which monitors?

[malgovert]

I know this is an age-old question and i have done some searching both on the net and in the forum to get some general info, still I could use some specific opinions here:

1 First I need to know if active monitors = biamplified monitors = powered monitors... they are all the same thing right, or is there any subtle difference?

2 second I have the chance to buy some but it seems my choice is limited to either genelec 1029As, yamaha msp10s or tannoy reveals (I can't remember if these are powered or not)

Anyway they are not cheap but I think for what they are, they are not so expensive either at around $800 - I have never owned/used monitors before so I don't really know what i'm looking for - but would appreciate any opinions/info re the quality/performance of these models - perhaps these are too good/pricey for a beginner like me?

Finally I noticed when browsing the net that most monitors are said to require a subwoofer alongside them - is this true - coz if I have to buy one of those too it's gonna add another few hundred dollars to the price tag...

...and one more thing - the same shop has both a rode nt1 and nt3 - which one should i go for? again I have never used these mics though I have read/heard nothing but excellent reports about both...

It's Christmas time, and I'm going SHOPPING

Thanks all - malgo

 

[Sabith]

I don't know the other monitors off hand, but I do know the Tannoy Reveals, I have a set of them myself(unpowerd(passive))and I love em. I found them great for mixin and just for casual listenin. Plus they look damn good.

And what are U going to be using your mic for???? but I probly recomend the NT-1 anyway......... I also have an NT-1 and I like it, but make sure to have a SM57 around, U always can use one of those =) Honestly if U don't have a SM57 yet...... U should get one before U get the NT-1, although it doesn't sound as good on vocals, I think itz a much more versitile mic.

Plus do U have a mixer or standalone mic pre???

Sabith

 

[Sabith]

o ya...... when U said

"perhaps these are too good/pricey for a beginner like me"

good monitors aren't too good for anyone, they are ALWAYS helpful no matter how good U are......(I used good 3 times in one sentence.... I have real good english skills....) U always need a good pair of monitors at some point. They are such a key to a good mix......

Plus if U don't wanna be a rec'in engineer anymore, U will have some kickass speakers at your disposal =)

Sabith

 

[saxman72]

Malgo-

I can't vounch for any one of the monitors you have listed, but I know many people here like the Reveals, and the Genelecs are used in many studios. (Don't know anything about the Yamahas)

Find out if the Reveals you might get are powered or not. A good amp will cost you at least $300 so be sure to take that into consideration.

*There is a difference between powered and bi-amplified*
bi-amplified means that there are separate amps for the tweeter and woofer in each speaker. In other words, there are 4 amps built in for each pair of speakers.
powered simply means that there is an amp provided for each speaker, and that means that there are likely only two amps total. (so all bi-amped monitors are powered, but not all powered monitors are bi-amped. make sense?)

for example, Event's 20/20's come in three flavors: the plain old 20/20's (passive), the 20/20p (powered), and the 20/20bas (bi-amplified).

For $800 you should be able to get yourself either a good pair of powered monitors, or a set of good monitors and a good amp. Look around here and you'll find some good ideas. 20/20's, Reveals, and Yorkville Ysm-1's all get good reviews without many complaints.

btw, you shouldn't NEED a subwoofer with most decent near field monitors.

Saxman72