If you’re looking for one of the best studio monitor speakers out there (and unfortunately it comes with a price), the M-Audio BX8 Carbon packs an extremely powerful punch. This is their top model of their BX Carbon monitor series. If you’re wanting a pair of these, it’s close to around $500, but if you have the spare change and want a crazy performance out of your speakers, this is something to look at. We’ve already taken a look at M-Audio’s popular monitors (but older, now), the Studiophile AV 40 that showed us to be very solid. Let’s check our review of BX8 Carbons.
Main features of the BX8 Carbon
Retail price: $350 (each – no pair)- Weight: 26.5 lbs.
- Dimensions: 15″ x 10″ x 12″ (H x W x D)
- 2-way near-field reference monitors
- Flat frequency response of 38Hz to 22kHz
- 8″ low-frequency drivers (woven Kevlar make)
- 130-Watt Class A/B bi-amp
- Acoustic Space Control
- Waveguide with LED placement cues
- 1 1/4″ tweeters (natural silk dome)
- Low-frequency amp: 70W
- High-frequency amp: 60W
- Inputs: 1 XLR and 1 TRS
- Impedance: 20 KO balanced/10 KO unbalanced
- Cabinet: Vinyl-laminated high-acoustic-efficiency MDF (medium density fiberboard)
- Compatible with both PC and Mac
- Previous versions: BX8 D2 Studio Monitor Speakers (Pair) ($350)
Sound quality
The BX8’s flat response is ideal for mixing and sound accuracy. You’re definitely not getting a speaker that merely magnifies bass to sound cooler in your room or studio. When I used these things, I was blown away with the accuracy (and actually quite disappointed as I realized a few of my mixes were a little off from using my old monitors, but I guess that’s ultimately a good thing). I’m pretty spoiled now that I’ve had a chance to use these things. The 8″ low-frequency drivers are beastly and give you a nice clear bass, no distortions heard. Combined with the tweeter of 1.25″ you’re getting a balanced effort in terms of frequency distribution. This is great for sound.
The frequency response is solid too, giving you more than enough in terms of range. The inclusion of their ‘Acoustic Space Control’ helps with accuracy in monitoring sound (regardless of where and how professional your studio is) and doesn’t compromise detail or stereo image.
Overall build of the studio monitor
This thing is really rugged. We’ve always been fans of M-Audio’s builds and have used their equipment for 3-4 years at a time, and these will last you quite a while. We will report back in the article once that time has passed, but inspecting the build and materials used there shouldn’t be any issues with the make. For $350 retail each 
(about $100 less on popular sites) I’d hope you’d get tanks. They M-Audio BX8 Carbon studio monitor is 27 pounds each so they’re a bit heavy, which in our opinion is a good thing — they should be big and heavy considering the wattage, woofer and tweeter power builds.
The verdict and possible downsides of the speakers
There shouldn’t be any issues you experience, and as far as cons go, many just merely argue the price. Granted their previous version, the BX8 D2, are half the price (comes in a pair) and you’ll probably see the price come down as time goes on — so if you’re looking to save some money check on that.
Some would say the Akai RPM800 can compete with these, but in terms of specs the BX8 outshines it. The RPM800’s are a bit cheaper, but if you have the budget and want to seriously invest in monitors that will last you a while and help take your music to the next level, these in our opinion are a great choice.
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