---
product_id: 861804
title: "M1A320USBXUS Active 320 USB | Full-Range Studio Monitor Desktop Speakers with Bass Boost (Pair)"
brand: "alesis"
price: "$842"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Alesis"
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/861804-m1a320usbxus-active-320-usb-full-range-studio-monitor-desktop-speakers
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# 10W RMS per channel power Integrated USB audio interface Bass Boost switch +4.8dB at 100Hz M1A320USBXUS Active 320 USB | Full-Range Studio Monitor Desktop Speakers with Bass Boost (Pair)

**Brand:** alesis
**Price:** $842
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎧 Elevate your home studio with pro sound that fits your desk and your vibe.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** M1A320USBXUS Active 320 USB | Full-Range Studio Monitor Desktop Speakers with Bass Boost (Pair) by alesis
- **How much does it cost?** $842 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/861804-m1a320usbxus-active-320-usb-full-range-studio-monitor-desktop-speakers)

## Best For

- alesis enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted alesis brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Smart Desktop Design:** Front headphone output and volume/power knob combo keep your workflow smooth and your desk clutter-free.
- • **Customizable Bass Boost:** Switchable bass enhancement adds a tight, punchy low end without muddiness—perfect for precise mixing.
- • **Compact Yet Powerful Drivers:** 3-inch woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter deliver crystal-clear mids and sparkling highs in a sleek footprint.
- • **Pro-grade USB Audio Interface:** Plug-and-play USB connectivity with no drivers needed for seamless desktop recording and playback.
- • **Versatile Multi-Input Compatibility:** Supports 1/8” stereo, RCA, and 1/4” inputs to connect keyboards, mixers, and more with ease.

## Overview

The Alesis M1A320USBXUS Active 320 USB studio monitors combine a 3-inch woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter with a built-in USB audio interface for effortless desktop recording and playback. Delivering 10 watts RMS per channel and a frequency response up to 20kHz, these compact speakers feature a bass boost switch for enhanced low-end control and multiple input options including 1/8”, RCA, and 1/4” jacks. Designed for millennial creatives and home studio pros, they offer clear, accurate sound reproduction with a minimal footprint and intuitive controls.

## Description

Alesis delivers a pro-grade USB speaker performance to the computer desktop.M1 Active 320 USB speakers enable you to play audio from your computer and record audio coming into the speaker to your computer. Simply plug in the USB cable to your computer – no special drivers required. A Bass Boost switch helps emphasize bass frequencies.M1 Active 320 USB speakers are substantial audio monitors that also serve as a convenient audio interface. Keyboards, mic pre’s, guitar effects, DJ Mixers, or standard CD and tape players can all easily connect directly to the M1Active 320 USB.Full range, superb sound quality ensures that you get more accurate audio reproduction to check your mixes.Technical SpecsWoofer: 3” lightweight, magnetically-shielded, polypropylene cone with rubber surround and highpower handling voice coil. 4 Ohm impedance.Tweeter: 1” silk domeFrequency Response: 80 Hz – 20,000 HzBass Boost: 4.8dB at 100HzPower: 10 W per channel RMSSignal-to-Noise Ratio: 88dB weightedInputs: 1/4” TS, RCA, 1/8” Stereo, USB1.1Input Impedance: 20k ΩDAC/ADC: 16 bit delta sigma, 44.1kHz or 48kHz sampling rateDimensions (width x height x depth): 6.0” x 5.0” x 7.5”Net Weight: 7.5 lbsBox ContentsM1 Active 320 USB SpeakersPower CableUSB Cable1/8” CableQuickstart ManualSafety & Warranty Information

