Best M-Audio Active Nearfield Monitors 2026
Premium M-Audio active nearfield monitors - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
M-Audio BX4BT
by
M-Audio
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • May require acoustic treatment
M-Audio BX4BTMultimedia Reference Monitors With BluetoothTweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeterWoofer: 4.5"...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542643
$130
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio Forty Sixty
by
M-Audio
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
M-Audio Forty SixtyActive 2-Way Nearfield Studio MonitorEquipped with: 65‘ woofer with Kevlar cone and 1’ tweeter...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600534
$161
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio BX4
by
M-Audio
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
M-Audio BX4Multimedia Reference MonitorsTweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeterWoofer: 4.5" (114.3 mm)Kevlar...
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 505643
$122
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio BX3
by
M-Audio
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
M-Audio BX3Multimedia Reference MonitorsTweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeterWoofer: 3.5" (88.9 mm)Kevlar...
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 505617
$109
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio Forty Eighty
by
M-Audio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
M-Audio Forty EightyActive 2-Way Nearfield Studio MonitorEquipped with: 8‘ woofer with Kevlar cone and 1.25’...
⭐
5.0/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600538
$222
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
M-Audio BX3BT
by
M-Audio
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
M-Audio BX3BTMultimedia Reference Monitors With BluetoothTweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeterWoofer: 3.5"...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542644
$127
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
M-Audio BX5 D3
by
M-Audio
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Professional models can be large
M-Audio BX5 D3Active 2-Way Nearfield Studio MonitorTweeter: 1 inch (25 mm) 60 W silk dome tweeterWoofer: 5 inch (127...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 415650
$120
How to Choose the Best Active Nearfield Monitors
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced active nearfield monitors typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
