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Average Price: $100

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$801+

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Description

The Alesis M1 Active 520 USB studio monitors are designed to deliver precision and clarity to your home or professional studio setup. These bi-amplified speakers offer a meticulously balanced sound that caters to both budding producers and seasoned audio engineers alike. With a USB audio interface integrated directly into the monitors, you can connect them seamlessly to your computer, eliminating the need for an external audio interface and reducing clutter in your workspace.

The M1 Active 520 USB monitors are equipped with a 5-inch woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter, ensuring a full-range frequency response that captures every detail of your mix. The rear porting enhances low-frequency extension, adding depth and richness to your sound. Additionally, the monitors include a variety of input options, including balanced XLR, balanced 1/4-inch TRS, and unbalanced RCA, making them versatile for different audio setups.

Whether you're mixing tracks, editing podcasts, or just enjoying your favorite music, these monitors provide a detailed and accurate representation of your audio. Their sleek design and professional build quality make them a reliable choice for any studio environment.

Key Features:

  • Bi-amplified design with a 5-inch woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter
  • Integrated USB audio interface for direct connection to computers
  • Balanced XLR, balanced 1/4-inch TRS, and unbalanced RCA inputs
  • Rear porting for enhanced low-frequency response
  • Full-range frequency response for precise audio reproduction

Product specs

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

FAQs

What connectivity options are available on the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors?

The Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors feature USB connectivity for direct computer integration, as well as RCA and 1/4" TRS inputs for connecting various audio sources.

Are the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors suitable for mixing and mastering in a home studio?

Yes, these monitors offer a frequency response from 56 Hz to 20,000 Hz, providing a balanced sound suitable for mixing and mastering in a home studio environment.

What is the power output of the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors?

The Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors deliver 75 watts of bi-amplified power, ensuring clear and accurate sound reproduction.

Do the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors have any built-in sound tuning features?

Yes, these monitors include high-frequency and low-frequency EQ controls, allowing users to adjust the sound to suit their room acoustics and personal preferences.

Are the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors magnetically shielded?

Yes, these monitors are magnetically shielded, which helps prevent interference with other electronic devices and ensures accurate audio reproduction.

EEVblog2

EEVblog2

Alesis M1 Active 520USB Studio Monitor Teardown

Video thumbnail for Alesis M1 Active 520USB Studio Monitor Teardown by EEVblog2

Alesis M1 Active 520USB Studio Monitor Teardown

EEVblog2

EEVblog2

Video thumbnail for [NAMM 2009] Alesis M1 Active 520 USB by Audiofanzine in English

[NAMM 2009] Alesis M1 Active 520 USB

Audiofanzine in English

Audiofanzine in English

Video thumbnail for Alesis M1Active 520 USB Monitors: Big Little USB Monitors Spotted At NAMM by gearwire

Alesis M1Active 520 USB Monitors: Big Little USB Monitors Spotted At NAMM

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for Alesis M1 Active 520 USB + Studio Monitors by onlyfactorydirect

Alesis M1 Active 520 USB + Studio Monitors

onlyfactorydirect

onlyfactorydirect

Video thumbnail for M1 Active 520 USB Alesis Studio Monitors by onlyfactorydirect

M1 Active 520 USB Alesis Studio Monitors

onlyfactorydirect

onlyfactorydirect

Video thumbnail for Alesis M1 Active 520 USB Produktvorführung auf der NAMM Show 2009 USA by LaconicRecordsStudio

Alesis M1 Active 520 USB Produktvorführung auf der NAMM Show 2009 USA

LaconicRecordsStudio

LaconicRecordsStudio

Video thumbnail for Alesis M1Active 520 USB unboxing and first use - Part 3/3 by mefxes

Alesis M1Active 520 USB unboxing and first use - Part 3/3

mefxes

mefxes

Video thumbnail for Alesis M1 Active 520 USB + Studio Monitors by Scott Von Heldt

Alesis M1 Active 520 USB + Studio Monitors

Scott Von Heldt

Scott Von Heldt

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • The circuit board design may have a flaw causing overheating and potential failure, particularly around certain transistor and capacitor combinations.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • If the driver fails, Alesis can provide replacement parts, but finding a technician to install them can be challenging.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Users have reported issues with speakers producing faint sound, particularly affecting the high-end frequencies.

    Source
  • The Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors use 1/4 inch jack inputs and are powered by a standard kettle lead, accommodating straightforward connectivity for various setups.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have experienced issues with the monitors shortly after the warranty period, suggesting potential planned obsolescence.

    Source
  • Owners have noted that refurbished Alesis M1 Active 520s come with a limited 90-day warranty, unlike the one to two-year warranty available for new units.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Replacement parts can be costly, sometimes nearing the price of purchasing new monitors, but secondhand components can be found for less on platforms like eBay.

    Source
  • Refurbished Alesis M1 Active 520 monitors can be found for around $100, offering significant savings compared to their typical retail price of approximately $200.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Alesis M1 Active 520s are highly regarded by budget-conscious producers for offering clear sound, especially in lower frequencies, making them suitable for house music production.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Alesis M1 Active 620 & 520

soundonsound.com

The Alesis M1 Active 520 USB monitors offer an affordable solution for home studios, delivering detailed sound and strong stereo imaging. While the bass might be a bit exaggerated, this is common in small monitors and manageable with familiar reference material. The build is solid, featuring balanced inputs and useful acoustic adjustments. Ideal for smaller spaces, the 520s provide credible bass and clarity, proving to be a reliable choice for budget-conscious musicians.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bootsy Collins uses Alesis M1 Active 520 USB

Bootsy Collins

Singer, Bassist

Funkadelic

...
Verified via YouTube

At 11:31 in the YouTube video titled "Bootsy Collins Tours His Incredible Home Studio 'The Boot Cave,'" an Alesis M1 Active 520 USB studio monitor is visible in Bootsy Collins's live room. This video is provided by Reverb.

See how Hucci uses Alesis M1 Active 520 USB

Hucci

Music Producer

...
Verified via Instagram

In an Instagram post, Hucci is seen with the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB studio monitors, indicating his use of this gear.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Alesis M1 Active 520 USB, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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