It was this very question that lead me down a path of audio discovery.

Like many audio enthusiasts, I have speakers throughout my home for several different types of listening environments.

There’s surround sound for a quality home theatre experience, casual music listening in the bedroom, and in my home office there’s the desktop speakers which are called upon to perform quality reproduction of all sounds delivered from my computer.

Over the years I have gone through many desktop speakers.  I have owned Klipsch, JBL, Bose, Altec Lansing, and a variety of others.  What I’ve discovered over the years is that each brand has their own unique approach to sound recreation which significantly changes the listening experience.

As my work and hobbies began to include audio and video production, it became clear that my desktop lacked a quality pair of “Studio Monitors”.

What makes Studio Monitors different from traditional HiFi Desktop Speakers?

The simple answer is that speakers are designed to hide the flaws in music by enhancing the sound, while monitors are designed to expose the imperfections so that you are able to fix them.

Some would suggest that if you are not serious about audio production then you do not need monitors, however if you are into music production, then they are a required tool of the trade.

My experience with studio monitors leads me to believe that you get the closest reproduction of the sound experience intended by the studio and producer that created it.  It is likely that once you become accustomed to listening monitors rather than speakers, you will be hooked.

What makes the M-Audio AV 40’s so darned special, is the value that you get for your money.

The sound reproductions is simple amazing and easily comparable to studio monitors costing several times as much!

As I write this I am listening to Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack on Pandora.  The sounds stage is rich and full. High’s, Midrange, and Lows are all clear and distinct.  Each instrument is crisp and clear.

I purchased my pair of monitors from a local music store based on a recommendation for one of the resident musicians.  It was not until after a week of solid use and total blissful satisfaction that I was driven to know more about these ear candy delivering boxes of joy, and the company called M-Audio that created them.

What I discovered is that they are the number one seller in their category on Amazon with more than 290 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The reviewers obviously had a similar listening experience, having posted review headlines such as… “Punchy, Crisp, With Perfect Mids After Break-In!”, “Best computer or multi purpose speaker around. Truly a Pro Audio device!”, and “I’m totally delighted!”.

This seems to be the general consensus of reviewers on all websites that I have researched, including B&H Photo Video, Sweetwater Sound, Guitar Center, and J& R Music.

There are some contenders in the same market class, such as KRK’s RP5G2 Rokit G2’s, JBL’s LSR2325P’s, or Behringer’s MS40’s. However, if Amazon reviews are any indicator of consumer choice, the M-Audio’s Studiophile AV40 wins by a landslide.

Ok, lets say that you feel like M-Audio has produced a winner.  How much are you going to have to shell out to get yourself a pair? MSRP is $229.99,  although you will see a street price closer to $149.

What are your upgrade and down grade options while staying within the M-Audio line?

A step down (and a third less in cost) and you will find yourself with a pair of Studiophile AV30’s. Basically you give up an inch of subwoofer and 5 watts per channel of power.

If your looking for an upgrade you land on the Studiophile BX5a’s.  You better have a big desk as you jump up to 70 watts of bi-amped power, and a 5 inch subwoofer. And with that added power comes nearly twice the price.

Sales of both the AV30 and the BX5A combined are dwarfed by the iconic AV40’s, which suggests that when it comes to desktop home studio monitors, a sweet spot in both sound quality and price has been found.

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Filed under: av40 • m-audio • studio monitors • studiophile

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