Auratone and Avantone audio brands are among some of the most popular and esteemed names in the audio industry. They’re essentially rivals, competing for market share and customer attention.
Auratone is a brand that is mostly used by professional musicians and bands, whereas Avantone is mainly used by audio engineers. This is mostly because Auratones are designed primarily for live sound reinforcement applications, while Avantones are designed primarily for studio applications.
Over the years, they have gained quite a bit of traction due to their high quality and equally high prices, but do they live up to the hype, and are they really worth your money? This article covers these two brands and stacks the Auratone vs Avantone products to determine which is better.
What is Auratone?
Auratone is a brand of audio equipment, primarily speakers and amplifiers. The company was founded in Chula Vista, CA, in 1958 by Jack Wilson, who had previously been in the radio business. He founded it in his garage, and it has been a family-owned company since then.
Auratone is renowned for its innovative audio products designed to help musicians and engineers make better recordings. They produce a wide range of products, including headphones, microphones, amplifiers, and speakers, all of which have been used in some of the most famous recording studios around the world. The company also operates under the name Auratone Electronics Corporation.
Auratone Products
Auratone produces a wide range of products, including:
1. Auratone 5C Super Sound Cube
The Auratone 5C Super Sound Cube is a speaker designed by Auratone. It features a 5” woofer and 1” tweeter and is available in white, black, or red finishes.
The Auratone 5C Super Sound Cube was designed for use in high-end home theaters and home audio systems. The speaker is designed to work with various electronics, including amplifiers, receivers, and music players such as iPods and MP3 players.
2. Auratone A2-30 Amp
The Auratone A2-30 is a very versatile amp with a sound that is both warm and clear. The A2-30 has an output of 30 watts RMS, so you can run it in a variety of situations. Whether you’re playing at home or on stage, the Auratone A2-30 will deliver quality sound.
The amplifier includes controls for volume, bass, treble, and balance. It also has a 3-band equalizer for bass and treble adjustments. You can use this amp to add extra power to your existing setup without taking up too much space.
3. Auratone C50A Studio Monitor
The Auratone C50A is a 50-watt 4-ohm studio monitor with a soft dome tweeter that offers smooth response up to 30kHz and delivers a warm, full sound. The 5” woofer is rated at 6 ohms, giving you plenty of power for big rooms. The two-way design gives you the flexibility to mount this speaker on either side of your desk or in a cabinet, so it can fit into any situation.
4. Auratone C5A 30watt Studio Monitor
This is a 30-watt studio monitor speaker. It has an old-school design, but it still sounds great. It is powered by a Class A/B amplifier with 2 x 15 watts (total of 30 watts). It has a frequency response between 18Hz to 20kHz. It also includes a bass boost switch for the woofer, making it sound even better.
What is Avantone?
Avantone is a company that makes high-quality audio products. They are located in New York City and have been making electronics since the 1960s. It started as an audio accessories manufacturer but soon expanded into the professional audio market by offering high-quality headphones, amplifiers, mixers, speakers, and recording software.
The company’s first product was the Avantone MixCube which offered a professional monitor for home and studio use. This product picked off and became the standard in most professional studios and was later revamped for modern markets.
Avantone Products
Avantone produces a wide range of products, including:
1. Avantone Monitors
The Avantone Monitors GAUSS 7 is a passive two-way bass with a large front port and an angled rear chamber. It works well in small to medium-sized rooms and can be used for studio monitoring or listening at home. It is Avantone’s most popular model because it offers reasonable prices for low distortion, low-frequency extension, and clarity.
The CLA-10A and CLA-10 are similar in size and performance to the GAUSS 7 but use different drivers. Both have a large front port that allows for easy placement near a wall or corner.
2. Avantone MixCubes
The Avantone MixCubes are a set of three high-quality studio monitors featuring a 5-inch woofer, 1-inch tweeter, and adjustable bass roll-off. The speakers are designed to give you the best possible sound at an affordable price.
Avantone MixCubes come equipped with a slimline design and easy to use controls. You can adjust the bass level to suit your needs and choose from three different crossover frequencies (50Hz/30Hz/20Hz).
The Avantone MixCubes offer high performance for all types of music, including acoustic instruments such as guitars, drums, and vocals. These speakers also deliver great clarity when listening to electronic music or spoken word recordings.
3. Headphones
Avantone’s top headphones include the Planar and MP-1, which are excellent choices for anyone looking for affordable, high-quality headphones. Their sound reproduction is detailed and clear, without annoying resonances or sibilance. The bass is punchy but not overpowering, and the mids and highs are well-balanced with no hint of harshness or sibilance. Their design also makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.
4. Microphones
The Avantone Microphone Bundle includes a variety of microphones that can be used in a wide range of applications.
- The ADM is a small diaphragm condenser microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern that is ideal for recording vocals or acoustic instruments.
- The ATOM is a dynamic cardioid condenser microphone well suited for tracking drums and other low-frequency energy sources.
- The CK1 and CK40 are electret condenser microphones with omnidirectional polar patterns ideal for capturing ambient sounds in large rooms or recording instrument cabinets.
- The Bonzo is an electrostatic ribbon mic capable of capturing high-quality sound at low levels without distortion.
5. Avantone Amplifiers CLA-100,200,400
Avantone Amplifiers CLA-100,200,400 are the best of the best. These amplifiers are designed to deliver the ultimate sound quality at a reasonable price. They have been tested and approved by professional musicians around the world.
The Avantone Amplifiers CLA-100,200,400 are a set of three amplifiers that are all based on the same design but with different power ratings. The CLA-100 is rated at 100 watts per channel, while the CLA-200 and CLA-400 are rated at 200 and 400 watts, respectively. All three amplifiers use an LED-lighted power indicator to let you know how much power has been used so far.
6. Avantone AV-10 Woofer
The Avantone AV-10 woofer is a 10” cone woofer with a 1.75” voice coil and is among its best seller. The woofer is designed to play loud and deliver accurate bass responses at low frequencies.
The AV-10 features an aluminum coil former, which helps to prevent interaction between the voice coil and the surrounding air mass. This helps to reduce distortion caused by the voice coil moving within its magnetic gap.
The AV-10 offers a frequency response from 50Hz – 22kHz with an impedance of 4 ohms, giving it plenty of headroom for most amplifiers and systems.
Auratone vs Avantone Differences
These two brands don’t have much that would go into differentiating them. However, here are a few aspects in which they differ:
- The most apparent difference between the two products is their looks. Avantone has a more modern look and feel, while Auratone looks more old-school or classic. This is most seen between the Sound cube and the MixCube.
- Auratone products are more expensive than Avantone products, which go at slightly lower prices in the same class. The Auratone Sound Cube costs $250, while the MixCube is priced at $199.
- Auratone products are used for live sound reinforcement systems, while Avantone products are used for studio sound reinforcement systems. This means that Auratones tend to be larger devices than Avantones.
- Auratones also tend to have more power output than Avantones.
Final Word
In the Auratone vs Avantone comparison, it is nearly impossible to determine which brand takes the day. They both make their products with high-quality components and top-notch operation. However, Avantone has more product options available to those who want to use them. This gives you more versatility in some situations, such as recording instruments with various pickup types.
Otherwise, there aren’t many significant differences between the two once you get past their price points and purposes. Your decision will ultimately come down to which is better suited for your needs.
