New Speakers! M-Audio AV42, Mackie CR4, or Creative T40?

[Ryankirsch13]

These are the three speakers I'm looking at. I want a plug and play 2.0 set that can be moved if need be. I cannot fit bookshelves with an amp somewhere otherwise I'd do that. I essentially want a solid set of speakers that will last and sound good. I currently use Bose Companion 2 speakers that I got second hand and they have worked wonderfully. Anything that sounds better than those will make me happy. Thanks!

Note: I need a new set due to audio fluctuations on the bose speakers. Thought it was driver based but every effort fails. Only happens on these bose speakers. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

[N4CR]

If you're buying expensive speakers go and audition them.
Try the Adam audio stuff too, Genelec might be worth a shot also.

 

[Zepher]

You can probably audition the Mackie and M-Audio speakers at a local music store as well as others.
I haven't heard those particular models, but I have M-Audio BX5's, AV40's and my brother has the Mackie equivalents of the BX5 and they all sound really good.

I have a pair of Bose Companion 1's (I think they are the first generation) hooked to my TV in the garage and I am pretty impressed with the sound from the small speakers.

 

[Ryankirsch13]

You can probably audition the Mackie and M-Audio speakers at a local music store as well as others.
I haven't heard those particular models, but I have M-Audio BX5's, AV40's and my brother has the Mackie equivalents of the BX5 and they all sound really good.

I have a pair of Bose Companion 1's (I think they are the first generation) hooked to my TV in the garage and I am pretty impressed with the sound from the small speakers.

Thanks! Do you find the sound of the companions near the same level as the AV's or the Mackies? Or are they just not comparable?

 

[Brian_B]

My general experience with Bose - they sound good, crisp highs, tight lows, a lot better than built-in TV speakers or your standard run of the mill speaker. But compare them to a good quality speaker driven by a nice amp, and they make Bose sound like potato chips - taste great but no substance. You feel like you were missing all that clarity and weight that's somewhere in the middle.

I've not tried any Mackies but have heard good things, I've always been impressed with M-Audios for smaller studios. You can often find both of these at like a Guitar/Music shop if you want to listen to some beforehand - they are very popular in recording studio setups.

 

[Ryankirsch13]

My general experience with Bose - they sound good, crisp highs, tight lows, a lot better than built-in TV speakers or your standard run of the mill speaker. But compare them to a good quality speaker driven by a nice amp, and they make Bose sound like potato chips - taste great but no substance. You feel like you were missing all that clarity and weight that's somewhere in the middle.

I've not tried any Mackies but have heard good things, I've always been impressed with M-Audios for smaller studios. You can often find both of these at like a Guitar/Music shop if you want to listen to some beforehand - they are very popular in recording studio setups.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will head to my local guitar center as I recall them having M-Audio speakers on one of their displays. I'm afraid the build quality of the AV42 isn't as good as the AV40. Also, I thought the Bose were decent. Not great, but for 50 bucks second hand and the size they do sound better than you'd expect. But any decent system, (even cheap sennheiser headphones) sound significantly better. Thanks again!

 

[Zepher]

Thanks! Do you find the sound of the companions near the same level as the AV's or the Mackies? Or are they just not comparable?

The Bose sound pretty good but the AV40's have a little bit more low and high end.
I bought my BX5's when they were on sale, $75 each, which is just a tad more than the AV42, last time I looked, they do need specific cables to plug into your PC, 3.5mm to XLR, which are like $10-15 on Amazon, and each requires a power cord.

Also, sound is very subjective, so what I like someone else may not like, as well as frequency loss in your hearing as you get older, so some speakers may be too bright for younger people but fine for older people as they can't hear the higher frequencies as good.

I am using 15 year old Alesis M1 Active MK2 monitors on my gaming setup, they are quite large though.

 

[Ryankirsch13]

Looks like the local guitar center didn't have anything to demo. Well, they didn't have anything the guy could figure out how to use on the demo set ups so I got nothing. They have a 45 day return policy so I'm probably going to have them order the Mackie cr4 set and if I don't like them or they are too much I'll downgrade. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Zepher]

If the speakers are going to sit on the table, put some isolation pads under them, keeps the speakers from resonating the table.

I bought a set of isoAcoustic stands for my BX5's which were kinda pricey, $100 for the pair. I wanted 3" stands so the speakers were at the same height as the monitor.
It also raised the tweeter to ear level which is what you want when using studio monitors as the sound field is quite narrow.

When I moved the BX5's upstairs, I just went with $20 foam pads since I wasn't going to spend another $100 on stands.

Both the stands and foam pads made an improved audible difference in sound.

 

[delita]

ive been using BX5's for a few years...great speaker. i've had everything from PC speakers to a full HT passive set up with receiver, etc. this is a great compromise speaker, not a pain in the ass to connect and sounds pretty good. only thing i think it needs is a sub if youre able to have heavy bass in your location. i havent upgraded because i live in an apt building and the speakers are plenty loud for my space. great pick! i also use foam pads under mine as well for isolation.

 

[Zepher]

ive been using BX5's for a few years...great speaker. i've had everything from PC speakers to a full HT passive set up with receiver, etc. this is a great compromise speaker, not a pain in the ass to connect and sounds pretty good. only thing i think it needs is a sub if youre able to have heavy bass in your location. i havent upgraded because i live in an apt building and the speakers are plenty loud for my space. great pick! i also use foam pads under mine as well for isolation.

Ya, I bought the BX Subwoofer for a little more low end. This sub is waaaay overkill for my setup. I have the sub turned nearly all the way down, otherwise it rattles the house too much.
I do like having the foot pedal to bypass the sub when I need to tone down the bass when watching stuff late at night.

 

[Kintigh]

If your auditioning studio monitors........................be sure and include the JBL LSR 305's there a sweet sounding solution.

I've been through a pair of AV 40's , my issue being that the caps didn't age well introducing hummmmmmmmm.

Speakers are the single-most important factor in audio solutions no matter the format........................choose well

 

[Ryankirsch13]

If your auditioning studio monitors........................be sure and include the JBL LSR 305's there a sweet sounding solution.

I've been through a pair of AV 40's , my issue being that the caps didn't age well introducing hummmmmmmmm.

Speakers are the single-most important factor in audio solutions no matter the format........................choose well

Thank you for your advice and I 100% agree. A studio without nice monitors is not a studio. These are 100% not studio monitors. For everyone, I ended up going with mackie Cr3's as my local store had them and I couldnt stand my current set malfunctioning. I am happy with them. Very neutral sound, plenty loud but again, certainly not are studio monitor. This is for music listening arent gaming primarily. Thanks all for the advice again!

 

[HiCZoK]

I have Mackie cr3 and love em. I got them instead of cr4 because I wanted smaller size. I was worried there would not be enough bass but I was wrong.

I think these sound fantastic. Bass is just right and those who say there is not enough of it are probably bassheads.
Battlefield 1 sounds awesome. Movies sound awesome and music too. I don't think anything is missing... I just wish to be able to remove those green rings. Is that possible? Green is not really a theme color I am going for.

They even come with angled foam pads which You put them on and they look great and don't vibrate the desk.

What was also important for me, was the volume knob. Many speakers have it on the back only. Mackie have volume know in front so it's easy to access.

 

[Zepher]

What was also important for me, was the volume knob. Many speakers have it on the back only. Mackie have volume know in front so it's easy to access.

The monitors with the knobs on the back aren't technically Volume knobs, they are input level adjustments. I control the volume with the knob on my keyboard.