I'm looking for suggestions and am curious what everyone uses for speakers/monitors. I want to upgrade my Logitech gaming speakers to something more studio quality. I'd like something not too big (or expensive) and something with good clarity and depth. (for obvious reasons :P).

I believe this has already come up:

https://www.tapspace.com/forums/index.php?topic=1373.0

Hope this helps.

What's your price range and needs?

Are you doing any technical critical listening, or do you just need some better sounding speakers for writing/arranging?

[quote author=TylerDurden link=topic=1853.msg9168#msg9168 date=1184183812]
What's your price range and needs?

Are you doing any technical critical listening, or do you just need some better sounding speakers for writing/arranging?
[/quote]

I'm mainly just doing writing/arranging. I'd probably be looking at the sub $300 range. (Not the best bracket I fully realize) I've been looking at the M-Audio BX5A. They seem to review well and are relatively flat. They do lack in the low end though, but they're right around the size and price range I'm looking for. Just something to get me started until I want to invest more time and energy into a better studio.

You'd be hard pressed to find a pair in that price range that will give you a lot of bass response, anything under 100Hz with nearfield monitors is shaky at best, even with expensive pairs.

Check these out-

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1ActiveMkII/

[quote author=TylerDurden link=topic=1853.msg9178#msg9178 date=1184219689]
Check these out-

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1ActiveMkII/
[/quote]

Those look like a very solid product. I was impressed just browsing through the manual. :p They seem to be a good investment and a step ahead of the M-Audio, although maybe a bit big for my desk. I'd certainly only need nearfield as I'm in a fairly small room with a small PC/home studio. Without going into more serious audio production would the loss of the extreme low frequencies be too disadvantageous or even noticable?

My other thought is I still do a lot of ";consumer grade"; use like listening to mp3s, playing video games, etc. Getting a second PC is out of the question, is continual use in these type applications going to be harmful to the monitors or put me at any handicap?

[quote author=Josh Champagne link=topic=1853.msg9183#msg9183 date=1184249165]
Those look like a very solid product. I was impressed just browsing through the manual. :p They seem to be a good investment and a step ahead of the M-Audio, although maybe a bit big for my desk. I'd certainly only need nearfield as I'm in a fairly small room with a small PC/home studio. Without going into more serious audio production would the loss of the extreme low frequencies be too disadvantageous or even noticable?

My other thought is I still do a lot of ";consumer grade"; use like listening to mp3s, playing video games, etc. Getting a second PC is out of the question, is continual use in these type applications going to be harmful to the monitors or put me at any handicap?
[/quote]

If they won't fit on your desk, check this out-

http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=15354

That stand is pretty easy to make.

You probably wouldn't notice much, but you won't get roaring bass response out of it.  For your needs, they'll work well.  Most of the issues will most likely come from the room over the monitors, but for what you're doing, you won't notice that much.  The monitors might sound a bit funky when you first take them out of the box, and will sett;e in more after some use.  If you have the time, I'd set them in a room and play some music or a 500Hz-1K test tone through them for at least a day or so.  This will break them in some.

Everyday use at reasonable volume levels won't hurt them one bit.  My ADAM A7 monitors and Mackie sub get used for everything, from watching DVDs to playing Half Life.  Obviously they'll wear down a bit, but that will take a good few years of heavy use to do that, and the cones are replaceable.  Blasting excessively loud music through them will hurt them in the long run, since if the cone isn't moving, it's burning.

If you want to get an idea for how these kinds of monitors sound, grab a CD that you know very well.  Head on over to Guitar Center or another pro audio dealer, and listen to monitors.  They should allow you to demo as many pairs as you want.

[quote author=TylerDurden link=topic=1853.msg9178#msg9178 date=1184219689]
You'd be hard pressed to find a pair in that price range that will give you a lot of bass response, anything under 100Hz with nearfield monitors is shaky at best, even with expensive pairs.

Check these out-

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M1ActiveMkII/
[/quote]

Justin,

I have a quick question for you.  Will these be ok sitting close to my computer monitor (meaning are they shielded)?

Thanks!

Dave

I'm a Blue Sky fan...  you can get their EXO system for about $350.  No worries about frequency response; it's 2.1 with built-in proper crossover.

I have the MediaDesk system, but you might have to spend an extra $100 on that for the 2.1...  but it's expandable.

They're definitely shielded.  I have 5 of them on my desk now.

[quote author=Dave Ratliff link=topic=1853.msg12562#msg12562 date=1206460525]
Justin,

I have a quick question for you.  Will these be ok sitting close to my computer monitor (meaning are they shielded)?

Thanks!

Dave
[/quote]

They should be.  The product description states that both drivers are.

The Blue Sky stuff is OK as well, fairly inexpensive for a full (5.1) setup if that's something you'd be interested in.

I really haven't used them for music, around here they're more popular in post production and small media studios for general monitors.  I've only used them with speech and SFX work, but they seemed fairly balanced.  Tend to get a tad harsh around 2k though.

Thanks guys!

Anybody have any hands-on experience with the M-Audio Studiophile BX8a Deluxe Monitors (the new version of the BX8a).�� Located at: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BX8aDeluxe/
The old version has a�� Frequency response: 40Hz-24kHz, whereas the new version has a Frequency response: 30Hz-24kHz.
If you do, I would like to hear your opinion.

Just ordered a pair of the Alesis M1 MkII's.  Should rock!

[quote author=TylerDurden link=topic=1853.msg12564#msg12564 date=1206463762]

The Blue Sky stuff is OK as well, fairly inexpensive for a full (5.1) setup if that's something you'd be interested in.

I really haven't used them for music, around here they're more popular in post production and small media studios for general monitors.  I've only used them with speech and SFX work, but they seemed fairly balanced.  Tend to get a tad harsh around 2k though.
[/quote]

Well, I'd take you to task on the ";harsh"; part...  I don't agree, but to each their own.

The main benefit of the Desk series is in the name -- these things aren't monsters on your desk.  So indeed if you intend on putting monitors on a desk, and not lose much real estate, give them a look.  If room isn't a problem, they're still excellent, but there's less of an advantage then.  You'd be left with a proper crossover, and easy expandability...

[quote author=Dave Ratliff link=topic=1853.msg12584#msg12584 date=1206545832]
Just ordered a pair of the Alesis M1 MkII's.  Should rock!
[/quote]

MAN these monitors are GREAT!  Definitely worth the money (only $300 for the pair).  I am blown away by how great they sound!

thanks for the suggestion Tyler!