Best cheap studio monitors?

[infuzion]

I'm looking at the KRK Rokit 6 that Guitar Center has, I'm wondering if they're worth the $200, or if there is a better choice near that price range?
TIA

[Disko]

the rokit 6 has a serious lacking in any low end sound. the rokit 8 isnt a whole lot more. you can make up a little of that difference by haggling if you buy the pair.

the mackie mr8 is a tiny bit cheaper than the rokit 8 and they sound really good too, especially for that price range.

[Erik Mitchell]

Bring a CD to Guitar Center and test some out

[Fonzie]

The Behringer Truth series aren't really half bad for the price. They're probably the only piece of Behringer rig I've ever owned that has lasted longer than one year :lol:

I've had them for quite a while now with no problems, and I even bought them used

[DJ Hero]

I'm looking at the KRK Rokit 6 that Guitar Center has, I'm wondering if they're worth the $200, or if there is a better choice near that price range?
TIA


The Rokit series are all solid IF you purchase the subwoofer to go with the satellite speakers. The satellite speakers by themselves lack the low end you'll want for proper mixing.

[infuzion]

Thanks for the replies!
I just noticed that the speakers are $200 EACH not per pair + extra 4 for sub, so the Behringer Truth seem like a better deal. I'll have to burn a CD to bring to test speakers for sure.

[dis=c0!]

please don't forget to listen to the JBLs too....we have a competitor now in this price range:
LSR2325P
http://mos.musicradar.com/images/Future%20Music/Issue%20218/jbl/jbl-lsr2325p-460-80.jpg
course they don't come in bright red or bright yellow :lol:

[WAVERUNNER]

The KRKs monitors are quickly becoming the new studio standard for low end monitors. Kinda like the Yamaha NS10s used to be. Guitar center has a special right now for $200 a pair. I would grab them up while they are cheap. Well worth the cash. I would use a subwoofer with them tho.
I wouldn't recommend the behringers to anyone. I had a set, not even close to flat. They are a cheap ripoff of the Genelecs.
I'm picking up the Yamaha HS50s for my nearfield set.

[WAVERUNNER]

The JBLs aren't bad either

[Fonzie]

The KRKs monitors are quickly becoming the new studio standard for low end monitors. Kinda like the Yamaha NS10s used to be. Guitar center has a special right now for $200 a pair. I would grab them up while they are cheap. Well worth the cash. I would use a subwoofer with them tho.
I wouldn't recommend the behringers to anyone. I had a set, not even close to flat. They are a cheap ripoff of the Genelecs.
I'm picking up the Yamaha HS50s for my nearfield set.

I'd definitely take the KRKs over the Behringers given the choice, but I've honestly had no issues with my Truths. For the price, they're a pretty decent low-end monitor to start with. That's really saying something considering every other piece of Behringer kit I've owned fell apart in minutes.

$200 for a pair of KRKs is a hard deal, though... I might even have to pick some up :lol:

[DJ Hero]

You'll be unhappy with the Behringers, they sound dull and lack depth of space.

[dave]

how are monitor kits?

IE find some suitable 'flat' DIY drivers, horns and build
or have built cabinets?

external crossovers, etc...


probably not cost effective?

[infuzion]

The KRKs monitors are quickly becoming the new studio standard for low end monitors....Guitar center has a special right now for $200 a pair.I would use a subwoofer with them tho.Like I wrote before, $200 EACH. I just called the phone rep to clarify, & he said "The industry standard [for pricing for monitor speakers] is the price is each, unless it [ad/listing] says for a pair."

So $375ish (coupons + tax) + $100-650 for a sub is not such a hot deal to me. Maybe decent deal, but makes me hesitant to jump on it.

[Disko]

u gotta pay to play bro.

if you are on a budget you may want to save up, because even the KRK Rokits are kinda bottom of the barrel as far as true reference speakers go. you could also consider getting a decent pair of studio headphones. they will give you a better representation of sound than any $200 pair of studio monitors.

[Fonzie]

I dunno... I can see where you guys are coming from but I think you're putting way too much stock into gear when it more depends on your skill level. You could have a funktion 1 stack in every corner of your million dollar studio and it isn't going to mean shit if you can't produce.

Every tune I've made, while not grade-A pro shit by any means, was made on my used Behringer Truth monitors. Besides, what if he's just starting out and he decides that this isn't for him? Did you guys not start on cheap decks and mixers when you first got into DJing?

[dave]

Did you guys not start on cheap decks and mixers when you first got into DJing?


i did not, but i didn't buy anything right away either....

