small 'computer speaker' monitors

  • Thread starter Thread starter maryslittlesecret
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maryslittlesecret

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Hi, all. I have a pair of Alesis M1s that I use as my main monitors, but I'd like to get a pair of smaller, fairly high-quality computer speakers that might work as a '2nd opinion' when I mixing.

With the rise of home recording on computer, I figured there must be some computer speakers designed towards reference monitoring -- any suggestions or am I daydreaming? Let me know. Thanks!

J
 
J,

I don't know if you're interested in Do-It-Yourself projects, but I've developed a nice little "cheap reference monitor" that's easy to build. I call it the Killatone and it has very useful and predictable response characteristics for this sort of application.

You can find the plans on John Sayers site. http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=12 I believe you need to sign up as a member in order to see the attachments.

Thomas

http://barefootsound.com
 
Thanks barefoot, but I can barely route my cables without giving myself a migraine -- I don't have the brainpower, skill or patience to build my own speakers.

I saw some cool, inexpensive computer speakers over on MF that got me thinking about this, but I'm assuming they're designed more for bass-crazy gamers than for studio applications...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...56015420215/g=rec/search/detail/base_id/56371

Any other thoughts or suggestions out there?

J
 
barefoot said:
J,

I don't know if you're interested in Do-It-Yourself projects, but I've developed a nice little "cheap reference monitor" that's easy to build. I call it the Killatone and it has very useful and predictable response characteristics for this sort of application.

You can find the plans on John Sayers site. http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=12 I believe you need to sign up as a member in order to see the attachments.

Thomas

http://barefootsound.com
Click to expand...

Hmm... I just registered on the forum, and these things look REALLY interesting. For those who have built and/or use them, are they actually DECENT reference monitors for mixing/tracking on?
 
maryslittlesecret said:
Thanks barefoot, but I can barely route my cables without giving myself a migraine -- I don't have the brainpower, skill or patience to build my own speakers.

I saw some cool, inexpensive computer speakers over on MF that got me thinking about this, but I'm assuming they're designed more for bass-crazy gamers than for studio applications...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...56015420215/g=rec/search/detail/base_id/56371

Any other thoughts or suggestions out there?

J
Click to expand...

I'd say that these were exactly opposite of what you're looking for in a pair of monitors.
 
Try the Swan m-200s, about $250 via direct-order only at audioinsider.com (one of only a couple of distibutors in the USA). They're the best I've heard, especially if you want to avoid the subwoofer route. Great sound, great reviews--do a search online and you'll find more.

Good luck,
J.
 
tf5_bassist said:
Hmm... I just registered on the forum, and these things look REALLY interesting. For those who have built and/or use them, are they actually DECENT reference monitors for mixing/tracking on?
Click to expand...
The Killatone is definitely designed to be a secondary monitor. It's very useful for the purposes I described in my posts, but I wouldn't recommend it as a primary monitor.

Thomas

http://barefootsound.com
 
barefoot said:
The Killatone is definitely designed to be a secondary monitor. It's very useful for the purposes I described in my posts, but I wouldn't recommend it as a primary monitor.

Thomas

http://barefootsound.com
Click to expand...

Thanks for the answer, and it's a bummer, 'cause I don't have monitors in the first place, and don't have much cash at the moment for monitors (and yes, i completely understand i get what i pay for haha), i'm just looking for something that's "functional" as monitors. I may just build a pair of Killatones just for fun, nonetheless.
 
Thanks jeffrey and GT -- I'll check those out, though I'd tend to agree with tf5_bassist that reference mointors with their own eq seem to defeat the purpose.

Anyone else have any good suggestions for computer speakers?

J
 
maryslittlesecret said:
Thanks jeffrey and GT -- I'll check those out, though I'd tend to agree with tf5_bassist that reference mointors with their own eq seem to defeat the purpose.

Anyone else have any good suggestions for computer speakers?

J
Click to expand...

I try to use the eq to romove coloration only, seems to help.

I think this is a pretty decent sound system, I wouldn't let the eq scare you.

I would definately avoid the subwoofer route though, you will tire of its production of sound, instead of reproduction in no time!

GT
 
GT said:
I try to use the eq to romove coloration only, seems to help.

I think this is a pretty decent sound system, I wouldn't let the eq scare you.

I would definately avoid the subwoofer route though, you will tire of its production of sound, instead of reproduction in no time!

GT
Click to expand...

I disagree with the use of eq to remove "coloration" from reference monitors... I just think that they were made a certain way and that's the best way. But that's my opinion. I could be (and most likely am) wrong.

But i *DO* agree with not using a sub. unless you have a REALLY nice pro monitor setup and a pro sub, all they do is accentuate the lows, instead of reproducing them correctly. I have heard of guys swearing by sub-equipped systems, but then again, the system probably cost equivilent to a semi-new Civic. haha...
 
tf5_bassist said:
I disagree with the use of eq to remove "coloration" from reference monitors... I just think that they were made a certain way and that's the best way. But that's my opinion. I could be (and most likely am) wrong.

