Hi! Today we compare two budget studio monitors that are available for around 150 dollars, Mackie CR4 and Alesis Elevate 5 MKII. Alesis is a bigger monitor for similar to Mackie CR4's money so we will see if Alesis really gives better value for money. Build quality is rather cheap on both MAckie and Alesis, but Mackies leave more positive impression live while Alesis feels really cheap and holow. Mackie is finished to higher standart IMO. Features are similar on both of these though. As You can see there is no obvious winner in build quality, but the story is completly different when we look at the sound quality. If You watch my channel for some time now than You know I have a big issue with Alesis sound, mainly the huge dip in the frequecy range located in the mid ranges (around crossover point between tweeter and woofer probably). This dip makes Elevate 5's sound really dull, vailed and dark and it is disqualifying, it is a fatal flaw IMO. Alesis may have solid bass response that goes lower than Mackie and good treble, but in my opinion this speaker should be avoided. Mackie all though not perfect, is much better choice for home grown music producers and alike. What do You think? Do You share the same opinion on Alesis or You find it good sounding? Let me know in the comments below! Cheers!
that Clapping 5:15 XD ... It would be cool, if u link the original Songs.. to have a better feeling whats different between the speakers.. :) Greets from Germany
The Mackies seem to give a scratchy sound to me , I like their definition though and AUD price at the moment of $218 , but prefer to save up for iloud micro monitors .
Different speakers have different dispersion properties, so just by placing a stereo mic is not the best way to judge a speaker. It's best to listen to the speakers yourselves instore and compare it live.
The Alesis sounds leagues better than the Mackie for studio purposes. You want a flat neutral sound. It does tend to dull when turned too loud. If you're on a budget, it's a decent choice. If not going with the Alesis, I'd consider an Eris... or save more money and get something else.
as a sound engineering student(2 years) the alesis is much better trust me, the mackie clearly boosts the highs way to much and there is hardly any low mids (remember you dont want a speaker to color the sound to much), the alesis is much flat. If you mixes still doesnt sound good on the alesis then analyze your room and treat the room acoustically
I love my Alesis Elevate 5 MK11's. They sound really natural. My highs are a little crisper than in this video. The bass is good. I don't even use the bass boost at all. Perfectly loud for my production work. I have owned M=Audio speakers Audiophiles and had to replace the resister in one of them and one of the tweeter kept blowing out. Didn't even crank it up loud hardly. Mostly for reference. Also have the AV 30'S and its time to retire them.
Both are Inexpensive monitors however the Mackie CR4 lack Bass, Alesis Elevate does better with the sound spectrum. My opinion and I bought a pair to try out and not bad .
The front bass vents compared to the rear bass vents. It's sort of hard to make a comparison since, technically, they should be placed a different distance from the wall.
Alesis sounds dull, but thats a good thing when you are mixing, they are very flat... Mackie sounds artificially boosted in certain areas.. they are better for just listening to music and enjoying it at home... but the Alesis' can be boosted with an EQ and match the Mackie easily and free...
@@axidhaus what about just listening to music and not mastering/mixing? Especially in 5:05 Man on Fire test, the Mackie just destroys it in terms of sound quality and how enjoyful it is.
@@markototev these are made for music production, if you wanna listen to the music and enjoy your place is not here, you can get any speakers you like they will give the same joyful sound as mackies. you dont need studio monitors for your needs. if the sound is enjoyable that monitor is probably is a trash
These are STUDIO monitors!! It seems some commenters dont know the difference between these and HIFI Speakers. Yes the Makies sound clearer but thats not how Studio Monitors should be. If you like the Makies go and buy a good pair of HIFI Speakers for the same price. If you want to mix in a Home Studio go for The Alesis if you are on a budget. For a Starting Studio they are a great deal!
Hi, which are best studio monitors for electronic music production between Presonus Eris E3.5 and Alesis Elevate 5 MKII ?!, I am looking for flat/balanced sound response rather than boomy bass. Thanks!
Thank you. This showed that the Alesis cannot be used for music production except for the most broad monitoring of the early mix stage. The Mackies aren't ideal, but at least they present some useable tone separation.
