Small studio, monitors poll!

[grimtraveller]

You get bigger as you go {no one told me - I just know}

I know it seems a little elitist to say "If those are your options, you're better off not getting anything at all". But depending on what you're looking to achieve, that is somewhat true. If you're fine with mediocre mixes then sure, go ahead with bad monitors. But if you think this is a hobby you're going to enjoy for a long time, why not save up and buy something you'll use for a long time, rather than keep buying and upgrading. At the end of the day, you'll waste more money doing the latter. You probably haven't tested out a lot of monitors, but once you do you'll realize how bad most small entry level monitors really sound. Not to say you can never get a good mix out of them. With a lot of practice you'll eventually learn your monitors, but it'll be a frustrating ride with lots of guess work involved.

While I understand and appreciate where you're coming from, I heartilly disagree. From the things people say on these forums, I would say that most people that are looking to start mixing are looking to start mixing. What's in reality more important is just getting a start somewhere. Regardless of the advice one gets regarding monitors, fact is no one hears through someone elses ears. So what X may think is a shitty set of monitors may turn out to be a goldmine for Y. No two 'studios' are set up the same and the mixer in question ultimately is the only one that's going to arrive at the final mix. So really, monitors are a gamble.
The other thing about home recording ~ in much the same way that few turn out superlative mixes on their first go, it's rare that gear is never upgraded so the idea of upgrading monitors somewhere down the line, far from being a waste of money to be avoided, is actually normal and very, very usual.
It's by no means unusual for experienced pros to see shortcomings in their work of yesteryear. Which tells me that we shouldn't underestimate the value of progression, which in turn can mean - start small and get bigger as you go.

 

[saads]

Which tells me that we shouldn't underestimate the value of progression, which in turn can mean - start small and get bigger as you go.

Sure, progression is great. But when you're working with better equipment, you enjoy the whole process more, and I believe you learn faster too. The first drumset I got was a shitty Stagg. Sure, I loved playing it, but when I got my next kit a couple months later ( a Tama ) I was overjoyed. I practiced more regularly, tuning it was easier, I could get the sounds I wanted more easily. I'm positive if I had stuck with the first kit for a couple more years I wouldn't have progressed as fast as I did. Ofcourse if you simply just can't afford better equipment, you have no choice but to get the entry level stuff. But buying a crappy monitor and replacing it every few months with a slightly less crappy monitor will waste more money eventually. I would still say start with a decent 8 inch, (or at least 6) monitor if possible.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Sure, progression is great. But when you're working with better equipment, you enjoy the whole process more, and I believe you learn faster too. The first drumset I got was a shitty Stagg. Sure, I loved playing it, but when I got my next kit a couple months later ( a Tama ) I was overjoyed. I practiced more regularly, tuning it was easier, I could get the sounds I wanted more easily. I'm positive if I had stuck with the first kit for a couple more years I wouldn't have progressed as fast as I did. Ofcourse if you simply just can't afford better equipment, you have no choice but to get the entry level stuff. But buying a crappy monitor and replacing it every few months with a slightly less crappy monitor will waste more money eventually. I would still say start with a decent 8 inch, (or at least 6) monitor if possible.

I will add to this a bit as I was one who started off with the KRK RPG2-5's. From the opinions I had read in the forums, I gathered that these lacked in bass and were best used in conjunction with a sub. The fact that I already owned an expensive sub from my home theater that I rarely used, and found a pair of used KRK's on Craigslist for $160, solidified my decision. I always had issues getting the low end to translate outside of the studio whether with or without use of the sub. I later found a good deal on a pair of Event TR8's. Man were these KRK's lying to me. These 5" guys are like a little brother 'puffing' himself up to look bigger than they are. The best term I can find to describe this is that the 5" KRK's are 'hyped' in the low end to make them sound like they can actually produce it well. Such a small driver trying to produce such a wide frequency spectrum, becomes muddy very quickly. That being said, I would not get rid of these as I like to be able to cross check between monitors from the same listening position. Not to mention I spent a year learning them. Well this was what I learned.