:)

[DJ Hero]

I didn't start on cheap decks either. I purchased my first and only pair of Technic SL1200's in September 1995. I still have them and use them. They still work perfectly and look pretty much like new.

Now if the rest of the shit in my life lasted as long.

[Fonzie]

Alright so turntables may have been a bad example, but you know what I mean.

The average shmuck on a budget does not go out and buy a $2000 Fender when they decide they want to learn to play guitar.

[DJ Hero]

If you want good quality with an inexpensive price tag check out the EXO Blue Sky 2.1

[superchibisan]

dj hero has got the right idea.

for the price range, the blue sky exo is the best of the bottom of the barrel and is what i use. i worked at GC and set up the pro audio room. i've been through all the monitors they sell and the exos were my first choice without even listening to them.

[Puff Powers]

I have had the Truths and had no issues with them at all and I bump them pretty hard. I know quite a few people, even audio snobs that have them. They are not Top of the line but isnt the title of the thread cheap studio monitors. They sound as good as some higher priced monitors out there. Test out a bunch and see which sound best for the price. When you make $150k a year producing tracks then step it up to the serious monitors.

[Disko]

I dunno... I can see where you guys are coming from but I think you're putting way too much stock into gear when it more depends on your skill level. You could have a funktion 1 stack in every corner of your million dollar studio and it isn't going to mean shit if you can't produce.


i don't even have actual studio monitors of my own. i work mostly in my can headphones. to me, unless I got a sweet deal on a used pair of cheapies, i'd rather keep using my headphones, like i am, till i can afford a decent set of monitors.



Did you guys not start on cheap decks and mixers when you first got into DJing?

gemini XL500II's and a djm300! lol at least they were direct drive.

anyway, i've never heard the Behringers so i cant comment on them directly. but im not saying he needs to drop $5k a speaker on monitors. my point was more that the KRK Rokit series monitors are considered a budget monitor and are a lower tier speaker, so if those are out of his price range, he may want to look at other alternatives or just save some cash.

[DJ Hero]

I dunno... I can see where you guys are coming from but I think you're putting way too much stock into gear when it more depends on your skill level. You could have a funktion 1 stack in every corner of your million dollar studio and it isn't going to mean shit if you can't produce.

Every tune I've made, while not grade-A pro shit by any means, was made on my used Behringer Truth monitors. Besides, what if he's just starting out and he decides that this isn't for him? Did you guys not start on cheap decks and mixers when you first got into DJing?


We are only as good as our skill levels, but often our skills could grown much more quickly and effectively when we have the proper tools to do it with.

[Puff Powers]

Such is life. If I only had the tools (and money) to build race cars I would and could... But I don't!

You have to find a happy medium. Trust me I want Genelec 1037C's with the 7071A sub.... Anyone here need a manwhore:)

[infuzion]

We are only as good as our skill levels, but often our skills could grown much more quickly and effectively when we have the proper tools to do it with.I can argue both sides; sometimes you can be MORE creative with less, since you have to plan & think more to overcome & don't become overburdened by having too many possibilities (the pardox of choice (http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html)). However, before MP3s took over vinyl, I'd advice people just jump directly to Tech 1200s, since you can buy used then resell them at nearly the same price, & you don't have to un-learn wack habits that you picked up using belt-driven tables.

(For the record; I learned on home belt-tables & Techniques 1100s, then went to Dennon 1000 (the first inexpensive CD-DJ equipment), then moved on to Tech 1210s since I was leaving Germany (where CD remix comps were plentiful & cheap) & moving to Italy (where such CDs didn't exsist).)

I looked into the EXO Blue Sky 2.1; concept seems great but reviews put their build-quality into question. Thanks for the suggestion though!

==
Is used a good suggestion? What are some good &/or warning signs? I'd price any used gear lower in a smokers, (green or not) house, since the smoke will corrode contacts etc.
==

Anyone here need a manwhore:)Someone whose forum-name is straight out of a gay porn name generator asking to be a manwhore... do I need to add anything to the humor? :popcorn:
Edit: Dang man, manwhore for $6000!?!? I can say I can get better for cheaper!
;) <~~~

[dave]

i buy used gear frequently...

there is certainly an art to it.

know what you are buying, a what the going rates are generally
as well as common modifications for a particular piece,
and how to identify what's what

[dj vanish]

I second the EXO Blue Sky 2.1. The are smoking for the price and don't pay attention to the one review on Guitar Center about them from a guy who had poor electrical wiring in his studio.

