Studio Monitors

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Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor Since: Sep 12, 2003

I know we get tons of these type of questions but I'm asking for people that have this. Anyone here have studio monitors that cost around or under $200 and have great results with them? I want to get my bud (our drummer too)some studio monitors for his birthday, plus he needs it because he is awesome at Fruity Loops. So, I want to give him something other then his surround sound he uses so he could work on our project and have good monitors to help me out. So, let me know what brand and model you use. Thanks a bunch!

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Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 10:40 am

M-Audio

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 27, 2004 11:35 am

It's hard to even get the parts to make a quality speaker for less than $200.

That said, maybe that would be a fun project, make your own speakers.

Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 11:40 am

Plus, its not realistic to be able to tune and port the cabs as good as a reputable company can.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 27, 2004 11:57 am

Not true at all. I have built many sets of speakers, if you have all the specs on the speakers to be used you can figure the port tuning very accurately. It's just basic math and laws of sound. www.homerecordingconnecti...story&id=33 I have done it and I have built some kick *** sounding speakers...and some lame ones, it's all how much effort you want to put into them.

Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 12:15 pm

Hmmm...well, my older bro writes speaker analyzing and spec software, and he just told me that for 200 bucks, forget it. "Go get some that have been industry tested" were his exact words. He also said, "If it was 4 hundred, thats a different story" I have to believe him, he is one of the top engineers for Raytheon, and is 52 years old, plus been a serious musician for 40 years. He was building cabs since I was in diapers.... now thats a LONG time!!!!!!

Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003


Jul 27, 2004 12:24 pm

I was looking at the M-Audio DX4.

www.m-audio.com/index.php...68e73a976f2914b

They are around $200. I have M-Audio's BX8 and the SBX subwoofer, talk about awesome! But the description for the DX4's, it states "The Studiophile DX4s are the missing link for bringing your computer-based music, games and DVDs to life". Still think these will do good for mixing? Then again, M-Audio did have these in the pro section and not just the consumer section.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 27, 2004 12:29 pm

4" LFE drivers without any special acoustical environment (such as what Bose does with their subs) won't give a real defined low end.

guitwizz, I am not questioning the issue of the $200 limit, but figuring the port and tuning the cab just takes time and knowledge. Obviously the big speaker engineering places have equipment the average joe doesn't have at our disposal, I won't argue that point, but, I do know, first hand, is that with time, care and some investigation and education the average joe can build great sounding speakers.

For $200, well, you can only get so much for that, that fact is indisputable.

Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 12:52 pm

m-audio ....they obviously wont give you a ton of volume, but they will be pretty true for mixing, and thats whats most important. My friend has a studio that does all rap-hip-trip-hop-blah blah stuff, and all those guys have to hear the playback BLASTING hard, it may makeup for talent, (haha) I dont know. He has the M Audio 8's, forgot the model, but they simply cost more, but they are extremely loud. I wopuld assume their "trueness" would be the same as the smaller ones, since the design doesnt change much from the sizes.

Dan, Ill hook ya up with Lance if you want to talk shop sometime, hes a great dude, and real into audio stuff.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 27, 2004 01:28 pm

Hey, I was just browsing my my Musician's Friend catalog that just came to see what I don't know I need yet and I came across a sale on Behringer Truth monitors for $179 service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear

I haven't used them myself, but I have always heard good things about the Truth series for the price. Plus, they are expandable to 5.1 or 7.1 setups and such...might be something worth looking into vdale.

All the other lower priced ones are from Alesis, who can't make a decent monitor to save their lives, or are very small keyboard monitors or things of that nature.

service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear is another I saw for $199 that I know nothing aboot, but it might be worth a look.

Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003


Jul 27, 2004 02:01 pm

Thanks!

I can get ahold of the M-Audio DX4 for $134 bucks! Also, my bud has a subwoofer he bought separate for his surround sound that I believe will take care of the lack of low end. So, I believe I might get him these. Hope for the best.

