M-Audio AV 30 Compact Monitor Speakers

4.0 (16)

2 Critic Reviews

4 Reviews

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21 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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The AV 30 speakers are compact wooden bass-reflex cabinets that feature a 3" polypropylene-coated woofer and a 1" silk dome tweeter to provide a wide frequency response. Internal Class-A/B amplifiers provide 10W of power to each channel for strong performance with low distortion. OptImage III waveguides on the front baffles help to improve detail and clarity, as well as provide an accurate stereo image. The front panel offers a 1/8" stereo aux input for connecting an MP3 player or CD player. The rear panel features a stereo RCA input for wide compatibility with both consumer and professional devices. The 1/8" headphone jack offers private monitoring, while the front-panel volume control lets you make convenient adjustments. The speakers are magnetically shielded for use near video monitors. With a small space footprint the AV 30 system is the perfect audio upgrade for desktop production systems, portable video games, personal DVD players and more.

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matmroy

M-Audio AV30 Powered Speakers Unboxing and Review

matmroy

M-Audio Studiophile AV 30 (Review)

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PROS

Affordable compared to most other studio monitors
Can plug directly into a headphone jack for easy setup
Packs a lot of sound and bass for its size
Suitable for long hours of production work without fatigue
Good as reference monitors for checking mixes and mastering
Decent volume levels with good audio quality

CONS

Not true monitors as they lack interface connectivity
Shaky low frequency cutoff, around 60 Hz
Not ideal for professional studio use
Requires acoustically treated room and precise placement for best results
Mixdown accuracy may be questionable

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about M-Audio AV 30 Compact Monitor Speakers.

Use cases and applications

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Users find these speakers adequate for DJing at home when paired with a Traktor Kontrol S2, providing a starting point for mixing and track creation.
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The AV 30s are appreciated for video editing tasks, allowing for precise audio channel adjustments in software like Audition and Premier.
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Build quality

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Long-term owners have used these as computer speakers for over 8 years without major issues, indicating durability for everyday use.
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Setup and maintenance

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Potential buyers should test for buzzing when plugged in, as it can be a sign of internal issues.
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Some owners mention capacitor problems, suggesting that those interested should be prepared for possible soldering repairs.
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Bulged capacitors (220uF/25V or 35V) are common issues; replacing them with 105°C rated capacitors can resolve distortion problems.
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Ensure capacitors are soldered slightly elevated from the PCB and zener diodes for improved longevity.
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Cleaning the PCB with isopropyl alcohol after capacitor replacement is recommended for optimal performance.
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Features and functionality

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The front aux input allows easy connectivity, making it convenient for quick audio tests with devices like smartphones.
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It's noted that the M-Audio AV 30 has a "smiley face" frequency response, deviating from a true flat monitor profile.
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Value and pricing

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At a $20 price point, these speakers are considered a reasonable deal, especially if testing reveals no significant defects.
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Comparisons

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The Neumi BS5P speakers are suggested as a superior alternative to the M-Audio AV 30, with a marked improvement in performance.
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Edifier MR4 and Tannoy Reveal 402 are recommended as similar options, with Tannoy being closer to true flat response monitors.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some users replace entire boards due to burnt connectors, moving from version 3.1 to 2.0, indicating potential compatibility issues.
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Critic Reviews

Review: M-Audio Studiophile AV-30 Speakers are Perfect for Aspiring Music Producers | Culturecrit

culturecrit.com

M-Audio's AV-30 speakers deliver clear sound and sturdy build for budding producers on a budget. While they shine in mid to high frequencies, the lack of bass is a letdown. Perfect for intimate music production setups, but bass enthusiasts might want to add a subwoofer or consider alternatives like the KRK Rokit series. These monitors are ideal for small room sessions and novice musicians, but less suited for general multimedia use.

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M-Audio Studiophile AV 30 review: M-Audio Studiophile AV 30 - CNET

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 16 Ratings

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oscar_midnyte_valenz...

106

over 10 years ago

Vey Good!

There is a lot of bass and just an o.k. amount of punch. They get decently loud and havee good audio quality.

kaibur17

166

about 11 years ago

Not bad

They're cheaper than most other "monitors," however these aren't really monitors. Real monitors require an interface, and these plug straight into your headphone jack. Or at least, as far as I know real monitors require an interface. Regardless, these babies pack a lot of sound, a lot of bass too, despite they're shaky low frequency cutoff. I think it's like 60 hz, but I could be wrong. I'd love to hook up an extra subwoofer, just to see how much I could make the windows in my house shake. I use them for my productions, simply because I like to work long hours, and that's not really possible with headphones. They work like monitors, your room needs to be acoustically treated and they need sit in a perfect triangle shape at the exact height of your ears. However, I lack the desk space as of yet to allow that much of a perfect setup. If I lean in, I get an "accurate," read, but I don't know how accurate they are in terms of the mixdown. Regardless, I still listen on tons of sound systems before I release a track. Mixdown is becoming more and more important to me, having a bunch of systems to listen on is very important to the process, which I'm sure a lot of expert producers are very much aware of. I'm kinda speaking to the amateurs out there. Don't think, "Oh this is great! I'll just never listen to my tracks on headphones or car radios. This is my fix for all of that nonsense!" From what I've read, monitors serve as tool among many to the art of your track. There are no get rich quick schemes, and there are no quick fixes in the industry of audio production. The tools are very expensive and it is a very time consuming practice. You will literally devote hundreds of hours into one track and still find mistakes in it. No track is perfect, but there are lots of resources to make it damn near close to perfect. Having these monitors is just one resource, and I would recommend them to any amateurs out there, but if you want to get serious, get Audiophiles, or KRK's. Those are expensive, but well worth the investment.