Review: These speakers are a very good deal. - According to ALesis technical specs they are rated at 10 W/channel RMS, 80 Hz to 20 kHz. Each speaker unit contains a 1" silk dome tweeter and a 3" woofer. The bass response is limited, but very tight. These speakers are well designed for critical listening. The clarity is amazing. The mid range and vocals are clear. There isn't any noticeable hiss at the high end (at normal listening levels). I connected these speakers to a small SONY Mini-disk player and the sound was amazing. I heard things I had never heard before. The vocals were much cleaner. The bass was solid and well controlled. I also connected them to a YAMAHA piaggaro NP11 keyboard (via its earphone connection). The keyboard wasn't any louder than with its built in speakers, but the piano voice sounded much more realistic. I tried the USB connection with a Windows 7 PC. The USB connection crashed that PC 3 times (I gave up). There may have been other issues involved, but I couldn't get it working with Win 7 in the USB mode. It did sound very good on that PC when connected as speakers on my existing sound card. I tried the USB connection on an old DELL laptop with Windows XP Pro. The XP based PC recognized the USB connection with no problems. I have not attempted to use the USB interface for recording. ALesis makes much better interfaces for that purpose for about $65 (US). The inputs on the speaker are additive and produce a single combined output to the unit's amplifier. It's a nice touch, but for all but the most basic uses you would be better off with a separate USB interface unit. All that being said ... I think that these are a super pair of speakers for their size and price. Unless your intention is to produce a throbbing bass heavy musical creation these speakers could serve well as a low cost studio monitor system for a beginning song writer/musician. These monitors paired with a relatively inexpensive USB audio interface and a lite version of a DAW such as Pro Tools, SONAR,Cubase, Ableton etc. could form the basis of a modest, but functional home studio. Note: Licensed copies of the aforementioned lite DAWs are often provided by the USB interface manufacturer. Several DAWs are available free or at a minimal cost on the Internet, however you will need an audio PC interface anyway so the supplied software is a good deal.
Review: Truly impressive. Better than competitors! - There are a lot of cheap 3"monitors to choose from these days. And the reality is that speaker technology today far exceeds that of my youth. The sound that comes out of small boxes today is truly impressive. That said, how do you decide? I have had a few sets of small monitors. My job requires them. I have had Mackie CR3s, - a fun speaker that is ultimately not very good for monitoring. I have had monoprice - incredibly flat but with poor reliability. I have tested AV32s, as well. At this price point, there are always trade offs. Many are good, but none great. In the end you may decide to buy based on features as the deciding factor as there is no perfect speaker at any price, let alone a C note. That said, where does this set land? I overly stressed and critiqued and reviewed small monitors knowing the above truths. In the end,I bought these Alesis based on size, a volume knob that doubles as a power knob (a must in my book) and the added flexibility of USB - though admittedly, I don't use it - yet anyway. But I really got more than I bargained for. These are truly little gems in terms of acoustic acumen, too. There response is incredibly smooth and linear while still managing to have sparkling highs that are lively but never harsh. They have a great vocal range without either the dreaded u shaped sound signature, or overly efficient and resonant and forward mids - both common in speakers this size. And if you want to make sure the bass isn't getting out of hand on larger systems, flip the bass boost. Unlike others, this boost works well within its range without too much muddiness - just a pleasant and present bottom end. I actually leave it on all the time - it's a bit exaggerated as expected, but keeps my audio tracks from getting too boomy. It is more accurate with it off, but still a useful tool. The only sonic downside is their of axis response. It is pretty terrible. The sweet spot is super sweet but terribly small and hard to achieve in a work desk environment. I guess those wave guides around tweeters help out more than I was want to admit... Get the speakers up and pointed at your ear holes to be truly impressed. Otherwise, just good. One other small thing - the 1/8th inch aux plug is in the back of these cabinets instead of in the front. I see this is a extremely minor infraction for two reasons: they have a superior USB interface, and I just leave a small cable plugged into the back and running to the front door when u want to plug in an aux source. That way the cord is always at the ready, but hidden as well (if need be.) Pros: Smaller than other 3"cabinets Linear response Dynamic Lively highs natural tonal range Useful bass boost Loud with minimal distortion at peak Precise sound stage USB interface Volume/power knob combo Detachable power cord Cons: Terrible off axis response/ Minuscule sweet spot Tacky product badging

## Features

- Stereo monitors with integrated USB audio interface; 3-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter
- 16-Bit / 44.1-48kHz recording and playback
- Features stereo 1/8-inch (3.5mm), RCA and 1/4-inch (6.3mm) inputs
- Includes a front-mounted 1/8-inch stereo headphone output
- Full, rich acoustics with a frequency response up to 20kHz
- Switchable power supply

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0011Z87I0 |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Best Sellers Rank | #234,978 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #584 in Studio Audio Monitors |
| Color Screen | No |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Customer Reviews | 3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars (223) |
| Date First Available | May 8, 2008 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00694318011850 |
| Included Components | M1 Active 320 USB Speakers, Power Cable, USB Cable, 1/8” Cable, Quickstart Manual, Safety & Warranty Information |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Is Waterproof | FALSE |
| Item Weight | 4.4 pounds |
| Item model number | M1 Active 320USB's |
| Manufacturer | Alesis |
| Model Name | M1 Active 320 |
| Mounting Type | Plug Mount,Tabletop |
| Number of Items | 2 |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Product Dimensions | 7.5"D x 6"W x 5"H |
| Recommended Uses For Product | For Computers, For Music Production, For Audio Recording |
| Size | 6X3X3 |
| Speaker Amplification Type | Active |
| Speaker Size | 6.5 Inches |
| Speaker Type | Computer, Surround Sound, Woofer |
| Special Feature | The Alesis M1Active 320 USB-audio speaker system is the new world-class standard for USB audio playback and capture. Alesis brings pro-grade USB speaker performance to the computer desktop. M1Active 320 USB speakers enable you to play audio from your computer and record audio coming into the speaker to your computer. Simply plug in the USB cable to your computer ? No special drivers required. M1Ac… |
| Specific Uses For Product | personal |
| Subwoofer Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Subwoofer Diameter | 3 Inches |
| Surround Sound Channel Configuration | 1.1 |
| Tweeter Diameter | 1 Inches |
| UPC | 694318011850 694318004630 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Type | Limited Warranty |
| Wattage | 10 watts |
| Woofer Diameter | 3 Inches |

## Product Details

- **Audio Output Mode:** Stereo
- **Brand:** Alesis
- **Connectivity Technology:** USB
- **Frequency Response:** 20000 Hz
- **Speaker Maximum Output Power:** 10 Watts

