Studio Reference Monitors For The VF-160

[ShadowKat]

I'm using my VF-160 strictly as a stand alone unit, and I'm wondering what kind of studio reference monitors are out there that don't require an amp, that are small for portability, and don't cost an arm and a leg that, I can just plug right into the unit when I get tired of those head phones burning my ears!

[billisa]

There are a ton out there, some made by Fostex. Actually Fostex has been making speaker drivers for decades... Brands like M-Audio, Yamaha, Roland, KRK are also very common. It all depends on what you want to spend. Look for powered monitors and you can just plug and play right out of the VF160.

[ShadowKat]

Hey, Bill:

Good to hear from you, again.....But can you be more specific?...like can I go passive?......do i need to go active....when you say 'plug & play', do you mean powered?.....I'm looking for something small in diameter and at a bargain price....I've been shopping ebay, but not really sure specifically what to shop for!

[billisa]

Hey Shadow!

You need active monitors. Once you get those you just plug them into the VF and you're good to go. Obviously you want to check the connections on a given model to see what you can use coming out of the Fostex.

Some models near the budget lines can use s/pdif in, so you can go s/dif out from the VF and stay in the digital domain, but I don't think this is critical.

I've heard good things about the Samson Resolve series and about the Fostex PM1.0. My advise is go on 8th street music, or Zsounds, and check for monitors under the recording equipment section.

Also, if you have a Sam Ash or Guitar Center (or both, or some other) then go in and listen to the various models.

Get the best you can afford.

[cellardweller]

I've gotta say, my Yorkshire PSM1P's are the shizzle for rizzle (sorry couldn't resist the "snoop-ism").

I love them, and they came highly recommended by many on these forums. Gear1music had the best price going when I bought mine, they were 30 bucks cheaper than anywhere else I believe, and gear1 also offers excellent service and good response time.

Musicians friend has a pretty good sale going this month, have you looked there?

[Garry Sharp]

Actually I find it better not to listen to my recordings - saves money on monitors and not so damaging to the morale

And it was good enough for Beethoven....

[billisa]

Originally posted by Garry Sharp
Actually I find it better not to listen to my recordings - saves money on monitors and not so damaging to the morale

And it was good enough for Beethoven....

Garry is lying. His band is excellent, with a dynamite lead vocalist.

[Garry Sharp]

Aw shucks Bill

S-Kat the question your post raised was portability - how are you planning to use them?

[billisa]

Originally posted by Garry Sharp
Aw shucks Bill

S-Kat the question your post raised was portability - how are you planning to use them?

hey Garry, I'm going to ask this elsewhere, but since you're a guitarist, do you know the general frequency created by "string-squeak"? My son did something with a lot of sliding chord changes and I'd like to reduce the squeak by eq'ing out the offending frequency.

[cellardweller]

I have heard that Elixyr (sp?) strings reduce string squeak because they are coated, they are also supposed to last longer, and not take as long to break in.

[billisa]

Originally posted by cellardweller
I have heard that Elixyr (sp?) strings reduce string squeak because they are coated, they are also supposed to last longer, and not take as long to break in.

yes, you're right on all counts. although some people claim elixers aren't as bright because of the way they're made...

[ShadowKat]

Bill:

Thanks....exactly what I needed to know!

Cellardweller:

Actually, I started my search for monitors at Musicians Friend, mostly because I buy a lot of gear from them for the band....but they don't offer a lot in the way of reference monitors, except on the high end, which is a little too rich for my blood.

Garry:

The portabillity issue is really not all that critical.....Before I go to mixdown, I like to run over to the bass players house and let him "approve" of the mix, and we're alway's doing that with headphones on......with smaller portable capable speakers, I could carry them with me and actually have converstation as we listen. I also carry along a condenser mike to add additional vocal work. I got the gig bag with my unit, and I make good use of it.

[jonathanz]

Honestly what you could do is if you wanted something cheap and portable hit the edirol powered monitors.... fair enough to give you the truth of your sound and they won't break you, they're like $150.00 a pair and powered, good for digital!
But if you wanna go cheaper, then take the rca outs on the vf-160 pug it in to your home stereo's input and take all bass boost or extra sound enhancers off the stereo ex. like if your stereo has an eq,set it flat with no extra treble or bass..... Try one of those, either way works nicely.

