TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- Monitors
Pages (2): [1] 2 »

Monitors

I am considering getting some monitors - currently use Sennheiser headphones.

I know these will be no where near the best, but for a hobbyist like myself, can you recommend any good monitors out of this list?

Click - Monitors on Sale at Guitar Center

I would like to stay in the $200-$300 (U.S.) range.

at the price u wanting to go i would go with the behringer b2031A's, are fairly good sounding and about the best around at that price, plus i seen them sitting in a studio setup on pop idol!!

u can get some krk rp5 for 300 on that site! id probably go for those!

Yea, go for the KRKs for that price.

Thanks guys!

don't listen to any of the above.

Take music you know well to a shop and test the speakers in your price range. Buy the ones which sound most reliable/trustworthy/real to you. Not the ones that sound best, but those that sound the most transparent.

Nobody can be the judge of buying good speakers for you other than yourself. It's not all facts, but also preference. Some people work better with different speakers than others do, go and find your match!

NOOO the ROkit 5s sound horrible!

go for the Event ALP5, so smooth.

event monitors have great accuracy (keep in mind, if you purchase lower than a 6.5" cone, you will lack in the low frequencies. (in most cases anyways)


i completely agree with storyteller, its definitely fine asking to get an idea of better monitors out there to give you some ideas, but i'd never drop that cash without actually auditioning each one with at least a couple trusted songs (and bring a couple to test that cover different frequency ranges) also keep in mind that the monitors will sound much different in your studio then the shop, but it'll give you a pretty good idea.

The Event ALP5 is the best 5 inch in it's price range. Smooth non boomy bass, (fairly good for 5 inches imo)... the only thing slightly more defined on the krks is the highs, but really it's a much less fatiguing high freq so i prefer it.

he may not have a store that he can test monitors in so buy the best u can for ur price, search for write up's on the monitors u fancy, ur ears will tune to there sound, like u would do with even the top of the range monitors!!

Then he should find some friend or other fellow producer. Better to be safe than sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by jey at the price u wanting to go i would go with the behringer b2031A's, are fairly good sounding and about the best around at that price, plus i seen them sitting in a studio setup on pop idol!!

Don't want to be a prick but the Behringer monitors are all basicly equal too crap. They suck badly. Sound quality is like a stereo, product quality is shitty...and so on...basicly not worth spending a dime even.

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller don't listen to any of the above. Take music you know well to a shop and test the speakers in your price range. Buy the ones which sound most reliable/trustworthy/real to you. Not the ones that sound best, but those that sound the most transparent. Nobody can be the judge of buying good speakers for you other than yourself. It's not all facts, but also preference. Some people work better with different speakers than others do, go and find your match!

Best comment I've heard yet in this thread.
Please do as he said, you'll only thank him later for that.
I've listened to over 25 different monitors before I bought mine.

I would NOT get those KRKs if you play dance music...bass response is absolute crap.

Definitely go listen to some speakers before buying any.

quote:

Originally posted by 3rd Signal Don't want to be a prick but the Behringer monitors are all basicly equal too crap. They suck badly. Sound quality is like a stereo, product quality is shitty...and so on...basicly not worth spending a dime even.

try this: http://www.digitalprosound.com/2002...or_shootout.htm

quote:

Originally posted by jey try this: http://www.digitalprosound.com/2002...or_shootout.htm

link doesn't work

strange! it worked fine 2 secs ago an wont bring up the review!

this is what he link was for!


Under-$500 Monitor Shootout
By Chris Ertel
Page 1 of 1

Recently, I spent three hours (with small breaks to rest my ears) testing the following monitors: Alesis M1 Actives, Alesis MKII passives through a RA150 amp, Tannoy Reveals, Mackie HR824s, M-Audio Studiophile SP8Bs (8" Active), Behringer Truths and Roland DS90s.

My budget is $300-$500, so please keep that in mind (the Mackies were included only for comparison purposes, as their retail price is $1,698). I tested these speakers with the following reference CDs: Crystal Method, "Vegas" (for low-end and drums); Tool, "Aenima" (for Metal guitars and noise); Michael Hedges, "Arial Boundaries" (for acoustic guitar); and Dido, "No Angel" (for female vocal/vocal heavy songs). [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Alesis M1 Active (click for larger view)
Alesis M1 Actives
Sound: 4th place
Value: 3rd place
MSRP: $649 (pair)

These monitors seemed to "fake" the low-end, adding some where there wasn't any (if that's possible). They seemed real low-mid range heavy. Fairly accurate detail, but if I were mixing these CDs with these monitors, I would cut lows where I shouldn't be cutting them.