Mackie CR4 wins hands down. it's like going from the room where the music is to inside and it's clean. My listening through an Allen and Heath Zedi8 mixer with Pioneer HDJ-X10 headphones. I am actually curious if the reason for this might be that the Alesis is front ported and the Mackie is rear ported. The bass test showed that the Alesis has far better bass response for sub bass area while the Mackie kinda just whiffed. Out of curiosity I would like to see the Alesis against the KRK5 system... but that's what I have and being a little selfish.
@@DSAUDIOreview Alesis - Good flat response and not too bad for home studios on a budget. If you want to listen to music dont get studio monitors get HiFi Speakers.
I got a pair of alesis analysed and ran next to Krk 7.5” in a treated room . Ok the krk are better (sensitivity and bandwidth ) but once you correct the x over point on the alesis and the cheap link cable they are surprisingly only about 5% down on quality compared to krk that’s remarkable considering the price .
I'm just wondering why the treble is so low on the Alesis? I have a set and if they're flat response they're brighter than the Mackie. Seems a bit rigged to me.
Hello and congrats for the great review! I'd like to ask only one question (and please forgive my ignorance)...would it be possible to use a subwoofer in addition to the Mackie CR4, and how could I do that..? (I only have a normal laptop and going to buy those speakers)
Hi! There are few ways to connect CR4 to a sub. The easier way is to buy a subwoofer with RCA outputs for speakers. In that case You connect the subwoofer to Your laptop and than the speakers to a subwoofer and You are good to go. One think to consider than is that in this case You will set the volume of speakers and subwoofer once and from that point You will control the volume of whole system from Your laptop. Cheers!
I prefer the Mackies, the Alesis sound like they have a blanket covering them. In another test however, I liked the Presonus Eris E4.5 better than the Mackies.
My God, thank you for saving me from buying Alesis Elevate 5. That 'Man on fire' song was really shocking to hear a comparison of. I was going to get the MK1 too, which I'm not sure is worse?
Wow... so many people commenting without a single clue in the world about audio clarity. Those Mackie are fantastic over the Alesis! They've got clarity, which is what audio needs. Maybe you lot have been hammered by big bass speakers for so long you've forgotten what clarity is?
Depends on the purpose. Alesis is more flat and does not artificially enhance sound. It’s the difference between using them for listening rather than creating music
Noto gran diferencia de sonido entre ambos modelos. Me quedo con los Mackie, escucho una mejor definición en todo el espectro de sonido, con unos medios y agudos más presentes y nítidos mientras que los graves hacen su papel sin comerse a las otras frecuencias. Me sorprende negativamente del Alesis, su sonido enmascarado.
don't buy mackie , bass heavy, muddy. Your ears get tired very quick. I have to turn volume down all the time. Big regret here. using FIIO DAC 32 bit /192 (knowingli crisp and sharp, yet with this speaker sound is muddy) mid is missing and low is muddy high is weak
@@christianarzate6760 camara culo, apoco con los audífonos automáticamente ya voy a escuchar un flagg a 1024 kbps suficientes para tomar la decisión? No seas piedra y deja de escribir burradas.
Hi! Today we compare two budget studio monitors that are available for around 150 dollars, Mackie CR4 and Alesis Elevate 5 MKII. Alesis is a bigger monitor for similar to Mackie CR4's money so we will see if Alesis really gives better value for money.
Build quality is rather cheap on both MAckie and Alesis, but Mackies leave more positive impression live while Alesis feels really cheap and holow. Mackie is finished to higher standart IMO. Features are similar on both of these though.
As You can see there is no obvious winner in build quality, but the story is completly different when we look at the sound quality. If You watch my channel for some time now than You know I have a big issue with Alesis sound, mainly the huge dip in the frequecy range located in the mid ranges (around crossover point between tweeter and woofer probably). This dip makes Elevate 5's sound really dull, vailed and dark and it is disqualifying, it is a fatal flaw IMO. Alesis may have solid bass response that goes lower than Mackie and good treble, but in my opinion this speaker should be avoided. Mackie all though not perfect, is much better choice for home grown music producers and alike.
