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studio monitors in the ~$500/pair range

a few factors have combined to make me think it's time to invest in some halfway-decent monitors (old speakers broke, I'm taking a few classes in recording this year at Stanford, and I want to start producing as well as DJ'ing). My budget isn't that big, I'm hoping to spend at most $500 for a pair but if there's a compelling reason to spend more than that I'd like to hear it. What would you experienced folks suggest?

Well, I don't have any at all, but from what I've gathered, monitors in this range are just glorified computer speakers... The lowest priced speakers that I've heard are worth the trouble, are the Yamaha HS80s, I think they might be a little bit more, but in a similar range...

Not true. You can get the Behringer truth 2031A (active) monitors which are great value and sound good (unlike nearly every other product they make).

Also, if you're really lucky you could pick up Mackie HR824's second hand which are good monitors, and the same can be said for KRKs or Dynaudios (again if you're lucky).

Bang for buck.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Behringer truth 2031A (active) monitors

I had the Behringer Truths for about 5 years. I liked the old series (gray plate on the front). The new ones aren't much good at all in my opinion (black shiny plate on front), they feel bass heavy and muddy. KRK's RP8 feels similar to the old-style Behringer truths and I would say those are pretty decent. Too bad they're just speakers made by some company and then get the KRK logo put on it .

If you want speakers that go loud and sound decent, KRK would be the best choice from my point of view. The new Behringer Truth goes louder I think, but they don't feel as accurate to me as the older Truth's do.

I'd say have a shot at the Yamaha's HS80M. I was well impressed by their price/performance ratio and I feel these are probably the best for now in the < 500E segment. I just googled and noticed they sell for about 700$ a pair unfortunately.

Second hand monitors could be nice. I personally prefer them new, but if you can make sure you find a properly used second hand pair that would probably be a better investment.

In short I'd recommend:
You want new speakers and spend <500$ : KRK or maybe Behringer
If you can save another 200$ extra: Yamaha HS80M
If you want some good stuff either save up for at least a budget of 1000$ or try finding some second hand.


Best thing would be if you could hear the speakers for yourself. So you can actually hear which speakers suit your needs. Buying monitor speakers is a very personal thing. It's best if you decide on what you think sounds most accurate because that's different for everyone.

I was thinking of getting the Mackie HR824 MKII are these good monitors? Thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by snatonsb I was thinking of getting the Mackie HR824 MKII are these good monitors? Thank you!

Yeah, they're excellent monitors, but they aren't less than $500/pr. More like $1300/pr.

What about Event ALP5, I really like mine. They have a surprisingly powerful sound and a wide stereo field.

Looks like you can pick them up at Sweetwater for $330 a pair

A pair of Mackie hr824s usually sells for $500-$600 on eBay. Great monitors to mix club oriented music on.

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller I had the Behringer Truths for about 5 years. I liked the old series (gray plate on the front). The new ones aren't much good at all in my opinion (black shiny plate on front), they feel bass heavy and muddy. KRK's RP8 feels similar to the old-style Behringer truths and I would say those are pretty decent. Too bad they're just speakers made by some company and then get the KRK logo put on it . If you want speakers that go loud and sound decent, KRK would be the best choice from my point of view. The new Behringer Truth goes louder I think, but they don't feel as accurate to me as the older Truth's do. I'd say have a shot at the Yamaha's HS80M. I was well impressed by their price/performance ratio and I feel these are probably the best for now in the < 500E segment. I just googled and noticed they sell for about 700$ a pair unfortunately. Second hand monitors could be nice. I personally prefer them new, but if you can make sure you find a properly used second hand pair that would probably be a better investment. In short I'd recommend: You want new speakers and spend <500$ : KRK or maybe Behringer If you can save another 200$ extra: Yamaha HS80M If you want some good stuff either save up for at least a budget of 1000$ or try finding some second hand. Best thing would be if you could hear the speakers for yourself. So you can actually hear which speakers suit your needs. Buying monitor speakers is a very personal thing. It's best if you decide on what you think sounds most accurate because that's different for everyone.

Hmmmm. Interesting, I didn't realize that they had changed the design. Have you used the new ones or just heard them in shop etc. I was set on getting a pair, but now I'm not so sure.

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta A pair of Mackie hr824s usually sells for $500-$600 on eBay. Great monitors to mix club oriented music on.

I'll have to second this. I upgraded my monitors from some low end Event monitors to the Mackie HR824 (original version) and my mixes improved considerably. Definitely a good monitor for that price range.

I'm fixing to pick up a pair of Focal Twin 6's to replace the Mackies, so I'll have them up for sale on eBay in the next week or two. PM me and I'll let you know when they go up for sale.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J I'm fixing to pick up a pair of Focal Twin 6's to replace the Mackies, so I'll have them up for sale on eBay in the next week or two.

Why not get the ADAM S3As if you're after that type of 3-way design?

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta Why not get the ADAM S3As if you're after that type of 3-way design?

