mondaydave
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Advice on studio monitors
Hi, I have been looked at budget range studio monitors and can currently get a pair of Behringer B1031A monitors for EUR250.00 Have any of you used these or advise something different at this price point? Thanks!
post edited by mondaydave - 2014/03/07 15:25:11
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neirbod
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 12:57:28
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I assume you mean the B1031A (without the 2). My advice is to search first at Gearslutz.com. There are some posts there about these monitors. Then post a question there if you still want more info. This forum is great for questions or issues specific to CW, but Gearslutz has a lot more discussion about various gear and recording in general.
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bitflipper
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 13:09:14
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Good choice for the price. The only other product I know of that's comparable in price/performance is the Alesis M1 Active MkII.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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bz2838
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 14:46:34
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Purrrfect Audio: Intel i7 7700k (Kabylake), 32Gig DDR4/2133, Windows 10x64 Pro, USB RME Babyface, Sonar Platinum Current
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mondaydave
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 15:27:13
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neirbod
I assume you mean the B1031A (without the 2).
Yup, Sorry fat finger syndrome....
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 17:07:05
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I hate those Alesis ones, they're so muddy. But it's a pretty tiny budget for good monitors. Can't judge on the Behringer ones, the only ones I've heard were the 2032 Truths years ago. Thought those were pretty good for the money, but I'm not sure I trust the ears I had back then. If you have the option, go listen to a few sets in a shop and bring a cd you know well, as well as some of your own work.
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dcasey
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 18:44:31
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In that price range I thought the Presonus Eris E5 were a good value; accurate, reasonably well defined upper-mids, and the high-end was clear. They aren't going to deliver thunderous bass, but they would work well in a small space - you could always add a sub later. The acoustic tuning capabilities are pretty impressive for monitors in this price range.
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bandso
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 19:42:51
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If you already have some monitors that you are currently using, please consider this: Not exactly monitors, but ARC 2 from IK Multimedia will improve any monitor area as it works to correct problems with the room and the monitors (to a degree, of course.) This may provide a more cost effective solution than purchasing some new monitors that may not be that much better. (If you are going to buy new ones, go at least semi high end, Take a look at the new Adam F7's for example)
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denverdrummer
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 20:08:52
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I have a set of Mackie MR5 mark 1's. I've been very pleased with them and got them at a steal, as the mark 2's had been introduced.
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Matt
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/07 20:15:54
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bz2838
Just bought a pair of JBL LSR305's from Sweetwater, so far I'm really liking them, great speakers for the price! Anyone else tried these?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305/
Between these, the Alesis, and the Behringers, my vote would be for the JBLs and it's not even close. And if you could push the budget a tiny bit, then definitely the LSR308s.
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SciFiArtMan
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/08 00:55:14
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denverdrummer
I have a set of Mackie MR5 mark 1's. I've been very pleased with them and got them at a steal, as the mark 2's had been introduced. Same for me. Really quite impressed with the clarity, depth, and power of these guys! And my mixes on them seem to "travel" quite well. Very happy with the purchase!
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mondaydave
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 11:14:22
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Thanks for all your input guys.
On further reflection and research I have decided if I spend EUR250.00 on monitors I am basically buying garbage.
I have decided to increase my budget and so far I am leaning heavily towards JBL LSR308's
I make mostly bass heavy dance music so getting the low end is important (this is the reason I am going for the 8" models rather that the 5") - am I right in thinking the larger woofer size will better meet this need?
I would welcome opinions on some of the others in the same price range :
Adam F7
Tannoy Reveal 802
Yamaha HS7 (which are around EUR150.00 cheaper)
I have read the other usual forums like KVR and Gearslutz and while there are a lot of opinions out there it seems to be a total minefield and I do value the opinions of the users of this forum.
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Scoot
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 11:39:44
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 12:06:43
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I think that is a wise choice and you will enjoy those monitors for much longer than the really cheap ones.
I've heard good things about the Adams but am not personally familiar with any of those specific models.
Again, if you have the possibility, go have a listen for yourself, and bring some music you know well (and that is representative of what you do).
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bitflipper
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 13:08:48
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Agreed that 8" is the ideal woofer size if you don't have a separate subwoofer. Anything smaller is going to leave unheard mysteries in the low end.
However, there are advantages to using smaller speakers with a separate sub. During mixing, it actually helps to remove the extreme low end so you can concentrate on the vastly more-important (regardless of genre) midrange. Most subs come with footswitches so you can easily switch them in and out. In terms of cost, the sub's going to run you between $400 and $1200, but stepping up to the next tier of monitors is going to be an even greater increase. And you have the option of buying the main speakers now and adding the sub later.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 13:12:56
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Also depends on the size of the room. I've had bad experiences with a sub in a room that is too small.
