Kev999

DPTrainor

I imagine this is subjective...

You need to spend as much time as possible listening before buying and eventually choose something that you believe you can live with.  Sometimes a particular speaker (Tannoy) sounds impressive initially but becomes tiresome after a while.  Sometimes you check out a particular model that lots of people have recommended (Yamaha) and find that it sounds awful to you, even with some of your favourite music playing through it.  Personal preference plays a large part.

Best advice ever.

Speakers have to be listened too before one can decide. Its best to bring your own music to audition with. Listen to as many speakers as you can. If you find a set you like see if you can take them home and listen to them in the room you will be using. 


The reason there so many brands and types is they all sound different even with similar specs.  

Hang around this acoustics forum a bit and you'll learn a lot about how to set up you 'room'.

Don't leave out headphones. You might find you're better off with a great pair of cans in a smaller space. I love my Mackie HR824 originals a LOT, but a pair of AT-M40 headphones work better for me unless I'm demo-ing a mix to a client. 

After a couple years, still happy with my KRK VXT4's.  Small but amaizing.  Should come in right at $500.

One more vote for the Equator D5's here, a lot of detail. Need's a bit a sub, if you want.

Amazing things for what they cost.

Paul P


Hang around this acoustics forum a bit and you'll learn a lot about how to set up you 'room'.

Thanks Paul,  I check out this forum.  Looks good for what I need to do with this room.  Dan

:) So great!  I pay forward!

DP Trainor,

Dan I just tried to respond to your PM, and was notified that the delivery was unsuccessful. Please send me another, and if you could include your email address.

Thanks,

Jay

Got it Dan, and it looks like you received my last PM. Off to the Post Office in the morning!

Yeah, I use money saved for room treatment now!  So good.  And yes, I shall pay forward.  People here are really nice!  Dan

I've just bough Adam ARTist5, which should be about the same as ADAM A5X but with glossy finish, build in DAC (if you want to...). 
Musicians Friend had them for 349$/each for a stupid deal of the day :)

i have nothing to compare them to, since they are also my first monitors (just used my DT-770 headphones)
But after about one week (!!) of burning in with Fourplay and other fine, smooth music it has really started to open up and sound really nice and tight. 

PS: the ARTist 5 has rear bassreflex ports, so you'll have to have this in mind. For me it is not a problem - but it demands a bit more from you for the placement. 

At most decent music stores there will be a number of pairs set up with a switching matrix to allow you to compare them side by side. Please take the time to do this. 

Also carry a CD that reflects the style of music you will be doing and preferably a CD that you know well from an acoustic standpoint. 

While most studio reference monitors claim to have a "flat frequency response", as you audition the pairs you will quickly discover that they all sound different. My advice is to pick a pair that are in your budget range, and that sound good to your ears and reproduce the music on your CD the best, again, according to your ears. 

Most store allow a 30 or 45 day no fault return policy. With speakers this is something to be aware of and use if needed. Because the speakers may sound totally different in the home than they did in the store. 

Be sure they sound like you want them or expect them to sound in the studio room. Use the reference CD you took to the store.   Once you are satisfied with them at home.........

Then, learn that speaker system.