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Monitor Speakers. Which Are Good Ones?
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| JayD |
Ok, Im currently in the works of looking for monitor speakers to purchase. Not looking for anything major for outdoor and ect, just looking for speakers with great sound and something that will be worthwhile and not super duper expensive. Size, size is something that I want also. Perferably small, something I might be able to mount, put on stands, and ect. Something like this below would be great (speakers that is, from armins studio).
What monitor speakers are good for the money are most widely used for home monotoring? Any help would be great. Thanks
JaY |
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| jdat |
WOW nice setup!
and nice Pioneer CDJ 1000s there!
I suggest either going for normal monitors : yamaha mx1 or something like that ( I forgot the exact reference )
tannoy reveals ( pricey )
krk ( great bass )
hafler has some nice cheap packages at musiciansfriend.com
and genelec, champs of the world, but pricey also.
basically before going any further; what's your budget, and what kind of sound are you searching for?
and why do you want to replace your current monitors? ( what are they btw )
and do you count on adding a sub? ( which I do and don't recommend ... ) |
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| JayD |
Hey, currently I dont have monitor speakers. I am using little computer speakers for monotoring at the moment. I do have two 12 inch Advents but they are about 10 years old and the conings gone on them so they sound blown and cannot be used loud. Price range, I am looking to spend no more than 300, if I have to spend more I would probably go to $400. About using a sub, I would rather not. Hearing the bass and treble from top I prefer more than having the bass (subwoofer) below. Although, if there is something that you would recomend and you think would be great, I wouldnt mind hearing about it also. Thanks
JaY |
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| Dj Thy |
Isn't that pic taken from Armin's studio?
About your question, Genelec and Mackie (their HR824 and 624 are really good but pricey) are probably the most used nowadays. Dynaudio BM6a are also very very good, but I think all those stated here are out of your price class.
Personally I don't really like Tannoy reveals. They sound a little bit muddy, but this is my personal opinion.
Depending on the money you really wanna spend I'd say the best you may get are Event 20/20bas (biamped). I think you can find them for about 700$ if you look very good.
The question is how will you use the monitors? Is it for monitoring while mixing only, or will you use them to produce also?
If it's mixing only, Behringer Truths are a good bet. They are pretty cheap (<500 for a pair), and of course they can't compare to Genelecs or Mackies. Many people (including me) prefer the Events when using them for producing, because they are more linear, and accurate. But Behringers are a emphasing the punch of tunes a tad, which makes them good for the music we spin.
The best thing you can do is go to your local store (of course you have to have a local store :D) and take some cd's with you you are very familiar with. Ask the guys in the store if you can compare monitors with your cd(s). That way you'll be able to choose those that you like most (everyone has a different hearing, some people even hate Genelecs or Mackies, so...).
But for price and decent quality, I'd suggest you look at Event 20/20bas or Behringer Truth. |
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| DJ Chrono |
in my opinion don't waste your money on real monitors. they do have good sound quality, but depending what you run them through, they will sound just as good as any other speaker. for example, if you run your sound through your pc, and you have an average sound card running at 44.16, with regualar 1/4" or rca wires, you're not gonna get spectcular sound out of $500 monitors.. and it depends on the quality of your needles, mixer, amp etc..
so what I'm saying is that real monitor speakers are meant usually for production setups where hi-end gear is used, to keep an extreemly clean and precise signal the whole time..
for average people who want a pair of speakers, I recommend you get cheaper "regular" speakers. If you want them small bookshelf size speakers, you are gonna sacrifice bass no matter what, if you dont use a sub. but since you don't want a sub, you are probably going to need a good pair of floor standing speakers.
Now, brand names are expensive too. You can get a nice pair of cerwin vega 10's for about $600 CND, or you could get a pretty close less known brand (like merak, my personal choice) for $250 CND.
it's your choice really, but what I recommend is you go to a local store that sells speakers, bring in a CD of trance or whatever type of music, and TEST THEM OUTTTT.. and just pick the one's that you think are the best. |
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| DJ Chrono |
the speakers mentioned in dj thy's post are great monitors, especially the Dynaudio BM6A and Genelec 1031A, but of course these are Extreemly high end, and are out of your price range.
If eventually want a crazy pair of monitors, have a good system to run them through, and have the money, then i would recommend these. |
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| jdat |
if you're just into it for speakers get some acoustic research
big bass and great sound and cheap!
and yes I know they are not monitors |
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| DJ Chrono |
now these are what I call monitors.
dynaudio air 15's.
but at $3620.00 USD, they're alittle pricey. |
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| JayD |
Thanks guys, definitly some great posts here. What are your ups and downs on having a subwoofer with the equipment? Would you suggest it or not? Also, $500 doesnt sound bad, it wouldnt be a problem to get really, but its just that, if I am going to spend about $500 on speakers I rather say buy a cdj or another technics first heh. But if the speakers like you say are that good that are in that price range I'll have to consider it.
I rather have something like the picture in my first post which are above and ear level, that would be perfect. Yet again, if it wont be a good investment I would like to know that also. I've been told that small speakers may even have better sound than bigger ones.
To Dj Thy, for right now mixing would be where I would be using these for but later on maybe both.
Thanks, I'm going to check out all of your speakers suggestions. Any more suggestions are welcome.
P.S. - Anyone know what speakers those are in the picture in my first post? Armin doesnt list it on his site.
JaY |
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| jdat |
subwoofer = more bass
but having the bass and treble separated ( not completely cause you still have bass in mons ) makes the sound less pure and precise
+ the bass might cover up to much , no matter how well you try to adjust the volume level on the sub.
I suggest going for Krk if you want serious bass in your mons |
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| j_spot |
| which krk do u suggest? |
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| DJ Chrono |
small bookshelve speakers do have really good sound, esecially when elevated, but like I said before they generally lack enough bass. thats why I recommend using a sub.
I use an 8" subwoofer with two bookshelves, and the bass is really good. not overpowering, and still clear and accurate.
Even with large speakers I prefer the sound of a sub to accompany them. |
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