Alesis MKII passives
Sound: 3rd place
Value: 2nd place
MSRP: $299 (pair)
Alesis MK2 Passive (click for larger view).

These were my favorites before I tested the Studiophiles and the Truths. I thought these monitors had an A- in flat response. I would have to pay very close attention to placement with these monitors because it seem the "hot spot" was very small and different for each speaker. For example, the lows and the mids seemed to be right at the apex of the "triangle" (with your head in the middle and the two monitors at an angle that looks like a triangle from overhead). But the highs seemed to be a little off-kilter from that. Again, it could just be my ears, but to me these monitors would be great, but you'd have to pay extra attention to dampening and bass traps in your recording booth.



Tannoy Reveals

Tannoy Reveals (passives)
Sound: 6th place
Value: 6th place
MSRP: $399 (pair)
These were by far the biggest disappointment, not because they were the worst sounding, but because I had read so much good stuff and it was lacking upon listening. First off, the drivers looked severely overworked when I played the Crystal Method and Tool CDs. It looked like the bottom speaker was going to pop out and we didn't have them that loud (a little louder than I would have them in my home studio). They fared OK with Michael Hedges and seemed to have a good all-around clarity, but they just seemed fatigued and missing the lower end (almost distorting at 33-50Hz).


Mackie HR824 (click for larger view).
Mackie HR824
Sound: 1st place
Value: last place (with my budget)
MSRP: $1,698.00 (pair)Obviously these things rocked. They sounded like I was IN the CD it was so clear and accurate and responsive. The speakers took maximum wattage and yawned. Everything about these was a charm except the price. I can't afford $1,300 for a set of monitors and I don't produce "studio-mastered" quality songs anyway. If I had clients or was being paid for mixing/mastering, I would absorb the cost of these wholeheartedly. I did use these as a reference point along with the CDs to test every other monitor listed above, so they made good reference of the reference, and gave my ears something to go back to when I needed.


M-Audio Studiophile (click for larger view).
M-Audio Studiophile (8" Active)
Sound: 7th place
Value: 4th place
MSRP $599.95 (pair)
I read the articles, saw the website, watched people talk about them in the forums and became so excited that I would find something to outdo my Alesis MKII passives. I rushed to the store, grabbed these monitors set them up along side the Mackies, the MKIIs and the Truths and ... was very disappointed. I could hear nothing but mids. The low end was a little better than that of the MKIIs, but you could barely register it with the amount of midrange that seemed to saturate everything about these monitors. The movable tweeters were nice, as I was able to aim them directly at my ear, but that didn't help get rid of the canniness of these monitors. I placed them in close proximity to a corner, away from a wall, even suspended, and nothing could be done to add to the frequencies that were there on the CD, but missing through the monitors. I really wanted these to work, so I even lowered the bar for them, but they did nothing to sway my opinion from where I started: the Alesis MKIIs.


Behringer Truths (click for larger view).
Behringer Truths
Sound: 2nd place
Value: 1st place
MSRP: $499.99 (pair)

But then I plugged these bad boys in, and gentlemen (and ladies) let me tell you, the sky opened up and God himself came down with a magic wand, touched the tips of these monitors and blessed, blessed music came out. Keep in mind, we are talking about the $300-$500 range. Keep in mind we haven't heard Genelecs, Yamahas, etc. Keep in mind that this was in one store's sound room (a very nice one, but still...). That being said, these babies gave the most detail, the most response, the most crystal clear picture, the toughest handling (the speakers could take volume for days) of all the monitors on this list (with the exception of the Mackies). For $400 these puppies were deemed "Mackie lites" by myself and my friend. Also, bear in mind that they have switches on the back to accomodate speaker placement, room size, etc. So they have "play" for different settings and rooms shapes. I thought for $0 added this little bonus made them all the more appealing. I have a lot of wood in my "studio" (spare bedroom) so I have to be able to adjust ANY monitor I buy to my surroundings. How easy is flipping a couple of switches?!?!? Everyone owes it to themselves to at least hear these monitors before they buy anything. If you don't like 'em, fine -- but I think they'll add an element to your own personal bench tests.


Roland DS90 (click for larger view).
Roland DS90
Sound: 5th place
Value: 5th place
MSRP: $595 (pair)

These were hard to rate objectively. Frankly, I just didn't like them. They shook when you turned up the volume, the tweeter seemed more responsive than the bass driver and something about them just sounded plastic. I apologize to anyone reading this review who can't find anything constructive from what I'm saying about the Rolands. In a nutshell, I think they were OK. Better than the Tannoys, on par with the Studiophiles, but just not cutting it alongside every other monitor. And for the price they are asking for these monitors, it was real easy to dismiss them, given the fact they only really beat out the Tannoys (IMHO).

Sound
1. Mackie HR824s
2. Behringer Truths
3. Alesis MKII passives
4. Alesis M1 Actives
5. Roland DS90s
6. Tannoy Reveals
7. M-Audio Studiophiles

Again, I'd like to state that this was our opinion (My friend and I agreed on the top three, but we varied when it came to the ones at the bottom of the list; he disliked the DS90 and the Studiophiles more than I, and I disliked the Tannoy's more than him). This was in one store's sound room (which could very well have affected the results). This test was performed with certain CDs (maybe you mix classical music, or more pop-oriented music, which could affect the results). In short, I'm saying don't take my word for it.

But, I will say we tested all these monitors systematically, with certain constants and few variables (we moved some speakers around while listening), and we tested the same songs or segments on each monitors. We even placed soundproof material in between the speakers and after testing them individually, we did a "lightning round" where we ran through each in succession in a short time span.

Value
1. Behringer Truths
2. Alesis MKII passives
3. Alesis M1 Actives
4. M-Audio Studiophiles
5. Roland DS90s
6. Tannoy Reveals
7. Mackie HR824s

My conclusion: At least go listen to the Behringers. I have made my choice, you will make yours. But to not give them a chance could mean that you are eliminating a very strong contender from your own list of speakers.

Perhaps the Rolands sound better when they are connected digitally (like they recommend)...I doubt it. Perhaps the Alesis MKIIs would sound better in my own studio versus where I listened to them...I doubt it. Oh, I forgot, as far as monitoring at low levels, the list goes: Truths, Studiophiles, MKIIs... (having not tested the Mackies for this).

Chris Ertel is a dance music producer as well as a DJ. He is currently working on a full-length album with his band Mind Soup.

hmmm..interesting.

Everything I hear about the behringers is either they're the most amazing thing ever, or they're total crap. I'm guessing that they're great speakers, but behringer's quality control is not very good...so sometimes they're great, sometimes they're crap.

As an added note, I was trying to source these for my shop, and most of the distributors I talked to said that they've stopped carrying behringer speakers entirely, because a majority of the ones they sent out they got back as a return. Take that as you will.

Personally, I just got a pair of M1 Active 620s for my studio...I think they sound great, and I don't think they add a lot of bass like that article says.

it is really up to your own ear, what sounds best to you and budget...

i use the 2031a's and they sound good to me, i know they arnt great and new this when buying, i only produced out of interest, kinda hobby, well thats how it started! and at that point it was all about budget! now i really enjoy producing and i will at some point get the mackie 824's but not until my car get new wheels lol

the 2030's will then become my dj setup monitors.

mixes ive done on these sound tight and crisp on everytin i play them on even my phone

You are better off spending as much as you can afford, and then more. Save for twice as long and spend twice as much. MOnitors will be more or less the most important part of your setup.
Good brands are Dynaudio, Genelecs, Mackie, ADAM, Quested...I'm sure there's more. Just read reviews.

quote:

Originally posted by jey he may not have a store that he can test monitors in so buy the best u can for ur price, search for write up's on the monitors u fancy, ur ears will tune to there sound, like u would do with even the top of the range monitors!!

I do have access to the store I linked above. I'll have to go check them out.

quote:

Originally posted by 3rd Signal Don't want to be a prick but the Behringer monitors are all basicly equal too crap. They suck badly. Sound quality is like a stereo, product quality is shitty...and so on...basicly not worth spending a dime even.

Behringer's are shocking. Alesis are far too bass heavy; to the point where i've seen people stuffing wads of foam into all four bass ports just to get it to stfu. :P

In this price range it pretty much comes down to RP5s or ALP5s. Both are OK monitors, but don't expect them to be totally awesome. RP5s have better bass, ALP5s have better overall clarity. Just about anyone who has put them side by side will agree.

It's up to you which you would prefer.

