Alesis M1Active 520 USB Active Monitors - thoughts?
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Posted on May 01, 2009 05:27 pm
HappyBivouac
Member Since: May 01, 2009
Hello, I'm new around here but an intro thread in the general forum seemed a silly idea. I've been doing computer music for nearly 10 years-- started off at the age of 13 just composing stuff in free MIDI sequencers and have been slowly moving up.
Anyway it is just now that I am really looking into studio monitors. In the past I've always used a pair of Sennheiser HD 25 SP monitor headphones, which are great for what they are but I think I could use a pair of actual speakers at this point.
I'm looking at these Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors and there is so much I like about what I read. I've heard good things about the M1Active 520's and these seem to be essentially the same thing but with USB connectivity and inputs on the speakers allowing them to double as an interface.
link here: pro-audio.musiciansfriend...tors?sku=580881
The thing is they haven't been commercially released yet, so as a first-time studio monitor buyer I'm a little bit hesitant to buy something I can't read reviews of. They're shipping out on the 15th of May it seems. I realize nobody can say for sure whether these are gonna deliver, but I'm wondering if someone more experienced can give some insights into what I should be cautious about and what I can maybe expect? Are there any decent alternatives? (It should go without saying that I'm looking in this relative price range, so $1500 speakers are out) I know very, VERY little about hardware in general. Let me know what you think!
(I originally posted this in the Mixing Forum, having stupidly not seen this one. I tried to delete the thread but now it's just sitting there saying "Deleted by HappyBivouac." So my apoligies for that!)
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 02, 2009 09:14 pm While I am not a fan of Alesis smaller monitor's at all for what it is that is a pretty good price at least. Sadly in that price range you won't find much with anything more then the 5" driver in those. As well you probably won't find much of anything with any quality either. Alesis does have that going for it, or at least did have fair quality on most of the newer products out now.
The one thing I will warn you about is that there is not really going to be much low end with those at all. It will be much better then mixng with headphones, but you will notice a shortage of low end right off. This can be compensated with a sub woofer when or if you need it. But you can learn to use them if you take the time to listen to something you are very familiar with and learn how it sound on them.
I highly suggest if it is possible to go have a listen to some and judge for yourself.
As for the USB thing, well I can't honestly say what to expect there. None of the other monitor maker's are doing it yet, so this will be something new.
May 04, 2009 02:21 pm Well much to my dismay these ended up getting pushed back from May 15 to June 5, so I've cancelled my order for now and am considering other options.
One thing I really liked about these USB monitors was that they double as a USB interface with inputs. Is it a bad idea to look into getting a USB interface with a decent amp in it and then hooking up a pair of passive monitors to that?
I know a lot of people around here will reccommend investing in a super high powered dedicated amp just for the monitors with expensive cables and whatnot, but that just isn't feasible for me at the moment. I'm looking to invest in an okay setup with small monitors and hopefully something that can act as an interface for my PC with a few inputs. $350-$400 tops is what I'm looking at, which I know may be impossible.
Anyone want to be helpful and take a stab at some reccommendations? Any ideas are very much appreciated.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 04, 2009 09:11 pm Well those monitor's only would allow for 2 channels of input. And that is the part that concerns me, although it is more then feasible, I'm just not sure about the function of a package like that. your submitting circuits that are normally stable to an environment that is now going to vibrate the living crap out of them. That would be my main worry, did they subject this to a few years of testing? I highly doubt it. At that price I am not so sure some corner's were not cut as a decent 2 channel interface is going to run at least $100 for an entry level unit.
As for a USB interface with a built in amp. None that I know of. But there are some good entry level 2 channel interfaces out there. then you could maybe look into a used pair of monitor's either passive and add a small amp. Or even a pair of powered monitor's can be had reasonable used.
I'll try and pop back if I get a little time and recommend some stuff. Otherwise others should be along hopefully.
May 05, 2009 11:23 am Good points especially about the interface being inside of the unit. I can see how, while it sounds good on paper, it may not be the most stable setup.
I've looked around and on my budget I'm going with a temporary low-cost solution with the lower-end 320 USBs. I'm not expecting amazing clarity but for now it has to be leaps and bounds above these old clunky logitech 5.1 pieces of junk that I can't stand the sound of any longer.
In the meantime I'm keeping an eye out for good amp/passive combinations, as that seems it may be the better way to go in the long term, but my budget doesn't allow for it at the moment. Still open to and appreciative of any tips that come my way. Thanks!
MauzgrrrrrrrMember
Since: Mar 29, 2004
Sep 30, 2009 01:49 am hey guys,
did anyone end up buying the 520's or 320's? I think i might pick em up for my on the road purposes. but i am worried that the audio interface will not perform much better than the mac book pro sound card.
any thoughts?
peace,
mauz
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 30, 2009 09:10 pm I assume as he stated he bought the 320's. Not heard anything else from h im on them.