[WAVERUNNER]

Guitar center did have the limited red edition KRKs for $200 a pair. I almost picked some up. I even saw some people on craigslist were reselling them without opening the box for $350. When I went to guitar center, they had already sold out of that special. On the guitar center website, they are closing out the passive KRKs for about $60 each. I have an extra studio reference amp I will sell if you pick up some passives.

[Brian_D]

Did you guys not start on cheap decks and mixers when you first got into DJing?

Holy shit i started out on gemini belt drives and some shitty Behringer mixer..
Then i moved up to Gemini direct drives and a Stanton mixer..
Then techs and pioneer..

On topic,

I had some Mackie monitors not to long ago, i forget the model name but they where the low end..
And they were really nice..

[Daver]

i don't even have actual studio monitors of my own. i work mostly in my can headphones. to me, unless I got a sweet deal on a used pair of cheapies, i'd rather keep using my headphones, like i am, till i can afford a decent set of monitors.



gemini XL500II's and a djm300! lol at least they were direct drive.

anyway, i've never heard the Behringers so i cant comment on them directly. but im not saying he needs to drop $5k a speaker on monitors. my point was more that the KRK Rokit series monitors are considered a budget monitor and are a lower tier speaker, so if those are out of his price range, he may want to look at other alternatives or just save some cash.

FYI you are destroying your hearing by mixing/producing all on headphones

[Disko]

FYI you are destroying your hearing by mixing/producing all on headphones

why for?

i dont have it on loud at all when i do. maybe at 10-15%

[RanThrive]

I'm looking at the KRK Rokit 6 that Guitar Center has, I'm wondering if they're worth the $200, or if there is a better choice near that price range?
TIA

I would def recomend the krk's especially the V2's, I just bought a pair in mint for $180 from music go round. I think the store in aurora has a pair for like $200. They sound great and surprisingly the low end hits pretty nice. I listened to several monitors including event, mackie, ect and the krk had the cleanest sound with tighter bass.

I also heard these were a really good. Almost forgot these arn't self powered though. Scratch that.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Alpha-Series/Alpha-B1-Monitor

Also like hero was sayin, heard good things about Blue Sky Media.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blue-Sky-EXO-2-1-Studio-Monitor-System-w-Subwoofer-NEW_W0QQitemZ370291339513QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item56371570f9

[superchibisan]

why for?

i dont have it on loud at all when i do. maybe at 10-15%

what type of headphones are they? if they don't say pro-logic on them, then they probably point their drivers straight down your ear canal and "bump" directly on your ear drum. this is not how a human hears and you are damaging your ears

[RanThrive]

^ I'm sure most of us have damaged ears already and won't be able to tell until you age some, I know its gonna catch up to my ass when i'm older.

[noktrnl]

Bringing this back as im kinda in the market for some upgradin.


Just saw these and they look to be in my $$ range,

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ADP-A3X-LIST (http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ADP-A3X-LIST)

or the A5's for $100 more each.


anyone hear reviews on em? or just hear them?

Been using some Fostex PM1 MK2's for a while now

[superchibisan]

get the a5's fo sho

[Kenshō]

How is it you guys can recommend monitor systems without even asking what type of room he will be mixing in? First thing I would do is figure out what kind of cancellations are happening in the room and try to pick a frequency response that can compensate for that...

Assuming you're in a bedroom type situation, you HAVE to get a sub if you want to have any low end clarity, regardless of what monitors you end up getting.

The KRK rockit's are actually a damn good speaker for the money. I'd recommend getting the biggest driver they offer though, which I believe is an 8". I personally can't really hear the difference between the rockit 8's and the VXT6's (which i think sound better than the VXT8's). For the price I think they're the best option.

P.S. If you need anyone to phase align your monitors, I do it cheap.

[RanThrive]

Bringing this back as im kinda in the market for some upgradin.


Just saw these and they look to be in my $$ range,

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ADP-A3X-LIST (http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ADP-A3X-LIST)

or the A5's for $100 more each.


anyone hear reviews on em? or just hear them?

Been using some Fostex PM1 MK2's for a while now

That link I clicked didn't come up, were you talkin about the adam a5's?