I suppose I did not really lose much in my progression and learned a bunch about translating mixes. But I will say, I sure would have spent less time fighting with low end issues and been more exited about my mixes, had I purchased the better monitors in the first place.

I am not so sure that monitors with 8" drivers are going to be well suited to the small space you are in. My personal opinion would be to possibly go with a 6" monitor. On which one, I cannot really give you an educated opinion.

Keep in mind as well, the new 8" monitors I purchased may have also been better suited for my 14 X 30' room (fairly well treated btw) than the KRK 5's. You would be best trying out different monitors in your space if there is any possibility of doing so. What sounds good in the store or others rooms, may not at your home. Purchasing unheard monitors based on others opinions or specs is pretty much a game of luck anyway.

Best of luck to ya!

Jimmy

 

[grimtraveller]

Of course if you simply just can't afford better equipment, you have no choice but to get the entry level stuff. But buying a crappy monitor and replacing it every few months with a slightly less crappy monitor will waste more money eventually. I would still say start with a decent 8 inch, (or at least 6) monitor if possible.

What I was getting at about progression is tied up in your quote there. There's alot of sense in what you've said but for me, the key point is that even in the unlikely event that you were replacing monitors every few months, you'd be doing that on your own steam, having gotten as far as you could with that particular set. Progression. When you got the Tama kit, something about the Stagg had caused you to look beyond it ~ but I would argue that the Stagg was a crucial stepping stone in your progression.
You're right though, sometimes, cost is a factor. Many of us that are new to monitors don't 'know enough to come in out of the rain' so unless they sound particularly shitty, that's what we'll learn on. And adjust to. The monitors I have are probably a right pair of 'no account' Edwards. They're made by the shop I got them in {Studiospares}. But to me, they are a marked improvement on the two previous sets I used which were just ordinary hi-fi speakers. Maybe in the years to come I'll progress from the 6 inchers to 8s and look back and think they were crap. But at the minute, they suit where I'm at. I think most gear is like that.

 

[saads]

Purchasing unheard monitors based on others opinions or specs is pretty much a game of luck anyway.

If you're ( OP ) gonna take away anything from all of this, this should be it. ^

but I would argue that the Stagg was a crucial stepping stone in your progression.

Yup, you're right. Had I started off with the better kit I might not have realized what I had, but if I stuck with the sucky kit I wouldn't have progressed much. It's a matter of knowing when to change, and knowing the limitations of your equipment. Basically, realistic expectations is the key. People new to the game often have huge expectations.

 

[grimtraveller]

That's a good point, knowing when to change. I also agree about expectations. If they're askew, reality soon asserts itself !

 

[homemusicgear]

I reccommend the Behringer 2031A monitors.

 

[maxabillion]

I just got the behringer 1030a's and I have maybe a 12x10 foot spot for my studio (sorry, don't know it in meters ). People here will tell you the behringer sucks, but I gotta say the 1030a's blew me away, great response, no fatiguing, balanced bass and treble, great clarity. And they have a room comp switch to roll off the low end if it hits too much in a small space. Got mine for $280 bucks for the pair - can't really beat that price.

 

[Mo Facta]

I just got some Focal CMS50's! WOW! They're hellishly loud and clear and configurable. Loving them.

I had Mackie HR824 MKI's before and these little guys blow them away. And they're only $1200 a pair.

Cheers

 

[Rigel]

I'd suggest Yamaha monitors HS50m M or even HS80M, which are good powered speakers and within your price range...

 

[John Willett]

I'm not voting for any on the list, I'm afraid.

If I was looking for monitors on a very low budget I think my first point of call would be KRK.

 

[DD83]

I wouldn't suggest spending less than that on speakers

I agree. I definitely would try for the krk's as well. All of those monitors aren't really that great, but if you absolutely have to get something off of that list I would say go with the Tapcos, I believe they are a Mackie company/owned by Mackie, and Mackie have made some of the best monitors on the market with the HR series. I would stay away from the Samson and the Behringer.