Alesis M1 Active 520 Powered Studio Monitor

$226.89 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (15)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Alesis M1 Active 520

3 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

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3.0 (1)

$226.89 1 available Used

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Average Price: $227

Budget/Beginner

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Active & Passive Monitors category, Alesis M1 Active 520 Powered Studio Monitor 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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High-end

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Description

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Elevate your audio production with the Alesis M1 Active 520 Powered Studio Monitors, designed for musicians and producers seeking precision and clarity in their mixes. These nearfield monitors are a major step up from standard hi-fi computer speakers, offering a flat frequency response that ensures your mixes translate accurately across various playback systems. The 5" low-frequency woofer and 1" silk dome tweeter work together to deliver clear bass, smooth midrange, and crisp highs without ear fatigue, making them an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals.

The Alesis M1 Active 520 is equipped with rear porting and a 1"-thick front baffle, providing deep bass extension and exceptional stereo imaging. The innovative Acoustic Space control, alongside three rear-mounted EQ switches, allows you to tailor the monitors to your specific room acoustics, ensuring that your sound remains true regardless of your environment. Whether you're producing in a compact home studio or a larger professional space, these monitors offer the flexibility and precision you need.

With balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS connections, integration into your current setup is seamless. Plus, the magnetically shielded design allows for close placement to video monitors, making these the perfect addition to any computer-based music production studio. Experience the difference that professional-quality sound can make with the Alesis M1 Active 520.

Key Features:

2-way, 75-watt active near-field reference monitors
5" woofer for clear bass and midrange; 1" silk dome tweeter for smooth highs
High-precision drivers for low distortion and smooth frequency response
Acoustic Space control and EQ switches for room tuning
Rear port design for deep bass extension
Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors
Magnetically shielded for proximity to video monitors

Product specs

Brand	Alesis
Model	M1Active 520 5" Powered Studio Monitors (Pair)
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Studio Monitors

FAQs

What is the power output of the Alesis M1 Active 520 studio monitors?: The Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors provide 75 watts of bi-amplification, delivering clear and powerful sound suitable for various studio applications.
What is the frequency response range of the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors?: The Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors have a frequency response range from 56 Hz to 20 kHz, ensuring coverage of nearly all frequencies audible to human ears.
Are the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors suitable for mixing and mastering?: Yes, the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors are designed for studio use, offering accurate sound reproduction that makes them suitable for mixing and mastering tasks.
Do the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors require an external amplifier?: No, the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors are powered, meaning they have built-in amplification and do not require an external amplifier.
How does the Alesis M1 Active 520 handle bass frequencies?: The Alesis M1 Active 520 features a 5" woofer and is designed to deliver impressive bass response, making it well-suited for music production environments.

Reviews

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PROS

Clear audio output enhances listening experience
Compact size suitable for limited space setups
Adequate for basic home studio applications
Serves well as a tertiary reference for mixes
Offers a middle ground between Hi-Fi and flat response monitors

CONS

Lower power output than expected
Lacks depth in mid-low and low frequencies
Considered entry-level, prompting potential future upgrades
Not the best choice for advanced studio setups

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Alesis M1 Active 520 Powered Studio Monitor.

Value and pricing

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Refurbished Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors can be found for $100, offering significant savings compared to their typical $200 retail price.
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Reports indicate that the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors are not worth their $500 MSRP, but they are a strong value at the $199 price point.
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User experience

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Owners describe the low-end response as better than expected, with clear mixes and enjoyable playback across various music genres.
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Some users describe arranging these monitors correctly as finicky but rewarding, as they provide clear, level sound once optimized.
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Owners of KRK monitors note the G3 series offers better bass control than the previous G2 series, which suffered from a muddier low-end response.
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Other

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Refurbished models come with a reduced 90-day warranty, unlike the standard one or two-year warranty for new units.
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Features and functionality

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Alesis M1 Active 520s use 1/4 inch jacks and are powered by a standard kettle lead, making them easy to integrate into existing setups.
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The Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors go down to 56Hz, sufficient for hearing kick drums, though users recommend referencing sub-bass with headphones for accuracy.
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Comparisons

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While KRK Rokits are often recommended, users on a budget find the Alesis M1 Active 520s offer excellent sound quality without the higher price tag.
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Alesis monitors may not match the KRK Rokit RP6/RP8 G3s for bass clarity, as the latter are favored for better bass presence at lower volumes.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners report the Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors excel in mixing bass-heavy genres due to their balanced, non-bass-hyped response, improving overall mix quality.
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Build quality

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Reports indicate occasional capacitor failures in Alesis M1 Active 520s, causing noise and blue sparks, suggesting potential reliability issues.
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Setup and maintenance

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Exploding capacitors in Alesis monitors suggest high repair rates, which could be a concern for potential buyers.
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Critic Reviews

Alesis M1 Active 620 & 520

soundonsound.com

Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors offer a tempting blend of affordability and performance, perfect for budget-conscious home studios. Praised for their stylish design and solid build, these monitors deliver detailed sound with good stereo imaging. However, the bass can feel slightly exaggerated, which might not suit purists seeking absolute sonic accuracy. Despite this, their ability to reveal mix details makes them a compelling choice for smaller spaces. Overall, a great value option in the active monitor market.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

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1 star

splunk

124

about 9 years ago

Nice for the Price

I use these as a 3rd way of referencing my mixes, these monitors tend to sound somewhere in between a Hi-Fi setup and flat response studio monitors.

pressurekay

297

almost 10 years ago

You Get What You Pay For

They get the job done, definitely suitable for simple studio setups or a home studio. There are definitely better monitors out there, however for the price well you get what you pay for.

decibus

almost 11 years ago

Okay for starter monitors...

Not bad in Mid and Hi Frequency. Not too fond of the Mid lows or the bottom end.

Artist usage

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Afrojack

Music Producer

AJXJS

Verified via Instagram

In Afrojack's Instagram photo captioned "Onboard studio w @djapster", one of the monitors has the "M1Active" logo facing the camera. Upon closer inspection, the Alesis logo is visible above the M1 Active logo.

TOKiMONSTA

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via YouTube

at 0:30 she points out her monitors

Wise Men Project

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via Photo

In a photo posted on their Facebook page, Wise Men Project is seen using the Alesis M1 Active 520 Powered Studio Monitor.

DJ Junior Felix

Music Producer

Verified via Alesisaudio

DJ Junior Felix utilizes the Alesis M1 Active 520 Powered Studio Monitor, a third-generation model renowned for its precise bass and midrange definition and flat frequency response. According to Alesis Brasil, this monitor's advanced design features, including a redesigned driver and EQ capabilities, contribute to its exceptional sonic clarity, making it a reliable choice for professional studio environments.