$300 Max. Studio Monitors

jondasutra · Post by **jondasutra** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 2:00 am

Any comments on the M-Audio DX4 for $129 (pair)
or the M-Audio BX5 for $219

or any other brand name

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:46 am

Go get a pair of the new Tascam VL-X5. I heard them recently and they smoke the BX5 + all of the $300 competition for breakfast.

They're a bit deeper/longer than BX5's, so if your workspace is the size of a shoebox they're not the best idea. But I think they were cool looking, and sound wise they blew the oother monitors in their class away.

AdamJay · Post by **AdamJay** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:58 am

in my experiences,

M-Audio, Behringer, Samson, KRK (except the RP-5's), and Alesis = Ear Fatigue.

Tannoy, Adam, Mackie, Blue Sky, Event, Genelec = No Ear Fatigue.

the less that monitors fatigue your ears, the more you will be able to work on them for prolonged periods of time without having to rest your ears (very important!). The longer you can work on them, the more you will "learn" them. The more you "learn" them, the better your mixes are down the road.
So less ear fatigue = better mixes

Unfortunately the ones with less fatiguing sound cost more.
So, I'd recommend either KRK RP-5's as they are the exception to the rule, or even some cheap Tannoy Proto J Passives (these are unshielded so keep them at least 12" from any CRT's or TV's) and a $100-$120 used Amplifier.

The KRK RP-5's are $300/pair, and i think they sound better than the RP-6's. You could add an RP10s Subwoofer down the road and have a very suitable system.

If you can go to $400, the Event Active TR-6's are great for the money.

Gygaxian · Post by **Gygaxian** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:32 am

you could always pick up the Alesis 5.1 Active Surround Monitoring System for around 325-400$.

Full on 5.1 monitoring . . .of course they do not sound that great, but if you can get your mix to sound good on shite speakers, then you are half-way there.

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 9:40 am

I can't comment on any others, but I use the BX-5s. I tried the DX-4s for rear surround, and they were useless.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 11:30 am

in addition to Adam Jay's ups towards the KRK RP5's I can say that the RP6's are pretty comfortable to work with too.

sidownes · Post by **sidownes** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:52 pm

anyone any views on the Yamaha MSP3? I'm also after some monitors around £200 and these seem my fabvourites currently.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:18 am

You can try the WHARFEDALE diamond proactive 8.2 i paid 300€ for a pair, they have a solid wide imaging

deckme(N)tal · Post by **deckme(N)tal** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:54 am

krk rp5 work fine in here

mhz · Post by **mhz** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:22 pm

Hello,
i have the bx 5 and i think you can get something better for your money.
They are really on my nerves after a longer mixing session.....

ejectorset · Post by **ejectorset** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:15 pm

i got the krk RP-5's and i love them. i am definately going to be adding the sub sometime, but i can just throw on my headphones to check the super deep low bass end of things.

got a chance to use them a lot over the weekend and no fatigue.

ashley_k · Post by **ashley_k** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:12 pm

sidownes wrote:anyone any views on the Yamaha MSP3? I'm also after some monitors around £200 and these seem my fabvourites currently.

I’ve got a set of the MSP3’s and considering how small they are and the fact they don’t cost all that much, I think they sound pretty good for small monitor.
I ended up getting the MSP3’s because I’d seen a monitor review in Future Music comparing the Fostex PM0.5, Roland DS-30A, Roland DM-20, M-Audio BX5, KRK RP5 and the MSP3’s came out best overall.
They also fitted into the limited space I have, I also like the fact that they have all the controls on the front panel, apart from the power switch.

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:11 pm

I second getting a pair of the Event TR6. The new Tascams may take a while to get to stores.

Mbazzy · Post by **Mbazzy** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:16 pm

Happy with my EsiPro Near 05 actives

lapax · Post by **lapax** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:28 pm

I just got a pair of the new Yamaha HS-50M for $360.00 and they sound freakin nice....flat sound. I tested KRK 5's and some M-Audios' and they sound like crap compared to the Yamaha HS-50M. Hear it to believe.