[ShadowKat]

I saw those edriol's and wondered how sufficient they would be, but they make several models.....Musicians supply had a close out on them in their latest catalog.......But they sold out as fast as the catalog came out!!.....I got the notion they were more like PC speakers........Which model are you making reference to?

[jonathanz]

The model is the ma-10D!! They are some of the best you can get!! I will probably get a reply on how wrong I am but in all honesty you want small clear speakers for studio reff. not big!!
The reason being is that you never know who all will listen to your music and where they might do it!(Car,Walkman, ect.)
You see if you get a great mix on small speakers then you know it will sound even better on big speakers, but this in reverse will not work. Music always sounds good on the big ones, but, if you listen to the same song on small monitors it can sound like the level output is too low or even distorted: trust me they will do the job!!

[ShadowKat]

Jonathanz:

Thanks for getting back with me......what do you think of the Edirol MA-5D model?.....I assume, at the least, the difference is the number representing the wattage of the amp (10watt vs. 5watts)......the reason why I ask is that Muscians Supply has that model at a close out price right now!

[jonathanz]

Your right!! Either one is going to be fine because they will be used for mixing not for jamming.... There is a small diff. lol!!!

[Kramer]

You can't do any critical listening with those small edirols.

[jonathanz]

yeah, yeah, like I said some one will say I'm wrong, but again you have to crawl before you walk, just check them out!!

[cellardweller]

I hate to be a naysayer, but if you are already "crawling" in many aspects, as I am, when it comes to recording, then hearing an accurate reprocuction is all the more important.

Just my 1 cent, as I can't afford two! Because I am still recovering from my own purchase...
which I regret not at all.

After all, it is the "true" sound you are worried about, right?

Buy cheap, buy twice.
Or three times, as has been my past experience.

[jonathanz]

Sure, But as I understand it shadow don't you have headphones as well? because alot of times the cheapest rundown speakers are the best way to cross reff. a good quality mix, but If you donot have studio reff. headphones, then cellar is right and yes you should upgrade atleast to the ma-10d's forgood reproduction.
(if that is your only way of reff.)

[ShadowKat]

Oh yeah!.........I used a set of Koss Pro4AA's (are they ok?) to reference (mix) with for a year now.....I just wanted to get a pair of small near fields to use to mix with as well, but not spend a lot to have them!......I've seen them on upwards of $2000 to as little as under $50. What is really sufficent for this particular unit?

[billisa]

Originally posted by ShadowKat
Oh yeah!.........I used a set of Koss Pro4AA's (are they ok?) to reference (mix) with for a year now.....I just wanted to get a pair of small near fields to use to mix with as well, but not spend a lot to have them!......I've seen them on upwards of $2000 to as little as under $50. What is really sufficent for this particular unit?

I also have a pair of Koss Pro4AA's. If you can "tune" your sense of them with the actual results you're hearing on speakers, then they're fine. (This would be true with all headphones). It's just difficult to get a nice balance using just headphones.

Have you considered the Fostex PM1's or PM05's. The 1's have gotten nice reviews, and I've heard good things about the 05's. Fostex has been making speaker drivers for decades. I don't think the PM05's go for more than $250/pair, give or take.

[ShadowKat]

Once again, Bill, you have succeeded in talking me into doing what I SHOULD do, rather then what I COULD do......I found a pair of those Fostex PM05's for $250 (list $350) at AMS......do ya think I could do better......price wise??? By the way, are these active or passive?......I keep seeing these monitors listed in the unpowered passive category.......Also, during my quickie search, I kept seeing these Berhinger Truth monitors for $300 (list $500). What do you think of those campared to Fostex?

[billisa]

Originally posted by ShadowKat
Once again, Bill, you have succeeded in talking me into doing what I SHOULD do, rather then what I COULD do......I found a pair of those Fostex PM05's for $250 (list $350) at AMS......do ya think I could do better......price wise??? By the way, are these active or passive?......I keep seeing these monitors listed in the unpowered passive category.......Also, during my quickie search, I kept seeing these Berhinger Truth monitors for $300 (list $500). What do you think of those campared to Fostex?

I've heard neither, though I have seen somewhere on this BBS that the Truths are very nice (and apparently more highly thought of than other Behringer products).

The PM05's are powered, but check out the Fostex USA site. Via www.fostex.com

Zzounds has the PM05's for $249.

I would say that buying speakers without hearing them in a comparative environment is not the best way to go. Make sure there's a good return policy wherever you go.