non-reference monitors recommendation

  • Thread starter Thread starter fraserhutch
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fraserhutch

fraserhutch

Flypaper for freaks
Hi all.

I am looking to add a pair of monitors to be used when playing keyboards. I have reference monitors for mixing; what I want is another set of monitors/speakers that would be used just for playing. I am looking for good quality, but it shouldn't necessarily be flat.

Would the Wharfdales work well for this?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
hello,

sorry, this is an off-side topic answer, but I was dragged in by your subject...
what is actually the difference between reference monitors and just monitors, since you're talking about non reference monitors...

I was thinking it were "perfect" speakers as in 'reference'... but since I know that they don't actually exist... what are they? and what's the difference with, say, my dad's B&W 802's?
 
fraserhutch said:
I am looking to add a pair of monitors to be used when playing keyboards. I have reference monitors for mixing; what I want is another set of monitors/speakers that would be used just for playing. I am looking for good quality, but it shouldn't necessarily be flat.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you just listen to your keyboards through your studio monitors? Or do you need monitors for playing out live? Where and how will you be using these monitors?

If you need a monitor for playing live I'd suggest a Roland keyboard amp. I use the KC-300 and it works great for playing live. The current model is the KC-350.
 
SonicAlbert said:
Couldn't you just listen to your keyboards through your studio monitors? Or do you need monitors for playing out live? Where and how will you be using these monitors?

If you need a monitor for playing live I'd suggest a Roland keyboard amp. I use the KC-300 and it works great for playing live. The current model is the KC-350.
Click to expand...

The keyboards are in a different location from the mixing area, and it is disturbing to listen to them that way. I woulde like to be able to switch betwenn the monitor pairs when writing/arranging, whatnot.

This is not for live, for that I would use a keyboard amp like you mentioned.

Thanks!
 
Karel Lootens said:
hello,

sorry, this is an off-side topic answer, but I was dragged in by your subject...
what is actually the difference between reference monitors and just monitors, since you're talking about non reference monitors...

I was thinking it were "perfect" speakers as in 'reference'... but since I know that they don't actually exist... what are they? and what's the difference with, say, my dad's B&W 802's?
Click to expand...

Do a search here and you will find this question asked and answered better than I am doing :)

Hmmm.... how to answer this? Reference monitors generally are fairly 'flat' - the don't colour the sound. Audiophile speakers, like the B&Ws, definitely colour the sound. That's not a bad thing - colour is good, and people pay a lot for the *right* colour :)

However, colour is bad for mixing. You need to hear to sound as it really is so that you can make it translate to other environments and systems. Hence the reference monitors.

Now, in my case here, I am actually interested in something that could add a little colour, as I do not intend to use these monitors for mixong, but rather for playing.

My $0.02.
 
fraserhutch said:
The keyboards are in a different location from the mixing area, and it is disturbing to listen to them that way. I woulde like to be able to switch betwenn the monitor pairs when writing/arranging, whatnot.
Click to expand...

Okay, that makes sense. I would feel the exact same way. Fortunately, I've been able to set up my room so that the mix position and playing position are the same.

Here's a suggestion:

Last year I bought my wife a pair of Roland DS-30A powered monitors for her stereo system. They were pretty inexpensive and for such a small monitor they sound great. They've got a tweeter along with a 4" speaker and bass ports. For what you are doing they would be perfect, and are good enough that you could use them as satellite speakers in a surround setup, or as a second "check mix" set of monitors.

I don't know if the DS-30A's are still being made, but I'm sure there are places that still have them in stock.

There's a lot of people riding the Wharfdale's hard around here, but for many of them the Wharfdale's are their first "good" monitor. So they don't really have much to compare it to. They might be good monitors, but I personally would want to hear them first before buying.

Other options for you would be the M-Audio BX5's or something like the KRK V4's, depending on your budget. It seems to me that a consideration would be that the monitors be good enough be used in a surround or check mix capacity with your main monitors. Or not, depending on your needs.

Have fun monitor shopping!
 
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