alesis m1 mk2 active or yamaha msp5

[5c0tt]

Ok, I'm down to choosing between these two.
I'm kinda leaning toward the msp5's as they have a switching system to give you a few db more or less bass & top end. Handy for tuning to taste.

The alesis have more power and from what I've read elswhere, have a better/more accurate bottom end.

Any opinions before I spend my cash?

[Blue Bear Sound]

..check out Events, Mackies, KRKs, Tannoys, JBLs....

[5c0tt]

Anything apart from these 2 then? These suit my budget but I could go a little further if it was going to make a difference.
Any particular reason for not liking the yamahas & alesis?

[Blue Bear Sound]

Alesis never knew how to make monitors and never will...

The Yammies are ok but IMO no match for the Mackies or the KRK V8s...

[5c0tt]

Thanks Blue. For the cash I've got, I'm looking to buy active monitors, 2 drum o/heads & a kick mic.
I've got £700 (1000usd, canada$-dunno)
Over here (UK) the yamahas & alesis are £300, that leaves me £400 for oh + kick. I'm looking at d112 for kick (£120) & 2x c1000s for oh (£200 for pair) Whadya think?
My gear at the moment is:
Korg D16 (no phantom, grrrrr)
1 x C2000b
2 x 57
2 x 58
1 x berhinger mx602a (for phantom)
Hi-fi for monitoring (aaaahhhh)

The pre's on the Korg & berhinger are crap so a decent pre is on the list for later.
Sorry to deviate from the thread, maybe I should post a 'help me spend my cash thread'
Any advice appreciated.

[mcmd]

I have the MSP5's...I like 'em so far.

I also checked out the powered Alesis, M-audio Studiophile, and the JBL 25's. It came down to the Yamaha's and the JBL's, - both good monitors for the price.

It seems that this is an affordable price point for alot of us, and it is hard to differentiate the products.

Obviously, there are more expensive speakers out there, as Blue Bear indicates, and they can represent *better* value if you know your reference point and know what you are trying to achieve.

....so ask yourself, to what extent are you going to use these puppies, and can you take full advantage of those *better* ones?

good luck,

/DMM

[5c0tt]

mcmd, do you use the 'room tuning' switches?
Also, I'm a bit concerned about the power- I don't monitor at a very high level but I certainly like to give it some volume to check a few things (generally nearer the end of the mix). Do you find them plenty loud enough?

[mcmd]

Scott,

I have the bass cut at -1.5dB. I also like the ease of access to the switches, I know some of the other monitors have small 'DIP switches recessed in the back. There you need to turn the monitor and use a tool, - JBL 25's and I think the Mackies. On the MSP5's, you can just reach around....

Re: power output. Well, I'm using them in a large family room, and for near fields, they can fill the room at about 70% vol.

I also cranked them 100% at my local MARS, where they were set up outside the control room, in the main body of the store. They nicely cut through a wall of sound (noise) coming from the drum and guitar departments!

Lastly, though the JBL's have a higher rated output, - I couldn't tell a difference from the MSP5's.

/DMM

[5c0tt]

Thanks for your reply mc, very useful.
I think I'll go for the msp5's. I've actually had a listen to the msp5's but it was very brief & I didn't get a chance to try them out with familiar music or at a decent volume.
There's not many places to try different monitors out here (Scotland).

I know it's not all down to the monitors but how do your mixes translate to other 'consumer' systems? I guess you done some trial & error before you settled on the -1.5db on bass.

Thanks
S

[Leeking]

Hey, I'm a happy MSP5 user too.

so far I don't see the need to "tune" my monitors... (I leave them flat)... I'm not putting them in corners or against walls...

I don't listen to them too loud as well... after all, they are NEAR fields...