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Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair

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Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair

$292.99 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (17)

5 Reviews

0 wishlisted

8 saved

Page last updated May 27, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 27, 2026.

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Price

4.1 (223)

$292.99

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Average Price: $293

Budget/Beginner

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Active & Passive Monitors category, Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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Alesis has crafted an innovative solution for musicians seeking a compact and efficient monitoring system with the M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair. These speakers combine the functionality of a professional monitor with the convenience of a built-in audio interface, making them an indispensable tool for home studios and mobile setups alike. Simply connect via USB 1.1, and you're ready to dive into your audio projects without the hassle of installing drivers or dealing with complex setups.

Whether you're a budding producer or a seasoned audio engineer, the M1 Active 320 USB monitors are designed to meet your needs. With multiple input options—including two 1/4" inputs, RCA, and a 1/8" TRS input—these monitors allow for versatile connectivity with your keyboard, DJ mixer, or other audio equipment. For those critical low frequencies, the integrated bass boost switch ensures your mixes sound robust, even in less-than-ideal acoustic environments.

Portability is key for any musician on the go, and the lightweight design of the M1 Active 320 USB makes them perfect for travel. Their compact form factor easily fits into your backpack, allowing you to take your studio with you wherever inspiration strikes. Plus, the plug-and-play capability ensures a seamless transition from creativity to creation, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your music.

Key Features:

Integrated audio interface with USB connectivity
16-bit/48 kHz audio resolution
Bass boost switch for enhanced low-end
Multiple input options: 1/4", RCA, and 1/8" TRS
Lightweight and portable design
20 watts stereo RMS power
Magnetically-shielded 3" woofer and 1" tweeter
Headphone output for private listening

Product specs

Brand	Alesis
Model	M1Active 320 USB 3" Powered Studio Monitors (Pair)
Finish	Black/Silver
Year	2010s
Categories	Studio Monitors

FAQs

What connectivity options are available on the Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors?: The Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors offer USB connectivity for direct digital audio input from your computer, as well as RCA and 1/8" stereo inputs for analog connections.
Are the Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors suitable for mixing and mastering?: These monitors are designed for small home studio environments and are suitable for basic mixing and monitoring tasks, but may not provide the detailed accuracy required for professional mastering.
Do the Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors require an external amplifier?: No, the Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors are powered monitors, meaning they have built-in amplifiers and do not require an external amp to operate.
What is the frequency response of the Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors?: The Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors have a frequency response of 80 Hz to 20 kHz, providing a broad range suitable for general audio playback and production.
Can the Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitors be used for gaming or general computer audio?: Yes, these monitors can enhance your gaming or general computer audio experience with their USB connectivity and built-in amplification, providing clear and dynamic sound.

Videos

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Alesis M1Active 320 USB

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Alesis M1-Active 320USB Studio Monitors with USB @ NAMM 2008

djproaudio

Alesis M1Active 320 USB Monitors

PromenadeMusicTV

Alesis - M1Active 320 USB

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Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Speakers - First Thoughts Review

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Reviews

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PROS

Compact size with powerful output for its dimensions
Built-in bass-boost switch enhances listening experience
Multiple connectivity options for versatile setups
Decent flat sound reproduction for budget monitors

CONS

Bass boost can ruin mixes, not ideal for serious production
Lacks accurate low-end representation, affecting mix quality
Durability concerns with main speaker failing after moderate use
Inferior to more expensive speakers in sound quality

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair.

Features and functionality

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The Alesis M1 Active 320 can be used as a USB interface, making it a versatile option for small-time recording enthusiasts using GarageBand.
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The Alesis M1 Active 320 lacks an analog line input, requiring adapters for non-USB setups.
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The Alesis M1 Active 320 USB monitors have a high cutoff around 80Hz, suggesting the need for a subwoofer for full bass reproduction.
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Use cases and applications

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These monitors are suitable for use as external speakers for TVs, offering clear and crisp audio, although they may occasionally lack in volume for larger spaces.
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Suitable for bedroom setups or as an entry-level option for vinyl enthusiasts.
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Owners emphasize the importance of using these monitors in smaller spaces due to their limited bass response and volume capacity.
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User experience

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Owners have reported that the Alesis M1 Active 320 monitors provide nice bass, making them suitable for laptop desks and providing good audio for movies.
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Some users noted that despite the lack of bass, mixes on these monitors tend to translate well to bass-boosted consumer systems.
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Value and pricing

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At $50 refurbished, these monitors offer an affordable alternative to internal TV speakers for budget-conscious users like college students in dorm rooms.
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At $90, these speakers are seen as a reasonable investment for beginners before moving to more expensive options.
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Refurbished Alesis M1 Active 520 models are available for $100, offering an alternative to the M1 Active 320 for those needing more bass.
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Comparisons

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Considered a starting point that can later be upgraded or repurposed for smaller spaces.
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Setup and maintenance

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The refurbished models come with a reduced 90-day warranty, compared to the typical one or two-year warranty for new units.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 17 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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1 star

lucas_puskaric

over 10 years ago

Terrible, breaks after less than a year

Although they produced a decent flat reproduction of sound (what I was hoping for), the main speaker simply stopped after moderate use.

olivyae

over 10 years ago

Great for easy listening, terrible for mixing!

I used to mix out of these and wondered why all of my mixes suffered on the low end; for three years, I ruined my sound with these! I have no one to blame for my ignorance.

These are ported with bass boost, and anyone who does some serious studio work knows that any monitors with excess boosts are geared towards consumers and not producers; these will pretty much ruin any mix.

However, for easy listening, these are quite powerful for their small size and can easily fill the room at half volume before the sound is distorted.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Pop Hip Hop

russell_ichenberg

over 10 years ago

Great Little Monitors

As a musician just getting started in recording from home, I needed to do everything on the Cheap! These fit the bill. I thought I'd get ripped given the price but these hit the spot!

The greatest thing is this: 1. It has a built-in bass-boost switch when you're just wanting to listen to your favorite tunes and 2. It has every conceivable means for connecting them to your equipment.

zach_epps

249

over 9 years ago

Not Super Good, but Something

These don't compare to very expensive speakers but they're still something to hear what you've recorded in a different perspective.

tom_christopher

357

about 11 years ago

Small speakers, big sound

I honestly don't know a whole lot about speakers, but I know that I like a good relation between speaker size and volume and these definitely fit in that category. "Klein aber fein" as we say in Germany.