What do You think? Do You share the same opinion on Alesis or You find it good sounding? Let me know in the comments below! Cheers!
that Clapping 5:15 XD ... It would be cool, if u link the original Songs.. to have a better feeling whats different between the speakers.. :) Greets from Germany
The Mackies seem to give a scratchy sound to me , I like their definition though and AUD price at the moment of $218 , but prefer to save up for iloud micro monitors .
Different speakers have different dispersion properties, so just by placing a stereo mic is not the best way to judge a speaker. It's best to listen to the speakers yourselves instore and compare it live.
I know it is pretty off topic but do anybody know a good site to stream newly released series online ?
The Alesis sounds leagues better than the Mackie for studio purposes. You want a flat neutral sound. It does tend to dull when turned too loud. If you're on a budget, it's a decent choice. If not going with the Alesis, I'd consider an Eris... or save more money and get something else.
as a sound engineering student(2 years) the alesis is much better trust me, the mackie clearly boosts the highs way to much and there is hardly any low mids (remember you dont want a speaker to color the sound to much), the alesis is much flat. If you mixes still doesnt sound good on the alesis then analyze your room and treat the room acoustically
So spot on
.. to much high frequency, impossible to get a good overall mix
100% true bro :)) if we calibrate the monitors, alesis gives accurate sound for mixing & mastering! I have alesis mark 3.. It's just amazing!
Yes reminds AT 20 from audio Technica headphone monitors
Would love to hear Alesis 3 mk II vs Presonus 3.5 👍
I love my Alesis Elevate 5 MK11's. They sound really natural. My highs are a little crisper than in this video. The bass is good. I don't even use the bass boost at all. Perfectly loud for my production work. I have owned M=Audio speakers Audiophiles and had to replace the resister in one of them and one of the tweeter kept blowing out. Didn't even crank it up loud hardly. Mostly for reference. Also have the AV 30'S and its time to retire them.
Lol, it's not MK11, but MK2 (which means Mark 2 or Mark II aka second generation)
Both are Inexpensive monitors however the Mackie CR4 lack Bass, Alesis Elevate does better with the sound spectrum. My opinion and I bought a pair to try out and not bad .
The front bass vents compared to the rear bass vents. It's sort of hard to make a comparison since, technically, they should be placed a different distance from the wall.
Don't think that applies in this particular scenario
Alesis sounds dull, but thats a good thing when you are mixing, they are very flat... Mackie sounds artificially boosted in certain areas.. they are better for just listening to music and enjoying it at home... but the Alesis' can be boosted with an EQ and match the Mackie easily and free...
The Wedge most of these morons will buy the Mackie and then wonder why the mix sounds crappy on everything else
Yeah ✌
@@axidhaus Yeah right!
@@axidhaus what about just listening to music and not mastering/mixing? Especially in 5:05 Man on Fire test, the Mackie just destroys it in terms of sound quality and how enjoyful it is.
@@markototev these are made for music production, if you wanna listen to the music and enjoy your place is not here, you can get any speakers you like they will give the same joyful sound as mackies. you dont need studio monitors for your needs. if the sound is enjoyable that monitor is probably is a trash
For mixing you want the flattest response possible. The Jackie colors the mids & highs too much for accurate mixing.
They both sound better for different styles of music
If you want to know what your mix will sound on a cell phone those mackies can help
Alesis Elevate 5 MKII Vs. Presonus 3.5 please 🥰
CR4 lacks lots of low end! for me, Alesis!
ALESIS GIVE COLOR TO LOW SOUND. realy nice !!
Yeah but colouring the sound is not the job of the monitor
These are STUDIO monitors!! It seems some commenters dont know the difference between these and HIFI Speakers. Yes the Makies sound clearer but thats not how Studio Monitors should be. If you like the Makies go and buy a good pair of HIFI Speakers for the same price. If you want to mix in a Home Studio go for The Alesis if you are on a budget. For a Starting Studio they are a great deal!
Alesis is like an FRFR full range flat response kinda of sound. Great for guitarist amp modelers
The Mackies sound like they have boosted high mids. That's great for the enduser/listener, but not for mixing.
Its not perfect but i like the Mackie cr4. Its good, sounds clear
Why not compare to the Mackie cr5 ?
