Studio monitors

[Joe Schmoe]

My local pro music store had a pair of passive studio monitors for half price (KRK ST-6. Were $400/pr, now $200/pr.) I do not need new speakers, but I couldn't resist. It turns out that I am extremely impressed with the sound. They will not replace my 705s, but they are much better than any commercial bookshelves I have heard even at their full MSRP, and a steal for what I paid. Those looking for new bookshelves should definitely consider monitors.

 

[Yamahaluver]

The fact that Yamaha's studio monitors namely the NS-1000 remains popular in the speaker circuit, till date a mint condition beryllium mid tweeter speaker goes for anything from $700-1500, more for 1000x/2000 and 1000. Proper studio monitors are neutral, in near field listening, nothing comes close to a well designed studio monitor.

 

[mazersteven]

Studio Monitor can be very impressive. I'm a hugh fan of the Mackie HR824's.

The only problem with studio monitors is when you play not so good recorded material. You hear how bad the recording is.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

On the face of it, it doesn't seem possible for the monitors to displace my beloved 705s. As I continue listening to them, however, I realize it is possible that they might! I will certainly re-listen to my entire CD collection on them. (If so, I hope I can get a good price for the 705s, as they were d***ed expensive. )

 

[jaxvon]

Or you could use this as excuse to step up to the 802Ds. The higher end B&W speakers are often found being used as monitors at places like Abbey Road. Or maybe not. I probably shouldn't be encouraging spending like that.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Or you could use this as excuse to step up to the 802Ds. The higher end B&W speakers are often found being used as monitors at places like Abbey Road. Or maybe not. I probably shouldn't be encouraging spending like that.

I tend to go the other way. If I actually do end up enjoying my music more on $400 MSRP speakers than on $1500 ones, it will cause me to wonder if the more expensive ones were ever justified to begin with.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Not only will I definitely not be selling the 705s, but listening to the monitors has dramatically increased my appreciation of them. I tried them again this weekend and was blown away by the soundstage, imaging, bass, sense of "presence" of the musicians, and the generally powerful, involving sound. The monitors were worth the price just for that reminder, and I will spend a week with them any time that I am in danger of taking the 705s for granted.

 

[abefroeman]

Mackie HR824

just go listen to these at guitar center.

If you have the means, I highly recommend picking them up.

 

[billnchristy]

I think a lot of people are blown away by monitors to begin with because they are so natural.

Then you realize they are very neutral and maybe too sterile.

We all look for that flat response, but when you find it, you may find you miss the livliness that a commercial product offers...whether we like it or not, character plays a big part.

 

[jaxvon]

I think a lot of people are blown away by monitors to begin with because they are so natural.

Then you realize they are very neutral and maybe too sterile.

We all look for that flat response, but when you find it, you may find you miss the livliness that a commercial product offers...whether we like it or not, character plays a big part.

Flat response is great for monitoring. Flat response with a rolloff over 10kHz is perfect for listening. In his research, Floyd Toole found that what people perceive as a flat response is flat up to about 10kHz, with a few dB per octave rolloff after that. However, most speakers aren't designed to be like this, so it's hard to find a commercial speaker that will *sound* flat.

 

[Maceo23]

I've always heard that the biggest problem with monitors were that even though some sound outstanding, they were to directional and didn't have a large enough soundstage for home use.

 

[Nick250]

Remember that in the recording studio they have all kinds of room treatments and and the speakers are significantly EQed. You will never recreate the recording studio in your living room, so get the speakers that are pleasing to your ears, and affordable, and not complicate any further. I do suggest room treatments however. The bass traps I got cured the boomy bass problem I had. I ordered four, but only needed two as it turned out. Huge improvement.

Nick

 

[Diapason]

If you have the means, I highly recommend picking them up.

Great line, Sausage King.

Si