Top Quality 5" Studio Reference Monitor

Build upon the legacy of our famous nEar05 models, the new aktiv 05 near field reference monitor take professional level 5" near field monitoring speakers for the entry level to yet another level.

The monitor boasts an ultra-flat low frequency response with its newly designed larger silk dome tweeter and the top quality kevlar 5" driver delivers unparalleled punch in the low-mid frequency - a major improvement over the paper and polypropylene drivers used in most comparable products. ESI was the first vendor using kevlar for studio monitors in this price range as material inside the low frequency driver. Other vendors have since copied our idea, however there is much more to excellent sound of aktiv 05. A new tuning of all components by our engineers in Germany and the use of the completelely new crossover design, turn aktiv 05 into yet another milestone in the ESI studio monitor legacy.

Optionally an aktiv 05 based monitoring system can be expanded with a subwoofer like our aktiv 10s. aktiv 05 is the perfect alternative to our higher end uniK 05+ reference monitor if you are on a budget.

Features

  • 2-way powered speaker / active studio monitor speaker
  • 5" kevlar curved cone (magnetic shielding type) as LF driver
  • 1" silk dome tweeter as HF driver
  • output power 60W (HF 30W, LF 30W), 85W AC consumption power
  • magnetically shielded for desktop operation
  • input connections: XLR / TS1/4" combo connector, balanced / unbalanced input
  • input impedance: 23.3 kOhm balanced, 13.3 kOhm unbalanced
  • input sensitivity: 75mV@1Watt, 415mV@30Watt
  • frequency response: 50Hz - 20kHz
  • crossover frequency: 2.5 kHz
  • SPL: 88dB +/- 3dB
  • operating voltage: AC100-240V 50/60Hz, with 115V / 230V AC selection switch
  • blue power LED on the front
  • standby function, can be turned on and off (only models sold in certain countries)
  • dimensions: 250mm (H) x 176mm (W) x 200mm (D)
  • weight: ca. 4.5kg
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Reviews and Testimonials


Here are selected reviews of aktiv 05:

 

Famous Korean KPOP composer Haemoon Park is using aktiv 05 in his studio - "As a musician who has been using nEar05 for quite a long time, I am actually surprised to see the sound improvements of aktiv 05, especially considering the pricing is similar!"

   

 

November/December 2014 issue of Recording Magazin features a review of aktiv 05, aktiv 08 and aktiv 10s by Moritz Hillmayer: "(...) you won't often get so much sound for your money." / "A honest impulse stable sound with a proper resolution of the spectrum speaks for ESI monitors."

   

 

Felix Klostermann from online magazine Bonedo (Germany) had a detailed listen of aktiv 05 and mentioned:"transparent sound" / "very good price/value" - read the full german language review here!

  

 

The January 2013 issue of KEYS (Germany) features a review of both aktiv 05 and aktiv 08 by Martin Person: "In their price range, the ESI aktiv near field monitors can be considered among the best."

  

 

The Polish language blog Analogowa Dusza checked out a pair of our aktiv 05. One of the key comments: "... deserve really high scores in this price range. I will use them to this day, and entrust great confidence in the company." Check the full review in English here and in Polish here.

   

 

Computer Shopper (UK) published a review of aktiv 05: "the aktiv 05 monitors are a good deal" / "They have excellent sound quality" - check the full review here.

  

 

The September 2012 issue of MusicTech Magazine (UK) features a review of aktiv 05. Here is a quote: "... left/right imaging and depth of soundstage greatly exceed expectations for a pair of monitors at this price point."

   

You can find more reviews of aktiv 05 here. If you are interested in adding a review to this list, do not hesitate and contact us.