Looking for my next set of bookshelf/monitor active speakers

[skam22]

Hi everyone,

I've had my M-Audio AV40 for over 8 years and last week it started playing up. When I turn on the speaker it makes a loud buzzing sound that can't be adjusted by volume control.

Here's the link to the video I recorded while playing music on my TV.

I opened the active speaker to look for any meltdown, etc but it all looked ok but since I'm not familiar with fixing electronic components I decided to look for a new set of speakers.
I've cheeked some of the Amir's reviews on the cheaper speakers here and I thought I'd ask you guys for suggestion.

I have the below speaker on my radar: (prices in AUD)
1. Edifier R1280Ts $160
2. JBL 305P MkII $500
3. KRK Classic 5 $330
4. KRK ROKIT RP5 G4 $500
5. Polk Audio T15 $240

My setup is pretty simple; L/R RCA out of my TV into the speaker RCA line-in.

Any feedback/suggestion would be appreciated.

Cheers.
Sam

 

[Zensō]

The JBL’s have a good rep for the price.

 

[skam22]

The JBL’s have a good rep for the price.

Should I expect a huge improvement over my old AV40 if I go with JBL? If anything cheaper is on your list feel free to post it here

 

[Chrispy]

A friend of mine had (has?) similar M-Audio speakers (at least by driver size for the AV40, not sure what the model he had was, if different). His were in a nearfield computer desk setup that I got to hear some music of his band and some other music he wanted me to check out. They were better than the computer speakers I used at that time, but wasn't particularly impressed by them otherwise compared to the better speakers I was used to at home. I heard some KRK 5s demoed in a store once, wasn't particularly impressed. Don't know the others....

I did pickup a pair of first gen JBL 305s a few years ago for USD 180/pr, mostly based on the very good user comments they were getting and even a review with measurements (don't remember whose particularly, but wasn't ASR) so took a chance on them (via Amazon) and was very pleased on setting them up, think they're a very good value. Mine are setup in a small bedroom/office so perhaps a bit more than nearfield (6'?) in my usual listening spot in that room and work very well. Just checked on Mk2 pricing, Amazon has them for USD 258/pr delivered). They don't have rca inputs, so you'll need an adapter/cable (I built rca to xlr cables for mine), but it also has 1/4" (6.3mm) inputs.

You might be interested in this https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...mkii-and-control-1-pro-monitors-review.10811/

 

[skam22]

A friend of mine had (has?) similar M-Audio speakers (at least by driver size for the AV40, not sure what the model he had was, if different). His were in a nearfield computer desk setup that I got to hear some music of his band and some other music he wanted me to check out. They were better than the computer speakers I used at that time, but wasn't particularly impressed by them otherwise compared to the better speakers I was used to at home. I heard some KRK 5s demoed in a store once, wasn't particularly impressed. Don't know the others....

I did pickup a pair of first gen JBL 305s a few years ago for USD 180/pr, mostly based on the very good user comments they were getting and even a review with measurements (don't remember whose particularly, but wasn't ASR) so took a chance on them (via Amazon) and was very pleased on setting them up, think they're a very good value. Mine are setup in a small bedroom/office so perhaps a bit more than nearfield (6'?) in my usual listening spot in that room and work very well. Just checked on Mk2 pricing, Amazon has them for USD 258/pr delivered). They don't have rca inputs, so you'll need an adapter/cable (I built rca to xlr cables for mine), but it also has 1/4" (6.3mm) inputs.

You might be interested in this https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...mkii-and-control-1-pro-monitors-review.10811/

The JBL seems to be a good upgrade to my AV40. I have the 3.5mm TRS to 1/4" TRS adaptor and RCA to 3.5mm cable.

 

[Andersonix]

Given a pair of M-Audio AV30 which have burned out zener diodes and melted wires and caps from running too hot, so it turns out this is a thing with M-Audio. If they sounded any good I would convert them to a pair of passive speakers, but they're not so hot in that way...

 

[Teeter]

What is your listening distance.....6 feet? What then?

 

[fishergod]

I've got Yahama HS-7's. Happy with those. Kick is fine. Heard great things about Kali LP-6 and LP-8 that are very budget friendly.

 

[skam22]

What is your listening distance.....6 feet? What then?

About 9 feet.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Heard the Rokit, once had some M-audios and own the 305s. 305s best on your list.

 

[Teeter]

The speakers you selected, will need a separate power source to drive them, if trying to hook them directly into the TV RCA outputs.

Amazon.com : speakers with rca input

 

[skam22]

Just to update everyone.I got a pair of Edifier R2750DB for just AUD $155 (including shipping). It was a good deal so I thought why not try them out.
Things I like about them:
1. Wider sound stage (woofer, mid-range, tweeter)
2. Better lows (goes lower than AV40)

Things I dont like:
1. They're considerably larger than AV40.
2. Remote control has odd volume buttons

Here I've attached a photo of the speaker next to my 55inch TV.

 

[Teeter]

Looks pretty impressive.........ENJOY!

 

[mjgraves]

My situation is a curious parallel. I just upgraded from a pair of M-Audio BX-5 D3s to JBL 705Ps. Talk about a major leap forward!

At the time I bought several pairs, the BX5s were technically the most popular small powered monitor in the world. This was driven by the broadcast industry (where I worked) who have lots of need for basic audio monitoring in editing stuites, master control, etc. These situaitons call from the basics. Decent sound. Very reliable. Empasis on affordable.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

Just to update everyone.I got a pair of Edifier R2750DB for just AUD $155 (including shipping). It was a good deal so I thought why not try them out.
Things I like about them:
1. Wider sound stage (woofer, mid-range, tweeter)
2. Better lows (goes lower than AV40)

Things I dont like:
1. They're considerably larger than AV40.
2. Remote control has odd volume buttons

Here I've attached a photo of the speaker next to my 55inch TV.
View attachment 290576

Looks like a great set up.