Decent quasi-monitors for my dorm

[Captain Awesome]

Ok folks, here's the deal.

I'm going to college in a week, and I plan to record things in my dorm. I've got a laptop with an Echo Indigo IO that I use headphones with, but I would also like to use speakers with it, speakers of the small-footprint variety.

I do have a pair of Roland MA-8's, but I don't really like them, and in my particular case the left speaker is quick to distort on the low frequencies. Besides, they're at a friend's house right now, he's out of town, and he's not likely going to be back in time.

So. I want to buy something else. Perhaps a pair of M-Audio DX4's. Perhaps Edirol MA-20's. Perhaps some set of plain ol' consumer audio speakers that have surprised you with a semi-flat response. Any suggestions?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Eh.

I'm gonna get a pair of DX4's.

You have eight (8) hours to stop me.

Keep in mind my purchase would be a supplement to my future purchase of a "real" monitoring setup when I have space to do so.

 

[Sklathill]

I don't think they're bad...tried them out, not bad, wimpy down low, but usable.

But Musicians Friend currently has the ESI Near05 active monitors for 200 flat which I personally think have better low-end response than my current BX5s. I would check those out...

But if you really need compact, I'm not sure what to say. Below 5 inches, a sub woofer is a must for any pair for good monitoring IMO, and if you're not going that route, I'm not sure what to say...

 

[Captain Awesome]

Good call on the ESI's. I'd never heard of those before, and I just looked them up. Everyone who's tried them seems to be impressed, versus the mixed bag response that had me hesitating on the DX4's.

That's only $75 more than the DX4's, so I think I'll jump on it. Hopefully I'll have enough space! I don't know how big my desk will be.

 

[Captain Awesome]

OK... I'm going to buy the ESI Near05's. I figure it's worth it. I'll have "real" monitors, and when I really feel it's necessary I can always add a subwoofer.