Monoprice isn’t new to us here at Techaeris as we’ve already reviewed a few items from the company including headsets to monitors and cables. This time, they were gracious enough to let us review their Monoprice DT-5BT Multimedia Desktop Powered Speakers that offer a 60W, 5.25″ Polypropylene woofer, a 0.75″ Silk dome tweeter, multiple ports in the back for input/output, and Bluetooth. Read on for our full review!
Specifications
- Model: 36573
- Woofer: 5.25″ polypropylene cone
- Tweeter: 0.75″ silk dome
- Amplifier Type: Class AB
- Woofer Amplifier Power: 15 watts/channel
- Tweeter Amplifier Power: 10 watts/channel
- Frequency Response: 45Hz – 20kHz
- Inputs: 3.5mm AUX, Stereo RCA, Stereo balanced 1/4″ TRS, Bluetooth
- Output: 3.5mm headphone
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5
- Input Power: 110 – 120 VAC, 50/60 Hz
- Dimensions (each): 10.3″ x 7.3″ x 8.0″ (261 x 185 x 203 mm)
What’s in the box
- Monoprice DT-5BT speakers
- Speaker interconnect cable
- 3.5mm AUX cable
- Stereo RCA audio cable
- User manual
Design
Desktop speakers have a tendency to come in different shapes and sizes to fit each consumer’s needs. You can find small circular LED speakers with a sub or small multimedia speakers from many manufacturers. Monoprice, on the other hand, is going the opposite direction of small multimedia speakers on your desktop with their latest speakers. The Monoprice DT-5BT Multimedia Desktop Powered Speakers are a whopping 10.3″ in height that still sit nicely on your desk.
Both speakers are identical in looks other than the “Master” speaker having the volume knob and LED light. The light indicates when is powered on or connected via Bluetooth. The speakers also sport a 3.5mm AUX port and a 3.5mm headphone port. The Polypropylene woofer takes up most of the space on the multimedia speakers with the tweeter above it. The top, left, and right side of the speakers are blank but the back is where all the cable connections are.
When looking at the rear panel of the “Master” speaker, you’ll notice a hole for the tweeter towards the top, 1/4″ balanced TRS jacks, and RCA jack input on the left with output ports that’ll connect the included speaker wire to the “Slave” unit. The Bluetooth pairing button is below the Input ports. At the bottom of the rear panel are the power switch and the power cable that plugs into an outlet. As for the back on the “Slave” unit, the only port available is the output port for the speaker wire to connect to.
By no means does this mean you can’t use them on a small desk, but if you don’t have space (like I don’t), then you’ll have to put them on the floor.
Ease of Use
Setting everything up isn’t the most difficult thing, but if you don’t know what you’re doing then it can get a little complicated with all the ports in the back of the “Master” speaker.
First, connect the power cable to an outlet and leave the unit powered off. From there, you can take the speaker wire and connect both units together so the sound comes out of both speakers. You can also connect the speakers to something that also uses RCA cables like a TV, DVD player, or DJ equipment. The same goes for the 1/4″ balanced TRS jacks. If you’re connecting to or from a mono balanced line input or output or connecting a stereo output to a stereo input, you do have that option. It’s all plug and play depending on what you’re using the speakers for.
Since the 3.5mm AUX and headphone port are in the front of the device, it’s pretty simple to understand since all you’re doing is plugging in the AUX cable to your phone or PC or your headphones to the speaker instead of the PC.
Bluetooth is also easy to connect and pair with. Press the “Pair” button on the back of the “Master” speaker and you’ll see a blue light flash letting you know the speaker is ready to be paired. Head to the device settings that you want to pair with the speaker and tap on “DT-5BT.” After that, both units will be paired and you can play audio when you’re ready.
One thing I’m not the biggest fan of is the AUX port being on the front of the master speaker and then having to wrap AUX cable around to the back of the speaker leading to the back on my PC.
Sound
With speakers this size, you would think they’re pushing out some good sound even if it’s 60W. Well, that’s the case here. They sound exceptionally good and push out sound a lot better than I expected, even for 60 watts.
Even though I had to place the speakers on the floor under my desk because they’re too big for my desk, they still sounded great. I didn’t notice any distortion or sounding muffled when music or videos were playing from the computer.
The sound from my computer was set to 100%, but I would control the volume with the volume knob on the speaker. Even with the knob barely up, you could hear the playback clearly. They do get much louder than any speaker I’ve used when continuously turning the volume up higher and higher, so if you do live in an apartment, your neighbors may end up hearing what you’re playing.
Price
Monoprice is offering these speakers for US$179.99. It may seem on the more expensive side, but for what you get, I feel that this price is pretty fair. Not everyone will pay this price, but it’s worth it. You don’t even need to use these speakers with your PC if you don’t want to since there are RCA and 1/4″ TRS ports in the back. Bluetooth is also onboard, further extending the functionality of these speakers.
Wrap Up
Overall, the Monoprice DT-5BT Multimedia Desktop Powered Speakers do sound excellent and are worth purchasing even if they cost $180. They can be too big for some desks, but even if you place them on the floor, you’re still able to hear everything.
If you’re not looking for something of this caliber because they are too big or expensive, you can always purchase the DT-3 50W speaker or the DT-4 60W. The difference between all three models is the wattage, size, price, and the DT-3 doesn’t come with Bluetooth capabilities. If either of these units is what you’re looking for, the price of the DT-3 is $79.99 and the DT-4 is $129.99.
Even better, Monoprice has offered up a 15% discount for a limited time for our readers! Hit the purchase link below and enter code TECHDT15 at checkout to save on any of the above three models. The code is valid now through 6/30/2019 and is valid on orders for 36573, 36572, and/or 36571 placed between 6/10/19-6/30/19 only. Limit one code per order and cannot be combined with other coupon codes, offers, or preferred pricing. Codes are limit 2 redemptions per customer.
Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