[WAVERUNNER]

you might be looing at the monitor situation all wrong. I really don't think the A5 are going to help you any more than the KRK's. Some of the best mastering engineers use on their personal setup, (along with others) 5 inch 2 ways with no sub. The thing is with small monitors is, it's up close to avoid the room problems. That why larger speakers are in treated rooms, because they have to be, small ones, for the most part don't. The Adams may be a bit brighter, but I would think they are harder to judge or translate well. The KRKs are fine, I would just get another larger set, even if it was high end stereo speakers for a second set to judge mixes on. Just make sure they can handle a good amount of power and it's nice if they are 4 ohms. Stick with good name brands if you go that route, ex: JBL, Sony, ADS, Polk Audio, things like that.
The trick is not one set, but 2 -3 sets. I actually use 5 sets, soon to be 6. I use each set for what it's good at. One might be bass, one might be mids, one might be stereo image and so on.
If I were you, you need one set up close, keep em, search out some good stuff on craigslist and use both.

(I also have some for sale)

[dis=c0!]

good advice - people should work on whatever they like and can afford. if you want to get ahead of the game audition your tracks on many different systems. people have released music mastered on complete junk, they just knew what that junk sounded like and how it compares and contrasts to non-junk. it's like the saying about yamaha NS10s, "if you can make a mix sound good on a pair of NS10s it'll sound good on anything." don't get me wrong I'd looooooove to give you some biased opinions about speakers-but it really doesn't matter that much - every company has something at every price point - all have their pros and cons imo. some have gimmicks that they will come up with to try and get you to buy their stuff....all producers need is to know [or anticipate] what their tracks will sound like on ten different systems, and then go back and tweak their mix accordingly.

[Louis Marr]

good advice - people should work on whatever they like and can afford. if you want to get ahead of the game audition your tracks on many different systems. people have released music mastered on complete junk, they just knew what that junk sounded like and how it compares and contrasts to non-junk. it's like the saying about yamaha NS10s, "if you can make a mix sound good on a pair of NS10s it'll sound good on anything." don't get me wrong I'd looooooove to give you some biased opinions about speakers-but it really doesn't matter that much - every company has something at every price point - all have their pros and cons imo. some have gimmicks that they will come up with to try and get you to buy their stuff....all producers need is to know [or anticipate] what their tracks will sound like on ten different systems, and then go back and tweak their mix accordingly.

I would agree. Seems like learning what to actually listen for is more important that what particular monitor it is.

Also learning what to listen for within each set of monitors compared to alternate speakers. Car, home stereo, etc...

[Botrytis]

dude save your money for Dynaudio. Thats what I wish I had done. I have rokit 8's now... they bump

[RanThrive]

Picked up a pair of the adam A7's and side by side the krk's or mackies don't even compair. The clarity of the mids and highs make music much more impressive to the ear. The ribbion tweeter tech seems pretty sweet. The krk's are a great speaker for the money and do the job decent but I have noticed mixdown's sounding different on a car sterio or PA setup. Another great speaker I like is the Vocal's if you can afford them.

[dis=c0!]

Picked up a pair of the adam A7's and side by side the krk's or mackies don't even compair. The clarity of the mids and highs make music much more impressive to the ear. The ribbion tweeter tech seems pretty sweet. The krk's are a great speaker for the money and do the job decent but I have noticed mixdown's sounding different on a car sterio or PA setup. Another great speaker I like is the Vocal's if you can afford them.

ribbons are great and responsive, sounding like butter at low volumes, but when you hit them hard and turn them up loud, their response curves turn to jaggy nastiness.

behringer also now has copies of the Adam speakers....couldn't believe it, they were like $300 each....GC only got two pairs though in CO - which would seem to go against the whole behringer deal...

[RanThrive]

ribbons are great and responsive, sounding like butter at low volumes, but when you hit them hard and turn them up loud, their response curves turn to jaggy nastiness.


I haven't experienced that issue, they acually seem to maintain a well balance at any levels. There are also some great settings to adjust for a specific environment.

[Sargasm]

How do these BX8a's compare?

[RanThrive]

Not familiar with M-Audio studio monitors but I know the rest of their stuff is crap.

[WAVERUNNER]

Another great speaker I like is the Vocal's if you can afford them.

You mean Focals?

yea, I have heard great things about them. You get what you pay for.

[Sargasm]

Dunno if this is realistic:

http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--MDOBX8A

Pretty well rated there.

[RanThrive]

You mean Focals?

yea, I have heard great things about them. You get what you pay for.


Focals" thats what i ment, I had a set of those speakers in my car once and they sounded nioce. The studio monitors were amazing too.

[WAVERUNNER]

Personally, I hate M-audio, but we have some BX8a in the other room, my friend also has them. They seem to be pretty accurate for low end speakers.

[nygaard]

How do these BX8a's compare?

I have a pair of these, and they bump. The mids/high are great and the lows are quite nice for the price-tag IMO.

I would recommend them if its within your budget.