Compare Review Full Range Cube Speaker
For sure, many readers wait for this article and comparative test. As we tested the Auratone 5C Super Sound Cubes back in October 2015, the attention were big. In a numerous comments our readers wished a comparison between the would-be same models from Auratone, Avantone, Behringer. After endless appointments, we had finally all three models at the same time in the studio. What comes around, follow in our comparison.
Before we start, we have some news of importance for you. All tested monitor speakers Avantone MixCubes Active, Behringer Behritone C50A and Auratone 5C weren’t built for hearing final mixes. Neither sparkling high frequencies nor deep sea deep abyss bass frequencies will be proofed. Their plain purpose, how the mid-range frequencies sound to the rest mix. So let’s go ahead to the full range speaker comparison.
The three competitors
Dear community, yes the truth is always a bitter pill. You have placed a big brand pair of awesome monitor speaker in your studio, connected with expensive speaker cable and now this: Somehow the mix doesn’t sound very balanced on the other speakers.
The problem is simple: Many devices don’t deliver high end or high fidelity sound. Kitchen radio, clock radio, smart phones, squawking computer speakers, cheap stereos. All this makes kind of sound. But the most, that happened tonal here, is less or more a distinctive mid frequency range. And very often, this range is unbalanced. Neither grumpily bass nor subtle high will sound from these little speakers. Even today it isn’t possible to squeeze one inch bass speaker in to iPhone or tablet. Nevertheless the final mix should sound impressive, although played on lo fi and cheap and small speakers.
How do we achieve this? We use a monitor speaker, which doesn’t reflect deep bass or highest high frequencies but rather the mid-range and lower mid plus higher mid-range frequencies. If that sound well, it sounds well on smartphone and co. And this is the expectation to today’s test candidates.
Auratone 5C
Auratone 5C
The Auratone 5C Super Sound Cubes are passive speakers and need a separate amplifier. For this test I use a Samson Servo 120a, a fan less amplifier, with very well audio quality and measured values and a reasonable price tag.
Only 1 height unit but massive power: The Samson Servo 120a
The cable connectors are gold-plated big screw terminals, which probably take 8 mm diameter cables. My 4mm cables fall in smoothly.
The Auratone 5C as it were the prime father in this speaker category and the first models appears in 1960(!). Since then the prototype wasn’t changed a lot, as well the relative high price tag hasn’t change. But they are excellent assembled and they “smell” real fine. I know this smell very well from the classy hi fi speaker from the Seventies and early Eighties. I cannot describe, you have to smell it.
The Auratone are located in lots of recording studios and radio stations all over the world. In various studio reports and corresponding photos it’s obvious that the used speakers are very often the Auratones. A high price piece of gear but eye-catching in super classy hit recording palace.
Here are the technical data of the Auratone 5C:
Cone: 4,5’’ full range speaker
Loading capacity : 25 Watt RMS / 50 Watt peak
Sound Pressure Level: 90 dB bei 1 W / 1 m
Range: 75 Hz – 15.000Hz
Impedance: 8 Ohm
Magnetic shielded
Cabinet: 16 mm MDF
Volumetrics: ( L x H x D) 165 x 165 x 152 mm
Weight: 3 kg per piece