Larger investment. The ADAM S3As are about $2700 a piece, where as I can get the Focal Twins for around $3000 for the pair. If money were no object, then it'd definitely be in the running, but I gotta spare some coin for a new audio interface as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller I had the Behringer Truths for about 5 years. I liked the old series (gray plate on the front). The new ones aren't much good at all in my opinion (black shiny plate on front), they feel bass heavy and muddy. KRK's RP8 feels similar to the old-style Behringer truths and I would say those are pretty decent. Too bad they're just speakers made by some company and then get the KRK logo put on it . If you want speakers that go loud and sound decent, KRK would be the best choice from my point of view. The new Behringer Truth goes louder I think, but they don't feel as accurate to me as the older Truth's do. I'd say have a shot at the Yamaha's HS80M. I was well impressed by their price/performance ratio and I feel these are probably the best for now in the < 500E segment. I just googled and noticed they sell for about 700$ a pair unfortunately. Second hand monitors could be nice. I personally prefer them new, but if you can make sure you find a properly used second hand pair that would probably be a better investment. In short I'd recommend: You want new speakers and spend <500$ : KRK or maybe Behringer If you can save another 200$ extra: Yamaha HS80M If you want some good stuff either save up for at least a budget of 1000$ or try finding some second hand. Best thing would be if you could hear the speakers for yourself. So you can actually hear which speakers suit your needs. Buying monitor speakers is a very personal thing. It's best if you decide on what you think sounds most accurate because that's different for everyone.

im using the Yamahas HS 80m and i must say its preety good monitors, someone tell "they not have good bass" but i think they have very good low line for bass
btw. this speakers are very cute and more lineary :]
think abpout:

-Hs 80m
- krk rp 6 or 7 i dont remeber now what model is it

Event makes the best budget monitors around. Krks can't touch them!

I have the ALP-5 and have worked with the TR-6 and 8... all great choices!

KRK RP8 G2

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J I'm fixing to pick up a pair of Focal Twin 6's to replace the Mackies, so I'll have them up for sale on eBay in the next week or two. PM me and I'll let you know when they go up for sale.

Great choice!

I was seriously considering the Mackie Hr824 MKII but before I buy these any other better monitors you guys recommend or should I purchase these...? Thanks alot!

quote:

Originally posted by Beyer Great choice!

Thanks, they sound absolutely brilliant, especially when coming from the HR824's. Don't get me wrong, the HR824's are a great choice for the price bracket, but I expect a large jump in quality when going from $1200/pr units to $3,000/pr ones.

Now I just gotta find some good stands to place them on.

Im also going to buy a pair of monitors (never had any). What about sub? Any recommendations?

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Larger investment. The ADAM S3As are about $2700 a piece, where as I can get the Focal Twins for around $3000 for the pair. If money were no object, then it'd definitely be in the running, but I gotta spare some coin for a new audio interface as well.

Didn't realize Twin6s were so cheap in price, I thought they were around the 4-5k range. What do you think of the P33A?

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta Didn't realize Twin6s were so cheap in price, I thought they were around the 4-5k range. What do you think of the P33A?

They sounded a bit scooped in the mids to my ears. Nothing earth shattering mind you, just not as detailed as the Focal Twins. I'm trying to get more detail in the mids on my monitors, and the HR824's are noticeably scooped in the mids, so that stuck out for me on the P33A's. I know a few people that love them, but something didn't sound as good to me compared to the Focal Twins. The P33A's also sounded a bit "boxy" to me, but it wasn't real noticeable. Don't get me wrong, I though they were a huge improvement over my Mackies, but I thought the Focal Twins sounded better.

Now some people will complain about the beryllium tweeters in the Focal Twins, saying they sound too "bright" and a bit "harsh", but they sounded smooth and warm to my ears, especially when listening to anything EDM that had space, such as minimal or some tech house. Hi Hats were crisp and reverb tails sounded fantastic. Trance sounded really good on them because the detail in the mids reveals so much in that type of "cluttered" music. There is so much going on in most trance tracks and I could hear every last detail (including a few tracks that were poorly EQ'd in the mid range).

Honestly, if I ended up with the P33A's, I wouldn't have anything to complain about, they are fantastic 3 ways, but I just personally liked the overall sound of the Focal Twins a tiny bit better. I'm actually kind of worried about how bad my mixes might sound when I get the Focal Twins. Its just such a huge step up in quality from the Mackies, that I'm sure I'll be spending a few weeks fixing broken parts of my mixdowns on al my tracks that haven't gone out yet.

I 100% agree on that the tweeter is very nice, and that the mids
are incredibly detailed. I haven't auditioned a lot of monitors,
and bought the focals unheard - but they are so detailed!
I personally haven't heard speakers this good before, and can't
think of anything bad to say about them - except for their size maybe
Right now they take up quite some space, after I moved into a new house.
I actually put them up for sale recently, but after a few days I deleted
the ad. These aren't going anywhere. The only other problem
right now, is the lack of bass, but that's the room's fault.

quote:

Originally posted by Beyer I 100% agree on that the tweeter is very nice, and that the mids are incredibly detailed. I haven't auditioned a lot of monitors, and bought the focals unheard - but they are so detailed! I personally haven't heard speakers this good before, and can't think of anything bad to say about them - except for their size maybe Right now they take up quite some space, after I moved into a new house. I actually put them up for sale recently, but after a few days I deleted the ad. These aren't going anywhere. The only other problem right now, is the lack of bass, but that's the room's fault.

Beyer, which audio interface are you using?

I have the tc konnekt 8, which I had some issues with using a dell with xp. It turned out that the dvd drive was the culprit, and I had to disable it in order to eliminate pops, and audio drop outs. Same with wlan, but not as severe.
I have no issues what so ever with my mac mini with leopard.

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