Avantone Mixcube 5.25" Powered Studio Monitors (Pair) Buttercream

These 5.5" Avantone Mixcubes are shielded, full-range mini reference monitors perfect for active recording and as mixdown monitors. Their design is inspired by the legacy of the 5C Sound Cubes used in virtually all major studios for the last 25 years.Engineering ObjectiveThe Avantone Active Mixcubes are designed to be high-resolution, full-range powered mini-reference monitors for fixed or remote locations. The secondary engineering facet was to create a timeless design that compliments a single full-range transducer.Performance ObjectiveStudios primarily use 2-way and 3-way larger monitors designed to represent a wide-range reference viewpoint at higher listening levels. However, in this newly developing age of high-definition audio, there is still a need to also hear what mix will sound like when played back over small "bass-challenged" systems such as televisions, clock radios, computers, car stereos, iPod docking stations, etc. It is important to make mixing judgments based partially on listening to reference monitors that will not impart tonal anomalies caused by crossovers or inferior full-range drivers. Particular attention is always paid to the critical mid-range vocal/guitar/keyboard areas. This is where having a full-range monitor without a crossover is truly revealing. Ten months of R&D comparative listening and tweaking went into the voicing of the Avantone Mixcubes. The result is a very smooth sounding, full-range upgrade from the original 5C Sound Cubes. Listening tests reveal that the Mixcubes have a smooth, more open, transparent top-end response with extended bass while maintaining their basic original character.Cabinet DesignThe original 5C Sound Cubes were made of 1/2" particleboard covered with a glue-on woodgrain contact paper. Avantone chose to use thicker, denser MDF board because of its high rigidity and inherent low-resonance characteristics. They started with a 165 mm (6-1/2") sealed cube design with radiused edges, then chose an elegant polyurethane high-gloss creme finish. The originals had either screws or on later models plastic binding posts mounted on a recessed plastic cup.Avantone upgraded to high-end nickel-plated, machined solid-metal binding posts (dual banana spacing) mounted on a black anodized, milled and silk-screened aluminum terminal plate. Next, they added a 7 mm thick neoprene pad embedded into the base of the cabinet to serve as a skid-resistant acoustic isolator. Additionally, for creative mounting situations, Avantone recessed an industry standard 5/8"-27 mic stand mount into the base.Driver DesignThe originals were a basic 5" stamped frame design. Avantone designed a proprietary 5.25" die-cast aluminum frame driver/cone assembly to exceed the performance of the originals. The mounting bezel is then polished for an elegant appearance. The paper cone, chosen for its musical character, is custom designed and crafted using the finest New Zealand pulp with mica fibers added for lighter weight and rigidity. The cloth surround is made in Japan to exacting uniform thickness tolerances. The Top Plate and T-Yoke of driver are made of Sumitomo 1008 low-carbon steel enabling the highest modeled flux density in the gap. The magnets are Y-40 GRADE (MIL-SPEC) yielding a 43 oz. high-power low-distortion motor structure.Amplifier DesignAvantone designed the amp module from the ground up to be a true professional-grade amplifier. It incorporates "overkill" concepts in component selection as well as safety. The result is a "no-compromise" amp with robust headroom characteristics that will rival the performance of much higher priced studio rackmount amps.Balanced InputThis "combo XLR" input accepts a BALANCED male XLR plug as well as a 3-conductor BALANCED TRS 1/4" or a 2 conductor UNBALANCED TS 1/4" male plug