Nearfield Monitors

[GuitarSlinger]

What are you all using for monitors and how do you like them?

I had been using some flat response Tascams with a subwoofer and I thought they were pretty good but I just picked up a pair of KRK Rokit 5's and WOW! What a joy to play through. I'll consider adding a KRK 10 inch subwoofer later if needed.

What do you guys think? Do you like having a sub?

[Mozzarello]

That's curious, I'm on the same ques/search nowadays, and well, I considered the Rokit's 5 as well (people say that for a better bass response the Rokit's 8 is better, but RK 5 has no "major difference) great ones for what people told me.

But a friend of mine told me about the M-Audio's Bx5a , they're with a price drop, and are 75w (better bass response AFAIK)

I'm intrigued now, which one to go for...

some reviews on nearfield monitors: www.soundonsound.com (many reviews are suseful coz they tell tyou "the good", "the bad" and "alternatives" which M-audio is one of them, Alesis, KRK, Event and a couple more)

It'd be helpful to know opnions from people who had tried several of of them. Plus GuitarSlinger's question "what are the thoughts on having a sub"



Paul

[GuitarSlinger]

These were on a pretty fat sale at GC today at $124.99 each so that was a big decision. They are also the new Rokit 5 G2's with redesigned curved enclosures. Oddly enough the Rokit 4's were more expensive and I did not try the 8's. If I need more bass I will add the sub, but it doesn't sound like I'm gonna need it.

Either way it was a huge upgrade from what I was using and I have a huge grin. I also wanted to try the Berringer Truth speakers, but there were not any set up.

[Les]

Thats funny,I just bought 2 Rokit RP8's for 300$ on eBay.Definately use a subwoofer.
Without it you may over do bass,with it,the opposite.So A/B it.The RP8's have very
good bass responce but still use a sub.

[Mozzarello]

These were on a pretty fat sale at GC today at $124.99 each so that was a big decision.

I guess it's as buying an amp, no one has the same "ear tone" therefore, it's a matter of taste.

My issue is that I live abroad, and well... at a local (the only M-Audio dealer) store they are for 459 bucks, that means, getting immediately and 3 month warranty...

But... now, if you check GC's site, they are $199.99 the pair...

GSlinger, have you A/B some of them?

I guess, for 250 bucks less it's worhty geeting them with no guarrantee and wel, paying all shipping and internship costs, even getting them from GC still is a sweet deal..

But, how would they sound? Yep, RK's 2Gen are attractive, but mostly on specs, rather than cost...

Well, soon I'll make up my mind...

Thanks!

[GuitarSlinger]

Thanks for the info Les. I knew that you would use a sub though, being a bass head and all. That's a great deal for those.

Anyways I won't pretend to be a coneiseur of these. I'm sure there are much better at much higher prices, but these are better than anything I've owned so far, couldn't be happier.

GC's pricing is hard to beat, any item they list is usually about 70 percent of list price. If you can get less then that then it's a great deal imo.

[gatorjj]

I've had RP5's for a little over 2 years now, and bought the RP-10 at last year's GC Memorial day sale. My opinion on the sub is it depends on how big the room is and how/if it's treated whether it's worth getting. Bass is the hardest thing to control in a small room and adding the sub actually made it a bigger problem until I plunked down for some treatment.

I like the Rokits I have but have heard good and bad about most monitors and I chalk that up to personal preference and suspect they all do a decent job at that level. It is helpful to A/B them in the store, but the room you put them in is a major factor so I wouldn't get too hung up on it.

[Charvelguy]

I bought the Rokits based upon a recommendation of a friend who does audio engineering for a living. I was considering going mackie....but he said, nah, save yer money..do these, they'll be fine (Rp6 or Rp8). So.. I debated a bit and took a plunge.

However, after buying them, I realized after reading and doing research just how subjective each persons taste towards how they hear things and mixing was. I bought 3 Rp5's and then got a nice deal on a pair of Rp6's after a coupon discount at MF...so I was thinking kind a surround sound kinda deal once they're all in place.. or I can have mixing-listening done in two separate rooms. I have a good sub if I need it but I still do most my mixing off a few different pairs of phones...which is not ideal or the easiest thing to do as they all tend to color
or sound a bit different from one another as well.

That being said..there's alot of hype on the M-audio budget line right now. Most the things I've seen were positive. I've heard good about Rokits, but.. I've also heard some very 'mix'd' things...so now I kinda question my decision. It almost seems there's kind of a snobbery, but yeah.... much like guitarists/people's preference on cabs, amps, speakers.

Events are well reputed..and I have another good friend who swears by them and I know he is picky. He exhaustively checked about making comparisons.

Another option was the Behringer Truth line...altho Behringer doesn't have a great rep out there among some,..I view them much like the 'Peavey' of 70's & 80's in the audio world...respected, but still held with some level of contempt.

I know MF has raised the prices on the Rp6's by 50 bucks/speaker when the Rp8's were replaced with the 2nd gen nearfields.

I am waiting to pay down some cards and in a few months hopefully I'll have enough to cover the costs of acoustic treatment...which is another element I have to research and plan. I've read that stands made a big difference too and are a 'must have'

I usually go to the Andy Sneap 'Ultimate metal forum' for advice on production, equipment, modeling etc. Hitting sites like Harmony Central or another forum give insight into a whole 'nother realm of info and subjective opinion.

