Inexpensive Active Studio Monitors

Cadorman

Cadorman

Ambassador of the Catocaster
Country flag
I want to add a pair of active studio monitors to my recording set up. I will be running them off of my Scarlett 6i6. I would like to keep the price under $500 for the pair, but possibly up to $800 if the monitors are really worth it.

First question: What size do I really need? I am working in an unfinished basement room with lots of different exposed materials like concrete block, open wood framing and fiberglass insulation. It is actually pretty neutral sounding and I don't get any weird reflections or unnatural reverb. I've been looking at anything from the 5-8 inch bass driver range. and the room is about 15 feet wide by 30ish feet long with an 8 foot height.

Brands I have been looking at: Presonus Eris, KRK Rockit, Kali LP, JBL 3 series MKII, Yamaha HS and the cheaper Adam Audio T7V. What brands and models have any of you used? I know @Thatbastarddon got the Yamaha HS8's a while back and would love to hear about them.

Then there is the cheap option: Run a cable from the Scarlett over to my stereo (Sunfire Theatre Grand III/Cinema Grand Signature 400 watt per channel) with old school Polk Audio RTA12's. Would this even be a reasonable alternative?

Have at it. What do you like?
 
Cadorman said:
Then there is the cheap option: Run a cable from the Scarlett over to my stereo (Sunfire Theatre Grand III/Cinema Grand Signature 400 watt per channel) with old school Polk Audio RTA12's. Would this even be a reasonable alternative?
Click to expand...
First off, you should do that anyway...for a second monitoring system...to audition mixes on a commercial stereo/surround.

Second, I love the HS8 monitors for my room. I can’t believe the difference from my old monitors...I can hear more of the low frequency content clearly. This helps to unclutter the low end...
I have a fairly large space too, with some of the same construction materials, low frequencies exhibit anomalies in my space(as they can/do in any space) due to parallel surface reflections...but I digress...
For me it was between the JBL in the same price category, and the Adam A7...I went to a local Guitar Denter, and gave them a listen. The least hyped, to my ears(and I mean that...because that is what it comes down to), were the Yamahas.
I’m working today, and have been trying to type a reply for a couple hours now...but that’s the short of it.
Check the spec’s...try to get something rated down to at least 40Hz. Highs...depends on your hearing...20kHz is enough for me..
 
Thatbastarddon said:
First off, you should do that anyway...for a second monitoring system...to audition mixes on a commercial stereo/surround.

Second, I love the HS8 monitors for my room. I can’t believe the difference from my old monitors...I can hear more of the low frequency content clearly. This helps to unclutter the low end...
I have a fairly large space too, with some of the same construction materials, low frequencies exhibit anomalies in my space(as they can/do in any space) due to parallel surface reflections...but I digress...
For me it was between the JBL in the same price category, and the Adam A7...I went to a local Guitar Denter, and gave them a listen. The least hyped, to my ears(and I mean that...because that is what it comes down to), were the Yamahas.
I’m working today, and have been trying to type a reply for a couple hours now...but that’s the short of it.
Check the spec’s...try to get something rated down to at least 40Hz. Highs...depends on your hearing...20kHz is enough for me..
Click to expand...
Good idea on the doubling up to be able to compare. I'll start by getting the stereo hooked up.
 
I used to run three speaker systems(switchable), in studio, in order to sample listening experiences.
One was a set of monitors that Ray has now.
One was a large set of Cerwin Vega home stereo tower speakers.(huge home hifi sound)
One portable Cambridge Soundworks Model 12. (Small bookshelf speaker pair with a separate subwoofer)
2ED314B3-2EEB-4F7F-8C90-93DFE9DDFFCD.jpeg
....then there’s always the car stereo test....and now earbuds....portable Bluetooth speaker test....etc.
too much is never enough.

Basically, with my old monitors in play; their lack of low end frequency response led to missed low frequency build up over tracks that would overwhelm smaller listening systems. The Cerwin Vega set up helped to mitigate that, but lacked mid frequency detail. The model 12 system has pretty good upper mid definition, and high end detail, with a little thump from the sub....generally gave me a good idea of average listener system playback...like a midsized bookshelf system, or small surround system.

