Near Field Monitor Suggestions

Aram · #1 05-21-2009, 05:44 PM

I'm planning to pick up a pair of powered near field monitors for recording in my apartment. It will be in a pretty small room, and pretty reasonable volumes.

Can anyone recommend a pair? I'm considering the following, but am open to suggestions as long as they're not too pricey...

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...tor?sku=600115

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ors?sku=603203

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ct?sku=601065X

ezrs · #2 05-21-2009, 05:57 PM

KRK Rokits!!!!!
I have a pair that I use for recording, mixing and mastering. They are an incredible value for the price.

57pbass · #3 05-21-2009, 05:57 PM

Try Bag End ..Eden also make a powered monitor...

Aram · #4 05-21-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57pbass

Try Bag End ..Eden also make a powered monitor...

Thanks Dan -- is there a place to demo them around here though? I feel like the usual suspects aren't dealers...

emythefretless · #5 05-21-2009, 06:04 PM

You won't regret buying a pair of these:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ach?sku=601418

Aram · #6 05-21-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emythefretless

You won't regret buying a pair of these:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ach?sku=601418

Those look amazing, but won't they be overkill for a tiny room and low volumes? I feel like 120w into an 8" driver is going to be more than I need...

emythefretless · #7 05-21-2009, 06:10 PM

No, they won't be overkill. Trust me, wait, why should you trust me? Maybe because I also live in a small apartment and use them with very low volumes. The basses are still there, and they never prove me wrong with my mixes. And they can rock too, just in case ;D

Aram · #8 05-21-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emythefretless

No, they won't be overkill. Trust me, wait, why should you trust me? Maybe because I also live in a small apartment and use them with very low volumes. The basses are still there, and they never prove me wrong with my mixes. And they can rock too, just in case ;D

Excellent -- I shall demo those this wknd as well. Many thanks!

emythefretless · #9 05-21-2009, 06:17 PM

You're welcome. Yes, go demo them. I've heard some other near fields with big brand names on them, but with tiny bass drivers, it's kind of impossible to deliver I guess. An 8 inch is still an 8 inch no matter how hard you drive it (compared to an 5/6 of course). Now I'm listening to your myspace profile, not my cup of tea, but seems like you've nailed it. Very nice bass playing.

EricF · #10 05-21-2009, 06:58 PM

The BEST thing you can do with ANY monitors is use them in your space. Hearing them in a showroom will tell you how they sound in THAT room, but the room itself will have as much effect on what you hear as the differences different monitors. If you can buy them at a place with a decent return policy, pick a set and take them home. If you don't like what you're getting, exchange them for another set.

That said, I have found the KRK VXT-series are quite amazing*. I have a set of VXT4s that I use in my very small recording space, and they are a HUGE improvement over the Blue SKY EXO system I used to use. The VXT6s and 8s do a better job with the low end than the 4s, but the whole VXT range is excellent* for clarity and stereo imaging, and are a big step up from the Rockit-series.

(* for the money)

Mads · #11 05-21-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

The BEST thing you can do with ANY monitors is use them in your space.

KRK VXT-series are quite amazing

+ 1

Aram · #12 05-22-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emythefretless

You're welcome. Yes, go demo them. I've heard some other near fields with big brand names on them, but with tiny bass drivers, it's kind of impossible to deliver I guess. An 8 inch is still an 8 inch no matter how hard you drive it (compared to an 5/6 of course). Now I'm listening to your myspace profile, not my cup of tea, but seems like you've nailed it. Very nice bass playing.

All good points. One thing I might do, though, is get smaller monitors and hook up a sub...don't have a ton of space on the desk I'll be using. I'll have to see what the footprint on these look like.

Thanks for checking out the myspace...really need to update those songs though, they're all programmed drums. Here are some updated tracks:

http://sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=166728

Probably still not your speed, but at least there's live drums on those.

Thanks again!

Aram · #13 05-22-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

The BEST thing you can do with ANY monitors is use them in your space. Hearing them in a showroom will tell you how they sound in THAT room, but the room itself will have as much effect on what you hear as the differences different monitors. If you can buy them at a place with a decent return policy, pick a set and take them home. If you don't like what you're getting, exchange them for another set.

That said, I have found the KRK VXT-series are quite amazing*. I have a set of VXT4s that I use in my very small recording space, and they are a HUGE improvement over the Blue SKY EXO system I used to use. The VXT6s and 8s do a better job with the low end than the 4s, but the whole VXT range is excellent* for clarity and stereo imaging, and are a big step up from the Rockit-series.

(* for the money)

That's definitely the plan...probably pick them up at GC or Sam Ash so I can exchange in 30 days. I'm hoping I can tune whichever pair I get a little bit...some of them have filters built in, and I know at least the Alesis recommend stuffing the ports to tighten up the bass. I'll really just have to experiment.

Thanks for the input!

EricF · #14 05-22-2009, 04:35 PM

I haven't heard them for myself, but several people who's opinions I respect on the subject have told me that there isn't one Alesis monitor that is worth a damn. (YMMV)

i_got_a_mohawk · #15 05-22-2009, 04:50 PM

Have to add a +1 to the KRK comments. Use some KRK RP6 SE's over here

mightypants · #16 05-22-2009, 05:40 PM

just a word of caution on KRKs....

I have a pair of RP5s, they are very good for the price (about $150 each), but are a little too heavy on the low end. I'm not sure if this is the case for some of their more expensive models, but just keep it in mind.

EricF · #17 05-23-2009, 01:49 AM

KRK RP-series (Rockit) are NOT the same as the VXT-series.

jamesie · #18 05-23-2009, 07:51 PM

adam a7 are good too

Charling · #19 05-24-2009, 08:10 PM

KRK's are great, I use the V8's a lot which I believe were the model before the vxt8 (I may be wrong, but same kinda price range) and they are really great.

Also, you could do a lot worse than getting a pair of ns10's and a quad amp, about £600 for both at ebay 'buy it now' prices but I've seen them go for less at auction. They don't sound nice but they are the true industry standard for monitors, and thousands and thousands of huge records have been mixed on them!

that combo, krk v8's for tracking and ns10's for mixing is one you see at loads of top top studios.

If you are keen to really learn the trade I'd go with ns10's but if you want a nice listening system as well maybe look elsewhere. I've used blue sky mediadesks quite a lot, and while they are not in the same league as the other two they sound good, are ok for mixing and tracking and have an integrated sub to boot.

If you want to add a sub then I would make sure you buy a pair of monitors with a sub designed for them, matching 3rd party sub to a pair of satelllites is hard to get right.

The krk's have this option, so worth a look...

elpezpr · #20 05-24-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emythefretless

You won't regret buying a pair of these:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ach?sku=601418

+1

I have them and love them. Mixes translate very well.