Another monitor thread...

  • Thread starter Thread starter whattaguy
  • Start date Start date
W

whattaguy

New member
I've searched far and wide through these boards to find the information that I needed. I have a general clue of the "the best monitors under $500" question.
I have heard the goods and bads of Active vs Passive...in general. But my question is more specific, and couldn't find anything on it.

I can get a used Hafler TA1600 amp for under $150 and match it up with either KRK ST8's, Yorkville passives, or even the Wharfedale 8.2 passives.

Or I can get the Whafedale 8.2 actives, or the Yorkville YSMI actives.

Which is recommended?
Any other suggestions? I would like to stay under $350.

Thanks.

p.s. I currently own a pair of MAudio Studiophile SP5B's if that changes anything.
 
compare the waranties....

I know Yorkville has a great warranty and service record.

I went with the active yorkies because have LF HF switches, clip limiter, and gain trim....features not usually found on monitors in this price range.

Plus they have a very cool shinney blue light to tell you they're on!
 
Wharfie passives and a Hafler sounds like a nice rig... YMMV, IMHO, ETC.
 
Massive Master said:
Wharfie passives and a Hafler sounds like a nice rig... YMMV, IMHO, ETC.
Click to expand...


Well, I have an amazon.com gift certificate coming my way, and I'll have a choice of either the Wharfedale passives (actives are not available) or the KRK ST8's.

MM,

Reading your response to the big Wharfedale thread in the other section, you said to go active/shielded if the monitors will be placed by a computer screen/monitor. If that is so, would you still recommend the Wharfedale 8.2 passives/Hafler combo, or would the ST8/Hafler combo be better?

I would like to purchase the Wharfedale 8.2A's from deepwater, but I don't think he accepts Amazon gift certificates . :(
 
I think I'd still go with the Wharfies...

I may have made a mis-type, but I probably would've suggested shielded passives - That would be my big fave. I have the original (non-shielded) versions. They're pretty far, so I'm not worried about M.I. from them.

I just normally prefer passives to actives if the model is the same. Dunno why. Actually, I just normally prefer passives, period.

Of course, if you can get a chance to listen to both of them, definitely do so. The whole "YMMV" applies in speakers more than just about anything.
 
Massive Master said:
I think I'd still go with the Wharfies...

I may have made a mis-type, but I probably would've suggested shielded passives - That would be my big fave. I have the original (non-shielded) versions. They're pretty far, so I'm not worried about M.I. from them.

I just normally prefer passives to actives if the model is the same. Dunno why. Actually, I just normally prefer passives, period.

Of course, if you can get a chance to listen to both of them, definitely do so. The whole "YMMV" applies in speakers more than just about anything.
Click to expand...

Massive,

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, I don't think Wharfedale makes a shielded 8.2 monitor. Do you know of any simple, unobtrusive way to shield monitors? I might get these since they don't have them in black:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...23450-6048653?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

Are those the same ones that you have, but in a different color?
 
Massive Master (but all are welcome to answer :D),

I don't think getting the Wharfedale passives are wise for me to purchase since they aren't shielded. I plan to put them pretty close to my computer monitors (less than a foot on both sides), and I don't know how to shield them.

So...I have a choice to either go with the KRK ST8/Hafler combo, or the Wharfedale 8.2A's. Unfortunately, I cannot listen to either of these monitors since no one that I know of carries them around me in Seattle. I do not plan on purchasing a subwoofer for the 8.2As either.

I've read that Deepwater actually likes the Wharfedales more than KRK RP8's, but the RP8s are actives (I'm assuming the active version of the ST8s).

The price of the two are pretty similar, so price won't matter.

Would this change the recommendation for the Wharfedales?

Thanks.
 
The Wharfedale PRO series (with the black cones) are sheilded - Even the passives.
 
Doesn't "Deepwater" (from here) stock those?
 
The KRK ST series, whether the 8s or 6s are in a completely dif league than the wharfs. The wharfs are scooped and hyped on top and bottom. The ST series is a professional monitor is very close to flat and holds its own against mackie, dynaudio and others assuming youre using a good amplifier (hafler or better) and know your room (a well placed sub will help too).

You will regret buying the wharfs the first time you do a mix and take it to your car.
 
I guess it's personal / room preference... I regretted buying KRK's back when.

I won't even go with what I think of Mackies...
 
Ok...I got quoted a killer deal on the KRK RP8's (just a little more expensive than the Wharfedale 8.2's), so I'm inclined to go with them since I had a chance to hear them...they sounded open and "airy". I had a chance to listen to the Wharfedale 8.1 Actives, but they sounded like someone strangled all life out of the mix and sounded very "nasally".

Can anyone give me an accurate picture comparing the 8.1 and 8.2 actives? I was told that the 8.2s just have a lower bottom end...and that's it. But after all of the praise that the 8.2s got, I am thinking that I missed something. Would anyone be kind enough to chime in?

I know deepwater said that the RP8's and 8.2's sound very similar and "flat", but the RP8's just give a better bottom end. I can't imagine based on what I heard on the 8.1's and the RP6's.

I know the rule of thumb is to "hear before buying". That is why I am inclined to go with the RP8s because I can't even listen to the ST8s in my area. I may get the Wharfies and compare them to the RP8s and return the ones that I don't like (I'll be out the shipping costs "if" I don't like the Wharfies).

I thought I made my decision...but then I actually went out to listen...
 
Whattaguy, I totally relate.
Reading 10,000 posts about a given monitor does not equal what youll learn from just one listen.
 
whattaguy said:
I can't find any store online that sells the Pro passives. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I recall reading on here that they'd discontinued the passives as the actives were selling so well.

I'm selling a pair of passive 8.1's but alas I'm in the UK. :rolleyes:
 
Both the passive and active wharfs are hifi speakers.

Just to add to my endorsement of the passive KRKs,,,, Ive been using them with a sub crossed over on the high side which makes them more efficient with the p1500. In that setup they are a very dif speaker i.e., much more open and clear sounding than without the sub.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top