Avantone MixCubes Full-Range Mini Reference Monitors While originally inspired buy the 5C sound cubes from decades ago, the Avantone MixCubes have become the industry standard in studios around the world and have become the #1 best selling speaker of its type in history. Engineering Objective To build a full range, rugged, mini-reference monitor to replace the older, aging, 5C Sound Cubes that are still in use worldwide, while offering an improved, more linear frequency response. A full year was spent studying all versions & revisions of the famous little 5C Sound Cubes. Research revealed that there were several driver versions released over the years with widely varying frequency response characteristics. We chose the smoothest, most linear, full-range version of those 5C models to use as our testing benchmark. Next we analyzed their response characteristics in an anechoic chamber and proceeded to implement design upgrades. Realizing the importance of replacing a respected "industry-standard reference monitor" we began by replicating its basic size, function, and sonic character.We wanted to take it up a notch though... First, we addressed the Cabinet Design... The original 5C Sound Cubes were made of ½" particleboard covered with a glue-on wood grain contact paper. We chose to use thicker, denser MDF board because of its high rigidity and inherent low-resonance characteristics. We started with a 165mm (6 1/2") sealed cube design with radiused edges. We then chose an elegant Polyurethane high gloss "RETRO-CREAM" finish. The originals had either screws or on later models plastic binding posts mounted on a recessed plastic cup. We upgraded to high-end nickel plated, machined solid metal binding posts (Dual banana spacing) mounted on a black anodized ,milled and silk-screened aluminum terminal plate. Next we added a 7mm thick neoprene pad embedded into the base of the cabinet to serve as a skid-resistant acoustic isolator. Additionally, for creative mounting situations, we recessed an industry standard 5/8"-27 mic stand mount into the base. Second, We addressed the driver design... The originals were a basic 5" stamped frame design. We designed a proprietary 5.25" die cast aluminum frame driver/cone assembly to exceed the performance of the originals. The mounting bezel is then polished for an elegant appearance. The paper cone, chosen for its musical character, is custom designed & crafted using the finest New Zealand pulp with mica fibers added for lighter weight & rigidity. The cloth surround is made in Japan to exacting uniform thickness tolerances. The Top Plate and T-Yoke of driver are made of Sumitomo 1008 low carbon steel enabling the highest modeled flux density in the gap. The magnets are Y- 40 GRADE (MIL-SPEC) yielding a 43oz. High Power-low distortion motor structure. Features 5.25" Shielded Passive Full range 8 ohm drivers 6 1/2" Cube Cabinet with multiple coats of "Retro-Cream" High Gloss lacquer finish Precision-milled high-rigidity MDF cabinet sides & baffle for low resonance Radiused corners & edges reduce edge diffraction for better imaging Custom Cone is crafted using New Zealand pulp with mica fibers added for light weight & rigidity Cloth surround made in Japan to uniform thickness tolerances Top Plate and T-Yoke of driver are made of Sumitomo 1008 low carbon steel The 43oz. low distortion motor structure magnets are Y- 40 GRADE (MIL-SPEC) High-Rigidity DIE-CAST Aluminum frame with polished mounting bezel Nickel Plated "high-end" binding posts (properly spaced for dual banana plugs) - insulated for CE compliance Anodized aluminum milled terminal plate 1/4" soft Neoprene Pad is recessed into the cabinet base to serve as a non-skid acoustic isolator Standard size (5/8"- 27 threading) female microphone stand mount is built into the cabinet base
