My current monitor setup is very sub-optimal. I've got a big power-hungry 300w altec-lansing power amp running some big hifi speakers. My good studio monitors are in a closet somwhere because there's no room for them in my setup, but even these sub-optimal speakers are too big. They're awkwardly placed because I just don't have space to set them up right, so I don't get decent near-field monitoring.
I'd really like to swap them around for something small and powered that I can place on my desk and get a good stereo field. Money is lacking here, though. I might be able to swing $100 - $150 bucks, plus maybe a bit more if I can unload the old gear on craigslist.
Anyone have advice for getting decent powered nearfields in this price range?
Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
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Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
I'm similarly price/space constrained, and from what I have heard of your music we work in a not unrelated style. If you're up for trying something a little different than what you are thinking of now, a single powered Avantone (or similar mid-focused mono box) + some decent headphones (which you probably already have) might be something to mull over. Super compact setup and quite useful.
Otherwise, I've been using some budget Mackies (CR4) to check mixes. They are pretty small. They are serviceable, but they are definitely not going to wow anybody or give you much detail. The Avantone on the other hand has been the single best thing I've ever bought for audio--a good mix on the Avantone seems to translate everywhere, and if you reference back and forth between the Avantone and phones (for stereo spread and detail) you'll likely be pleased with what you get. I'm thinking of putting the Mackies in the kitchen because they are not really telling me anything I don't get from the Avantone + headphones.
Otherwise, I've been using some budget Mackies (CR4) to check mixes. They are pretty small. They are serviceable, but they are definitely not going to wow anybody or give you much detail. The Avantone on the other hand has been the single best thing I've ever bought for audio--a good mix on the Avantone seems to translate everywhere, and if you reference back and forth between the Avantone and phones (for stereo spread and detail) you'll likely be pleased with what you get. I'm thinking of putting the Mackies in the kitchen because they are not really telling me anything I don't get from the Avantone + headphones.
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Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
Wow those Avantones cubes look great. Except for the price (at least in Europe)...ouch...
I don't think you can get anything really good for that budget (the CRx Mackie didn't impress me much either), especially if you have some experience with proper studio monitors - this might be a frustrating journey...
If the primary constraint is space and you want something else than headphones to put on your desk, then I'd recommend to shorten the list to entry level models with the bass event in front, and at least a 5" speaker.
Something like https://www.thomann.de/gb/alesis_elevate_5_mkii.htm
or the new ones http://www.alesis.com/products/view/m1active-mk3
I don't think you can get anything really good for that budget (the CRx Mackie didn't impress me much either), especially if you have some experience with proper studio monitors - this might be a frustrating journey...
If the primary constraint is space and you want something else than headphones to put on your desk, then I'd recommend to shorten the list to entry level models with the bass event in front, and at least a 5" speaker.
Something like https://www.thomann.de/gb/alesis_elevate_5_mkii.htm
or the new ones http://www.alesis.com/products/view/m1active-mk3
Last edited by gimmeapill on Wed Nov 01, 2017 9:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
Fwiw, the Avantone comes up on eBay used from time to time for ~USD150, less for a passive box if you have your own amp to power it with.
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Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
Hmmmm something to think over. I'm not sure I could get myself feeling right about a mono monitor.
I *mostly* mix on headphones right now, but I feel like the mixes don't always translate well. I've been comparing current mixes to the stuff I did 8-10 years ago when I had a dedicated room and used my big monitors, and I feel like the new mixes are thinner and slightly harsh in the upper mids. Probably doesn't help that I'm stuck in a corner.
Almost makes me think I need monitors with less low-end.
I *mostly* mix on headphones right now, but I feel like the mixes don't always translate well. I've been comparing current mixes to the stuff I did 8-10 years ago when I had a dedicated room and used my big monitors, and I feel like the new mixes are thinner and slightly harsh in the upper mids. Probably doesn't help that I'm stuck in a corner.
Almost makes me think I need monitors with less low-end.
Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
I was dealing with similar constraints than you (room size and budget) and I ended up buying the Presonus Eris E4.5.
I like them a lot. Granted, speakers of that size just won't give you enough bass, but they're fairly transparent monitors otherwise. I enjoy working with them a lot.
At least here in the USA you can find them for around $200 USD.
I like them a lot. Granted, speakers of that size just won't give you enough bass, but they're fairly transparent monitors otherwise. I enjoy working with them a lot.
At least here in the USA you can find them for around $200 USD.
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Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
Not wanting to hear in mono may not translate well to other speakers. Have a look at the video from Graham at TheRecordingRevolution.com:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57iD9HhVHOo
Here's a second video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iShmU-99JF4
Mixing two electric guitars in stereo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fuk0dlzHW4
And a couple of more videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fuk0dlzHW4 (deals with phase issues)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeccuFWtucY
Even if most people won't listen to music in mono environment, not many people listen to music in sweet spot.
How about this if you care less for TheRecordingRevolution.com?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNxhfTKIrew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57iD9HhVHOo
Here's a second video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iShmU-99JF4
Mixing two electric guitars in stereo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fuk0dlzHW4
And a couple of more videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fuk0dlzHW4 (deals with phase issues)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeccuFWtucY
Even if most people won't listen to music in mono environment, not many people listen to music in sweet spot.
How about this if you care less for TheRecordingRevolution.com?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNxhfTKIrew
--Grayson Peddie
Music Interest: New Age w/ a mix of modern smooth jazz, light techno/trance & downtempo -- something Epcot Future World/Tomorrowland-flavored.
Music Interest: New Age w/ a mix of modern smooth jazz, light techno/trance & downtempo -- something Epcot Future World/Tomorrowland-flavored.
Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHLVmGI8K6c&t=529s
Empire R 1000 tcn....about 65 dollars or euro . This is a little monitor ( nearfield) .
I will affix these new edifiers to the near 05 ex and I will mainly use them asus x54c with the behringer podcast studio usb on debian 9 stretch and various audio production programs (Ardour, mixbus 4, qtractor, lmms, audacity etc etc)
Empire R 1000 tcn....about 65 dollars or euro . This is a little monitor ( nearfield) .
I will affix these new edifiers to the near 05 ex and I will mainly use them asus x54c with the behringer podcast studio usb on debian 9 stretch and various audio production programs (Ardour, mixbus 4, qtractor, lmms, audacity etc etc)
Hp Elite 8200 3,1 Ghz - 16 Giga Ram Hd 2 Terabyte - Mx Linux 19.4-Ardour 6.8 - Mixbus 7
Asus X54c - Mx Linux 19.4-Ardour 6.8- Mixbus 7-RPI3 + Raspbian Buster- Rpi4 (4giga ram)
Asus X54c - Mx Linux 19.4-Ardour 6.8- Mixbus 7-RPI3 + Raspbian Buster- Rpi4 (4giga ram)
Re: Decent but inexpensive powered near-fields
You might try to trade the big HIFI-Speakers for small ones + 35 bucks and then buy this little amp to drive them: https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA ... B001PNOH2I
That would be no-cost then. I'm using this on my trusty oooldeee AIWAs. Sounds great to me, very crisp transients, the frequency response is of course what you'd expect from these kind of speakers but I can always put an EQ on Ardour/Mixbus' Monitoring section to compensate that, but I've kind of stopped doing this.
That would be no-cost then. I'm using this on my trusty oooldeee AIWAs. Sounds great to me, very crisp transients, the frequency response is of course what you'd expect from these kind of speakers but I can always put an EQ on Ardour/Mixbus' Monitoring section to compensate that, but I've kind of stopped doing this.