Short answer: the Mackie MR524. It ranks #33 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $379.98 and is still sold new; the M-Audio BX5 D3 ranks #42 (rated 3.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The case for the M-Audio BX5 D3: A budget studio monitor with balanced inputs and room adjustment for a basic home studio. Watch for: The response slopes downward by about 0.65dB per octave, potentially softening treble relative to the midrange.
The Mackie MR524 is the more accurate pick. A budget studio monitor with decent bass depth, an even midrange, and balanced and RCA inputs. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.11 against 4.09 for the M-Audio BX5 D3. The catch: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance.
Buy the Mackie MR524. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the M-Audio BX5 D3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX5 D3 | Mackie MR524 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $637.22 per pair Discontinued | $379.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #33 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter, 5-inch Kevlar woofer | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-35kHz | 45Hz-20kHz |
| Amplifier Power | 100W each | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB | - |
| Inputs | XLR and TRS | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Dimensions | 10H x 6.9W x 7.8D in | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.09 | 5.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 7.06 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
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