Thanks Bit, I DO feel better (if a little poorer) ;) ..have you ever thought of going into psychiatry? ;)

I've heard good things about the Roland...so I'm sure it'll be a pleasure.

As far as monitors....you're right about the can o' worms...

As I mentioned in another post, (where you also replied) that I don't have the option of listening to any, as the local music stores here do not carry anything as esoteric and unheard of as studio monitors.

So, I guess in reality, it really doesn't matter what I get...I've been using a pair of repurposed Paradigm atoms for a couple years....and they just aren't that great for the purpose.

I'm a little leery of Mackie stuff at the moment (not dissing the company...I own a few pieces of their gear from several years ago that I'm quite fond of) but have read less flattering reviews of late. 

Behringer just doesn't appeal to me...I've read so-so things on the KRK Rockits

The Yamahas seem to do well in the reviews I've read....although their frequency response is using a -10db qualifier vs -3db, so their already modest low end might be even more modest

You had suggested going with an 8" version of whatever brand (vs 5")....Unfortunately there's a $300 price differential between the HS50M and HS80M.

Now, I see there's an MSP line that may be a bit better (and they're pricier...the MSP5 at about $550/pr and the MSP7 (6.5" driver) at about $800/pr)


If anyone has any experience with any of these, I'd like to hear even more thoughts.

The advantage of going for monitors with bigger drivers is that you won't need to fork out for a sub later on, saving you money in the long term.

Though you do need a minimum size, and 8" is the preferred size to really hear that bottom octave.

I guess I'm wondering if an 8" driver is typical for a near-field monitor...

And will it make the bass seem "artificially" enhanced?

Of course....I also don't know what order crossover these are, either.  I'm fairly certain they wouldn't be a first order...They'd probably blow out a lot more tweeters if they were.

Well...I'll probably wait until after Thanksgiving, anyway....so I have some time to do more exhaustive research ;)

I really should just flip a coin.....I'll learn to deal with whatever I have... :)

I wouldn't say an 8" driver would make the bass seem "artificially" enhanced at all.

It's just reproducing what's already there but will be inaudible with a smaller driver

I guess I'm wondering if an 8" driver is typical for a near-field monitor... And will it make the bass seem "artificially" enhanced?

To accurately hear what's going on down below 100Hz, I'd want studio monitors with an 8" woofer.
The HR824mkII are fine.  The radio station where my girlfriend works just installed them in all their studio suites.
I've been using HR824s for what must be 10+ years.  Still work well...

Well, my Roland OctaCapture appeared a couple days ago, and I'm getting it set up and configured, while accustomizing myself to it....

So far, I like it...I'm sure I'll find some niggles and issues...but so far I like the features..It also installed without issue (win7 32 bit)

The one feature I really like is the Auto-sens....I've really only tested it in a very minimal way at this point, but it's certainly a handy feature.

Plus...I finally ordered the monitors I was deciding on!

I went with the Yamaha HS80M's (They were also including a speaker stand and auralex pads with each..and they were on a special Black Friday sale...so all that for under $600 (including some also purchased TRS - XLR cables for their use)....So, hopefully I'll get them early to mid next week!

I'll let you know what I think.

Thanks for all the suggestions/advice!