How is your room in terms of acoustics? Do you find that when you play your mixes back on other systems - like a car, or a friend's audio system - that the mixes are bass shy? Or Top end hyped?

Most guys I know don't mix using a sub-woofer. They may occasionally reference the mix through a system with a sub, but most don't implement a sub during the mixing process; they can be very misleading with your low end.

As far as monitors go, like most any other audio gear, you will have various selections based on price - from budget models, to mid range, to high end and even higher than that, "boutique" models.

You want your studio monitors to give you the most accurate reference possible, while allowing you the potential of mixing for hours at a stretch without fatiguing your ears.
The "studio standard" Yamaha NS10's are used by many engineers because they result in neutral mixes, but anyone who has ever cooked on them for more than a few hours will tell you that they can be incredibly fatiguing on your ears after awhile, because of their inherent mid range. There are many models in the $1000 range, and some very nice models in the $2000 range.
Dynaudio's, Genelec's, are but a few of very high quality monitors available at the upper end of the figures you mentioned.

But... if your room is lying to you sonically, even the nicest monitors on the market can only do so much. Room acoustics are just as important in the hierarchy of "mixing musts" as the monitors are. Although, as you mentioned, you seem to be getting compliments on your mixes, so maybe your acoustic environment is okay.

From personal experience, if you are willing to spend around $1500 or so, I would tell you to research Dynaudio's. Out of all the monitors that I have mixed through, they have been the monitors that have given me the nicest mixes, and, with the most "listen-ability", for those long-haul mix sessions. That being said, the control rooms that I have used the various Dynaudio models in were very nice in terms of acoustics.

Here is the model I've used the most and was the most impressed with:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BM6AmkII/

You were using computer speaker right ? They were probably everything else but accurate right ?
I meen, to me accurate meens flat frequency response. Compared to consumer speakers which are usually boosting some frequencies (namely bass and Hi) studio monitors might sound horrible to you at first.

What I'm trying to say is that studio monitors are studio monitors.. . I wouldnt listen to movies on them..
I don't want to disturb any plans, but buying a nice set of monitors for music and having a seperate surround sound system for movies may be a better choice.

I agree with PC. I think it's a better move to have a dedicated studio monitoring system apart from your home theater system. That's not to say that you couldn't still listen to your mixes through your home theater system... but for mixing, it would be best to get into a dedicated studio monitoring set up.

how large is your c/r? that matters a lot.

My C/r is 12X14, typical American bedroom, sheetrock walls, and a layer of paint for acoustic treatment! Pillows and blankets are everywhere!

that's a pretty small room. i wouldn't go with anything larger than a 6" woofer / 45 to 50 Hz.

the PreSonus Eris is getting faveorable nods from the pro audio community ... very affordable. in that price range, i like the krk rocket 6's as well

OK, thanks guys! I'm going to do my research and take it all in. Will be putting this off for a while :( But we'll get there.
Thanks again;
-Johntodd

pcrecord, post: 410949, member: 46460 wrote: You were using computer speaker right ? They were probably everything else but accurate right ?
I meen, to me accurate meens flat frequency response. Compared to consumer speakers which are usually boosting some frequencies (namely bass and Hi) studio monitors might sound horrible to you at first.

What I'm trying to say is that studio monitors are studio monitors.. . I wouldnt listen to movies on them..
I don't want to disturb any plans, but buying a nice set of monitors for music and having a seperate surround sound system for movies may be a better choice.

Although..... I now use my old Mackie HR824s AS home theatre/sound system monitors... they sound absolutely fantastic. Not made in the US any more, sadly.

But they still get rave reviews. They are 3way speakers that go down to 35 hz, +/- 3 db, by virtue of a passive bass radiator. You don't really need a sub with them. And I've always preferred the bass out of passive radiators than ports. More solid; much less distortion. The bass is astonishing: some complain there's too much, in fact.

I think this set-up sounds like a perfect candidate for multiple speakers with a good controller. You should get a very accurate set of actual studio monitors to mix on, retain your "known quantity" you have in your current speakers..(shorts can be repaired easily...usually the cables wearing out) and adding another pair of speakers that do the 'entertainment center/guitar God practice and fun game. The HR824's mentioned make really good home theater speakers for the reasons mentioned and can be found easily at used prices well within your budget. You probably don't need a sub with these in that small of a room as they have PLENTY of low-end extension (actually why I never mixed on them). As a set of quality clean and clear and fairly flat self-powered studio monitors, you can't go wrong with a used set of Genelecs...1030's, 8030's, Focals, etc... My older pair of Genelec 1029's are great to mix on...as long as you dont mix really loud and you have a sweet-spot position fairly close to them. Actually what detailed mixing is all about......

Probably above your budget expectations with a controller included, but the Mackies can be had for $500 or less a pair if you are diligent, and used Genelecs in the '10' series can be around a grand. Throw in a nice Primacoustic room kit and you'd be set for many years to come and eventually the budget won't seem so out of shape with the total completion for your needs.