Avantone Mixcubes Passive (LA PAIRE) - one pair

AVANTONE MixCubes™ are shielded full-range mini reference monitors for studio monitoring applications.
Their design is inspired by the legendary 5C Sound Cubes™ used in virtually all major studios for the last 25 years.

OBJECTIVE: OPTIMIZED DESIGN

To produce an ultra-rugged full-range mini reference monitor with an optimized and more linear frequency response to replace the 5C Sound Cubes still in use.

We spent a full year studying all versions of the famous 5C Sound Cubes. Our research revealed that several types of speakers have been used over the years and that they all offer very different frequency responses. The 5C full-range monitor that was used as a reference model during the design was the one that offered the clearest sound and the most linear frequency response.

We then analyzed the frequency response characteristics in an anechoic booth and then made some modifications. Avant Electronics - Avantone MixCubes™
Recognizing that we had to replace the reference monitor that had set the standard in the audio industry, we first replicated its dimensions, functions and sonic characteristics. However, we wanted to take it to the next level…

First, we designed the baffle…
The 5C Sound Cubes™ baffle is made of 13 cm particle board covered with a wood-effect faux finish.
Instead, we opted for thicker and stronger MDF particle board, which provides unmatched robustness and very little resonance. The baffle has a sealed cubic design (165 mm) with rounded corners.
We then applied a glossy polyurethane finish (color “Buttercream”).
The original models had screw terminals (plastic on later models) mounted on recessed plastic parts. We used high quality nickel plated terminals (for dual banana plugs) made of machined solid metal. They are mounted on a black silkscreened and laminated anodized aluminum plate. A 7mm thick neoprene pad is installed under the baffle to act as a non-slip acoustic insulator. A standard microphone stand socket (16mm) is also integrated under the baffle to allow for multiple mounting options.

Then we designed the speaker...
The original models had a standard 5" speaker with a stamped metal basket. We designed a 5.25" speaker with an aluminum basket to increase the performance of the original speakers. The mounting hardware is polished for a pleasing appearance. The paper cone, chosen for its musical character, is custom designed and manufactured using the finest New Zealand mica pulps to provide increased lightness and strength. The canvas surround is made in Japan and offers the same uniform thickness tolerance. The top plate and T-piece of the driver are made of low carbon steel (Sumitomo 1008) allowing the highest possible flux density in the gap. The 1.22 kg magnets are Y-40 type (MIL-SPEC) and benefit from a high power/low distortion design.

OBJECTIVE: PERFORMANCE

Studios are typically equipped with 2 or 3-way monitors with larger diameter drivers, designed to reproduce a wide frequency range and provide exceptional accuracy, even at very high listening levels. However, even though we are in the age of high definition audio, it is still necessary to monitor the sound of your mixes on equipment that does not offer as much low-frequency reproduction, such as televisions, clock radios, computers, etc. It is important to perform the mix based partly on the sound produced by reference monitors that are not equipped with filters and inferior speakers that can affect the sonic characteristics. Particular attention should always be paid to the midrange frequencies of vocals, guitars and keyboards. The use of full-range monitors without filters can be very practical in this case.

We spent ten months conducting comparative listening and making modifications to the AVANTONE MixCubes.
Result: This full-range monitor produces crystal clear sound and is an optimized version of the 5C Sound Cubes.