Topic: active monitors - recommendations?

[Brian Skalinder]

Time to revamp my home office listening environment.  My current office playback system (Bel Canto DAC 1.1 > Audio Experiences Symphonies > McCormack DNA 1 > VR1s) is way overkill for my small, acoustically-challenged, multi-function office space.  Main listening in the living room will continue to be STR-DA3000ES > VR1s...until I pick up some VR2s for my mains.    As I'm sure some will offer, I could move my 2-ch listening gear into the LR.  However, WAF restricts me from moving the above gear into the LR for critical 2-ch listening.  Moving on...

My current plans:

• Move my office VR-1s into the LR for HT surrounds
• Unload my pre and power amps (and maybe DAC)
• Replace all of the above with active monitors (using either my existing DAC or Waveterminal 2496)
  
  

I expect to use the active monitors in a traditional desktop environment:  PC monitor flanked by near-field monitors.  My listening needs / usage:

• purely casual 2-ch listening
• mixing / mastering 4-ch recordings

Poking around in the Playback forum, I've seen reference to the Blue Sky Media Desk, an active 2.1 system, and found good reviews online.  Others have mentioned various Tannoy and Swan models, but I think most of them were were passive.  Swampy, and my brother, an ex- performing musician and quasi studio guy, recommended (go ahead and cringe) the Behringer Truth series - as my brother suggested: they'll be Good Enough for my needs, given the office space in which I have to work.

Other info:

• Room treatments:  possible, but not immediately, whole 'nother discussion at any rate - let's not go there just yet, but feel free to factor future room treatments into the equation
  
• Budget:  $500 MAX, not a penny more
  
  

Thoughts?  Recommendations?  What monitors do you feel are a good value in the $500 budget range?

[Nick's Picks]

wasn't Doug always tallkin' up the Tannoy's?

[macdaddy]

i love the blue sky media desk system...

[bkirby]

I purchased the Tannoy Reveal Actives a few years back, and they are still running strong. You may prefer a sub sometime down the road, but I still like them as is. Look on eBay for some good deals! They are perfect for my DAW and office listening!

[tscales]

I've been looking at Alesis M1 actives, Event actives, and KRK V6s (each goin for around 300 on ebay) simply because I'd like something nearfield for my small office.  I read a good review of the Resilent Europas too (not bad for 199, factory direct) but I'd like to hear them.

If i had my way, I'd get Dynaudio but I'd really like to hear the the Blue Sky Media set.

[Brian Skalinder]

I've been looking at Alesis M1 actives, Event actives, and KRK V6s (each goin for around 300 on ebay) simply because I'd like something nearfield for my small office.  I read a good review of the Resilent Europas too (not bad for 199, factory direct) but I'd like to hear them.

Thanks for the options...will have to check 'em out further.

I purchased the Tannoy Reveal Actives a few years back, and they are still running strong. You may prefer a sub sometime down the road, but I still like them as is. Look on eBay for some good deals! They are perfect for my DAW and office listening!

Ahhh...those're the active Tannoy monitors I saw referenced earlier, but couldn't recall the series.  Thanks for the tip.  Didn't think about it before, but pretty sure I'm going to want a sub straightaway, hence my leaning towards the Blue Sky MediaDesk.  Hmmmm...decisions, decisions...

[BobW]

Dynaudio is hard to beat, but I've never heard their actives

The Tannoy Reveals are also a favorite of mine

[Zaphod]

Any update on this Brian? I'm looking to get some active monitors soon...

[Brian Skalinder]

Any update on this Brian? I'm looking to get some active monitors soon...

I put the Blue Sky monitors (either Desk or Pro) on hold for a while since I dumped some of my planned office playback cash into buying Sanjay's C34, so I'm using strictly headphones at the moment.  That reminds me, I want to check on Blue Sky's B-stock inventory to see if they have any Pro setups at low prices that may motivate me to act swiftly.

[momule]

I have tried a few different "reference" Active Monitors and I'm sold On the Alesis M1 actives 620's  The 520's sound pretty good depending on your budget. 

Only drawback to the 620's is they are freggin huge.   BUT they make it so My mixes are accurate and thats all I really care about. 

