Not just a normal studio monitor question

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Jaydee1976

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Accross the web you can find millions of threads of people asking what to buy as a studio monitor with a certain budget. I am in that position too, but for me it is quite difficult because everybody is saying something else.

The problem is that I have a very small room (2.4m x 2.1m) and no acoustic treatment and am looking for studio monitors around € 600, preferably cheaper. Unfortunately I am not in a position to go to stores and listen for myself. I just want to produce trance and hardstyle, so I need to hear low frequencies from monitors.

Now here is my question:
All the manufacturers list all the features and specifications of the models, but what are the most important specifications/features to look for so I can make the right decision?

Looking forward to all your replies.
 
Efficiency (SPL level @ 1dB @ 1m) would be my primary concern in a small room. Followed closely by a weighted frequency response (which was my primary in my mid-sized room). If you're not getting down to 40Hz @ -3dB, you're not going to hear what you need to at the bottom.
Having said that, in an untreated room you're not going to get accurate bass response (for the most part) anyway. Just remember, those corners are going to trap bass. If you're near to them (you don't have anywhere to go in that small a space), they're going to hype the bass. You're in for a struggle in a small room, regardless, but doing so without any treatment will def be problems.
 
The amount of broadband trapping necessary to control the lows and lower mids in a room that size isn't going to leave much room for you to sit...
 
^^^This ^^^ But this is HOME recording. We try to do what we can.
To be honest, you may have to rely on cans for mixing. Not ideal, but possible. Anyone?
Reasoning for the above statement: 1) Small space = nowhere to hide. I'm trying to even picture monitor placement in a 7'x8' room...leaving space between monitor and walls plus having your head in somewhere near a 39% equilateral triangle spacing means you're dealing with having your monitors very close to 1 meter from your head. A normal monitor is going to push 108dB and better at 1 watt at 1 meter. High efficiency speakers will put you out of the room all together at low volumes. Most Monitors aren't low efficiency (90dB @ 1w @ 1 meter would be uncommon), but even then, you want the speakers to open up to get their best frequency response.
2) No trapping. Especially in a small room your room lies to you about bass response. Too many room modes (Google)...and we don't even know the height of the room. The smaller the dimensions, the higher the frequencies involved. You'll be looking at frequencies from 82Hz @ 2.1 meters to 72Hz @ 2.4 + Tangentials and Obliques. You'll likely be fighting frequencies from 120Hz down...not all of them, but the holes and groupings (which makes things worse)
 
BroKen_H said:
^^^This ^^^ But this is HOME recording. We try to do what we can.
Click to expand...
I gotcha -- I just tend to throw that sort of stuff in there so people don't think there's some magic bullet.

I used to think there was myself. I tried to cheat physics for years. When I was in a nasty space, I finally plunked down on a bunch of rigid fiberglass based traps and couldn't believe the difference. A room or two later, 3x that trapping. This room, 3x that trapping.

I'm just hoping to plant seeds and spark curiosity.
 
I hate to say this, but considering the parameters you gave, I'd say headphones. Then take your mixes everywhere else to listen. Car, mom's house, earbuds, etc.... take notes on the mix and go back to make adjustments.
 
Thank you all for replying. I appreciate this very much. I just want to make the best decision for this small room (which is 2.4m x 2.1m x 2.6m).

What would you do if you were in my shoes (don't worry, I have a normal size shoe)

Would you still look for monitors with a frequencyrange starting very low (for example 36hz) or would you look for something starting with 60hz or something, because low frequencies will definitely give problems as you all stated (and also the lack of trapping).

For example the Presonus E8 has a frequency range starting from 35hz, but the Genelec 8030B start from 58hz. I know of the price difference, but that aside. What would be better for me. Presonus and Genelec are just examples before I start another normal monitor thread. I am also looking at Yamaha and Adam etc. So every brand is still in the race. Just trying to eliminate them one at a time. I know in any case the bassport has to be on the front side as they are close to the walls.
 
Honestly, Chili recommended headphones (as did I when I said cans...cans=headphones) as did MM (inadvertently, by saying you'll never get that small a room treated for listening). Save your money and get a really good set of cans...some iteration of the BeyerDynamic 770's comes to mind. Check specs and see what is available. I don't know if the Yamaha ??? MT220 (don't remember the exact model, but they were excellent) are still available. Been years since I wore a set. The Sennheiser Pro380s that I'm currently using would also be highly recommended. None of these should break 300 euros...
 
Sorry, I thought you all just meant to use a headphone for the lower frequencies only.

Anyway. Thank you for the advice. I appreciate you all to take the time to answer my questions and I will take a close look at BeyerDynamic 770's.
 
Talent. Thats what's more important than anything.

I have a freind who is recording and mixing commerial albums that sound great, as good as anything out there, in a 9 x12 foot control room with minimal sound treatment, a set of NS 10s, and Yamaha HS 80s

He knows his gear and the room.

Mastering the tools you have comes from time, experience, practice and a good ear.
 
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