Yeah, Alesis has good keyboards because they have a stronger mid-range in them which is what I like when I play. But monitors, not the first time I have heard they are bad. Thanks alot dB for checking up on this!

Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 02:18 pm

We have the truth monitors at work, and have sold quite a few pairs.... They are too big for my studio, so I never tried them..Behringer is really a hit and miss company, some of their "clones" are extremely good, and some fall way short of what they are trying to dupe, and yes, I mean dupe. To be honest, the company is run by a genious, that isnt really responsible for any original designs.... I cant be sued for that statement, I have only a couch and a microwave....... hehe

Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 02:21 pm

The Alesis monitors are slightly colored, and have too much bass response to them. The ns 10's I had for years are the opposite, you just have to know your speakers, which means you need to own them for a long time. I would like to get better ones myself, but that means startin over.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 27, 2004 02:27 pm

slightly colored? argh, they make the hair on my arms stand up the same way it does when someone scrapes their fingernails on a chalkboard...

vdale, be wary of using a sub unless you are mixing for a distinct sub channel, such as the case in 5.1 mixing. subs, when improperly set up (which is most often the case) can really mess up your mixes anywhere outside of your studio. If you are mixing to simple stereo, Ihighly recommend avoiding using a subwoofer, or, get an SPL meter and make sure it's set up properly.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 27, 2004 04:00 pm

I use Edirol MA10's. 10 Watts but a good sound. These cost me £110 ($220 approx)...

Not bad and in your range almost(ish). Good quality for the price - give em a try and see what ya think.

Coco.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 27, 2004 06:46 pm

vdale, just a quick note from me on the Behringer Truths. I have listened to them and must say for the money I was impressed.

Now mind you they are not comparable to say my KRK's or dB's JBL's, but they did give a very true sound, and were pretty flat. They had decent bottom end on them without being over bearing. They were in my opinion a very good low dollar nearfield for sure.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Jul 30, 2004 05:47 pm

I'm considering the Edirols ('cos I'm cheap!), so I greatly value your input, Coco. Perhaps I'll save my shillings and get some. If they're good enough for the "Jock", they're good enuff fer me.

By the way (and speaking as an ex-Pat), the price you paid is about twice what they are here. There's the sterling at work (or at least the taxman....Haha Mr. Wilson...Haha, Mr. Heath..). Sorry if that's depressing.

Nothing doesnt give me gas
Member
Since: May 25, 2004


Jul 30, 2004 08:02 pm

m-audio DX-4

the edirols are NOT made for reference monitoring. They are great speakers for digital listening, gaming, overall enjoyment, and they do sound great. The DX 4's are on ebay from dealers brand new at 140..(US)

that is a much better decision, and cheaper

Brother in Christ
Member
Since: Jun 12, 2002


Jul 31, 2004 03:15 pm

I bought a pair of Event 20/20's at Guitar Center last Memorial day for $100 each. They sound really good to me and have improved my mixes. I believe GC still sells the Version 2 model for $150 each. These are the passives of course.

Blessings, Terry

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jul 31, 2004 03:28 pm

The Edirol's are not serious monitoring speakers I grant ya Guitwizz but alas they were sold to me on that basis - I being a bit wet behind the ears bought on this premise.

I realised that they were not when I got em home. However, I did buy em from a major music chain in the UK, and they are sold for this in every other shop I've ever seen em (as monitors I mean). Tho, I do accept they are not true reference monitors - yer absoloutely right, as you say - for the buck/pound - they are good speakers and they do the job for me in ma unacoustically treated cupboard "under the stairs"

Tall Chap - Mr Heath, Wilson and all the rest of the lying, thieving, lying, did I mention lying politicians should be taxed at 300000000% and then, then I'd be happy to pay ma share - til then I will moan till the cows come hame!!! in fact, I often thought of headin to Monaco where there is apparently no tax!! FANTASTIC!!

