Big Monitors, Small Room?

zenkonami · 20th September 2006

I've checked out a bunch of monitors in the past couple months (because I take that long to make a decision about such things), and here is the problem I'm having. People keep trying to push the smaller 4 and 5 inch speakers at me since I'm basically going to be using them in my bedroom for nearfield monitoring. They simply don't sound as good as the larger coned cousins to my ear, though.

I'm talking about a largely untreated bedroom about 15ft x 12ft x 10ft high. Even though running my favorite (and most familiar) mixes through them at various retailers leads me to desire the larger (and more expensive) KRK V2s over the tiny RP5 (For example), am I really just asking for trouble bringing the bigger boxes into such a small space? Or is it a moot point given that I get to decide how much SPL I'm going to be pushing out of them?

Cheers

-Zen

Reza · 20th September 2006

If you can, go all out!

It's about getting the full and even spectrum and the bass extension that smaller and cheaper monitors won't give you.

Plus then you won't feel frustrated knowing that you want to upgrade. buy once and buy right is my game plan with everything now.

You should definitely throw some DIY bass traps and broadband absorbers up though. This is the best value for money upgrade you can give to your studio.

Rez

Glenn Kuras · 20th September 2006

Reza brings up a hell of a point. I see people all the time pay out HUGE amounts of money for monitors to only have HUGE dips and peaks because of the room. If you are going to take the leap and get some outstanding monitors you owe it to yourself to properly treat the room.

NesNeedsGear · 20th September 2006

put up some traps and you'll be fine.

Your mixes and final product will ultimately dictate whether the purchase was a good investment or not.

bigger isn't always better with bass drivers and subs. It's all about accuracy, and this is something you start seeing after you spend a pretty penny (think Dynaudio, ADAM S and P-series, , etc...)

Make your room more accurate and you'll never look back.
good luck and have fun shopping.

20th September 2006	#1
zenkonami Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Hollywood Posts: 116 Thread Starter	Big Monitors, Small Room? I've checked out a bunch of monitors in the past couple months (because I take that long to make a decision about such things), and here is the problem I'm having. People keep trying to push the smaller 4 and 5 inch speakers at me since I'm basically going to be using them in my bedroom for nearfield monitoring. They simply don't sound as good as the larger coned cousins to my ear, though. I'm talking about a largely untreated bedroom about 15ft x 12ft x 10ft high. Even though running my favorite (and most familiar) mixes through them at various retailers leads me to desire the larger (and more expensive) KRK V2s over the tiny RP5 (For example), am I really just asking for trouble bringing the bigger boxes into such a small space? Or is it a moot point given that I get to decide how much SPL I'm going to be pushing out of them? Cheers -Zen __________________ -Nick www.mmexperiment.com "It don't mean a thing to me unless I see it on TV So just launch that satellite and get it right" -- ChromaKey

20th September 2006	#3
Glenn Kuras Gear Guru Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 11,002	Reza brings up a hell of a point. I see people all the time pay out HUGE amounts of money for monitors to only have HUGE dips and peaks because of the room. If you are going to take the leap and get some outstanding monitors you owe it to yourself to properly treat the room. __________________ Glenn Kuras GIK Acoustics USA GIK Acoustics Europe 770 986 2789 (USA) +44 (0) 20 7558 8976 (UK) See the NEW Soffit Bass Trap

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20th September 2006	#2
Reza Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 409	If you can, go all out! It's about getting the full and even spectrum and the bass extension that smaller and cheaper monitors won't give you. Plus then you won't feel frustrated knowing that you want to upgrade. buy once and buy right is my game plan with everything now. You should definitely throw some DIY bass traps and broadband absorbers up though. This is the best value for money upgrade you can give to your studio. Rez

20th September 2006	#4
NesNeedsGear Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 833	put up some traps and you'll be fine. Your mixes and final product will ultimately dictate whether the purchase was a good investment or not. bigger isn't always better with bass drivers and subs. It's all about accuracy, and this is something you start seeing after you spend a pretty penny (think Dynaudio, ADAM S and P-series, , etc...) Make your room more accurate and you'll never look back. good luck and have fun shopping.