Passive Monitors & amp recomendations - $800-1000 budget

[Goldenvoice388]

OK, I'm selling off a 40's vintage Gibson Lap Steel and matching amp to invest in some decent studio monitors. I'm figuring I'll have in the ball park of $800 - $1000 dollars to spend.

I've heard good things about the Mackies, Events, etc. I'm thinking, since I tend to buy and hold (read: I need these things to last for years)... I would be happier in the long run with a pair of Passive monitors, and a used amp - I like the idea if the amp goes, I don't have to replace the monitors as well. The only drawback I can see is if the amp and monitors don't match up well balance/eq wise.

What is a good/great combo to look into?

Make and model of amp?

Make and model of speakers (monitors)?

Thanks!!!!

[Ford Van]

Event 20/20's passive and a Hafler P3000 power amp! KILLER combo! Right in your price range.

[studiomaster]

Originally Posted by Ford Van

Event 20/20's passive and a Hafler P3000 power amp! KILLER combo! Right in your price range.

How much is the Hafler?

[studiomaster]

That combo might be a bit too expensive though........

[Goldenvoice388]

The Hafler looks like $200 - $300 bucks on eBay...
Original list something in the ball park of $550 (but a grand in Canada)

A pair of 20/20 passives on eBay $150 -$195


I should mention I'd been looking at the Mackie HR824.
Should I stick with that idea?
Or the Precision 8's?

[Ford Van]

Originally Posted by Goldenvoice388

The Hafler looks like $200 - $300 bucks on eBay...
Original list something in the ball park of $550 (but a grand in Canada)

A pair of 20/20 passives on eBay $150 -$195


I should mention I'd been looking at the Mackie HR824.
Should I stick with that idea?
Or the Precision 8's?

Everbody I know who's work I respect who have tried the Mackies didn't like how mixes translated with them. To me, they have a very artificial low mid, and would make me mix weird.

[Goldenvoice388]

I've been wondering if they are a 'fad' item - I hate 'fad' items - I've always tried to invest in good to great gear at whatever pricepoint I've got to work with... My live rig shows the wear of 20+ years in the buisness...


With MUCH of the same equiptment! (I like that fact...)

I've never been a 'latest greatest' buyer - I'll let a few years sort out the crap first!

Thanks for all the replies and help. I've got to quit trying to mix on a vintage home stereo set-up (especially when these projects of late are hitting the local airwaves)

[KamikazeKyle]

I recently purchased a pair of Event ASP 8s (almost go the passive but opted for active in the end due to a budget increase) and I've been very happy with them. When I was testing them I shot them out against Genelic 8030s, Mackie HR824s, Dynaudio BM5As and JBL LSR4328Ps. I used some material I recorded in my home studio and material I assitant engineered on in a pro studio in Maine mixed on Genelic 8040s. The BM5As where a close call but something attracted me to the ASP8s. As far as an amp I think something from Alesis would work.

[COOLCAT]

Try some DynAudio, or cheaper Yorkville YSm1.

All the monitors have different sounds to them IMO,
even though all the spec sheets say they're flat and the booklets say their all "professional models"....

I spent 8 months jacking around with monitors and probably should have spent maybe 2.

its inevitable you'll have to learn them in your room, do the homework..blahblahblah...