Now, the Yamaha HS8 set up makes all that seem less necessary to get a good mix that translates to a large variety of possible listener systems. I’m still learning them a bit at a time, but they seem to deliver, for me, with less hassle.

Edit: this little switch box is a great addition to my current set up...let’s me switch between up to three different systems. Can feed one, two, or three systems at a time...or none(mute all).
35100067-A087-4393-9C87-11BE5251EFCC.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Okay, I need that Coleman unit. It solves my problem of needing 25 foot 1/4" plug to RCA plug adapter cables. If I keep it near my amplifier I can use readily available short conversion cables and just run long guitar cables which I already have.

If I use the large stereo speakers for a lot of monitoring, do you think I could get by with a set of 5 inch near field monitors, or would that be limiting myself too much?
 
I have the Presonus E44 monitors and they are outstanding! The price is around $210 per unit. I started out with the Eris 4.5, but they were not
quite powerful enough for me. The E44 are a big step up and they also have a E66 if you want something bigger. I got the Temblor T8 subwoofer
as well for listening to music through my setup.

I have seen the E44 and E66 on sale buy one get one free a few times, but it was during the big sale periods such as Black Friday...
 
A lot of great info in this thread.

I don't have a monitor suggestion, just gonna let you know that any of the above posters have each helped me immensely. All really smart guys with lots of good suggestions/ solutions.

Listen to our brothers, they've been a HUGE help as I've started down this path.

Good luck, and have fun.
 
I just ordered this yesterday it just a starter set for now. Eventually will upgrade the monitors and mic's.

Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface + PreSonus Eris Nearfield Monitors, Tascam TM-80 Studio Condenser Microphone, SR850 Stereo Headphones, Cables and Platinum Accessories: Musical Instruments

Buy Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface + PreSonus Eris Nearfield Monitors, Tascam TM-80 Studio Condenser Microphone, SR850 Stereo Headphones, Cables and Platinum Accessories: Audio Interfaces - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
 
LRT said:
I just ordered this yesterday it just a starter set for now. Eventually will upgrade the monitors and mic's.

Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface + PreSonus Eris Nearfield Monitors, Tascam TM-80 Studio Condenser Microphone, SR850 Stereo Headphones, Cables and Platinum Accessories: Musical Instruments

Buy Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface + PreSonus Eris Nearfield Monitors, Tascam TM-80 Studio Condenser Microphone, SR850 Stereo Headphones, Cables and Platinum Accessories: Audio Interfaces - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
You will love it. I have the 6i6 which only has 2 mic inputs, but it works great for my purposes. Mine came with the Ableton Live 10 Lite software. Seems to work really well, but I haven't used anything else.
 
I've been looking at online reviews for the Gibsons. You would think if someone was actually going to review a set of studio monitors they would do a white noise test? I mean sweet Jebus how do you actually do an objective review without looking at an actual frequency response graph? Amateurs should be required to disclaim that they have no actual technical ability and their reviews are purely subjective. Rant over. Time to continue looking for 'real' information. This makes me realize how much I miss Stereo Review, Hi Fidelity and Audiophile.
 
Cadorman said:
BFT which size JBL's are those?

Nice KLH's too.
Click to expand...
got this..heck of a deal..the iso pads & the volume control. & cables.they are very nuetral..clear & bass holds up

JBL LSR305 Powered Studio Monitor | zZounds

Get JBL accuracy in your home studio! With an advanced waveguide, the original LSR305 powered monitors offer impressive stereo imaging and a wide sweet spot.
www.zzounds.com www.zzounds.com
 
Cadorman said:
I've been looking at online reviews for the Gibsons. You would think if someone was actually going to review a set of studio monitors they would do a white noise test? I mean sweet Jebus how do you actually do an objective review without looking at an actual frequency response graph? Amateurs should be required to disclaim that they have no actual technical ability and their reviews are purely subjective. Rant over. Time to continue looking for 'real' information. This makes me realize how much I miss Stereo Review, Hi Fidelity and Audiophile.
Click to expand...
Agreed, without tech data it's just someone's opinion.
That's why the only advice I have is listen to people whose ears you trust, narrow down brand and model, and test.
When it comes down to it, your opinion is the only one that counts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top