Avantone Passive MixCubes Full-Range Mini Reference Monitors - Pair

The Avantone MixCubes are shielded, full-range mini reference 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 Objective

The original 5C Sound Cubes were made of ½” particleboard covered with a glue-on wood grain contact paper. The mixcubes use thicker, denser MDF board because of its high rigidity and inherent low-resonance characteristics. Starting with a 165mm (6 1/2") sealed cube design with radiused edges, an elegant Polyurethane high gloss “RETRO-CREAM” finish was then chosen. The originals had either screws or on later models plastic binding posts mounted on a recessed plastic cup, now 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. It has a 7mm thick neoprene pad embedded into the base of the cabinet to serve as a skid-resistant acoustic isolator with a recessed industry standard 5/8”-27 mic stand mount into the base.

Performance Objective

Studios 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 your 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.

Amplification and Wiring

Recommended power rating is 50-200 watts of solid state power or 10-100 watts of tube power.  It is advisable to use a high quality studio-grade power amplifier. The metal binding posts on the rear of the speaker can accept bare wire, spade lugs, or single or dual banana plugs. It is best to use 12 -16 AWG wire for runs longer than 6 feet.<

Placement

When positioning the Avantone MixCubes on stands or console bridges it is best to keep them at ear level and slightly angled in towards the engineer. Since they are shielded it is ok to place them near a CRT video monitor or TV without causing any problems. The bottom mic stand mounts will also allow you creative positioning options in unusual studio playback situations.