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Originally Posted by hbarcat  Check out Sweetwater for active studio monitors. These will have a small footprint and don't require you to buy an amp. The sound is typically more "hi-fi" this way because they use an active crossover and separate internal amps for both the highs and lows. Studio monitors are designed to be clean and clear sounding instead of being loud. |
+1 to this. I bought some M-audio AV40 active studio monitors and have been floored by their sound. They were only around $150 shipped and sound better than many high end bookshelf speakers. I'd bet that the more expensive ones by Genelec or Tannoy or the like would be even better.
The only thing I don't like about them is that there is no digital input on mine, so I can't run the audio out from my TV (which only has a digital audio out) to them. I could buy a digital decoder for them for around $100 or so but it's just a system I use in the bedroom so I don't really need to have the TV going through them. I never really watch TV in the bedroom (it's used to monitor my daughter, who has epilepsy) and I have a full-blown home theater if I want to watch a movie or such. Still, they sound so good I'm thinking of getting a second set even though I don't really know where I'd put them.
Active studio monitors are what the pros use to mix sound. You'll be blown away. Heck, even my ipod sounds terrific through them, and that's just MP3!!!
No ipod docking system/receiver comes within a country mile of how good active studio monitors sound, IMO.
