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so you know how the original Yamaha NS10 was designed as a Hi Fi, but then ended up being a studio monitor... is there an equivalent for that today?

because I don't want to get pristine monitors that are all very clear and precise or whatever, I'd like something that allows a bit of booming colour while at the same time delivers a response that's flatter than most average Hi Fi's. something in between the two

preferrably Active Monitors

Roland MA-8's. I don't think they make 'em anymore but you can get them on ebay for like $30 I think. Fits the bill for what you're after.

The nice thing about them is that you can turn the volume down really low but boost the bass so you still hear all the subs and stuff yet it's not cranked - you can barely hear it in the next room.

are those things even monitors though, they look like one of those Logitech speakers man


and I just googled them, seems really hard to get hold of nowadays

Don't let the size fool you. I've used these to rock a couple houseparties and they could hold their own easily. Plus the zeroed response is remarkably flat, maybe a tiny bit on the boomy side.

KRKs are hyped in the bass.

Or you get ones with an eq and boost the bass and cut the highs.

apparently Roland never even made the MA-8's (m8's) monitors, was an OEM thing:
http://wearethevoicesinyourhead.com/?p=1266

andius wrote:apparently Roland never even made the MA-8's (m8's) monitors, was an OEM thing:
http://wearethevoicesinyourhead.com/?p=1266

Wow, interesting! The write-up is spot on. They're amazing little beasts - problem mixes that make other speakers clip and crackle come through with none of those speaker artifacts and let you know where the problem is. Like I said, a tad boomy but nothing you can't dial in to your taste with the built in 2 band eq.

Why not just get HiFi speakers? I mean, I get what you are saying...

You know, I have a pair of 99 USD Numark DJ monitors that I use to listen to music out near the garage, like while I am BBQing. I love checking my mixes on those. I can get the model if you are interested.

So roland is actually behringer?

Fragments i actually do have a Sony Hi Fi already, and i'll say its decent. But i'd like something that is more err... monitor-y

Ok ok let me rephrase question. What is a monitor thats a bit shit? Something thats designed for production and is generally flat, but is infamous for being a bit muddy with the lower frequencies?

JizzMan wrote:So roland is actually behringer?

Fragments i actually do have a Sony Hi Fi already, and i'll say its decent. But i'd like something that is more err... monitor-y

Ok ok let me rephrase question. What is a monitor thats a bit shit? Something thats designed for production and is generally flat, but is infamous for being a bit muddy with the lower frequencies?

I know what you mean. I think everyone is right when they say KRK Rokits. They always sound like mid-grade consumer HiFi to me. Perhaps also entry level Mackie.

Yeah the Krk 8s are quite 'boomy' and fairly nice (forgiving) sounding, the low end can fill a small room up nicely too. They tire my ears out pretty quickly though; always get bad ear fatigue when working with my homie that has them in his room.

And to clarify, Roland is not Behringer, or vice versa. Its pretty common for companies to buy products from an unknown-ish company and slap their own label on it though. "OEM" is a huge thing these days; look into it.

andius wrote:Yeah the Krk 8s are quite 'boomy' and fairly nice (forgiving) sounding, the low end can fill a small room up nicely too. They tire my ears out pretty quickly though; always get bad ear fatigue when working with my homie that has them in his room.

And to clarify, Roland is not Behringer, or vice versa. Its pretty common for companies to buy products from an unknown-ish company and slap their own label on it though. "OEM" is a huge thing these days; look into it.

I always found KRK Rokits really fatiguing too. Even when I started at low volume.

You know what, the Mackie MRK II looks like what I need. It has had sufficient complaints about giving a woofer-y bass, are cheap enough and doesnt look as intrusive as the KRK's. Only problem is with some complaints that the highs are supposedly "too smooth", but I think I could learn how to cope with that

Thanks guys

This brings me to my next question... whats a good soundcard these days, the focusrite still a prime choice?

Why this type of "monitor"? Because you're used to mixing on a boomy system?

yeah tbh I just reaally like the boomy aesthetic of something like the classic NS10 man, and with a lot of beats I maake its something I actively seek to do, just get em boomin, #nahmean


as far as the flatter ones go, Adams would probably be the only ones I'd like to get but I'm really not fussed paying huge amounts for it, when I already genuinely prefer something thats cheaper

plus, yes I am already used to making trax on a boomy Hi Fi... just that this one aint boomin enough

Wouldn't something that isn't that boomy sound boomier than it is on a system like that and in fact keep you from getting that aesthetic accurately? Something that sounds boomy on your system may not sound that way on a different one.

I'm not trying to be critical of your choice, just curious if that's the best course of action.

nah that makes sense. It was something I thought about too. that was why initially I was asking for a modern day NS10, because that was something known to be boomy but still gave out mixes that just worked on any system

just a shame that one of those is near impossible to get hold of now...

I know you want active monitors...but consider the fact that most hifi system seapkers are passive. Seems to me that might matter.

What size is the room?

JizzMan wrote:You know what, the Mackie MRK II looks like what I need. It has had sufficient complaints about giving a woofer-y bass, are cheap enough and doesnt look as intrusive as the KRK's. Only problem is with some complaints that the highs are supposedly "too smooth", but I think I could learn how to cope with that

Thanks guys

This brings me to my next question... whats a good soundcard these days, the focusrite still a prime choice?

LOL. Those are/were my main studio monitors. But the low end is way more focused than NS10's, despite what you might've read. Not the best, but... they're pretty decent monitors, esp. for rock type sounds. Not attenuated as well to electronic music but definitely (IMO) not "dirty" enough for what I think you're seeking.