Topic: Suggestions for cheap yet decent powered monitors?

[John Kelly]

I'm on a VERY tight budget, but I'm also in need of a pair of monitors.  Since I've never bought a pair before I have no idea which ones sound remotely decent.  Are there any good "value" monitors out there?  Is there any brand I should definitely stay away from?

[Nick in Edinboro]

How tight?  Really tight?  Check out the Dayton BR-1's.



Powered duh.  Sorry John!

[BobW]

Swans M200 are under $200 at newegg.com, shipped.
These are computer monitors, but they're well-made and sound pretty darn good.
15 watts, rca ins,  click the pic for a light review

[Chuck]

Tannoy Reveals (active)

I bought the passive monitors and I really like them.
I should be getting my Creek CAS 4140 today to power them.

[BobW]

Update on the Swans M200 as monitors.
I am loving these things !   I bought them for the shop to supplant the boombox crew.
It is Saturday A.M. and I basically own the shop.  Lots of open air and irregular sound diffusing cubical walls behind me, acoustic tile above, carpet below.

Cranked, being fed from the lappy headphone jack with SHNAmp I am impressed.
Definitely monitors, I can locate each channel (with effort) with a mono source.
The bass extension is better than I expected. The midrange is smooth and doesn't show the crossover.
Top end is open and silky. From techno to pipe organ to opera to Hot Buttered String Band, the sound is great.

The only complaint ? Power-on and off pops !  Muted, but present.

Bottom line, I have heard much worse sound for hundreds more.
And, I have never heard a better "computer" speaker.
I'd do an eq on these in a pinch and not worry a bit.
Keep the tone controls flat and be careful on the very low-end, they roll down alot after about 80hz,
but a 40/120 Hz test warble is clear and audible. (that's amazing)

Thumbs up, Roger !       

[F.O.Bean]

hmmm, then tannoys are decent ehh? i know where there are pairs used right now

[BobW]

hmmm, then tannoys are decent ehh? i know where there are pairs used right now

My ears say that you won't regret.  But that's my ears.

[F.O.Bean]

hmmm, then tannoys are decent ehh? i know where there are pairs used right now

My ears say that you won't regret. But that's my ears.

i may pull the trigger on them, does it rreally matter if theyre active/passive

also, would one need a sub w/ the tannoys

[Chuck]

They are lacking in bass. I will get the subwoofer at some point. I use them as near field monitors for my digital audio workstation.
I figured the passives were better for me, because I wanted to use an intergrated amp with them.

[BobW]

They are lacking in bass. I will get the subwoofer at some point. I use them as near field monitors for my digital audio workstation.
I figured the passives were better for me, because I wanted to use an intergrated amp with them.

We are used to too much bass from rock shows. 
Generate  a -20db signal from SF or Wavelab and record for 80 hz, 60hz, 40hz, maybe 30Hz. 
Try a 1/3 octave warble at each as well. 
There is more bass than you think. 

Will it kick you in the behind ?  No.
Should it ?  There's a different question......


If you want to play this test-tone game, try the top end as well.
Go from 10Khz on up to 22Khz in 1Khz steps and see when you loose the ability to hear anything at all.
Don't playback too loud at the top end, or you can loose your tweeters and some of your hearing.