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Let's say you had a gift card...

JoshS

JoshS

Dec 30, 2018
772
1,518
Colorado
#1
$250 to Guitar Center and wanted some studio monitors. What would you suggest? (short of waiting and saving). Card doesn't expire for ~ a year actually.

I came in here to ask what the difference would be between these:

KRK.png


And then in searching saw a lot of "please google 'krk failure'." And stuff about black glue becoming problematic.

This is really only for myself, and I prefer to use my amp, but occasionally use a Scarlett 2i2 for recording. So I don't need a super set-up, but do want to hear myself.
Current setup as the Scarlett output to a pair of 20 year old "freebie" computer speakers and my rumble combo amp. Room is a finished basement corner nook office. I don't practice very loud at all.
 
#2
Those prices are for one speaker if I'm not mistaken, FYI.

I don't have much experience working with KRKs, but as to the differences, the KRK website has your answers. the classic 5s have a little bass boost that you might find nice at lower volumes. The newer Rokit line has a built in EQ which is supposed to be for adjusting for your room. Those things built into budget speakers always make me a little skeptical...

Since you said "nook" I'll assume it's a small space and larger speakers aren't going to be the best choice. If i had decided on KRK and the above were my choices for your space, I'd go with the classic 5.
 
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#5
a pair of the "classic 5" monitors is only ~$50 above your budget so that makes it an easy pick based on price alone.

i have never used this brand: i cannot endorse the quality --- or the experience of using them for mixing. for recording/playback i'm sure they will perform your monitoring needs if you keep volumes commensurate.

if i was considering small, near-field reference monitors for actual mixing/mastering, on a budget: yamaha or mackie might be among my first considerations.

good luck with your gift card purchase! :thumbsup:
 
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#6
And I said:
Those prices are for one speaker if I'm not mistaken, FYI.

I don't have much experience working with KRKs, but as to the differences, the KRK website has your answers. the classic 5s have a little bass boost that you might find nice at lower volumes. The newer Rokit line has a built in EQ which is supposed to be for adjusting for your room. Those things built into budget speakers always make me a little skeptical...

Since you said "nook" I'll assume it's a small space and larger speakers aren't going to be the best choice. If i had decided on KRK and the above were my choices for your space, I'd go with the classic 5.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you are correct - 1 speaker.
Which kind of made me wonder past few days: What if you just get one? Is there something magical about two? What if you get three?

But you are right. My office "nook" (just think L-shaped outcropping of the basement) is maybe 10 x 20, but there is a(n almost) built in bookshelf behind me and two big computer desks side by side. I really won't even use my little practice amp up much past 20-30%.


Edit: I'm not much of a pedal / effects guy. I have several extra sets of strings laying about and tend to get those on Amazon. This was a corporate "attaboy" gift card. Also useful at Nike or a bunch of restaurants, but I'm a vegetarian non-foodie, so GC is pretty obvious for me. :)
 
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#8
Other random thoughts: I did use an "upgraded" set of computer speakers I had from Harmon Kardon too. They are nicer, but for whatever reason, couldn't handle the bass. (So, I guess not nicer!). I just kept getting this "farty" noise from them. They are now at my third desk (I know....) that I use for WFH just for listening to itunes, and they're perfect for that.

I even tried putting them and the freebies (logitech) on a splitter to run both to drop volume on both, but double, and improve sound and it really didn't work. Putting my bass amp on the output is what helped, but it isn't exactly an elegant solution.


Thanks all for the ideas and suggestions! I don't think I ever anticipate really getting too deep into "mixing" or recording or superb quality. I'm an audiophile only in the sense I do like to listen to music and hear the subtleties, but an economist in the sense that I'm really just like a "dad band" guy (without a band) who mostly just wants to play for his own enjoyment. In other words, the "Ibanez GSR200" (or pick your entry level) of monitors is going to be just fine for me for this. :).
 
#9
one speaker = mono. you need two speakers for stereo. it's not magic, but it is how almost all music is mixed and listened to.

10x20 is actually a pretty decent size. consider putting the speakers against the wall that is 10' long, and have them facing the "long way", towards the wall that's 20' away.
 
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#10
when you have some extra cashola, you might want to consider a high pass filter. whatever speakers you're using aren't going to really do much under 45hz or so except make things sound worse and potentially damage your speakers (the farting noise tells you that you are in danger of damaging your speakers). not really a big issue at low volumes but certainly can't hurt, will protect your speakers, and make things sound better.
 
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#13
JoshS said:
$250 to Guitar Center and wanted some studio monitors. What would you suggest? (short of waiting and saving). Card doesn't expire for ~ a year actually.

