range drivers. Particular attention is always paid to the critical mid-range vocal/guitar/keyboard areas. This is where having a full-range monitor without a crossover is truly revealing. Ten months of R&D comparative listening & tweaking went into the voicing of the AVANTONE MixCubes. The result is a very smooth sounding, full range upgrade from the original 5C Sound Cubes. Listening tests reveal that the MixCubes have a smooth, more open, transparent top end response with extended bass while maintaining their basic original character. Cabinet DesignThe original 5C Sound Cubes were made of ½” particleboard covered with a glue-on wood grain contact paper. We chose to use thicker, denser MDF board because of its high rigidity and inherent low-resonance characteristics. We started with a 165mm (6 1/2") sealed cube design with radiused edges. Review: Great Speakers But A Few Things To Know - The speakers are excellent and do not buzz as others have said. Most of the time that is the result of interference with other equipment/ cables. With that being said, the power blocks for these speakers are insane.. Way too bulky for how tiny these speakers are. I read reviews about them but I was laughing when I unboxed them. The amount of packaging for these tiny speakers is also a little crazy (see photo). I guess that's not the worst thing to ensure safe delivery. One final thing to consider if you buy these, I would look into speaker stands so that the speakers are at ear level. You will be able to hear things much better vs just placing them on your desk. If you don't believe me, play some music and pull your head down to speaker level. Big difference. Review: The buzz problem is real... - I love these powered Mixcubes in terms of product quality, the red color was gorgeous, and I'm sure they do what they're supposed to do very well, in terms of midrange-frequencies mixing assistance. BUT, I had read reviews regarding an audible buzz that they can add to your system (being powered speakers, with these God-almighty-hefty external power supplies). And I was sad to discover that the reviews are true. As long as these were powered on, there was an audible (not loud, but definitely audible) buzz in my system. It was picked up by my main monitors (Adam Audio A7X's) -- interesting to note, those are ALSO powered monitors, but they impart no buzz to the system, unlike the powered Mixcubes, which do. I returned them, and got a set of passive Mixcubes instead, powered by a simple home-stereo-type receiver/amp that I had around. Now, zero buzz (and you'd think the receiver/amp would add some buzz, but no, it didn't). So, Avantone has a great product here, but they need to fix the power supply-induced buzz problem. And I'm sure those external power supply bricks-from-hell could be reduced in size (and maybe that would help the buzz issue?).