Out of those two, for that price range, I would get the M-Audio over the MSP3's. The 4 inch woofer of the msp3 isn't going to give you any clue as to what kind of bass you're getting, which is pretty important in the type of music you're talking about. You may even be able to find a pair of BX-8's for that price at musiciansfriend.com. they'd have a little more bass to them.

You could always save up a few hundered more and get the MSP-5s which are a fav around here, but you can play the "just save a little more" game all day long and end up buying some B&W's.

i would go with the msp3 ive read alot of good reviews and i hear some bad things about maudio. i dont have any experiance with either of them though, and i love my msp5s.

there i a lot more to monitors than bass, and honestly 90% of car stereos dont have subs, and also a larger wolfer dose not really mean MORE or BETER bass.

McCheese - Thanks for the info. I really found it helpfull relating to the type of music I'm doing. The BX8's are only $319 now at musicfriend.com I will go give them a listen tonight at GC. If I get this new job I might just go ahead and play the "just save a little more" game, hahah we'll see. Thanks again!

If monitors - in this instance - are speakers that offer accuracy over a frequency range wide enough to critically record/mix dance music that will be revered for decades to come, in the finest dance clubs, then the question is, can any 3" speakers be "monitors"? No. Can any $300 dollar speakers, regardless of size, do it? No.

But, we gotta' start somewhere, and in truth, the actual differences between nicely made, reasonably spec'ed 3000 dollar 10" speakers and nm, rs 300 dollar 3" speakers are mostly volume and bass response. To hear many "deal-breaking" quality differences you'd have to hear them side by side - with a practiced ear - the quality difference just doesn't easily compute without some sort of reference. Hey kids, 300 bucks is a chunk-o-change for a tiny little pair of speakers! They'd better be pretty darned good... Bet they are and I've never heard the 3's(Which are really made for use in professional TV remote trucks and such.)...

When you go to GC, check them ALL out! Right up to the Mackie 8" or better, even if you can't get any of the pricier ones yet. Then you'll have an idea of what you're getting(And not getting) with any speakers you buy. When you go, take along a CD with one or two(High/Low/Varying) pieces of music, much like you plan to make, made by someone who probably had and knew how to use, the best of everything. Check each speaker with the same passages from the same songs, from YOUR CD. The showroom at GC, is not the world's best listening environment, but at least you'll have some idea - there will be differences in every speaker you listen to. Pick the ones that your EARS like, for the music YOU are going to do, not the speakers that your EYES and your magazine ad remembering BRAIN likes. Pick speakers that you can afford NOW - or just a weensy bit more than you can afford.....? Me? I'd rather have a great pair of tiny ones than a mediocre pair of big ones, anytime(No lude comments from the peanut gallery!), like the Yamaha 3's(Though I'd save for the 5's.). You? You might like the Alesis Active MKII's, with maybe a slightly better bass response? Or the M-Audio's? Whatever...

Listen hard. Spend too much. Get what you like. Then, go home - and get started...

TG

Just went to GC and SA last night. I have to say that I am over the M Audio's and neither of them had any Yamaha's. I am leaning towards the Samson 65a's right now. They definitiely sounded the best to me even better than thet Krk's. I finally got to hear the Mackie 824's and those things were incredible. I just cannot afford them at all.
I'm going to Hollywood to GC and SA over there to see if I can test the Yamahas.

I'm going to make a comment, before anyone else does. But, don't leave me, read on...

Samson, Ick.

I would stand by that comment if it weren't for one thing.

SamSUNG, Ick.

That WAS the general comment about Samsung, who's claim to fame used to be TV's sold at the drug store. NOW they make some of the finest televsions and professional video monitors in the world - at excellent prices.

Samson, ick?(Or not..?)

I, for one, would be v-e-r-y interested in how the Samsons, ultimately "hold-up" in your personal listening tests. Samson is making the impossible, laughable 69(49?) dollar "studio" condenser mic! People are buying them and not much laughing is being heard.

So far, I'm glad to hear you are trying to use your EARS to buy your speakers, not your vanity. It is amazing how fast one can "toss out from consideration" some very respected, well advertised stuff, with just a short, actual "listen". And yes, those Mackies DO sound nice, huh? I like the "sound" of the 624's even better(Less bass, but smoother accross their range, I believe.), and they're cheaper! I look forward to reading more about what you "hear"?

TG

Heh, I was thinking the same thing, but if it sounds good to you, go for it. My main concern with something like that would be build quality, but I'm not going to comment either way about Samson since I don't own anything made by them.

I second the congrats for being open and subjective. I probably wouldn't have even listened to them, and that's my fault. Lesson learned here. Get what works best for you. F the Man. 8-)

thanks guys! it looks like my search for the yamaha msp3's are done. none of the GC's / SA's around here have them. one store even said that they discontinued selling them. i haven't seen anything else in the $300 - $350 price range that i like. do you guys have any other suggestoins on brands for the price rang of $300-$330 (pair) that i can go listen to? i honestly cannot afford anything higher beccause i am currently unemployed and the govt. just cut my unemployment checks. i'm with you mccheese F the man :!: