Need advice on monitors

[meeny12]

I listen to my music on RW1 thru my Guitar Port with headphones and my crumby little computer speakers. I've thought about buying a set of monitors, but need some advice on what I might need for a simple, non-complex monitor setup. I would guess that they hookup from the back of the Guitar Port and would have to be powered. Any recommendations and approx. cash outlay I might expect is appreciated! Thanks

[AirmanSwi]

I use the Behringer Truth monitors. They are self powered and connect via 1/4" cables. They run about $300 or so.

Swi

[mickeymix]

you can also buy some computer speakers with a subwoofer for like 75-80 $ American ...... I had a 50 watt Altec Lansing set of 2/1 speakers which were cool for a while. More cost effective if you don'thave the cash for self powered reference speakers like the Airman described........ which are also a great choice....

[epauley]

Here is another lower price alternative:

After some research, I settled on Logitech THX speakers (speakers x 5). They are very highly rated, lots of bass, and reasonably priced. Mine run through a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS soundcard/software.

I connect the small cable that came with GP from the GP headphone input to the soundcard and play without headphones.

[mickeymix]

Thats amazing EPauley .... I have that exact system (sound card and all) on my puter now..........(except I now have the TonePort....... but I did have the GuitarPort till about 3 weeks ago or so)....................
..... just told him about the Altecs as a lower priced alternative....... The Logitech with wired remote just kicks butt!
I got mine new in the box from a buddy for like 85$ but they are really about 150-200$ american.....if I remember right........ The bass ROCKS the whole neighborhood...............

[randy]

By knowing your budget, we can find you the best bang for your buck. I don't recommend buying computer speakers again, as they tend to exaggerate certain frequencies and usually aren't very well made.

I use the M-Audio BX5a powered monitors here at home, and have been really happy with them. The overall frequency range is good, and I've always preferred the softer sound of silk dome tweeters. I'm not endorsing Musiciansfriend.com, but they factory refurbed BX5a's for a pretty good deal: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-BX5a-70-Watt-Active-Studio-Monitors?sku=603707V

Lot of other options for less too, but we need to know what you're willing to spend.

[epauley]

Mickeymix : That is amazing.

Until trying the Logitech THX speakers, I had a low opinion of computer speakers. Like Mickeymix, I rate this system very high for the investment. The bass is exception and the software allows you to tweak individual speakers - all which have an good range.

To my dismay, they sound better than my living room system which is considered a “serious” music system. Of course, the THX's are in a smaller office type space.

If I recall correctly, the THX’s were tested and considered a best buy by Consumer Reports – even when tested against higher-end units.

That noted, the M-Audio BX5a powered monitors look like excellent speakers (good specs). Understandability, Randy can’t endorse Musiciansfriend.com but it is among my favorite companies.

[randy]

Until trying the Logitech THX speakers, I had a low opinion of computer speakers. Like Mickeymix, I rate this system very high for the investment. The bass is exception and the software allows you to tweak individual speakers - all which have an good range.

That certainly sounds handy! It's nice to be able to tweak each speaker to better match the acoustics of the listening space. I'll have to check 'em out the next time I stroll into one of the big box stores.

To my dismay, they sound better than my living room system which is considered a “serious” music system. Of course, the THX's are in a smaller office type space.

Hmm, that must be annoying! Could it be that the stereo imaging is easier to achieve in the computer room because you're always sitting in the same spot? My home system is pretty simple, but it's packed full of fun goodies. I don't care about surround sound (it's not really possible in my living room anyways), so I focused on building a two channel system. I use a Marantz DVD/CD player plugged directly into a tube pre-amp. From there the signal gets processed by an active crossover/low freq control unit and then split off to my big 'ol class A heater/amp and to the sub. Works well and I can't speak highly enough about the pair of Wharfedale Pacific EVO 8s, though they've been discontinued and replaced by the EVO 2 Series (which I know nothing about).

If I recall correctly, the THX’s were tested and considered a best buy by Consumer Reports – even when tested against higher-end units.

That noted, the M-Audio BX5a powered monitors look like excellent speakers (good specs). Understandability, Randy can’t endorse Musiciansfriend.com but it is among my favorite companies.

Yeah, they've always treated me right. Audiomidi.com is pretty darned good too, and often have deals that are better than Musiciansfriend.com. Between the two I can almost always find what I'm looking for.

[epauley]

Randy: Thanks for the additional input and insights. Your comments have peaked my curiously and I will have to check out Audiomidi.com and those -Audio BX5a powered monitors.

[randy]

Randy: Thanks for the additional input and insights. Your comments have peaked my curiously and I will have to check out Audiomidi.com and those -Audio BX5a powered monitors.

Just be sure to do your research! The BX5a monitors ended up in my lap for work reasons, and I didn't pick 'em out. What I'm saying is that I'm happy with them, but there might be something better out there for the price. The problem with speakers is that it's really really really hard to know what sounds good without listening to all the options side-by-side. That's the only way to really pick up on a speaker's pros and crons. An old sales trick that the audio vendors like to use is having you listen to the speakers with smooth jazz CDs of their choice. Smooth Jazz sounds equally bad/good on all speakers, so be sure to bring music that you listen to regularly when shopping around. Just make sure it's a clean, distortion-free recording.

After that it all comes down to tastes. There's a speaker for every ear. Some like 'em bright and in your face, while others (like me!) prefer a very neutral sounding speaker that emphasizes not any one freq band in particular. I thought the Wharfedales were just a little on the bright side, partially due to my amp as it's known to be a little bright. Adding the tube-pre amp softened the sound just enough.

I'm sitting here listening to the BX5as right now, and I think they sound a little bright, but are pretty well rounded considering the small driver size. Pretty good bass response too, though a subwoofer in a ported or sealed enclosure (not a bandpass fan) would bolster the bottom end. A little EQ action would probably do wonders.

I'll post a pic of how I have the office setup later.

[epauley]

Randy,

I am looking forward to the photo. And please don’t be concerned about me not doing my research. If anything, I research things to a fault.

For example, I’ve been debating whether to purchase a Boss GT-8 or a Line 6 XT-L for 3 months! I tend to live in fear that as soon as I select one, a new and improve product will emerge – which is a 21st century phobia – thanks to the rapid development of (particularly computer) technology. Silly yes, but I suspect it’s a very common experience.

That stated, those of us who live in smaller markets (180,000 pop. in Fargo-Moorhead) are more dependant on reviews and consensus opinions because the ability to compare a wide variety of products is, at times, nonexistence. Yes, we can travel to larger metro areas but that negates the advantage of getting things at a lower cost.

So, it comes down to which source you trust. In essence, people residing in smaller markets are more dependent on the web these days. We fully comprehend that there are better, but impractical, ways of making purchases. We understand and weight the gamble. Consequently, those of us who aren’t gullible, devote a lot of time to the decision-making process.

Personally, I appreciate comments made by persons like you and other participants on the forums I frequent. I strongly suspect that is why meeny 12 started this topic in the first place.

I apologize for going on too long.

Thanks!

[randy]

I'll wait years before updating my gizmos and gadgets due to pre-buyers remorse. This is especially true with me and SLR digital cameras, as the progress being made in that field is happening at an extraordinary rate. So much so that it's hard to know when to jump on the wagon. That's a whole other world though, so I'll just stop.

I'll see if I can get that photo up later today!

Cheers,

[riffer7777]

the m audio ones randy was on about seem good value for money !!!!!!!

[randy]

Here's my little work area with a mandatory bottle of Oktoberfest lager, funky 70's wall paper and stacks of interface devices I use for testing (another stack's sitting outside the view of the photo). Everything is consumer-grade. Nothing fancy or cutting edge here. I'm not a good enough musician at this point to justify going higher-tech, and I love using RiffWorks. Some might say that I'm biased, and they'd be totally correct.

[ShredRex]

wow geek central...............LOL

Just teasing ya bud!