All the best.

Coco.

Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003


Aug 01, 2004 12:38 am

Yep guitwizz, DX4's should be here this tuesday and I'm very interesting to see how they do. Either way, my friend will be pleased with them

Seconds From The End
Member
Since: Jun 16, 2003


Aug 01, 2004 01:21 am

I have the Truth monitors... and they are my no. 1 piece of equipment in my rig... 12 out of 10, cant asay one bad things about them, they reproduce every frequency very well.. except ones around 20... and you know the super low stuff... which thats why they make subs, but i say go for truth you wont be happier.

Karyn
Member
Since: Jul 10, 2004


Aug 01, 2004 02:59 pm

When on a budget you just have to make do. Just use the Kentucky voicing technique of listening to all the professionally produced music you love on your new speakers. This will give you some Idea where your mix is.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 01, 2004 07:36 pm

Indeed, Karyn has it spot on. If you must rely on budget equipment, and many starting out indeed must do that. You just have to be ready to train yourself to hear them as they are. By listening to stuff you allready kknow very well, it will always help you hear exactly what they will sound like when your done.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 01, 2004 07:38 pm

Hey, Noize, get the hell off the site and start working on that tune of mine, I want to get my EP off to press by the end of this week. I just finished mixing the fourth tune with my 3 and 6 yeard old co-engineers with me...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 01, 2004 07:48 pm

OK

Brother in Christ
Member
Since: Jun 12, 2002


Aug 02, 2004 12:49 pm

By the way, I just saw a pair of Event 20/20 speakers on ebay with a $180 buy-it-now on them.

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI...ssPageName=WDVW

Blessings, Terry

Seconds From The End
Member
Since: Jun 16, 2003


Aug 03, 2004 09:59 am

im sure many of us hear will tell you that speakers/monitoring equipment is a vital peice of a studio. so you cant really slack on them, i mean you gotta work with what you got but if you can go the extra buck and get better stuff.. itll be worth it in the long run

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Aug 03, 2004 10:11 am

Quote:
Hey, Noize, get the hell off the site and start working on that tune of mine, I want to get my EP off to press by the end of this week. I just finished mixing the fourth tune with my 3 and 6 yeard old co-engineers with me...


my boss says the exact same to me a lot of the time...get the hell off that site and start working...

Member
Since: Jun 15, 2004


Aug 03, 2004 11:25 am

I agrre with Still4Given. The Passive 20/20 are really a good choice for the price (if you get that 180$ thing, definitely), used to mix on them before I got Genelecs and still use them for reference. They are not going to catch the lowest of low subbass stuff, but they give you nice details in mid range and are (for me) pleasant to listen to even during long mixing sessions.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Aug 03, 2004 12:21 pm

ive got nothing usful to add to this conversation, but i love LetMe Beat's name

im gonna make an album called Let It Beat one day...something drum and bass maybe...

Member
Since: Jun 15, 2004


Aug 03, 2004 03:25 pm

If you could see my face.....

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Aug 03, 2004 04:23 pm

Flame...is that no a wee bit close to Let It Be!!

Still..a cool idea for drum n bass I guess..go for it.

I wish I'd written some albums/songs cause I can honestly say the titles are stuff I would think off!! Defo loadsa indie stuff I've thought of similar and been blackballed by mates, as soon as The Verve or Oasis do it - it's cool!

Aye...tis a funny auld world.

Coco.

Lost for words with all to say.
Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003


Aug 04, 2004 07:25 am

flame loves to hi-jack a thread! :)

I got the M-Audio DX4's in yesterday and it shocked me. I put them up and compared them to my BX8's. Of course I could tell a difference but them little boogers sound sweet! My friend was also thrilled. For the price, these are really good. The bass response was actually a lot better then I thought it would be. It has a mid range boost that does pretty good. Over all, these are good for just $130 bucks.

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