Ales is x over is a bit naff but once you put the missing 2k back in they are fine especially for the price
ambos tienen las frequencias marcadas en alguna secciòn,mackie tiene màs coloridos los agudos y mos alessis màs remarcada en los bajos
The Mackie sounds like a telephone call. Go with Alesis! Simple compare the Hip Hop part.
not agree. they sounds truer
Alesis Elevate 5 MK II sounds outside the club, Mackie CR4 inside the club
who is that first song by? i literally cannot find it anywhere?
Hi, which are best studio monitors for electronic music production between Presonus Eris E3.5 and Alesis Elevate 5 MKII ?!, I am looking for flat/balanced sound response rather than boomy bass.
Thanks!
Alesis sounds too muffled
th-cam.com/video/oi1lTag_16o/w-d-xo.html
Mixed in Alesis Elevate 5
That’s called flat
@@GrandVibeMusicStudio so the sound oput was from the Alesis in that video? and what was it recorded on a zoom ?
@@drolsisusej100 No. Its the Direct Wav file after i mixed in alesis elevate5 that you heard in my channel.
@@GrandVibeMusicStudio I think you just sold me on the alesis, that mix sounds fantastic!! 👍👍👍
Which one will be perfect for studio ?
Am I weird for liking the sound of the Alesia?
th-cam.com/video/oi1lTag_16o/w-d-xo.html
Mixed in Alesis Elevate 5
No because that is a flat sound vs enhanced sound of Mackie
5:15 whats that sound?
that´s a clap
The elevate5 is more studio quality
Phase inverter port on the front is better, the sound is more complete and intense, imho
Thank you. This showed that the Alesis cannot be used for music production except for the most broad monitoring of the early mix stage. The Mackies aren't ideal, but at least they present some useable tone separation.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Hi, bass boost is on or off in Alesis ?
I think you probably turned on the bass boost...
@@mdshahnawazrazi1109 yeah that what I was thinking as well, he probably have it turned on because it sounds like it.
Thanks for this 🙏🏼
Mackie CR4 wins hands down. it's like going from the room where the music is to inside and it's clean. My listening through an Allen and Heath Zedi8 mixer with Pioneer HDJ-X10 headphones.
I am actually curious if the reason for this might be that the Alesis is front ported and the Mackie is rear ported. The bass test showed that the Alesis has far better bass response for sub bass area while the Mackie kinda just whiffed.
Out of curiosity I would like to see the Alesis against the KRK5 system... but that's what I have and being a little selfish.
Port placement has nothing to do with Alesis being inferior speaker to Mackie. Alesis is just plain bad
@@DSAUDIOreview Alesis - Good flat response and not too bad for home studios on a budget. If you want to listen to music dont get studio monitors get HiFi Speakers.
I got a pair of alesis analysed and ran next to Krk 7.5” in a treated room . Ok the krk are better (sensitivity and bandwidth ) but once you correct the x over point on the alesis and the cheap link cable they are surprisingly only about 5% down on quality compared to krk that’s remarkable considering the price .
Just got the Alesis for $80 a pair!
No comparison Mackie wins, and if bass is an issue then add sub-- Wallah
did you really just type 'wallah"
@@colind613 Sub Wallah is like Chai Wallah except instead of ringing you tea they bring you sub
I'm just wondering why the treble is so low on the Alesis? I have a set and if they're flat response they're brighter than the Mackie. Seems a bit rigged to me.
Best Monitor speakers under 150? And 100?
under 150 probably the Alesis Elevate 5MK3 which you can get quite cheap on Amazon, and under 100.. yeah not too sure about that lol
mackie for metal ... it's brighter and more open .
the alelis bass boost on or off???
Sounds like on...
The Alesis high's sound muffled comparatively.
Hello and congrats for the great review! I'd like to ask only one question (and please forgive my ignorance)...would it be possible to use a subwoofer in addition to the Mackie CR4, and how could I do that..? (I only have a normal laptop and going to buy those speakers)
Hi! There are few ways to connect CR4 to a sub. The easier way is to buy a subwoofer with RCA outputs for speakers. In that case You connect the subwoofer to Your laptop and than the speakers to a subwoofer and You are good to go. One think to consider than is that in this case You will set the volume of speakers and subwoofer once and from that point You will control the volume of whole system from Your laptop. Cheers!
Thank You so much.!!
