I have both the Fostex PM0.5 MKII and the BX5a Deluxe for a while now. While the BX5a tends to get higher review rating and is more popular, I personally prefer the PM0.5 due to its having more bass & volume. Both models cost about the same, with the PM0.5 roughly $20 cheaper. The PM0.5 is bigger, heavier, has a heat sink in the back, with a combo XLR/TRS jack. While the BX5a has a bigger tweeter, separate XLR & TRS jacks. Construction-wise, both are well-made. If you plan to share the same monitor between 2 difference sources, then the separate input of the BX5a is more convenient (you can always get a Y-adapter to support 2 inputs on the PM0.5). The BX5a has more clarity & boosted details, but is more on a tinny side. The PM0.5 has more boom but less treble. I guess the difference is due to the size of the tweeter and the length of the bass port (the BX5a has larger tweeter & 1 rear bass port, while the PM0.5 has 2 front bass ports). Sounds coming out of the PM0.5 resemble more of the ambience of my car & home stereo than the BX5a. For my home-studio purpose, I like the warmer sound of the PM0.5 more. I do use them to watch movie once in a while, and the PM0.5 is more suitable as the main speakers, while the BX5a is better placed for surround speakers. For further references, I have placed audio samples of a song I wrote & arranged (so there won't be any copyright violation issue), re-recorded with an AKG C414B condenser mic, placed at same height as the tweeter, normalized to -15dB. Hope they'll help making your choice easier (instead of having to buy both like I did :) http://music.jeffreydoan.com/mp3/MissYouTonight.mp3 (direct mix) http://music.jeffreydoan.com/mp3/MissYouTonight-bx5a.mp3 (re-recorded with bx5a) http://music.jeffreydoan.com/mp3/MissYouTonight-pm05.mp3 (re-recorded with pm0.5)

Songwriter

Vocal

Very warm and clear sound. Sounds better than Mackies that are double the price. The response is flat and accurate, mids and low mids sound full without affecting the sharpness of the highs. I have the Fostex subwoofer but the bass response on these speakers is good also.

Heavy and strong construction. They look good too.

Excellent monitors for the price. Great for mixing and mastering. Your mixes will sound good on any system.

producer/engineer

hip hop, funk, electro