[Chuck]

I bought the Tannoy Reveals on a recommendation from Doug. I think they sound pretty good for cheap. They are ported, so placement is trickier. I plan to plug the ports and run them with a subwoofer soon.

[momule]

Having played with them.  There not all that accurate IMO.  If simply using to playback they sound pretty good for the price.  But If your using them to master with there not something I would suggest really.

This is a pretty good review IMO.  May be worth a read.
 
Edit to add.  I would also Suggest the KRK v8's.  I was torn between these and the M1's But after Mixing with these at a friends studio I was sold.   

[Church-Audio]

I bought the Tannoy Reveals on a recommendation from Doug. I think they sound pretty good for cheap. They are ported, so placement is trickier. I plan to plug the ports and run them with a subwoofer soon.

You dont want to block the ports they are there for a reason, to tune the cabinet. I would suggest looking at a active sub that has an adjustable crossover point and level control as well as dual ports for inputs so you can daisy chain it off your monitors. I have a Axiom 350 sub that works great also look for a phase switch or control for adjusting the delay between your sub and your monitors.

Chris

[Chuck]

Chris:

Tannoy actually recomends pluging the ports when using a sub-woofer. I found a couple of 2" expanding plumbers plugs that will be perfect. I have coorisponded with a tech at Tannoy and confirmed that this will work. I will probably get an active sub-woofer too.

Chuck

[Church-Audio]

Chris:

Tannoy actually recomends pluging the ports when using a sub-woofer. I found a couple of 2" expanding plumbers plugs that will be perfect. I have coorisponded with a tech at Tannoy and confirmed that this will work. I will probably get an active sub-woofer too.

Chuck

Wow that's really interesting. I guess not all companies operate the same way. I stand corrected  I have always liked Tannoy.. Great company.

[Evil Taper]

What about the Tannoy Ellipse series monitors?  I found a ridiculous deal on these bitches and am going to pick a pair up this weekend.  Low response has been a little thin on the pair I've heard previously, but the room is tuned to not bump so we'll see how they sound once I get them set up here.

[mwz]

Blue Sky International EXO - 2.1 Stereo Desktop Monitoring System with Controller

The EXO from Blue Sky International is a perfect solution for your desktop monitoring needs, particularly in a home or project studio. Each of the satellites provides a full range of audio, thanks to 3" and 1" speakers in each enclosure. The separate subwoofer has an 8" cone to provide a low-frequency experience that you can really feel. Isolation feet on the subwoofer help to reduce rumble and reflections.

A convenient desktop remote control unit allows you to control overall system volume, as well as the bass level. It has a 3.5mm input jack for connecting an iPod, CD player, or similar players, and a 3.5mm headphone output for private listening. It has XLR/TRS combo input jacks, as well as RCA jacks for accepting stereo audio signals from professional and commerical gear.


Key Features

Compact 2.1 monitoring system for home and project studios
High level of audio quality
Each satellite has 3" and 1" speakers for a full frequency response
Satellite cabinets are angled to reduce reflections and help direct audio towards your ears
Subwoofer has 8" cone for great low-frequency reproduction. Isolation feet reduce reflections and rumble
Convenient desktop control/preamp has an overall system volume control, bass level control, XLR/TRS input jacks, RCA input jacks, a 3.5mm headphone output, and a 3.5mm input for connecting an iPod or similar audio device.
Magnetically shielded for use near video monitors
Adjustable gain controls for each channel
High-quality binding post connectors on rear of subwoofer
160W of total system power

