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Hey

So im getting deeper and deeper in to producing and i'm planning to slowly start building a studio.

First things first, what are some good studio monitors in the $400 (for a pair) price range?

Also, opinions on the Rokit 5's? I hear they dont have a lot of bass for a 5"



thanks





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IMO don't worry about bass, worry about quality. You're better off getting some small good quality Adam/Genelec/etc and then using other systems including headphones/cars/club rigs/laptops/etc to test your mix.

The real meat of any tune, bass music or not, is in the low mid to high mid frequencies. Even 3" monitors will kick out 200hz no worries. Sub is just the icing on the cake. Get some Adam A3X or something and a set of good headphones.

If you want quality monitors in that range. Consider Equator Audio D5s. You wont be disappointed.

When I first started using the rokit 5's, I also felt as though the low end was lacking, especially because I was used to using computer hifi speakers with its own sub. After a while though you do get used to your monitors and get a feel for the low end. It is still there, just not "earth shattering". It has enough to judge your mix's low end. As others have stated, that coupled with some headphones and an analyser and you're golden.
Keep in mind these are not the best monitors by far, its just what i could afford at the time. Not to mention that they were on sale. Also heard good things about mackie's mr5 and yamaha hs50m. If you can, give them a listen at a store.

If you don't have a treated room, an 8" monitor will make the low end sound muddy. If it's a small bedroom like studio with little to no treatment, go with 5"s and learn them, using spectrum analyzers to mix your sub bass.

Hircine wrote:If you don't have a treated room, an 8" monitor will make the low end sound muddy. If it's a small bedroom like studio with little to no treatment, go with 5"s and learn them, using spectrum analyzers to mix your sub bass.

So true. I just went from Rokit 6's to those Equator Audio D5s I mentioned...the bass was incredibly boomy on the Rokits in a bad way...this is all solved by smaller (and far flatter) monitors : )

I agree if it's for a smaller studio got with the krk 5's they are really standard and even lots of "mainstream" artists use rokits great of just starting out..nothing too serious is needed

CYRHEN wrote:I agree if it's for a smaller studio got with the krk 5's they are really standard and even lots of "mainstream" artists use rokits great of just starting out..nothing too serious is needed

What does "standard" mean? So they show up in a lot of Master Class videos. Just because someone is a world touring DJ w/ releases doesn't mean the know anything about monitors. Don't mean to fly off the handle, but these kinds of things only reinforce brand/model myths.

There is no reason, NO REASON, to go with KRKs because tons of people have them. The real reason tons of people have them: they are decent (decent) for the money and because they get over recommended. KRKs get way to much hype for what they are. Yea, they will get the job done. I've owned 6s. But so will Yamaha HS 80 or 50 Ms and personally I think they sound better. The design choice to use that bright yellow was pure genius as they are easily recognizable in user pictures/videos of their studios--especially to new producers who haven't had much experience. Not to mention for 700-800USD you could get used Adam X5s (maybe even 7s, haven't looked recently).

If you are in the US, I strongly suggest you consider the Equator Audio D5s, they are just a tad lacking in bass response (53hz) but you could add a sub later. And considering most small home studios have poor or no treatment less bass is better. The Equator D5s beat the pants off the Rokit series and pretty much everything I've listened to in the price range and are 333 USD after shipping.

KRK does weird things to your mid bottom end and the high end is far from being flat, but they are good monitors. You can produce proper tunes in any system, it's all a matter of learning it b2b spectrum analyzer b2b A/Bing with other tracks.

Hircine wrote:KRK does weird things to your mid bottom end and the high end is far from being flat, but they are good monitors. You can produce proper tunes in any system, it's all a matter of learning it b2b spectrum analyzer b2b A/Bing with other tracks.

Absolutely. I guess what I said last came off as too much of a rant. But I feel like people buy KRKs "because everyone uses them" that's not a reason a good reason for any decision ever. The problems in the mid-bottom end are what put me off the KRKs the most when I started listening to other speakers and finally got myself new monitors. That is an essential area in ANY mix...I could forgive mud somewhere else, but it piles up quick there.

Apologizes. You can certainly get a decent mix of KRKs and they are better than the speakers that came with your computer ;p

people buy KRK's because they're affordable, not made by behringer, and are in ample supply at every guitar center across the USA.

they're not bad speakers but I always feel assaulted after working on them.

i've owned 5? 6? sets of monitors over the last 10 years. never purchased any of them new, save for the $12 computer speakers i bought at target. If you've got a used music shop around you, that's a great place to start. as long as they're working, you'll do fine. Even just ebay, if the shipping doesn't kill you, it'll probably still be less than tax.

used monitors worth owning that you can probably get for around $400 include dynaudio bm5's, some of the adams, tannoy reveals, macie 824's or 624's, and even NS10's (though you'll have to buy a decent amp with those). All of which are easier on the ears than KRK's.

the m-audio speakers aren't bad either; i have a pair of 5x8's to listen to stuff loud and see how the low-end works.

and, to be honest, extreme extended low end isn't exactly helping you in a mix environment. it's fun and exciting, and you definitely need to know what's going on down there--but balancing the kick and the sub is a relatively simple procedure. If you work on anything other than super-minimal dubby techno, knowing what's going on in the other 90% of the hearing spectrum is that much more important.

+1 for Sharm coming in w the wisdom. Best post in the thread. Soundcloud

Vintage King has Adam F5s for 200 bucks right now, good shit

http://vintageking.com/adam-audio-f5

It's all about what you reference with. You'll get to know your speakers inside and out and can reference levels against other tunes. Tune A you know usually has a lot of low end (heard it live or in a car w/e) but it sounds weak on your speakers. Mix your low end to match it and see if it translates (it doesn't always, but it's a good place to start)

I bought a pair of Equator Audio D5's, and am more than happy with them. Coaxial: 5.25" woofer and 1" tweeter. Really good price, and reviews on them have been good. http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5_Studio_M ... P_p/d5.htm


I made a thread about them a while ago but no one gave two shits.

zakski wrote:I bought a pair of Equator Audio D5's, and am more than happy with them. Coaxial: 5.25" woofer and 1" tweeter. Really good price, and reviews on them have been good. http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5_Studio_M ... P_p/d5.htm


I made a thread about them a while ago but no one gave two shits.

Yea? Totally missed that thread. I wasn't aware until the somewhat recent SOS article. Love mine too. I never heard such an unforgiving and forward midrange on other monitors I heard. I really feel the D5s are just unbelievable for the money.

fragments wrote:

zakski wrote:I bought a pair of Equator Audio D5's, and am more than happy with them. Coaxial: 5.25" woofer and 1" tweeter. Really good price, and reviews on them have been good. http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5_Studio_M ... P_p/d5.htm


I made a thread about them a while ago but no one gave two shits.

Yea? Totally missed that thread. I wasn't aware until the somewhat recent SOS article. Love mine too. I never heard such an unforgiving and forward midrange on other monitors I heard. I really feel the D5s are just unbelievable for the money.

Even with $100 of tax/brokerage fees/import duties they were well worth it.

I would be happy if I paid double, to be honest.

Wouldn't passive woofers still output decent low-end with clarity? Never liked having nearfields with subs so much

Check out the Yorkville monitors, I think they are wicked for the price...

same boat here. quick question though: in a small room isn't 5" monitors + sub = 8" monitors for the low end muddiness problem?