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studio monitors in the ~$500/pair range
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| progressiveMOJO |
| 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 $500 for a pair but if there's a compelling reason to spend more than that I'd like to hear it. What would you experienced folks suggest? |
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| kitphillips |
| Well, I don't have any at all, but from what I've gathered, monitors in this range are just glorified computer speakers... The lowest priced speakers that I've heard are worth the trouble, are the Yamaha HS80s, I think they might be a little bit more, but in a similar range... |
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| DJ RANN |
Not true. You can get the Behringer truth 2031A (active) monitors which are great value and sound good (unlike nearly every other product they make).
Also, if you're really lucky you could pick up Mackie HR824's second hand which are good monitors, and the same can be said for KRKs or Dynaudios (again if you're lucky). |
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| Stevemarble |
Bang for buck.
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Behringer truth 2031A (active) monitors |
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| Storyteller |
I had the Behringer Truths for about 5 years. I liked the old series (gray plate on the front). The new ones aren't much good at all in my opinion (black shiny plate on front), they feel bass heavy and muddy. KRK's RP8 feels similar to the old-style Behringer truths and I would say those are pretty decent. Too bad they're just speakers made by some company and then get the KRK logo put on it :p.
If you want speakers that go loud and sound decent, KRK would be the best choice from my point of view. The new Behringer Truth goes louder I think, but they don't feel as accurate to me as the older Truth's do.
I'd say have a shot at the Yamaha's HS80M. I was well impressed by their price/performance ratio and I feel these are probably the best for now in the < 500E segment. I just googled and noticed they sell for about 700$ 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. |
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| snatonsb |
| I was thinking of getting the Mackie HR824 MKII are these good monitors? Thank you! :) |
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| cryophonik |
| 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. |
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| flutlicht junky |
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 |
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| spolitta |
| A pair of Mackie hr824s usually sells for $500-$600 on eBay. Great monitors to mix club oriented music on. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
I had the Behringer Truths for about 5 years. I liked the old series (gray plate on the front). The new ones aren't much good at all in my opinion (black shiny plate on front), they feel bass heavy and muddy. KRK's RP8 feels similar to the old-style Behringer truths and I would say those are pretty decent. Too bad they're just speakers made by some company and then get the KRK logo put on it :p.
If you want speakers that go loud and sound decent, KRK would be the best choice from my point of view. The new Behringer Truth goes louder I think, but they don't feel as accurate to me as the older Truth's do.
I'd say have a shot at the Yamaha's HS80M. I was well impressed by their price/performance ratio and I feel these are probably the best for now in the < 500E segment. I just googled and noticed they sell for about 700$ 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. |
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| Eric J |
| 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. |
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| spolitta |
| 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? |
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