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

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

Hahaha, okay. Equipment wise, when prices don't vary too drastically between items, you get the more expensive ones.

 

[SunByrne]

This guy: [This invalid link has been removed] ???

Yep, that guy. Came in to say that. Honestly, the KRKs aren't bad either, for the price. A little more bass-forward than the JBLs.

 

[Element Zero]

If you want really bass forward type of monitors, the M Audio BX8’s will blow your socks off for a bit more money.

 

[N4860]

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.

Or if you are going through a DAW, should be easy enough to use an EQ plugin to do the HPF.

 

[RabidMusic]

I have the MR5's and the JBL 8". The JBL's have more bottom. Honestly, I would walk in and see what is on sale. Get the most you can for your money no matter the brand. Bumping up to 8" will give you better bass response in your music.

 

[Funky Phantom]

Save some money to buy some better monitors.

 

[Remoman]

I'd suggest you go and listen to them. Several years back I was all set to buy the KRK's for the home nano-studio I was building. A buddy had them, I had researched them, and was pretty sure they were what I wanted. But then I went into a Sam Ash and listened to the KRK's and a bunch of others and didn't like the KRK's after all. I ended up getting a pair of M-Audio BX5's. As I remember, the JBLs were second, and all was based on how I liked the response, tone, and coloration. I put the BX5's in with a BBE 282ir and they have served me well for many years.