Powered Studio Monitors

opensauce

Hi All,

I am looking to purchase a pair of intermidiate/decent studio monitors that won't break the bank but will still give me a decent sound. Any suggestions or offers.

Thanks

clinton

Hiya

I'm selling my pair of ESI Near05's if you are interested. Here is the original post.

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/esi-near05-ref-monitors-vox-vr30-combo-bluetube-preamp-yamaha-tg500/

Tokai-SA

Behringer B2301s.

Excellent powered monitors, very cheap.

opensauce

How cheap? ?

TomCat

Look at a pair of JBL LSR-2325P. Fantastic monitors and not a bank breaker.

I have a a pair and are very impressed with them. They go for about R7k for a pair retail.

http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/General/Product.aspx?PId=280&MId=5

Fingerpicker

I use Samson Rubicon R6a's. They are excellent with a lot of options as far as connectors and settings go. I think I paid about R6k for them.

The R5a's are smaller and cheaper.

Really good value.

inflames

Just to revive this thread ?

I'm also now in the market for some studio monitors.
I understand the concept of cheap monitors will do, but in the long run will frustrate me.

So after downloading the internet on a stiffy and reading all about the various brand it boils down to KRK.

I like the 6inch monitors the most and find that they will suit my needs.

So out of the following:

KRK Rokit 6
KRK VXT

So far I can't see why I should buy the more expensive VXT monitors. Anyone want to change my mind?

My idea is to use my PC + GT10 + Monitors to practice and record.
Running the GT10 straight to the monitors, I will lose the ability to record.
So a sound card is needed. Once again I know jack about studio sound cards.
Can you suggest some to me, once again I don't mind paying more if the card has some advantage.
Keep in mind I will not be recording In Flames soon ?

So what else do I need?
Manny suggested a mixer, care to elaborate a bit more Manfred?

Also how will this all be connected?

Thanks all :goodtimes:

FatBoy

Hey man

When I did my research on monitors I also looked at KRK, but read that they are a tad bass heavy. Not sure if this is the truth at all, maybe someone else can confirm?

I ended up buying the Yamaha HS 50 M's and are very happy with them, you are welcome to come check em out if you'd like.

I don't know the connection configuration of the GT10, (and please don't take this as biased) but I'd say that you'd have more options if you get an audio interface and connect the monitors and GT10 to it. That way your monitors are always connected to the PC for when you are playing back music, working on some recording etc.

Like I said in chat earlier, I am selling my FA-66 interface which according to Alan is pretty neat, not sure if it'll do what you need and whether you can get away cheaper, but I am very happy with it, I just need the cash and it is more than I need at this stage.

I'll settle for R3500 for it.

Here is the thread http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/for-sale-audio-interface-edirol-fa-66/

AlanRatcliffe

Are you aware that you can use the GT-10 as a soundcard? Check the manual for specifics. A bit limiting, but it works. A mixer and interface (or an interface with a pair of mic preamps) will be more flexible.

KRKs are great (I use a pair of V8s). Rokits are the better value for money and will suit most people, but VXTs do have a bit of an edge for more money. The usual diminishing return story.

However, do compare the two next to each other and see if you feel the difference is worth it - I walked in to buy a pair of Rokit 8s, but after comparison with the V8s, I didn't hesitate to pony up the extra money for the Vs. If you are prepared to spend the extra money for the VXT6s, also make sure to try the Rokit 8's - not much more money than the Rokit 6's, but with an extended low end that makes working with bass and kick a pleasure. By the time you start looking at the VXT8's, you should also look into the "entry level" monitors from brands like Adam and Genelec.

@ Fritz - they do have more bass than Yamahas (but then, what doesn't? ?). Yamaha goes for clarity above all, which is great from a mixing viewpoint once you get used to it, but when you are also simply playing through the speakers, the KRKs tend to be a bit more visceral. Actually, if anything, the KRKs have little hype in the high end (like many modern monitors) - I keep my tweeters 1dB down.

needleshy

+1 on alan's comment

i have a pair of KRK V6's that are also really nice monitors. very happy with em.

my v6's aren't very bass heavy, i think that may be the 8's. i found the 6's to be well balanced.

inflames

but I'd say that you'd have more options if you get an audio interface and connect the monitors and GT10 to it.

I fully understand and agree with you.

Like I said in our chat, I will be using the monitors for guitar playing, recording and listening to music. No vocals or mic'ing a amp ?

Are you aware that you can use the GT-10 as a soundcard?

Indeed, I noticed it in the index, I'm only on page 99 :-[
Think I will give it a bash first before spending a heap on a audio interface, that way I have more $ for monitors.

Rokits are the better value for money and will suit most people, but VXTs do have a bit of an edge for more money.

Noted.

I walked in to buy a pair of Rokit 8s, but after comparison with the V8s, I didn't hesitate to pony up the extra money for the Vs. If you are prepared to spend the extra money for the VXT6s, also make sure to try the Rokit 8's

I did look at the Rokit 8s, but had a feeling that they would be too big for my room (3x4).
Would you disagree with my feeling Alan? I know the price difference between 6s and 8ths are minimal.
So I could go for the 8s. Would they work in my room?

you should also look into the "entry level" monitors from brands like Adam and Genelec

Will have a look, but the general feel I got off the net was that KRK's will be perfect.

i have a pair of KRK V6's that are also really nice monitors. very happy with em.

Thanks needleshy

Thanks for the advice Alan & Fritz.
Will let you know what develops!

AlanRatcliffe

I did look at the Rokit 8s, but had a feeling that they would be too big for my room (3x4).
Would you disagree with my feeling Alan? I know the price difference between 6s and 8ths are minimal.
So I could go for the 8s. Would they work in my room?

My room isn't much bigger than that.

I tend to like the extended low frequency response of a larger speaker, rather than the volume (although extra headroom is always nice). They are all nearfield monitors, so you're not trying to (or rather shouldn't be) trying to fill the room with sound (the big main speakers in a pro studio are there more for the client than the engineer, because louder is perceived as better). As long as the speakers are at least big enough that the room doesn't swallow up what they are putting out you're fine.

It's also down to the styles of music you are recording - if you're doing drum n' bass or downtuned metal, then larger is better, because the music has a lot of low frequency content that you have to hear. But if you're doing mostly acoustic singer/songwriter stuff, the extra low end is not as important. And while the low may not be as important for acoustic music, it's still nice to have - I mastered my last (rock) band's second CD and the one and only track I screwed up was acoustic guitar and bass, cello, viola, tabla and voice. There was one bass note that was resonating below the range of my Alesis Monitor Ones.

inflames

downtuned metal, then larger is better

Sold, I'm getting the big monitors ?

Great response Alan, I learned allot +1

Regards,
Lean