Heyo, I'm looking for an audio interface and monitors soon, so I was hoping to get some opinions.

I just need simple connectivity; right from the card to the monitors.

I was considering a PCI card for low latency, but also looking at firewire, just in case in the future I might want to work on projects on the go.

As far as PCI cards, I've been scouting the M-Audio Delta 44, which has a simple breakout box.

For firewire, I was looking at the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14.

As for monitors, I was considering the ubiquitous Rokit RP-5s, with a subwoofer down the road, or a pair of the RP-8s with a sub if I really feel I need it.

Any other recommendations in terms of cards/monitor combos?
For the card, I'm looking around the $250 USD range. Monitors, absolute max $500 (preferably less, but not at big impact on quality)


Thanks!

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I keep hearing people say you shouldn't monitor with a sub, so take that as you will

quote:

Originally posted by meriter I keep hearing people say you shouldn't monitor with a sub, so take that as you will

Hmm, I know it's imperative to dial the right level for the sub, but wouldn't the extended range and load offset be of use?

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Cool, thanks for the info. I was really liking the Focusrite, so it looks like I'll be going with that.

Do you have any input on the Yamaha HS-50Ms? They're within my budget, and I don't have a lot of space, so those should work. Just don't want to limit myself too much when it comes to balancing budget vs lower frequency range accuracy.

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quote:

Originally posted by kadomony Cool, thanks for the info. I was really liking the Focusrite, so it looks like I'll be going with that. Do you have any input on the Yamaha HS-50Ms? They're within my budget, and I don't have a lot of space, so those should work. Just don't want to limit myself too much when it comes to balancing budget vs lower frequency range accuracy.

Can't speak on experience but everything I have read (a lot) says the Yams are 10 times the speaker the Rockits are. If you can swing the cas, it's a no brainer. And you will save Rann from another anxiety attack and K9 dinner

Seriously, check the forum for posts on the Yamahas. Rann had a great writeup posted filled with info. Can't remember the exact thread but it's within the last 2 days in a 'monitor' thread.

Ah nice, looks like they're built similarly to the NS10s. Could use the 8", but for now I should be set with the 5" and work around it. Thanks, guys!

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I'm looking for a new set of monitors and have narrowed it down to the yamaha HS80s. However I have limited work space and noticed the HS50s as an alternative. Does anyone know what the differences are between then apart from size?

Also I ve not work with active studio monitors before, will they connect to my audio dj 8 soundcard

thanks

I've not used the HS50s but I own the HS80s and I'm very happy with them.

HS80's are excellent but won't work well in a small untreated space. If your room is small then go for a pair of JBL LSR2326P's and pair it with some monitoring headphones to check bass levels.

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Ive heard good things about the JBL LSR range will check them out thanks. I'm currently in a small space at the moment for the next 6 months or so, not sure what to do in the short term.

quote:

Originally posted by tehlord HS80's are excellent but won't work well in a small untreated space. If your room is small then go for a pair of JBL LSR2326P's and pair it with some monitoring headphones to check bass levels.

This.

And yes, if you buy KRK's I will hunt you down and eat your dog in front of you.

Basically, HS50's are good and have nice details but completely drop off on the low end, so in that respect they are not full spectrum.

HS80's are great monitors as already posted in this thread, but they do not work well in confined spaces, as they start to boom and throw off their otherwise fairly flat response.

If yo have a small space, the the JBL LSR2325p's are fantastic. I actually ended up buying them after a massive shootout of all the major brands at a couple of different stores.

They actually sound like 6 or 8" monitors, are nice and flat through the range (no nasty dips or hypes) and are incredibly forgiving to untreated spaces. Personally, I think they are the best in their price range by a long shot, only being beaten by the HS80's which are $150 more (each).

There's no need for a sub. I won't go in to all the fine details yet again as to why, but simply put, you don't need one if you have speakers with proper bass response.

As for interface, stay away from the maya. It's OK but very old - it's just that there are so many better options for the same money these days.

At the $250 price point I would look at Echo's FW offerings - PCI are fine but I think external interfaces give you more flexibility and the quality/latency points are moot at that price point.

I'll have a look at those JBLs. I'm definitely in a small space, with not much leeway to move stuff around. Been using K701's for mixing, so I can check the low end on them as well.

Cheers!

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