Kevlar drivers

M-Audio's new BX5a employs Kevlar for low-frequency driver construction. The same material used in bulletproof vests, Kevlar's high resilience makes it ideal for use in speaker cones—although it is typically reserved for monitors with higher price tags than the BX5a. Needless to say, Kevlar represents a significant improvement over the polypropylene and paper used in most monitors for this price.

Magnetically shielded for desktop use

Unchecked, the electromagnetic waves emanating from your speakers can wreak havoc with your computer's video monitor or a nearby TV. The BX5a is magnetically shielded so that all of your electronic equipment can coexist on your desktop without interference.

Bi-amplified efficiency

Active monitors have a distinct advantage over unpowered monitors, in that the built-in power amps are designed specifically to work with the drivers and crossovers in a tuned system. Bi-amplification further refines the concept by dedicating separate power amps to the highs and lows. Combined with a finely tuned crossover, this design insures that both the high- and low-frequency drivers are asked to deliver only the frequencies they are more efficient at reproducing.