Decent Active Monitors.....any suggestions? (im new here)

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:20 pm

Hello everyone,
My names John. Im new here. Im in the process of building a small recording studio in one of the rooms in my basement. While i don't know even close to some of the things you guys do, i do know a little. Im a singer/songwriter and my basic goal for this studio is to record my vocals, upright piano, and acoustic guitar and have them sound GOOD. My "setup plan" is as follows:

-17'' iMac G5 (have)
-M-Box 2/ProTools LE
-Shure KSM-32
*Studio Monitors*

About the studio monitors....I just don't know where to start. I want a nice pair of active monitors for under 600 dollars...Anyone have any suggestions?

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:11 pm

You could find a used pair of krk v8's not the new ones, rockits or whatever.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:04 am

Hi John, and welcome.

I'll second the KRKs. The powered series II V6s or V8s are good. I wouldn't go for the new VXT range or the lower-spec RP range (Rokits). There should be some V II units coming on the market as people think they have to trade up to the latest VXTs.

Your could also consider Genelecs if you can find some in your price range.

Choosing monitors is a very personal thing. Make sure you try out several using your type of source material before you buy.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:02 am

I am very pleased with my Yamaha HS50Ms
They work great for near fields.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:28 pm

I do believe the Yamaha MSP5's were quite in vogue here a few years ago; It might take a little finding, but they work quite well. MUCH better than the TR8's the studio had beforehand.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:37 pm

As Boswell states - it's a very personal thing choosing monitors.

Under the $600 price range, it gets very dicey as there are such WIDE variations in sound. Generally with much pricier monitors, you'll find that, while there are variations in sound (sometimes dramatic) they all get pretty close to the picture and only offer minor editorials versus the cheaper speakers which almost always offer significant editorializing (such as extremely hyped bass, etched and bright treble, slow/thick midrange, etc.)

There are few, IMO, which stand out in that range for providing excellent sound with little in the way of editorializing.

The KRK V6/V8s fit that bill (and can be found used in that range) as do the unpowered ST6s (with a good amp will be around the same.)

NHT M-00 are phenomenal but you'll soon be wanting a good sub.

For just a little bit more, I've been very pleased with the Adam A7s. At $1K a pair, they're a budgetary step up, but IMO very well worth trying for yourself.

Good luck in your search. The search for quality speakers has driven many a person mad.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:32 pm

I agree with Jeremy here. I went though various monitors, and also
settled (probably temporarily) on Adam A7s. Good stuff. For 1K I mean.
I can add that for myself I found out that I like better the front ported speakers (oposite to rear ported). This sort things out nicely for it
narrows the search.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:59 pm

Nobody mentioned the Yamaha HS80M's. They can be had for the $500-600 price range through ebay. On an earlier thread I mentioned that I spent a rainy afternoon by myself testing all the models in my favorite now defunct music store and found I liked the Yamaha's the best and bought a pair. No regrets here. Active biamped with an 8" woofer.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:13 pm

You might wan to look into just getting a used Digi002. It will cost the same as a new MBox2. Just a thought. The pre's might be better and you would have four of them. It will give you some room to grow. Especially if you end up becoming a gear slut like myself, seriously I'm a whore.

I have the KRK RP8's. The might not be the best monitors but they are affordable and give you something to start with. I am satisfied with mine.
Especially considering I wasn't able to test any out.

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