Home studio Monitor question.

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lolrecords

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Hi Everyone, I'm really really new at home recording. Can anyone please give me some advice on some really good monitors to use? I have regular computer speakers right now, and I would like to get something better. My budget is low. (Max-$200.00) I don't care about buying used. Can anyone please offer some advice? Thanks so much!
 
you're not gonna get 'really good' monitors for that price but don't despair. There's still lots of stuff to choose from.
I'll let others give you their favorite cheap monitor suggestions as I've never used any (mine cost a bit more than that) but if you already have a set of decent stereo speakers ..... use those. I and Southside Glenn repeatedly tell people that the term "Studio monitor' is nothing more than a marketing name if you're talking about stuff that's not expensive ..... say a grand a pair or so. 200 dollar monitors are NOT flat and are NOT any truer than a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and, in fact, IF you just happened to have some nice stereo speakers ( Paradigm .... Advent ..... AR etc. ), they're gonna often be flatter than the so-called 'monitors' at your price range and even higher.

So if you already have something like that ..... use those and save the money to get better monitors that cost more as soon as you can save up more.
Almost anything's gonna be better than 'puter speakers.

If you don't have access to some decent speakers though ..... I'm sure some folks will be along with some inexpensive suggestions.
 
Hey LT Bob,
Thanks for the post. Very helpful. I only have a set of $60 computer monitors right now. So I guess I should get something. How bout some really good Earphones until I can afford the good monitors? That being said, what would be a good brand of monitors and how much?
Thanks again for your response!
 
I think a good approach (if you can't spend a lot right now) is to get several different kinds of speakers to listen through. You want your mixes to sound good on any system. It's a little more work, but I know a few folks who use this approach. Check garage sales and Craigslist.

Even in the pro studios in which I've worked, we often used a cheap pair of speakers as an alternative to the higher end monitors they had. Isn't that what the famous Yamaha NS10 speakers were really about?

I think headphones are useful but not the full answer. Bass response is a little wierd, and I always feel like the soundscape is a lot different in phones. And good mixing headphones can be really, really expensive. Go figure!

Good luck!
 
get some used Yamaha HS50Ms. shouldn't take you too high over your budget.
 
Look into the KRK rokit 5's or the M-Audio BX series. I actually saw a pair of Rokit 8, which is what I've been using for a while, for $200. on Baltimore Craigslist the other day. But definitely check craigslist and eBay. I wouldn't stray too far from those. The Samsons SUCK, so your going to want to stay away from them. But the krks and M-Audio aren't horrible...
 
KRK Rokit 5 or 8 are really great for beginers. I'd say, look for Rokit 5 on craigslist or ebay and you will find them within your budget. M_Audio BX5 are good, too. You can also check Musicians Friend's website. I know a kid who a pair of brand new BX's from Musicians Friend for $98 (Crazy sale day). For around $200, you can denitely get these and sound pretty good.

Unless you are an expert, you won't be able to tell the difference. But they are good starting point.
 
Just bought some M-Audio BX-8's for 299, new at GTR center. they had the Rockets for 249 new. I like m-audio my self, but what do i know?
 
Nice. I used to own the first generation bx 5's and remember them causing ear fatigue quite quick for me. Perhaps the new generation isn't as "harsh" as the old ones. IMO The M-audio are more "tinny"/"bright" and the krk's are more "muddy"/"bassy" in these price ranges. I really like the higher end KRK sound.Let us know how you like em'.
 
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