Monitor recommendations - high quality/small size -?

substance_g · Post by **substance_g** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:19 pm

Hi,

I was always annoyed by the endless postings asking the same question about monitor recommendations on here... until I found myself in the same boat.

I'm looking for a pair of monitor speakers that can sit on my desk. Main criterion is that space is tight, so the smaller the better. Obviously as high quality as possible, with a flat response, but clarity/detail is more important than an abyss of bass. Budget up to EUR1K (obviously, cheaper is nicer

) for a pair. Preferably active (also to save space).

My short-list so far is very short: Dynaudio BM5A Compact - I've never heard them, but I have a pair of Dynaudio hi-fi speakers and they're fantastic, so I trust the brand and sound.

BM5A Compact's dimensions are width 170mm, height 260mm, depth 235mm. That's about as far as I want to go with the depth.

So what else to try? Am open to all suggestions, including "forget it, get more space" and "subwoofer with satellites"...

Thanks in advance for any advice!

thelike5 · Post by **thelike5** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:24 pm

I'll recommend the KRK rockit 5"

It's a nice sounding monitor at a very low cost, $199. Even if you don't buy them you should at least give them a listen. For the cost of the Dynaaudios you can pick these up and cross some other gear lust item of your list.

slicedbread · Post by **slicedbread** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:28 pm

i have emu pm5's and i really like them. i can't compare them to anything else but my mixes have gotten waaaaay better. perfect for monitoring at lower levels which is exactly what i needed. if you go too loud the mids and highs tend to leave the bass behind but thats probably true for any 5" monitor.

icedsushi · Post by **icedsushi** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:41 pm

First instinct is usually correct.

Just get the bm5a compact. You'll be glad you did. They're about the smallest you can possibly go while still having a pro sound. You can always add the 9S sub later up the road if you dont' have the money for it now. The high end is extremely detailed without being fatiguing and the lows are nice and tight.

I've got them with the 9S sub. I think it was a great purchase. After I treated my room, they popped out even more, like I can almost hear every little detail. I've been able to turn the volume way down for hours of mixing since the detail and bass/treble balance is still there at really low volumes.

I've had 'em for like 3 years & never thought about buying another pair of monitors since. I don't think I would replace them unless they got physically damaged or something. Even if that happened, I would probably just buy the same ones again.

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:46 pm

http://www.genelec.com/products/2-way-monitors/8020a/

I'm about to get a pair of 8030a. I think I might get the white ones just to be cool.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:51 pm

im happy with Blue Sky 2.1 system.. very very affordable and the some of the best sound i have heard.

substance_g · Post by **substance_g** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:11 pm

sweetjesus wrote:im happy with Blue Sky 2.1 system.. very very affordable and the some of the best sound i have heard.

Which one - the pro desk?

substance_g · Post by **substance_g** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:45 pm

Thanks for the responses. So, the engineer in me is coming out:

EUR price for a pair (inc subwoofer for the Blue Sky) - H x W x D (mm)

Dynaudio BM5A Compact - €1000 - 260 x 170 x 235

KRK RP-5 - €300 - 276 x 185 x 225

Emu PM5 - €460 - 290 x 175 x 245

Genelec 8020A - €550 - 242 x 151 x 142

Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 - €544 - 241 x 165 x 146

Blue Sky ProDesk 2.1 - €1211 - 276 x 168 x 291

Have found real-life shops in Berlin where I should be able to listen to the Dynaudio, KRK, Genelec and Blue Sky. Think the Emu will be tricky...

Anyway... thanks for the constructive suggestions - any further, feel free to add...

Cheers!

timbreland · Post by **timbreland** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:46 am

Adam A7. Small and awesome, from what I'v heard. $1000

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:49 am

substance_g wrote:
sweetjesus wrote:im happy with Blue Sky 2.1 system.. very very affordable and the some of the best sound i have heard.
Which one - the pro desk?

the mediadesk 2.1

rarr · Post by **rarr** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:55 am

i just got a pair of the ESI nEar 05's and they arent too big and they sound great, and theyre not too expensive (i paid £159 which is prob around 320 dollars), theyre a little bit heavy so if your desk cant support alot of weight then maybe not, but if so..

dimensions: 250mm (H) x 176mm (W) x 200mm (D)

http://www.esi-audio.com/products/near05experience/

substance_g · Post by **substance_g** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:59 am

That's a new one, cheers rarr. My desk is a very solid antique hardwood thing - weight should be no problem. I have a lot of test listening to do this weekend!

rarr · Post by **rarr** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:01 pm

substance_g wrote:That's a new one, cheers rarr. My desk is a very solid antique hardwood thing - weight should be no problem. I have a lot of test listening to do this weekend!

you should be fine then, my desk isnt well supported underneath and they sit there fine so far *fingers crossed*

SubFunk · Post by **SubFunk** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:14 pm

Sales Dude McBoob wrote:http://www.genelec.com/products/2-way-monitors/8020a/

I'm about to get a pair of 8030a. I think I might get the white ones just to be cool.

get 'em, you want regret...

substance_g · Post by **substance_g** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:27 pm

8030A are also in my size requirements - damn it, there goes my summer holiday budget!

Justmusic in Berlin seems to have most of the suggestions here - looking forward to auditioning them soon....