DS-50A Monitors --Need help please

[RAPD]

Hi, I just purchased the Roland DS-50A active monitors to use for mixing down my rock music. (I mix down from my computer: Cool Edit 2000 + Cake walk Guitar studio; I have a soundblaster live 5.1)

However, I never purchased monitors before and I want some feedback from people about these. Are they ok? Does anyone have them or have heard them?

I used them for a while and they seem ok, except for the bass end which appears somewhat weak.

I only have two weeks to get a refund so I really REALLY appreciate any comments.

Thanks,
Rob

PS I search for reviews of them everywhere even on this board but could not find any long commentary only 1 quick comment from someone who didn't own them or hear them in person...

 

[RAPD]

reply to myself

Well after testing the Roland DS-50A monitors for over a week, I honestly CANNOT recommend them.

Main weaknesses: Bass (low end) is too weak/innacurate. Too much midrange. Too little wattage (50 watts per monitor). Exageratted high frequencies.

They do have digital inputs, but if you need that go with the DS-90A monitors.

The Roland DS-50A monitors cost me 600/pair. But after 10 days I exchanged them for a pair of Event PS8 monitors which cost 650/pair.

For only 50 dollars more you get and 8" LF woofer as opposed to a 5" Roland woofer, twice the watts (100 vs. 50 for the Roland) better frequency response (on the low side 35 hz vs. 68 hz on Rolands), flatter frequency response, etc. The only negative for the Events is that the ps8 has no digital in (not a problem for me).

So don't make the mistake I did by getting the Rolands; get something else instead (and if 600-700 is your price range strongly consider the ps8s...)

RD

 

[musician_uk]

Hello all
This is my first posting on this board and I just wanted to say that I have bought a Roland VS 1880 and a pair of Roland DS 90's and they are not lacking in bass and the 24 bit digital integrates perfectly with the VS 1880 recorder.
I am a happy muso.
Now if someone could just come round my house and stop me retaking every guitar part I put down in the endless quest for a perfect take, I might get some of my songs finished.

 

[RAPD]

Hello all
This is my first posting on this board and I just wanted to say that I have bought a Roland VS 1880 and a pair of Roland DS 90's and they are not lacking in bass and the 24 bit digital integrates perfectly with the VS 1880 recorder.

You must have read in haste because I was critiquing the DS-50A NOT the DS-90A.
(Re-read my post and you shall see...)

The only comment I made about the DS-90A was that
"if you need that [digital inputs] go with the DS-90A monitors. "
In other words, the DS-90A are much better than the DS-50A if you NEED
digital inputs...

If analog is all you need the Event PS8s are only 50 dollars more than the Roland DS-50As--not only 50 dollars more than the DS-90As!

So I still say, as I said in my last post, that it is a mistake to buy the Roland DS-50As over the Event PS8s:

"For only 50 dollars more you get and 8" LF woofer as opposed to a 5" Roland woofer, twice the watts (100 vs. 50 for the Roland) better
frequency response (on the low side 35 hz vs. 68 hz on Rolands), flatter frequency response, etc. The only negative for the Events is that the ps8 has no digital in (not a problem for me)."

However if you must have digital in, then I recommend the DS-90As over the DS-50As...

Cheerio,
Robert