 Low Frequency Driver
   8" (203mm) Cone with 1.5" Voice Coil (Subwoofer)
Mid Frequency Driver
   3" (76mm) Neodymium Hemispherical Driver (1 Per Satellite)
High Frequency Driver
   1" (25mm) Soft Dome Neodymium Tweeter (1 Per Satellite)
LF Amplifier
   90W (Subwoofer)
HF Amplifier
   35W Per Satellite
Crossover
   Satellite Low-Frequency Crossover: 140Hz
Tweeter Crossover Frequency: 2.2kHz
Frequency Range
   Satellites: 140Hz - 20kHz (&plusmn3dB), 200Hz - 10kHz (±2dB)
Subwoofer: 20 - 200Hz (Typical), 35 - 140Hz (±6dB, Anechoic)
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
   90dB
Connectors
   2 x XLR/TRS Combo Inputs
2 x RCA Phono Inputs
1 x 3.5mm Input
1 x 3.5mm Headphone Output
2 x Pairs of 5-Way Binding Post Connectors
1 x Remote/Preamp Connector
Input Impedance
   XLR/TRS: 60 kOhms (+0dBu), 200 kOhms (-12dBu), Balanced
RCA: 30 kOhms, Unbalanced
3.5mm: 15 kOhms, Unbalanced
Controls and Indicators
   1 x Power Switch
1 x Main Volume Control Knob
1 x Bass Level Control Knob
2 x Input Gain Switches
Shielded
   Yes
Dimensions (HxWxD)
   Subwoofer: 12 x 12 x 13" (305 x 305 x 330mm)
Satellite: 8 x 5 x 5" (203 x 127 x 127mm)
Weight
   Subwoofer: 25 lbs (11.4kg)
Satellite: 3 lbs (1.4kg)
   

[growltiger]

I just got new monitors for my home studio - my budget was also about $300-$500 dollars. Ended up going with the KRK RP-5s and I'm quite happy with them, both for casual listening and for mixing. I thought the Blue Sky's had a slight hole in the midrange and the KRKs just sounded a little cleaner to my ears. I might actually return them and spend the extra scratch for the RP6s just to get a little more bass, but I would recommend the RP5s with no hesitation.

[rokpunk]

HD-1's.

[Jamos]

HD-1's.

c'mon, you know no common man can afford a pair of HD-1's...!

I use a pair at work and they are best sounding near-field I've ever heard, but certainly could never justify spending so much on a pair of monitors. 

List price: $4050 each.

Luckily Meyer gave us ours for free.

 

[rokpunk]

HD-1's.

c'mon, you know no common man can afford a pair of HD-1's...!

I use a pair at work and they are best sounding near-field I've ever heard, but certainly could never justify spending so much on a pair of monitors. 

List price: $4050 each.

Luckily Meyer gave us ours for free.

 

In the grand sceme of studio equipment, $8k for a pair of monitors isn't THAT bad.....
And damn they do sound good!

[Brian]

i've got a pair of KRK V6's and there are nice and punchy.  saving up to add a sub in the future.  my only beef with them is, IME, that they need a really clean supply of power or you'll get a low volume ground buzz. (octaves of 60Hz)

Tannoy's are nice. And the Events are decent as well.  What about some smaller Genelecs? that might be out of your budget tho. 

[MattH]

HD-1's.

c'mon, you know no common man can afford a pair of HD-1's...!

I use a pair at work and they are best sounding near-field I've ever heard, but certainly could never justify spending so much on a pair of monitors. 

List price: $4050 each.

Luckily Meyer gave us ours for free.

 

In the grand sceme of studio equipment, $8k for a pair of monitors isn't THAT bad.....
And damn they do sound good!

I found my used pair for $2,100. They last forever too.

[rokpunk]

HD-1's.

c'mon, you know no common man can afford a pair of HD-1's...!

I use a pair at work and they are best sounding near-field I've ever heard, but certainly could never justify spending so much on a pair of monitors. 

List price: $4050 each.

Luckily Meyer gave us ours for free.

 

In the grand sceme of studio equipment, $8k for a pair of monitors isn't THAT bad.....
And damn they do sound good!

I found my used pair for $2,100. They last forever too.

man, that's a hell of a deal!
i'd love to have a pair. for most of the mixdown stuff i do i just set up a pair of meyer upa-1p's.
they are not exactly bookshelf size, but they do sound great.

[JasonR]

Used Mackie HR824 pairs could go for near a $500 budget... more likely in the $650 range, but still worth considering if someone has a similar budget.  I have the Genelec 1031s and absolutely love them for near field monitoring, and honestly, side-by-side with the Mackies, the similarities are pretty staggering to my ear.  A used 1030 pair won't fetch much more than $1k either - great speaker.

- Jason

[moooose]

my .02: Genelec 80x0... IMHO worth every penny.