the box pro CX 5

Good for practice and small venues

I was a little disappointed that I couldn't use it as a mixer for my gigs. As anything plugged in through the front cannot be sent to an external source.

A good stage monitor for singers.

Near-perfect stage monitor for keyboards

The rating should really be 4.5 stars, if that was possible. The speaker is easy to place, loud enough, and rugged. I like the fact that the EQ bands only move +/-6dB -- enough for stage use, but not enough to accidentally mess up the stage mix. I like the line ins and outs being on the back, too.

I've been using a pair of these for several years, and they are holding up great!

The only minus is that the sound isn't perfectly neutral (although it tries), and a little lacking in lower bass. It does, however, provide a boost in the frequency band that is most often unheard from the main PA, and used in that context works great to keep my keys from disappearing in the stage mix.

Neat unit

This is an excellent product, the sound is great and I have it connected to my Zoom 8 track and it doesn't take up much room.

Good for the price. Super multi-purpose amp.

I bought this to amplify a electronics drum set. And at the same time being able to connect a mic and external device. The volume and the sound is punchy, with a little too much on the mids and too much treble and bass but turns out to be good for using the electronic drums for practicing. The construction quality is good for the price and it is easy to transport and use anywhere. In general a good product.

Not for amplified music

Useful on paper. Bought after researching the market for similar items, it has great features and feels sturdy. However, the sound is tremendously poor, heavy distortion and "limit" indication before 50% of gain on the channels and master. Guess this can be useful for classic music or jazz, acoustic appliances. On stage, for keyboards, together with guitar-amps and similar this product, how good it might seem, do not deliver sufficient sound level or quality, unfortunately.

Ok for shout - Stage/FOH

Great Shout Speaker

We use this compact unit for our shout systems. They are poky enough to be heard over loud stage noise.

A Real Work Horse!

Okay I've waited a few months to do this review I wanted to give it a fair shot. I know when I ordered it I wasn't expecting anything too fancy because it was so cheap, but when it arrived I was very pleasantly surprised by its look and build (I was taken instantly back to my childhood and good old "Tonka Toys").

This thing has a robust tough plastic case and a durable metal front grill a solid handle for carrying around (you could even suspend/hang it by the handle). There are five inputs in total ample for most of my needs. It has a tripod bracket so that it can fit on top of a mic stand.

I've used this for small intimate restaurant type gigs where my voice doesn’t need much amplification

I put my VL3X pedal through it to carry the effects for my voice, guitar and running any backing tracks/loops through it.

At bigger gigs I use it as my personal (in my face) monitor for which it is more than ample.

I've used it to boost the volume of my uBass and my Acoustic guitar/bass at tiny pub garden events (it is perfect for this).

I've also used it to run my iPod through for some background music.

I've read other reviews where the reviewer wasn't happy about it not having any built in effects, well what do you expect for that price plus built in effect are overrated and have far less control.

Yes it does have sharp corners and I have noticed that the new thing these days is for music equipment to be sporting soft comfy corners like they've just stepped out of "Mothercare" I like the sharp corners if they hurt you then you are standing too close to my monitor so "get back into the audience with you". If it worries some of you too much one can always get the "Sugru" out and mamby pamby it for the softer types out there.

The thing is clear as a bell at all volumes and no feedback problems (unless you are a plonker and point your microphone directly at it).

No real cons as far as I can see other than I'd like to be able to buy a short mic pole to fit in the top so that the mic stand it sits on becomes a bit more multi purpose.

All in all it does what it says on the tin and I am seriously considering buying another.

Perfect for compact home studio

I wanted a general purpose studio monitor that didnt take up much space - the CX 5 is EXACTLY what I needed. I can run my mixer through it, I can put a keyboard into it, use it as guitar PA. The controls are solid and the amp is very well built. the control knobs are stepped, which is a nice touch. The variety on input combinations is great.

This is not a hi-fi system nor a near-field monitoring... having said that, because of its portablility, you can easily use this for garden parties etc and the sound would be good enough - impressively loud and impressively low-distortion as high volumes.

Very impressive piece of kit.