Monitors?

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guitarmagic

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Hey everyone, I'm going to my local store thursday and i was going to buy a new mic, but i realized that i'd be better off spending money on my first set of monitors. Right now i use these really bad sharp stereo speakers wich i had to motify. They don't sound too bad the problem that irritates me the most is that i can't put them too loud without distorting.

My question is can someone suggest me a decent set of monitors for a max price of $300 for the pair. I know nothing about monitors(active, passive, powered) those are all terms i've heard. I heard some good things about M-Audio but again i'm not sure.

Thanks, Gabe.
 
:D

Hola Gabe:

Check out the KRK monitors--passive and active.

Active monitors have their own amplifiers; passive monitors need an outboard amp to power. Some folks like passive; some like active. But, the KRKs should be in your price range.

If you buy any monitors, at home or on-line, save the BOXES. You can use them if you sell them later for shipping. Of course, the UPS stores will box anything for you but you will have to pay for it.

I sold my KRK passive with no problem after I bought some Events. I still have the event boxes on hand as I plan to move up again soon.

At any rate, ask questions at the store and listen to as many monitors as they have in the store.

Good luck and cheers,
Green Hornet
 
I've got a pair of the new Event 20/20 (v2).
I bought them and a Yamaha amp off of ebay for a little over $300.

(If you buy actives - you dont need an amp, passives require and amp).

It took some time to find and win on ebay - but I really like them so far, and it was a good buy for my budget. The only thing I have to currently compare them to is the little M-Audio Bx5's and a set of Bose I was using before that. It blows them away.

I've heard good things about Yorkvilles (on this and other sites). The Wharefedales seem to have a defective parts (QA) issue going on with their newer stuff (again - reading this and other sites).

Try to go and listen to some before you buy. My decision to get the Events was based on a set of the old ones I've used. I wouldn't buy blind if you can help it.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the replies! I'm going to listen to as many models as i can and i'll keep in mind the events and krk's.
 
I agree with getting your first set of monitors over a new mic.
To me the main HR "hub" is your recorder and playback.
its the canvas of a painter imo.

you mentioned $300 MAX. Thats really tough.
personally I think 6" is the best medium, 5" you lose some bass, 8" you lose some upper mids...theoretically.
if your adding a sub, which most do these days...then its another topic all together and a 5" may possibly be better than a 6" as it can move faster due to its smaller size reproducing the mids better. smaller faster high freqs', larger cone from center to edge for bass,long freq's.
I don't see any 8" for $300 max....so thats a mute point.

but I assume you don't have the sub. So I'd consider the Samson Resolv as you can get into the 6" range for $300 with the 100watts.
The rest are all 5", less power and loss of the bass, theoretically.
but those Samson Ribbons do look sweet.......:D

The Room
Just as important as the monitors is the room setup. 3ft triangle / Nearfield setup helps reduce this problem, wall treatments can greatly help too.
Check the 4th picture out at Ethan's-Real Traps.
http://www.realtraps.com/art_room-setup.htm

One thing that is enlightening, on this setup subject/science, and very subjective purchase of speakers, is the physical placement/setup of nearfields and early reflections seems to be agreed upon. (as in Ethans link) Other subjects, it seems, will be debated for eternity.. tweeters on outside or inside or speakers sideways or upward... :rolleyes:

This Rubicon manual shows the EE triangle too, equilateral/equidistant, but in much less detail than Ethan's pic. But the idea is the same.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/relatedDocs/Rubicon_OM_v5_1.pdf


Shopping...craigslist.com may save you some $$$ and be local. I've been doing this recently and its pretty nice. there's no Ebay charges and hassle, and craigslist is Free. the deals don't last long usually.
Cash is King. No credit as its mostly private party's and no returns is the downside of course.

good luck, hope the links help!
 

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Believe it or not, the Behringer Truth monitors are actually pretty good, and they cost around $300. The KRK Rokits are also a good value.
 
I know I might sound biased, but Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 actives are a really great bang for the buck. I read a TON of reviews for them and everything else in their price range before buying a pair new for 250 bucks. I loved using them (the few times that I did) as they are very crisp and clean, and am I am trying to sell them now because I'm getting out of the recording thing.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=244687
 
Guitarmagic, do you have a decent amp?

I was thinking maybe you could just grab some good hifi speakers and save up a bit longer. When you get into $400 and your into the YSM1P's, or a 5" set and sub, and many,many other options... you can go passive and upgrade with maybe $100.

I just did a side by side of some Paradigm Hifi and some 4-way towers this weekend..(4-ways stomped the 2-ways in the dirt and spit on them..)...
I did a Sony vs Onkyo amp comparison too, and the sound is better on my Onkyo but it was so subtle compared to the speakers difference.

I'm going to go side by side my YSM1p's with the 4-ways... its all about hearing details and clarity right? Isn't that why people spend mega-bucks on speakers? To hear more clarity and then use small 2-ways or ear buds for checking the "average joe consumer" equipment test.

pay no mind to me... i'm just a hobbyist and gearwhoreaddict...geez.

$300 range is tough in the store for 5" and I never really heard any I liked, especially with the volume cranked to 85db which is pretty damn loud, but thats where we mix at I'm told.
 
ysm1s or slm1s (both passive and 6.5" woofer) work very well here and are within your budget if you already have an amp or stereo receiver. i got a pair of slm1s for $200 so shop around. use the other $100 for a set of headphones.
 
personally i would check out the local craigslist for audiofool type stuff... those guys are always looking to upgrade to the latest/greatest and there's serious deals to be had there... look for B+K or KEF forinstance...
 
I haven't checked the forum in awhile because i already bought monitors last week. I see i got a lot more suggestions after i bought them. I went over my price range. I listened to a lot of monitors in the store and the best ones were the krk's to my ears. In my price range the 5" were the best choice but i ended up going with the 6" because they sounded fuller. I hope i didn't make a bad choice. They sound great compared to the stereo speakers i was using before:D
 
congrats!!

i liked the KRK 6" ...had some at the shack once.

imo, you get in this "level of monitors" it's really subtle difference's, personal taste between all of them, i wouldn't say this brand is better than that brand.

yeah, the monitor upgrade... you did really good, imo.
 
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