I prefer the Mackies, the Alesis sound like they have a blanket covering them. In another test however, I liked the Presonus Eris E4.5 better than the Mackies.
😂😂
its called being "flat". mackie is just boosted eq sound lmao u dont how
elevate 4 vs mackie cr 4 please......!
My God, thank you for saving me from buying Alesis Elevate 5. That 'Man on fire' song was really shocking to hear a comparison of. I was going to get the MK1 too, which I'm not sure is worse?
Wow... so many people commenting without a single clue in the world about audio clarity. Those Mackie are fantastic over the Alesis! They've got clarity, which is what audio needs. Maybe you lot have been hammered by big bass speakers for so long you've forgotten what clarity is?
Depends on the purpose. Alesis is more flat and does not artificially enhance sound. It’s the difference between using them for listening rather than creating music
Can they be good for movies and music on pc? Thanks!
Watching this as Im listening out of my Alesis Elevate's... Ugh I wish I didn't get these....
Me too fam lol
I used to own Alesis Elevate 6, they look fantastic but the sound is rather disappointing.
All my mixes end up too harsh through them.
Vocals on cr4 were brighter, may or may not suit someone.
Noto gran diferencia de sonido entre ambos modelos. Me quedo con los Mackie, escucho una mejor definición en todo el espectro de sonido, con unos medios y agudos más presentes y nítidos mientras que los graves hacen su papel sin comerse a las otras frecuencias.
Me sorprende negativamente del Alesis, su sonido enmascarado.
Who are these Alesis recommended for?
for edm type of music production
Dream a Dream... IMO The alesis have better voice reproduction. The Voice sounds very full. The Mackies on the otherhand sound very empty.
Stay far away from the Elevate 5s is the msg. But it's too late and I just bought them. I am sol.
You can always return them...
Digital Stereophony I'll used them as 2 new kitty litter boxes. Toss the cones in the trash and fill with litter.
But Mackie lacks bass
mackie not lacks bass, in my opinion lacks of mid frequency
le son des alesis a plus de basse MAIS le son des mackie est je trouve moins étouffé même beaucoup plus clair . LESQUELLES SONT LES MIEUX !!!!!!!!!!
mmmmm, neither are good
id just save for something like kali lp6es
Alesis sound muddy......not crisp.
Joe Blow no, CR4 have no bass
U can fix that with a sub, how do you fix muddy sound?
Mackie is the best
CR4 have no bass
For me Meckie sounds more natural. In my opinion Alesis miss treble :P even if both has 20KHz
*HAS
Alesius are cloudy and muddy with the bass.
Alesis is Sound 😢 muddy 🤪 Makie best sound Crystal clear
Wow I was looking at monitors around this price point. Not going to touch the Alesis after hearing them they sound terrible. Thanks
That’s because they are more truthful. Perfect for studio, bad for entertainment
CR4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD SOUND! MACKIE WIN... TOP!
Please S2000pro !!!
It will be here later this week
Alesus sounds far but smooth
Alesis is the Male. Mackie is the Female.
the alesis are just better lol
ALESIS THE BEST !!
I mean if you prefer a speaker that obfuscates the actual mix then yes.
M S flat is better for mix
don't buy mackie , bass heavy, muddy. Your ears get tired very quick. I have to turn volume down all the time. Big regret here. using FIIO DAC 32 bit /192 (knowingli crisp and sharp, yet with this speaker sound is muddy) mid is missing and low is muddy high is weak
Alesis ужасно 😢 детализации на высоких, на средних нету. Берите уже лучше Edifier mr4
omg the alesis is so harsh and boxy, especially for 'long drive'.
Mackie CR4 is better!!!!
Ya mero en mi celular voy a diferenciar algo, estás comparaciones son una mierda.
Ponte audífonos tronco
@@christianarzate6760 camara culo, apoco con los audífonos automáticamente ya voy a escuchar un flagg a 1024 kbps suficientes para tomar la decisión? No seas piedra y deja de escribir burradas.
Mackie sounds terrible on headphones, almost like old radio.
musics of choice in this video is so bad. in your recent videos are a lot better.
alesis more bass
The Alesis sound like shit, really
Alesis wins.
makie very cheap sound .
Which is better? JBL 104 bt vs elesis elevate mk2