I came in here to ask what the difference would be between these:

View attachment 3945756

And then in searching saw a lot of "please google 'krk failure'." And stuff about black glue becoming problematic.

This is really only for myself, and I prefer to use my amp, but occasionally use a Scarlett 2i2 for recording. So I don't need a super set-up, but do want to hear myself.
Current setup as the Scarlett output to a pair of 20 year old "freebie" computer speakers and my rumble combo amp. Room is a finished basement corner nook office. I don't practice very loud at all.
Click to expand...
The most expensive ones. You always buy the most expensive one. Otherwise, you just wasted your money, when for a little bit more, you could've gotten the better ones.
 
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#15
how much is a pair of genelec 8010a..?
these are the smallest from the series and not loud, i guess but i find genelecs to translate quite well. i use a slightly larger one from this series.
i find iloud monitors to be really good for money and size as well.
 
Last edited:
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#17
Bolsyo said:
JBL LSR305, 306 or 308 (5", 6" or 8") depending on how much you want to spend. I use two LSR305 to play Spotify while playing on my Rumble 100.
Click to expand...
Pretty much this. The LSR305’s sound good although not super deep but fairly even sounding. I use them for listening to music via Mac Pro/ITunes, YouTube, and recording playback through Reason. I’d recommend these to anyone who wanted decent speakers but didn’t need ultra high performance ruler flat reference monitors.
 
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#18
Bolsyo said:
JBL LSR305, 306 or 308 (5", 6" or 8") depending on how much you want to spend. I use two LSR305 to play Spotify while playing on my Rumble 100.
Click to expand...

Element Zero said:
Pretty much this. The LSR305’s sound good although not super deep but fairly even sounding. I use them for listening to music via Mac Pro/ITunes, YouTube, and recording playback through Reason. I’d recommend these to anyone who wanted decent speakers but didn’t need ultra high performance ruler flat reference monitors.
Click to expand...

This guy: [This invalid link has been removed] ???
 
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#19
JeezyMcNuggles said:
The most expensive ones. You always buy the most expensive one. Otherwise, you just wasted your money, when for a little bit more, you could've gotten the better ones.
Click to expand...

I'm not disagreeing as a generality, I actually tend to agree, but applying the reductio ad absurdum to this would have me playing a Fodera, driving a 911 GT3, practicing in the newly listed Southern Ground studio, living in a custom mansion... Is there a "good enough" sweet spot I can reasonably reach with the gift card and maybe a little cash for my intended application?

And if the answer is a firm no...that's worth knowing too. :)
 
#20
JoshS said:
$250 to Guitar Center and wanted some studio monitors. What would you suggest? (short of waiting and saving). Card doesn't expire for ~ a year actually.

I came in here to ask what the difference would be between these:

View attachment 3945756

And then in searching saw a lot of "please google 'krk failure'." And stuff about black glue becoming problematic.

This is really only for myself, and I prefer to use my amp, but occasionally use a Scarlett 2i2 for recording. So I don't need a super set-up, but do want to hear myself.
Current setup as the Scarlett output to a pair of 20 year old "freebie" computer speakers and my rumble combo amp. Room is a finished basement corner nook office. I don't practice very loud at all.
Click to expand...
JoshS said:
$250 to Guitar Center and wanted some studio monitors. What would you suggest? (short of waiting and saving). Card doesn't expire for ~ a year actually.

I came in here to ask what the difference would be between these:

View attachment 3945756

And then in searching saw a lot of "please google 'krk failure'." And stuff about black glue becoming problematic.

This is really only for myself, and I prefer to use my amp, but occasionally use a Scarlett 2i2 for recording. So I don't need a super set-up, but do want to hear myself.
Current setup as the Scarlett output to a pair of 20 year old "freebie" computer speakers and my rumble combo amp. Room is a finished basement corner nook office. I don't practice very loud at all.
Click to expand...

I have a pair of the 5” gen3 models and they work well for my little studio, with the Scarlett 16i20 I think it’s called. They work great but took some time to get used to. The bass frequencies are pretty strong and I found my mastered mixes kept sounding too thin on TV/Phone speakers. That’s because the bass was too high on the monitors, so I dialed back the low frequency a couple notches in the back of the speakers, which causes me to raise the bass in the mix, which results in better masters. For $300 a pair I think it’s an economical solution. If you have more money get a bigger set, I just diddnt really need bigger than the 5”. They are sitting 3 feet away from my ears at the desk. Ive had then for about 2 years and had no reliability issues.
 
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