cheapest, smallest, usable monitors

[ersheff]

Hey, guys. I know that the monitor threads have been beaten to death, but I'm looking for some specific advice, so I thought I'd try to get a few new responses. Basically, I want to build on to the bedroom studio and am looking for the cheapest, SMALLEST active monitors I can get away with. I'm thinking I might go with some 5" like the new Event ALP5's and use the cheap consumer-type subwoofer I have just to check once in a while and make sure the low end isn't too muddy. It would be nice to have 5" or 6" monitors with sufficient bass, but the rest of the spectrum is more important to me. The small woofers with extended ranges that I've heard tend to be too woofy, like Alesis M1 Mk2's which I am still considering anyway because my dad rep's Alesis (those are a bit on the big side for my space restrictions though). Anyone have any experience with those Alesis M1 520 monitors? What about the Event TR5's? Might the imaging and detail on those be better than the ALP5's? I'm doing a lot of mixing for classical type instruments lately (not necessarily playing classical music), so I guess what I'm trying to say is that the best accuracy, detail, and imaging in this price range is the most important things to me, and I can handle losing out on a little bass (and no harsh tweeters!). Since the speakers are for mixing in the bedroom, they will actually become my main music listening speakers too. Oh, and TOPS I can afford a STREET price of $400/pair. And I would prefer to buy new because I get good deals through family connections and can get new stuff for used prices. (I've always been spoiled like that ) Thanks!

[(DC)]

Hey mop, I have a pair of TR5s and they have a great sound for such a small size and price ($299 Retail). They are some great sounding monitors, that are well worth your money. How much could you get them for through your family?

[ersheff]

Wow, that's a lot of criteria! I know I sound picky, but I'm well aware that I won't be getting the greatest speakers for that cheap. Just trying to find the ones that best fit my personal needs for that cheap.
Thanks again!

[craigmorris74]

I've had great succes with Edirol MA 10D's. They don't sound great, but I think they're very accurate. When I mix on them and then go listen to the mixes in my car or living room against other CD's, even first mixes aren't that far off. It may just be the combination of room/monitor that is giving me this accuracy.

My brother in law who is in one of the bigger indie bands in the US and produces a lot of records for differnt folks is mixing with the 5W version which are really small. He switches to a large Mackie for eq, but for levels, he prefers the Edirol.

Craig

[AdamJay]

i like the KRK RP5's ($300 for a pair) more than i like the RP6's.

i've always found Alesis monitors to be way off in the low end.

[ersheff]

I don't know exactly the discount I get. I won't name names, but the people that my dad works with on a regular basis as a rep and the people that I've known through him since I was a wee lad (some of whom I've also worked with) usually just charge us dealer cost plus shipping expenses and tax. My dad is pretty entrenched in the business (he's been doing it for about 30 years), and those guys are always doing favors for each other. It's one of the perks of selling audio gear.
For instance, I just got a brand new, never opened Firepod for about 75% of street price. I don't want to get myself in trouble here, but I'm sure that a lot of people on this forum that work on the sales end of audio have seen the same kind of benefits. It's like that anywhere you work. Like when I worked at Blockbuster a few years ago and got 5 free rentals a week. Every job has its perks.

[Fearless1]

I second the KRK Rokit 5's.
I also bought the KRK 10S subwoofer.
They are the best bang for the buck.
I got the Rockit 5's for $260/pr and the Sub for $221.00
It sounds awesome for how cheap they are.

My other monitors are Dynaudio Acoustics BM6a's, which are much better particularly with dynamic range and imaging, but cost $1,700/pr.

[d.dot]

Originally Posted by Fearless1

I second the KRK Rokit 5's.
I also bought the KRK 10S subwoofer.
They are the best bang for the buck.
I got the Rockit 5's for $260/pr and the Sub for $221.00
It sounds awesome for how cheap they are.

My other monitors are Dynaudio Acoustics BM6a's, which are much better particularly with dynamic range and imaging, but cost $1,700/pr.

If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the KRK sub for 221.00?

I got my 5's for 99.00/per at GC over the holidays.

[Fearless1]

I got the sub on one of the ebay stores that allows you to make an offer.
It could have been Musiciansadvocate or Road Dawg Online or Music4less.

$99/pr? Wow!

[s-boogie]

...blue sky media!


hell,nearfields work as nearfields in every room.
how does your bedroom look?
i think the only place where nearfields can´t help is maybe a bathroom!
i do not want to yell at you here rufus,but wtf are you saying?
(by the way, i really like your avatar.thumbsup )

I totally agree that headphones are an ultimate tool in bad rooms
but you always need nearfields no matter how bad your bedroom is...
400$ is a good budget for a small setup and i think the blue sky media
for example will give you the opportunity to feel your songs and do
some mixing!

have fun!

[tINY]

I'm with Karl on this one.

You won't be able to use them for tracking, but something like the Senn hd580 would fit the bill nicely.

Add something like a Total Bit Head from http://www.headphone.com and you'll be ready to mix in your little box. If you prefer, you can use your soundcard and add a decent headphone que amp from Rane, Rolls, or even Beringer.... That way you aren't limitted by the 16/44 DAC.



-tINY

[tone4407]

I got the KRK Rockit 5's for $250 with the 10" sub for FREE...thats right FREE. I've got good friends.

The mix with the 5's and the 10" woofer is reeal nice. Accurate enough for most. I take it to the studio if it really matters and honestly, the mix doesn't need to be touched up much at all...and thats prolly because of the room acoustics rather than the speakers.

[Improv]

They're not made anymore, but if you find a used set of Event Tria's, I highly recommend them. Seems to be a set on ebay right now. (1) 8" sub for <60hz, (2) complimentary satellite speakers with custom cables, 5" woofers, and silk dome tweeters. Each driver has it's own amplifier... 5 total, housed in the subwoofer. They get way loud for a bedroom. My set has given me amazingly accurate results for the size/price since I bought them almost 8 years ago.

[matucha]

Yamaha HS50M - have them about a week and they are ok for the price. Lowend is little too soft and hihats come out a bit thin, they are not so detailed as my S3A, but it is still in the margins of what you can learn ;-).

[s-boogie]

Originally Posted by rufus13

Nearfield is isolated less than you think. Bedrooms bounce and absorb in funny ways.


Karl Keefer
Portland Oregon

yes,...but still:
even the "worst" irritations of a room can be learned and compensated (a little)
after a while.
there is a learning curve to each nearfield model, even in treated pro rooms.
i do my preproduction exclusively on a stax srs 3030 system because at home,
i DO have a small room that is sh*tty all the way.(looks like this over there )
the stax headphones make my premixes translate fine when i take them to my studio.
....still ,i use my blue sky media desk
(kicked out tannoy reveal )
to be able to feel my music with my entire body...
mopppish wrote that he will use these nearfields also for general listening purposes,
so...there will be speakers in cabinets anyways...