Budget studio monitor recommendations

[TascamJimi]

Hey folks, not sure where this should be posted so feel free to move it to the proper forum. I have a little corner set-up that my son and I like to mess around with. I think we're the only folks on here still working without a DAW. We'd like to get a set of small monitors so we're not doing everything with headphones because our mixes are all over the place when played on larger systems. Space is a premium so we would have to go small. If any of you folks have an experience with anything listed on this page, could you chime in ?? Been on YouTube listening to different ones, but it's hard to tell how they sound on laptop speakers.....There's just so many.... I would be going straight out of a Tascam DP-02 so no power amps or anything crazy like that....
Thank you as always for any input and suggestions.

https://www.sweetwater.com/c405--Pa...6eyJQcmljZSBSYW5nZSI6WyIkMTAwIHRvICQyMDAiXX19

 

[TalismanRich]

A few years back, I got tired of listening to crappy computer speaker on my desktop upstairs. I decided to find something to use when I was doing email, banking, taxes, etc.

I looked at the KRK (Rokit 5) and the M-Audio BX4s. Neither impressed me. I ended up with a pair of JBL 305s. At the time, they were $105 on sale. I don't know if they get put on sale as much anymore. If you can, I would go to a Guitar Center or some other place and listen to a few. Speakers have a "voice" that you may or may not like.

 

[Papanate]

The PreSonus Eris E4’s - KRK GoAux 3 3" and the Yamaha HS3-B are all pretty good bang for buck type speakers - IMO you will need a Subwoofer with any of them
If you want loud these are not the speakers for you - but as you said you have a small space they should do the job - with a subwoofer.

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[TascamJimi]

THANK YOU as always for some insight. I did indeed go to Guitar Center this afternoon. Man I loath that place....... everything is so loud and just a cacophony of noise !! I listened to a couple ( including the mentioned Eris E4's ) but it was hard to tell the difference with all the ambient noise !! LOL .... I do agree a sub will be in order. Thanks again for your recommendations...I have more homework to do, but at least I didn't get a
' stay away from....... '
Jim

 

[ecc83]

Think carefully about getting a sub Jim. My readings over some years are that yes, the RIGHT sub, properly integrated with good monitors can be wonderful. You gain that bottom octave* and allow the sats to go louder as they are spared everything below about 80Hz...BUT! Buying a sub of a different brand from the full range speakers means it is very unlikely to give a smooth response as the relative "curves" won't match. Of course, if all you want is "Subaru Man" one note thud, no worries! Otherwise I suggest you spend the sub money on some good headphones for checking the bass end.

My son has the Eris 3.5s and likes them but then his main interest is classical guitar so 'low and loud' not a requirement.

There is also the thorny problem of the room. The more bass energy you pump into it, the more odd resonances will show up (I am sorry Jim but I know this because I have just bought a pair of KH-150s! ) A bit of 'mirror points' treatment can be done quite cheaply but bass traps cost.

*In fact it seems budget subs don't produce frequencies at 40Hz and below, at least not at useful SPLs. They produce harmonics which can reach into the low mid range and colour otherwise decent monitor sound.

Dave.