M-Audio Forty Sixty Aktiv studiomonitor 1 st

M-Audio Forty Sixty — Bi-Amplified Studio Monitor with DSP Control

Studio monitors that combine precise sound with up-to-date connectivity are seldom found in this price bracket. Designed for beat-makers, producers, DJs, and content creators, this 2-way active monitor features a 100-watt bi-amplified power stage, Kevlar woofer, and digital signal processing that can be accessed through a dedicated smartphone app. The integration of a Burr-Brown analogue-to-digital converter and a rear-ported enclosure extends bass response down to 39 Hz, covering the full 39 Hz – 22 kHz range and providing reliable monitoring for home studios, clubs, streaming, and car audio systems.

DSP-Powered Room Correction and Flexible Listening

What makes this model stand out from typical nearfield speakers is its precision DSP crossover and the complementary control app. A single button on the front panel toggles between FLAT mode for critical mixing and HYPE mode, which uses a V-shaped EQ curve to mimic consumer headphones and car audio sound. Producers can also unlock a fully adjustable 5-band parametric EQ using the M-Audio Forty Series Control App to address room acoustics or save custom presets for different projects.

Bi-Amplified Power and Driver Design

With bi-amplification, each driver receives its own amplifier channel, eliminating passive crossover losses and improving transient response over the entire frequency range.

• LF Driver: 6.5-inch (165 mm) Kevlar woofer — lightweight cone enables fast transient response and reduced distortion at high excursion
• HF Driver: 1-inch (25 mm) soft-dome tweeter with waveguide — its controlled 120° × 90° dispersion offers consistent sound off-axis
• Power Configuration: 100 W total (60 W LF / 40 W HF), Class AB — driver-specific amplification preserves headroom for dynamic material

Signal Conversion and Connectivity

With a Burr-Brown A-D converter providing a signal-to-noise ratio over 120 dB, the DSP operates on a clean, accurate digital signal.

• Analog Inputs: XLR and 6.3 mm TRS — balanced connections accommodate both audio interfaces and mixers
• Converter SNR: >120 dB — ensures even the quietest details remain intact in your mix
• Reference tracks can be streamed wirelessly with Bluetooth 5.3 and TWS, allowing up to 30.5 m range without cables getting in the way.

Cabinet Construction and Studio Integration

Cabinet tuning impacts bass extension and resonance. The vinyl-wrapped MDF enclosure uses rear porting to enhance low-frequency performance, while the included isolation pad prevents vibration transfer from desk to monitor.

• Enclosure: Ported vinyl-wrapped MDF — solid structure limits cabinet coloration
• Dimensions: 335 × 216 × 218 mm — fits easily into typical desktop studio setups
• The weight of 7.2 kg per unit provides both resistance to vibration and portability for mobile producers.

Flexible Monitoring for Creators

Anyone outfitting a home studio who wants one monitor pair to cover both critical mixing and leisure listening will value the dual-mode design. HYPE mode helps beat-makers check how tracks sound on popular consumer setups, while FLAT mode gives mix engineers a neutral reference. This instrument is ideal for producers and DJs needing room correction flexibility without buying external DSP hardware. Content creators can use it for podcasts, video edits, or live streams, benefitting from clear playback and fast wireless reference checks.

M-Audio Forty Series — The Brand's Flagship Monitor Line

M-Audio has earned a lasting reputation in the studio monitor market, with BX3 and BX4 multimedia speakers and BX5 and BX8 nearfield monitors found in project studios worldwide. The Forty Series now brings DSP-based room correction and app-based EQ — previously limited to pricier models — into reach for home producers.