[Sandman]

I have the M-Audio BX5a's. Absolutely love "em. Something about he way the cabinets are vented in the back gives them sollid bass response. Plus, Kevlar cones stand up to the kids! Open box special from my home boy at guitar center $200.

[Charvelguy]

Oh, some guys swear by using actual vocal monitors as well. Ones that would be considered 'crossover' or dual purpose duty types.. forget the names offhand but they were very well reviewed.

[blue4u]

I spent a LARGE amount of time researching monitors when I bought mine and almost went with the Rokits but felt that these were better (and less expensive): http://mixguides.com/studiomonitors/Reviews/wharfedale-diamond-pro82/

They are damn hard to find anymore (here in the U.S.) but can be had on eBay for $300 or less. My friend who works with live sound part time was so impressed he went and bought a pair. They are fairly neutral throughout the frequency spectrum but there is a sharp drop around 45Hz so you won't get the big sub bass sound with these unless you buy the matching sub-woofer separately. Hasn't been a problem for me though. Unless your mixing room is well treated for acoustic accuracy you will probably find that lower bass to be a problem when mixing.

Rich

[blue4u]

I am waiting to pay down some cards and in a few months hopefully I'll have enough to cover the costs of acoustic treatment...which is another element I have to research and plan. I've read that stands made a big difference too and are a 'must have'

Yes! Stands made a big difference for me. It allowed me to pull the monitors back away from the wall to eliminate some flutter echo and bass buildup. It also improved the stereo image A LOT! Now the bass sounds more balanced and the stereo field is much wider. But it made me question some areas of the mid-range which I think acoustic treatment will be needed to fix. It's recommended that you have the monitors pulled away from the wall as far as you can.

You can still get this AWESOME deal at MF: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-SMS6000-Monitor-Stand-Buy-One-Get-One-Free?sku=452067

I couldn't believe the price on these!! $70 for both stands?!? I bought them and they worked out great for me.

As for acoustic treatment, if you are willing to DIY then my research shows that rockwool and Corning 705 rigid fiberglass is the way to go. Just buy the panels and some spray adhesive and attach some fabric to it. Make sure to select fabric that "breathes" a bit though.

So far, I like ATS Acoustics' options the best. Their pricing is really fair. They has DIY kits and pre-built panels depending on how much work you want to put in vs. the price: http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--DIY-Acoustic-Materials--102.html

Also, here's an ebay search for some more options: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=acoustic+panels&category0=

I'd love to hear some opinions/experience with acoustic treatment. I am starting to get obssessed with it myself

Rich

[cwight]

Do these all work with the GuitarPort? I thought you needed powered speakers for the Guitarport. So I'm just wondering how you guys are driving these monitor speakers. What amp is driving them, or is is just the out of your computer? Sorry to sound so dim but I'm a newbie at all this and at the moment I simply use the cheap powered Sirius speakers that came with the computer.

[gatorjj]

All the monitors mentioned so far in this thread are powered, so you just plug them in. Most I've seen have unbalanced and balanced inputs as well, so should work with the GuitarPort.

Rich, I too am obsessed with acoustic treatment after seeing the big difference each time I've done something to improve the environment. I just got some Auralex MoPads and some more foam that I need to hang. I plan to do the MoPads first and then the other treatment in separate steps to see what difference each makes.

[Charvelguy]

I am waiting to pay down some cards and in a few months hopefully I'll have enough to cover the costs of acoustic treatment...which is another element I have to research and plan. I've read that stands made a big difference too and are a 'must have'

Yes! Stands made a big difference for me. It allowed me to pull the monitors back away from the wall to eliminate some flutter echo and bass buildup. It also improved the stereo image A LOT! Now the bass sounds more balanced and the stereo field is much wider. But it made me question some areas of the mid-range which I think acoustic treatment will be needed to fix. It's recommended that you have the monitors pulled away from the wall as far as you can.

You can still get this AWESOME deal at MF: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-SMS6000-Monitor-Stand-Buy-One-Get-One-Free?sku=452067

I couldn't believe the price on these!! $70 for both stands?!? I bought them and they worked out great for me.

As for acoustic treatment, if you are willing to DIY then my research shows that rockwool and Corning 705 rigid fiberglass is the way to go. Just buy the panels and some spray adhesive and attach some fabric to it. Make sure to select fabric that "breathes" a bit though.

So far, I like ATS Acoustics' options the best. Their pricing is really fair. They has DIY kits and pre-built panels depending on how much work you want to put in vs. the price: http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--DIY-Acoustic-Materials--102.html

Also, here's an ebay search for some more options: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=acoustic+panels&category0=

I'd love to hear some opinions/experience with acoustic treatment. I am starting to get obssessed with it myself

Rich

I bought a couple pairs of the onstage stands. Previously, I was going to just make my own from threaded pipe they use for concealing home wiring and homemade bases. Just before they ran this two-fer @70, I bought some blems of the same make & model for twice that. Needless to say...I sent them back and purchased a new pair at half the price. As long as they honor the return, I won't be so pissed at them, but MF is like GC sometimes... buyer beware the markups and know what yer buying!

Oh, and thanks for the tips on the Ac treatment. I see MF runs clearance on tiles sometimes, but I need good info for DIY alternatives to my home project.
At the current prices for this stuff... egg cartons are looking pretty good.