That said, I think you should save up and get something better. 5" is not enough. Dance music relies heavily on good bass response. I would aim for RP8s or TR6s. In my oppinion TR6s blow any other budget monitors out of the water, although I'm yet to hear Rubicons!

THEN AGAIN, Jonas Steur uses Behringers, BT uses crappy BX5s, alot of Ian van Dahl stuff was mixed on Alesis M1s, and Airbase used shit house consumer headphones. Maybe we're all looking into this a bit much? At the end of the day, it's what you train your ears for that counts. Someone going from RP6s to HR824s will not be able to mix as well on the HRs despite the $X,000 price difference; they're not used to it. With that in mind, get the clearest ones (TO YOUR EARS) you can afford, learn them inside out, and hang on to them.

I don't own any of these monitors, so I'm not biased at all :P
I'm saving up for HS80Ms ooooh baby.

very true, ur right about the alesis the newer ones like the 520 and 620 solve this problem. also the pro dsp range are sweet too.

its definately the getting used to your monitors which is the hardest part. sumthing thats sounds good doesnt depict a good monitor. sound is one of the many things thats is very personal, hence why there are so any different genres of music etc...

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm Behringer's are shocking. Alesis are far too bass heavy; to the point where i've seen people stuffing wads of foam into all four bass ports just to get it to stfu. :P In this price range it pretty much comes down to RP5s or ALP5s. Both are OK monitors, but don't expect them to be totally awesome. RP5s have better bass, ALP5s have better overall clarity. Just about anyone who has put them side by side will agree. It's up to you which you would prefer. That said, I think you should save up and get something better. 5" is not enough. Dance music relies heavily on good bass response. I would aim for RP8s or TR6s. In my oppinion TR6s blow any other budget monitors out of the water, although I'm yet to hear Rubicons! THEN AGAIN, Jonas Steur uses Behringers, BT uses crappy BX5s, alot of Ian van Dahl stuff was mixed on Alesis M1s, and Airbase used shit house consumer headphones. Maybe we're all looking into this a bit much? At the end of the day, it's what you train your ears for that counts. Someone going from RP6s to HR824s will not be able to mix as well on the HRs despite the $X,000 price difference; they're not used to it. With that in mind, get the clearest ones (TO YOUR EARS) you can afford, learn them inside out, and hang on to them. I don't own any of these monitors, so I'm not biased at all :P I'm saving up for HS80Ms ooooh baby.

Well I'll say something I always say (and won't ever stop):
It's NOT the music / gear that makes the producer good, it's the producer that makes the music / gear great.
We all got a pair of something which got the highest value of all and I'm talking about our ears.
The ear can adjust it self to basicly any monitor/speaker/headphone/etc' with time. Once adjusted to it, your mix will sound good because you know how it should be like.
I've seen many producers that work with shit equip' though produce great music and the opposite aswell, that's why I never judge by the look of your place and the gear you got cause in the end the only thing that really matters is the ears since without them no monitor, headphone, spectrum, acoustics or anything else will help you produce.
So anyhow what I wanted to say also is that before I bought my monitors I tried over 25 brands of monitors and I still keep on trying. Monitors made by ESI, Samson, Tannoy, Alessis, KRK, Yamaha, Adam, Event, Mackie, Genelec, Dynaudio and many more. I've heard shit and I've heard amazing stuff, only so I could get the right decision and compair them to something better.
And one more thing, My comment about the behringer (that I've yet to try) is only from other people reviews. I've heard only bad stuff about it and bad stuff coming out of it. low metrial quality, low sound quality, and all because it's a low cost monitor.
If I had to get something then I'd go with a monitor like the OLD Tannoy Reveal or Roland (although I didn't like them much but I prefer them more over the other stuff since KRK mostly got bad reviews, M-Audio I don't like at all (lot's of reasons) and alessis got far too much bass on those 2 products.)
But anyhow, what I really got to tell you is take a good cd with tracks that you like and stuff you want to make and listen to it on cheap and expensive monitors so you could get the idea of how far it is from flat sound and then deicide what you really like.
I made a little mess but I think you'll understand me.

P.S.
I didn't like the HS80M, they don't give a sharp image (was like that tweeter was overwhelmed by the mid-sub speaker) and they aren't that strong (in amp terms). When I tried them out they were vibrating like .... on a low volume and I was scared to see how much will they distort when pushed too loud. Though I've heard many people liking them so that's only my opinion.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.