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Lemonboy
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 14:42:17
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Sanderxpander
Also depends on the size of the room. I've had bad experiences with a sub in a room that is too small.
and also how load you can use the monitors. I would rather mix on smaller speakers if I can't turn up the volume because of neighbours etc. If you can monitor at decent levels, in a decent sized room with decent acoustics then yes 8" woofers would be good.
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bandso
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 14:54:51
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Since the OP asked, I've got to give lots of love to the Adam F7's as they are the best purchase I have made for my humble studio in years (I moved from Event 20/20's and Mackie monitors). The tweeter is the exact same one as the ones used in the AX line and is crazy detailed. The low end is no slouch either. $950 for a set of monitors is on the expensive side, but IMHO totally worth it.
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Paul P
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 20:03:03
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I vote for spending some money in treating the best room you can get hold of, then spending time positioning the monitors and yourself properly with respect to this room. Bass heavy dance music won't be easy if your room isn't fairly huge. See http://www.gearslutz.com/board/studio-building-acoustics/ for full details.
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Matt
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 20:12:12
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So much advice.... don't over think it. Get the LSR308s. I personally 100% guarantee you will love them.
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joel77
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/11 20:59:51
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If you have the budget, check out Equator at http://www.equatoraudio.com/ I use their D5s with a Tannoy sub. Awesome sound. Have made a HUGE difference in my mixes.
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mixmkr
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/12 00:07:06
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bitflipper
Agreed that 8" is the ideal woofer size if you don't have a separate subwoofer. Anything smaller is going to leave unheard mysteries in the low end.
However, there are advantages to using smaller speakers with a separate sub. During mixing, it actually helps to remove the extreme low end so you can concentrate on the vastly more-important (regardless of genre) midrange. Most subs come with footswitches so you can easily switch them in and out. In terms of cost, the sub's going to run you between $400 and $1200, but stepping up to the next tier of monitors is going to be an even greater increase. And you have the option of buying the main speakers now and adding the sub later.
How come Focal's sub6 is $1850? I mean it's a single speaker and a cab....for $1800??
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mixmkr
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/12 00:08:40
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then there are the Yamaha HS8... but the JBL's are cheaper in price. I think Sweetwater is also offering 1/2 off for the 2nd speaker thru March.
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mixmkr
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/12 00:16:57
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dang.... sale over...and was going to get some JBL's
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Kev999
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/12 01:34:14
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So much advice...
More advice: Listen before you buy. Don't just rely on recommendations.
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bitflipper
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/12 08:51:00
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mixmkr
How come Focal's sub6 is $1850? I mean it's a single speaker and a cab....for $1800??
A single speaker that only has to handle a single octave! Focals are freakin' awesome speakers, but IMO overpriced. Subwoofers generally are going to be pricier because they have to be heavier and much more solid construction, and there's a lot more metal in them. The high-end ones also use manmade high-tech materials for the driver rather than coated paper. The combination of solid construction, high mass and super-stiff, super-light cones means less IM distortion and ringing - but at a cost. Still, I get by with a $400 M-Audio paper-cone sub that rings a little worse and has poorer IM distortion numbers than the expensive models, but is flat. And anyway, my room contributes far more inconsistencies down there than the speaker ever could.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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mondaydave
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/12 09:55:41
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Scoot
Do you know about Thomann
http://www.thomann.de/gb/...ld_monitors&oa=pra
Yeah I get nearly all my stuff from there, Great online shop! I know listening to monitors before buying is essential but I'm in Ireland (and the countryside at that) so not really spoiled for choice here for the types of big shops that stock this gear. The few I visited hadn't much more than a token set of Yamaha's & KrK's. Even most of the online shops selling in Ireland are shipping from the UK. Iv'e taken the plunge and ordered the LSR 308's. I'll report back how it goes, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas :-)
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mondaydave
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/14 17:28:34
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☄ Helpfulby thomasabarnes 2014/03/14 18:34:11
Matt
So much advice.... don't over think it. Get the LSR308s. I personally 100% guarantee you will love them.
So I took delivery of my 308's today and your right Matt, I LOVE them! I actually took the day off work to make sure I didn't miss the delivery, My initial enthusiasm was dampened a bit when everything I listened to through them seemed very thin on the low end, Even tracks that I know have serious low end when heard out but boosted the low frequencies using the switches at the back and I was very relieved, Not sure if my room acoustics can account for this? Anyway I can hear elements I never heard before in tracks I thought I knew very well. this explains why anything I have "produced" in the last couple of years using a set of creative labs 2" speakers sounds like complete sh1te when I listen on another system. thanks for all the advise guys, Now I'm off to the batcave for the weekend 
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thomasabarnes
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Re: Advice on studio monitors
2014/03/14 18:38:28
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You said some helpful things in that post, mondaydave. I'm glad you are pleased with your purchase.
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