M-Audio Forty Eighty Aktiv studiomonitor 1 st

8-Inch Bi-Amplified Studio Monitor with DSP

Built for accurate, full-range mixing in home and project studios, the M-Audio Forty Eighty pairs a Kevlar woofer and 1.25-inch soft-dome tweeter with 150 W of bi-amplified Class AB power, hitting 116 dB peak SPL. The rear-ported vinyl-wrapped MDF cabinet reaches down to 32 Hz, while a tailored waveguide keeps the stereo image focused. Front-panel Flat and Hype modes let engineers A/B between transparent and consumer-style monitoring.

What Sets the Forty Eighty Apart

Unusual at this price tier is the pairing of professional-grade Burr-Brown A/D conversion with a DSP-driven crossover and 5-band EQ, both controllable from the M-Audio Studio Control app. Custom EQ mode lets users dial in room correction curves, while Bluetooth 5.3 with True Wireless Stereo enables cable-free playback up to 30.5 m away.

Drivers and Amplification — Headroom for Demanding Mixes

Bi-amplification gives each driver its own dedicated amplifier channel, improving transient response.

• LF Driver: 8-inch (203 mm) Kevlar woofer — light, rigid cone for fast response
• HF Driver: Soft-dome tweeter with waveguide for controlled dispersion
• Total Power: 150 W (80 W LF / 70 W HF), Class AB — separate amp channels

Frequency Range and SPL — Loud, Clean Monitoring Down to 32 Hz

A wide frequency response and high peak SPL let this monitor reproduce full mixes at club-checking levels without strain. The rear-ported cabinet reinforces low frequencies, while the DSP crossover keeps phase coherent between drivers.

• Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 22 kHz (-10 dB) — extended bass reach for beat-heavy genres
• Maximum SPL: 116 dB — headroom for short-term A/B checks at high volume
• Coverage Pattern: Wide 120° x 90° dispersion for a broad sweet spot

Inputs, EQ, and Wireless — Studio and Casual in One Box

Professional analog inputs cover the studio side, while Bluetooth 5.3 covers the casual side. The DSP engine handles crossover, EQ, and reference-mode switching from the front panel or companion app.

• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 6.3 mm TRS — balanced connections to interfaces
• Bluetooth: 5.3 with True Wireless Stereo, range 30.5 m for wireless playback
• DSP / EQ: 5-band EQ with Flat, Hype, and Custom modes — room tuning via app

Who Should Buy the Forty Eighty

The Forty Eighty is the right choice for producers, beat makers, DJs, mix engineers, and content creators who need accurate monitoring with room-tuning flexibility. Home studio owners will appreciate the DSP-driven 5-band EQ for untreated rooms, while podcasters and streamers benefit from Bluetooth 5.3 TWS for quick reference playback. DJs get a punchy 8-inch Kevlar woofer for deep bass lines.

M-Audio and the Forty Series

M-Audio has built a reputation as one of the most recognized names in audio interfaces, studio monitors, MIDI keyboards, and essential music hardware. The Forty Series is the brand's flagship reference-monitor line, and the Forty Eighty tops that family as the largest 8-inch model, pairing Kevlar drivers with DSP room tuning and Bluetooth streaming.