Studio Monitors?

[bassgiant15]

Can anyone suggest some monitors that are pretty good for around 250 or less?

 

[hyperlitem]

per speaker or for both of them?

 

[chrisp2u]

If you're really planning on doing any serious recording/mixing with them you'll be wasting your time with anything at $250/pair or less, IMHO. There are some decent options in the $500 range... that's probably as low as I'd go if you're looking for any semblence of quality/reliability/accuracy.

I auditioned a bunch of $500 range stuff side-by-side a little over a year ago when helping a friend shop for some monitors. From what I found, nothing touched the Bluesky Mediadesk 2.1's, which is what he ended up going with. They aren't super loud/powerful (though neither will most anything else be in this price range), but great sound for around $450. Better than some stuff I've heard that's twice the price (though not as loud, but that's not usually a big deal).

Save up a bit more, you'll be better off.
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c

 

[Headroom]

If you're really planning on doing any serious recording/mixing with them you'll be wasting your time with anything at $250/pair or less, IMHO. There are some decent options in the $500 range... that's probably as low as I'd go if you're looking for any semblence of quality/reliability/accuracy.

I auditioned a bunch of $500 range stuff side-by-side a little over a year ago when helping a friend shop for some monitors. From what I found, nothing touched the Bluesky Mediadesk 2.1's, which is what he ended up going with. They aren't super loud/powerful (though neither will most anything else be in this price range), but great sound for around $450. Better than some stuff I've heard that's twice the price (though not as loud, but that's not usually a big deal).

Save up a bit more, you'll be better off.
---
c

I've read many good reviews of the Mediadesk 2.1's, and would like to test them. I’d think it would be more difficult to get consistent location-to-location playback from a 3-piece system, as compared to a 2-piece speaker system, because of the additional variables introduced by the placement of the subwoofer.

 

[chrisp2u]

I've read many good reviews of the Mediadesk 2.1's, and would like to test them. I’d think it would be more difficult to get consistent location-to-location playback from a 3-piece system, as compared to a 2-piece speaker system, because of the additional variables introduced by the placement of the subwoofer.

No speaker setup is really optimal for monitoring if you're moving from place to place frequently without tweaking (think this is what you're saying with location-to-location). Every room has different characteristics/resonance (due to size, shape, construction, and whatever absorptive things may be in there) that affect how frequencies are perceived. Even without a sub, using a 2-monitor setup, your low-frequency results can vary quite a bit from room to room.

I don't think placement of subwoofers is too big a factor really since a majority of the frequencies are essentially non-directional... the bass *should* react pretty similar regardless of speaker configuration.

Most schools of thought on the subject recommend placing a sub in a corner of your room. I generally go slightly away from the walls (usually 6-8 inches), but not equidistant from both corner walls. Placing it closer to a wall will give you more bass, and depending on your room size and its resonant frequency and/or shape which may contribute to standing waves, may become too bassy.

Other factors are the type of materials used for the walls and the floor the sub would be sitting on. Absorptive materials (ie. wood studs and wallboard... not concrete) keep things from getting too boomy. Some carpet is usually a bonus too so your sub isn't dancing across your floor .... OK, I'm rambling, in short...

The Media Desk system seems to have a pretty smooth crossover point that works quite well in the 2.1 config... I've listened to them in 3 different rooms and they sounded quite good in all. Give'em a try if you can... they really are exceptional for the price, IMO.
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c

 

[lyle]

sorry about the high jack but....

what do you guys think of the M-Audio LX4 2.1 System. I think its a good price for 2 monitors and a sub. Anyone have any experience with these?