But i *DO* agree with not using a sub. unless you have a REALLY nice pro monitor setup and a pro sub, all they do is accentuate the lows, instead of reproducing them correctly. I have heard of guys swearing by sub-equipped systems, but then again, the system probably cost equivilent to a semi-new Civic. haha...
Click to expand...

Hey tf,

I never said these were reference monitors, I just said they are good computer speakers.

I totally agree, my reference speakers are in my studio, and I wouldn't think of EQ'ing them.

I will say that these speakers once eq'ed with the built in eq, are pretty damn listenable. I am glad the eq was built in, as it is needed to make this system shine.

By the way, don't think just because a speaker manufacturer calls it's speaker reference, that it is necesarally so.

If that was so, all so called reference speakers would sound exactly the same, they don't, so someone is lying.

Ask anyone hear who has been through countless speakers (including myself), that is where the real truth lies.

GT
 
I don't want to open a can of worms again, but I firmly believe the most honest speaker is a one way speaker.

No woofer, and especially no tweeter, no crossover, and subwoofer. Phisically speaking these drivers, and honest sound can not be used in the same sentence.

The speakers I use in my studio are one way full range, to even think of adding a tweeter, or subwoofer, would be blasphamy!

Once you've heard a honest full range speaker, you'll never go back.

My 2cents.

GT
 
GT said:
Hey tf,

I never said these were reference monitors, I just said they are good computer speakers.

I totally agree, my reference speakers are in my studio, and I wouldn't think of EQ'ing them.

I will say that these speakers once eq'ed with the built in eq, are pretty damn listenable. I am glad the eq was built in, as it is needed to make this system shine.

By the way, don't think just because a speaker manufacturer calls it's speaker reference, that it is necesarally so.

If that was so, all so called reference speakers would sound exactly the same, they don't, so someone is lying.

Ask anyone hear who has been through countless speakers (including myself), that is where the real truth lies.

GT
Click to expand...

My bad, i must be tired, i thought you were referring to them as monitors... as computer speakers, yeah, eq is always nice though. I get your drift now. :)

And I know that just because Roland or Edirol calls their little $89-$119 speaker pairs "studio monitors" that they're not true reference monitors. I'm just rather unfamiliar with the Samsons, so i'm not sure on the skinny on them, but they seem alright. So that's where i was coming from. I totally understand ya' man.

Hmm.... Full-range speaker. I'd have to say I haven't heard a tried-and-true decent full-range speaker. Now i'm curious haha!
 
tf5_bassist said:
My bad, i must be tired, i thought you were referring to them as monitors... as computer speakers, yeah, eq is always nice though. I get your drift now. :)

And I know that just because Roland or Edirol calls their little $89-$119 speaker pairs "studio monitors" that they're not true reference monitors. I'm just rather unfamiliar with the Samsons, so i'm not sure on the skinny on them, but they seem alright. So that's where i was coming from. I totally understand ya' man.

Hmm.... Full-range speaker. I'd have to say I haven't heard a tried-and-true decent full-range speaker. Now i'm curious haha!
Click to expand...

Hey tf,

Speaking of full-range speakers, and Edirol, all in the same breath.

I heard these pups hooked to a Roland keyboard at Sam Ash, sounded damn good.

I would have gotton these if I hadn't gotton the Samson system.

I think these would make great computer speakers.

Not really loud, but may be the kind of honesty that I refered to above. No tweeters, and no crossover, is a damn good start.

If you have the chance to hear them, do.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--EDIMA5A

GT
 
I asked a somewhat similar question last month, and Treeline turned me on to these guys:

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/pM2TPE.htm

I had a listen and I was pretty much floored at the quality of sound coming out of those little guys. If I were looking for a small, secondary set of computer speakers, I'd go for those in a heartbeat.
 
chessrock said:
I asked a somewhat similar question last month, and Treeline turned me on to these guys:

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/pM2TPE.htm

I had a listen and I was pretty much floored at the quality of sound coming out of those little guys. If I were looking for a small, secondary set of computer speakers, I'd go for those in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

Chess,

You have experienced the full range speakers honesty, now think what would happen if you added a tweeter, it would fuck up the sound completely. You have just listened to a inherently better speaker (full range), no tweeter, no crossover, just honest sound, can you dig it!!

Now you know what I've been trying to tell you guys for years!!

Now you know what I mean, first hand!!

I think the Edirol at $49.00 a powered pair, might also floor you.

These could also prove to be very honest speakers.

GT
 
That's very interesting, GT. I see what you're saying . . . although it would be difficult to really hear what's going on in the bass, or how it would translate on typical consumer speakers.

. . . I do see how they would be nice to check things on, though, as a second set. Could give quite a uniquely revealing perspective.

Very interesting.
 
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