## Images

![M1A320USBXUS Active 320 USB | Full-Range Studio Monitor Desktop Speakers with Bass Boost (Pair) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81a16IAw9gL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ These speakers are a very good deal.
*by J***I on October 20, 2014*

According to ALesis technical specs they are rated at 10 W/channel RMS, 80 Hz to 20 kHz. Each speaker unit contains a 1" silk dome tweeter and a 3" woofer. The bass response is limited, but very tight. These speakers are well designed for critical listening. The clarity is amazing. The mid range and vocals are clear. There isn't any noticeable hiss at the high end (at normal listening levels). I connected these speakers to a small SONY Mini-disk player and the sound was amazing. I heard things I had never heard before. The vocals were much cleaner. The bass was solid and well controlled. I also connected them to a YAMAHA piaggaro NP11 keyboard (via its earphone connection). The keyboard wasn't any louder than with its built in speakers, but the piano voice sounded much more realistic. I tried the USB connection with a Windows 7 PC. The USB connection crashed that PC 3 times (I gave up). There may have been other issues involved, but I couldn't get it working with Win 7 in the USB mode. It did sound very good on that PC when connected as speakers on my existing sound card. I tried the USB connection on an old DELL laptop with Windows XP Pro. The XP based PC recognized the USB connection with no problems. I have not attempted to use the USB interface for recording. ALesis makes much better interfaces for that purpose for about $65 (US). The inputs on the speaker are additive and produce a single combined output to the unit's amplifier. It's a nice touch, but for all but the most basic uses you would be better off with a separate USB interface unit. All that being said ... I think that these are a super pair of speakers for their size and price. Unless your intention is to produce a throbbing bass heavy musical creation these speakers could serve well as a low cost studio monitor system for a beginning song writer/musician. These monitors paired with a relatively inexpensive USB audio interface and a lite version of a DAW such as Pro Tools, SONAR,Cubase, Ableton etc. could form the basis of a modest, but functional home studio. Note: Licensed copies of the aforementioned lite DAWs are often provided by the USB interface manufacturer. Several DAWs are available free or at a minimal cost on the Internet, however you will need an audio PC interface anyway so the supplied software is a good deal.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Truly impressive. Better than competitors!
*by T***Y on September 27, 2017*

There are a lot of cheap 3"monitors to choose from these days. And the reality is that speaker technology today far exceeds that of my youth. The sound that comes out of small boxes today is truly impressive. That said, how do you decide? I have had a few sets of small monitors. My job requires them. I have had Mackie CR3s, - a fun speaker that is ultimately not very good for monitoring. I have had monoprice - incredibly flat but with poor reliability. I have tested AV32s, as well. At this price point, there are always trade offs. Many are good, but none great. In the end you may decide to buy based on features as the deciding factor as there is no perfect speaker at any price, let alone a C note. That said, where does this set land? I overly stressed and critiqued and reviewed small monitors knowing the above truths. In the end,I bought these Alesis based on size, a volume knob that doubles as a power knob (a must in my book) and the added flexibility of USB - though admittedly, I don't use it - yet anyway. But I really got more than I bargained for. These are truly little gems in terms of acoustic acumen, too. There response is incredibly smooth and linear while still managing to have sparkling highs that are lively but never harsh. They have a great vocal range without either the dreaded u shaped sound signature, or overly efficient and resonant and forward mids - both common in speakers this size. And if you want to make sure the bass isn't getting out of hand on larger systems, flip the bass boost. Unlike others, this boost works well within its range without too much muddiness - just a pleasant and present bottom end. I actually leave it on all the time - it's a bit exaggerated as expected, but keeps my audio tracks from getting too boomy. It is more accurate with it off, but still a useful tool. The only sonic downside is their of axis response. It is pretty terrible. The sweet spot is super sweet but terribly small and hard to achieve in a work desk environment. I guess those wave guides around tweeters help out more than I was want to admit... Get the speakers up and pointed at your ear holes to be truly impressed. Otherwise, just good. One other small thing - the 1/8th inch aux plug is in the back of these cabinets instead of in the front. I see this is a extremely minor infraction for two reasons: they have a superior USB interface, and I just leave a small cable plugged into the back and running to the front door when u want to plug in an aux source. That way the cord is always at the ready, but hidden as well (if need be.) Pros: Smaller than other 3"cabinets Linear response Dynamic Lively highs natural tonal range Useful bass boost Loud with minimal distortion at peak Precise sound stage USB interface Volume/power knob combo Detachable power cord Cons: Terrible off axis response/ Minuscule sweet spot Tacky product badging

### ⭐ Power supply goes out
*by L***E on October 10, 2012*

I purchased these monitors and used them a few times to test out - they sounded good enough for their size. But, after not using them for 4 months I finally installed them in a vocal booth and after just 1 day of moderate use the power supply blew out. No power, no blue light, nothing. There is still some spark visible when I plug the cord into socket so there is some power going into the box, but nothing works. This is apparently a known issue with Alesis and I've read other reports of similar problems which is a design flaw in the power supply board. Don't waste your time or money.

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-03-02*