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Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 6:04 am
by Sonika
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... d-monitors
does anyone have any insights on these? a pair of them are $300, considerably less than anything else in that field. The reviews of them seem positive. Can someone who has had experience with them tell me if they're shitty or not?
cheers
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:57 am
by Neuro Fiend
They are not bad for the price. They have little cost cutting points about them which is why they are cheaper. There is no room tuning options on the back like there is on slightly more expensive monitors, instead the manual tells you to put socks in the port holes if it is too bassy.
I try to keep the volume knob at the back no more than half way as there is also no heat sink and they can get hot sometimes on longer sessions. But apart from that I used a pair of these for about 4 years and achieved some nice mixes on them. They can be quite bassy but have a good response overall, if you place them properly you shouldn't have any problems.
But if I was you I would save up just another £30 and get these:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/3 ... paign=base
As they have all the things the Alesis doesn't and the general build quality is better, hope this helps!
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:00 am
by Sonika
thanks! the problem with the krk rp6s is that I'd have to get a subwoofer because they have a much smaller frequency response
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:00 am
by Sonika
oh and by the way, welcome

Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:16 am
by Neuro Fiend
Their frequency response is very similar so you would want a sub for either of those if that was the case. However, I've produced on both monitors and never needed a sub anyway, it also depends on the size of your room too. If you haven't got a big room then a sub would probably be less helpful then not having one at all. I beleive the MKIIs are 10dB quieter at 40Hz, not sure on the curve for the KRKs give it a google if it is something you are worried about.
KRK make subs as well which would be perfect for the Rokit 6s if you decide you definitely need one later on down the line. And the quality of the physical thing itself as well as the sound I found to be better. I don't think you would be disappointed by them, but maybe wait for others opinions too if you still can't make up your mind.
And thanks

Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:21 am
by Sonika
hmmm I read that the alesis ones go down to 45 hz, which would mean that yes, a sub would be ideal, but not necessary (I could use headphones)
the rokits are more like 100 hz if I'm not mistaken?
I've also heard that krk rokits color the sound a hell of a lot, I'm not sure if the alesis ones do too.
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:29 am
by Neuro Fiend
Sonika wrote:hmmm I read that the alesis ones go down to 45 hz, which would mean that yes, a sub would be ideal, but not necessary (I could use headphones)
the rokits are more like 100 hz if I'm not mistaken?
I've also heard that krk rokits color the sound a hell of a lot, I'm not sure if the alesis ones do too.
The KRK Rokit 6 G2s go down to 50Hz and they shouldn't colour the sound much at all, you should check the sources you got that information from as that doesn't sound valid at all. And the Alesis do go down to 45Hz yes, but it isn't a flat response all the way to 45Hz. I wouldn't pay tooooo much attention to frequency response as this is only one factor and if your whole decision is based on how low the monitors can go then you might end up unhappy with your choice in the long run.
(In other words research both monitors tech specs, a quick google search should come up with all the info you need)
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:30 am
by Sonika
that's true

a techno producer told me that they color the sound, I'll have to ask him about that.
thanks for the help!
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:46 pm
by dublerium
Sonika wrote:that's true

a techno producer told me that they color the sound, I'll have to ask him about that.
thanks for the help!
I've owned krk rokit 8s, mixed on the 6s, and to my ears they definitely colour the sound. The vxt range however are really nice, but they come at a cost.
As to the alesis, not listened myself,
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug02/a ... esism1.asp the sound on sound reviews on monitors are usually on point.
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:48 pm
by Sonika
cheers dublerium, will read that article!
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 3:58 pm
by wormcode
Don't take their advertised frequencies as gospel either btw
IMO a 6" monitor is fine without a sub, which can actually do more harm than good sometimes. It just depends on the user and room though. I'd at least learn the monitors before adding a sub.
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:02 pm
by the dub lemon
I used the Alesis ones for years, they were fine for me at the time but I'd never recommend them to anyone now, they are proper cheap but there are some many better budget monitors, if I had to choose between them and the krks and I'd take the krks hands down.
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:04 pm
by Sonika
So do the KRKs give a flatter response?
And I've heard it before that subs have the potential to do more harm than good, can someoCole plain how that is to me?
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:30 pm
by Depone
the alesis sound like total trash, do not get them. At my oild college we blew the tweeters on them more than 3 times. They are sertiously poor, but ok living room speakers.
The RP6s actually sould like they go a lot lower, they shit all over the alesis.
in a nutshell, dont go by stats
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:40 pm
by AxeD
Sonika wrote:So do the KRKs give a flatter response?
And I've heard it before that subs have the potential to do more harm than good, can someoCole plain how that is to me?
Lower frequencies are all over the place, unlike highs that are quite directional.
So to get decent results with a sub you'll need at least some room treatment.
I guess it will emphasize lower standing waves too.
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:15 pm
by Sonika
I'm going to buy some RP5s on wednesday, I don't think they'll be too much less than the RP6s, and they sure will be a fuckload better than my consumer headphones (for production) and my guitar amp (for DJing)
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:34 pm
by Samuel_L_Damnson
I have rp5s and they are fine once you get used to the sound of them.
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:44 pm
by OfficialDAPT
Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:58 pm
by Sonika
Sinestepper wrote:I have rp5s and they are fine once you get used to the sound of them.
yeah it's all about knowing your monitors, right?

Re: Alesis Monitor 1 Active MKII Powered Monitors
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:17 pm
by Samuel_L_Damnson
Sonika wrote:Sinestepper wrote:I have rp5s and they are fine once you get used to the sound of them.
yeah it's all about knowing your monitors, right?

Exactly, listening to lots of tunes on these monitors so you know how a good mix sounds on them.