Speakers in Receptor sound hollow

[calx601]

Hi to all!

I plugged in a pair of M-AUDIO BX5 speakers (http://m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBX5D2New.html) to the stereo outs and it sounds just awful. I tired playing the Galaxy II Steinway piano (which sounded awesome on my iPhone headphones) and it sounds muddy, wet and soupy - especially the basses.

Since I'm working ***without*** a standalone audio interface but just Receptor to speakers (and midi keys attache to the Receptor), I would guess that the exaggerated wetness comes from the Receptor OUTPUT? Is there any way to regulate that or would I need a soundcard to do that? Or would there be any other suggestions to intervene to make them sound better?

(I read too many good reviews for these bestselling monitors to believe they are this bad!)

Thanks!

Calx

[hopkihc]

Have you tried listening to any other audio source through the speakers?

Have you tried listening to any other soft synths in the Receptor through the speakers?

Not sure what you mean by needing an audio interface. The Receptor has its own audio i/o.

-John

[calx601]

Hi John,

Thanks for answering:

Have you tried listening to any other audio source through the speakers?

Unfortunately I only have my Receptor!

Have you tried listening to any other soft synths in the Receptor through the speakers?

Yes I did - they all share the same wetness & muddiness - plain awful. On earphones they sound great!

audio interface

I was thinking that maybe if I use a dedicated audio interface (i.e. Apogee Duet or similar) I can have more control on what I hear and the overall sound quality?

Thanks![/quote]

[olepro]

Has nothing to do with the audio interface.
Differenses on these are minor.

You are used to the headphones without any room resonances other than your head

try to move your speakers to other places in the room and listen.
And, do you have any room treatment to dampen room acoustics ?

[hopkihc]

Unfortunately I only have my Receptor!

Borrow an ipod or SOMETHING. You've got to rule out the speakers themselves.

I was thinking that maybe if I use a dedicated audio interface (i.e. Apogee Duet or similar) I can have more control on what I hear and the overall sound quality?

So, running the audio out from the Receptor into a Duet and then to monitors? I don't see how this would help you.

[JayVee]

Sorry to be blunt ~ but your speakers suck.
That's what's going on here, especially given how pleased you are with the sound in headphones.
M-Audio products are known for being reasonably priced - NOT for quality.

[hopkihc]

Sorry to be blunt ~ but your speakers suck.

Well, I wasn't going to say that... but...

Regardless, even the low-end M-Audio speakers should put out audio that doesn't sound totally screwed up.

The OP needs to check everything in the chain though.

What kind of cables are you using? Do they have TS or TRS connectors?

[calx601]

Hey JayVea,

LOL! In general, I despise all things M-Audio when it comes to keyboards - destroyed more of those low-quality things than who knows what!!! I was looking for something low-end for my monitors and found great reviews across the web for these M-Audio. Plus the BX5 boast to be america's best-selling speakers so I can't imagine they'd suck at these epic levels!! There must be something happening along the signal....


John, I'm actually using a balanced XLR cable that goes straight to the 1/4 inche stereo out in Receptor. Cables are made by "Quantum Audio Designs" and it's a BBP-10X 10' Oxygen-free Balanced patch cable. (the only ones my local store carried).

The speakers also have a TRS input for balanced or unbalanced wirings. Is that better quality than a XLR?

Also, you mentioned trying it out with an iPod in your previous post. Can an iPod even connect straight to a monitor?
Ok - now I"m really feeling dumb!