Mix Monitor amp
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Posted on May 31, 2006 05:58 am
Michael Lombardi
Member Since: Jan 16, 2006
I've been looking for an amp for my ref monitors. I have JBL Control 5 and SB5 sub woofer. Speakers are rated 175 watts. I went to all of the usual stereo places and found amps from 94.00 to thousands of dollars. The integrated amps (home stereos) have a lot of features I will never use in this application like video I/O, 7.1 surround etc. I have a marantz pre I can use. My question is - is power just power? I can get what they call a "DJ" amp with 1500 watts for 200 bucks or a QSC RMX 280 watts (8 ohm Stereo) for about 500. Let's not even consider the Crown. I can get a cheap JVC home unit with 100 watts for just under 100 bucks. Does it make a difference in my small studio? Also wondering if seperate sub volume control would be a plus for mixing?
Thanks, Michael.
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May 31, 2006 06:16 am I wouldn't use the home stereo type of amp unless you happen to have one laying around. I use one for my surround sound monitoring, but only because it was cheap, and I don't do a lot of surround. I wouldn't suggest even going to a stereo store to find what you need, go to a music gear place either brick and mortar, or online.
Reference amps are just power, no EQ's, no preamps, nothing like that, just wattage. I use an older version of this amp www.zzounds.com/a--884907/item--ALERA150 and have JBL 4206's...the resulting sound is great. For a reference amp you want clean, transparent power, and you surely don't need 175 watts per speaker to do it. reference monitoring should be done at a comfortable listening level, cranking it up will fatigue your ears quicker and often result in subpar mixes. However, if you feel you need more power Alesis also has a bigger amp www.zzounds.com/a--884907/item--ALERA300
May 31, 2006 07:55 am dB - I hear ya. 175 watts is too strong for my small studio (12x18) but the Control 5's only sound good when I start pushing them. I may have to rethink my speakers...hmmmm. Wish I could use cans! Michael
