What are the most accurate studio monitors i can get for like a thousand bucks?

Curtis Day

Any ideas? Powering with a monster 2250.

nguyendot

I use Boston Acoustics VR-M60s

TNRabbit

JBL 4312 Studio Monitors

for $1k you can get FOUR of them~

tonyb

Sure you want accurate ? Your source better be up to snuff otherwise bad recordings will become even worse.

Matt34

What are they going to be used for? Audio mixing and mastering or just near field playback?

mhardy6647

You could probably get a pair of Altec 604-series duplex drivers for a kilobuck, but the crossovers and cabinets would put you over budget. These were the sine qua non
for decades (and still tough to beat, if you ask me). The UREI monitors (at least some of 'em) were essentially 604s with subwoofers added.


http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/specs/home-systems/891a-897a/page3.jpg

New production available from Great Plains Audio but a little pricey.


Maybe you can luck into a pair of BBC LS-3/5A-specification nearfield monitors for that (but probably not).

Otherwise, I think you're looking at inaccurate studio monitors for that sort of money (sad but true).

Face

Tannoy.

steveinaz

ACI Emeralds might warrant a look.

mhardy6647

Face wrote: »

Tannoy.

mmm. Distinct possibility. I tend to forget about Tannoy (but I shouldn't).

zingo

If you truly are looking for accurate monitors, I would get powered monitors. The speakers and amps are better matched and you have less components to worry about; there is a reason they are made.

You can't go wrong with Mackie or Genelec. I've also heard nothing bad about Focal monitors if you can get them used, or the CMS 50 model.

dorokusai

Tannoy pops into my head only because of the aforementioned posts...always neglect them mentally. I really like concentric designs for accuracy and KEF would be a cheaper alternative and I'd go vintage as well.

I wouldn't choose a Mackie or Genelec if my life depended on it.

curved

TNRabbit wrote: »

JBL 4312 Studio Monitors

for $1k you can get FOUR of them~

I do like mine (will be replacing caps and resistors as they are starting to fade)....although Tannoy or Dynaudio come to mind.

mhardy6647

I have heard really wonderful things about the Genelec monitors (but I have never seen nor heard them myself, nor have I priced them). Worth consideration by reputation.

concealer404

Face wrote: »

Tannoy.

2nded.

john22614

B&W 805's used is you can find them

unc2701

zingo wrote: »

You can't go wrong with Mackie or Genelec. I've also heard nothing bad about Focal monitors if you can get them used, or the CMS 50 model.

Focal, yes- haven't heard any in the price range given, but the ones I have heard are among the best.

Genelec is CRAP. They might be the worst speakers I've ever heard. AVOID

mhardy6647

unc2701 wrote: »

Focal, yes- haven't heard any in the price range given, but the ones I have heard are among the best.

Genelec is CRAP. They might be the worst speakers I've ever heard. AVOID

Interesting. As I say, I've no ears-on experience, but some folks whose ears I trust have been effusive about them. Can you elaborate on what makes them so bad? I am really (albeit academically) curious?

"Accurate" monitors shouldn't be too polarizing in opinion (should they)?

ben62670

Get a better amp, and some Polk monitor7's. Mod the 7's, and use the left over money to get a decent little tubed pre.

jz0h4d

I just finished a studio project at a studio that was using Genelec monitors. They sounded great.

mhardy6647

ben62670 wrote: »

Get a better amp, and some Polk monitor7's. Mod the 7's, and use the left over money to get a decent little tubed pre.

(FWIW) I have no idea what a monster 2250 is...

The Monitor 7 does a credible imitation of the "classic Britsh (mini) monitor sound" indeed (at a bargain price, then and now). I cannot actually imagine they've seen much use as studio monitors, though.

unc2701

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Interesting. As I say, I've no ears-on experience, but some folks whose ears I trust have been effusive about them. Can you elaborate on what makes them so bad? I am really (albeit academically) curious?

"Accurate" monitors shouldn't be too polarizing in opinion (should they)?

Bright. Ear bleeding bright. Worse than klipsch bright. Take an EQ to it and it's still bright. And the bass was as sloppy as it gets. I'll find the model numbers in question, but they were terrible.

I think Genelec is one of those companies that have the advertising down, but not the research (think Bose). Hell, I've heard rap songs that give shout-outs to their Genelec's. 'nough said.

ben62670

too nearfield can make them blurry so it depends on setup. Monitor is a loose term.
Ben

mhardy6647

"Monitor" (as a noun, describing speakers) is a term that is used loosely. I don't think it is a loose term, though. I thnk that any recording engineer will know exactly what a monitor is (and isn't).

MANSKITO

http://www.paradigm.com/en/reference/fronts-studio-studio20-model-2-13-1-26.paradigm

Paradigm Studio 20s easy the best I have heard at that price point, I hate to say it but they were better then the LSI 9s.

But I just heard them my mind might change when I go back to hear them again and I have time to think about it. I usually get overly excited when I hear new speakers for the first time.

MANSKITO

MANSKITO wrote: »

http://www.paradigm.com/en/reference/fronts-studio-studio20-model-2-13-1-26.paradigm

Paradigm Studio 20s easy the best I have heard at that price point, I hate to say it but they were better then the LSI 9s.

But I just heard them my mind might change when I go back to hear them again and I have time to think about it. I usually get overly excited when I hear new speakers for the first time.

Heres a review of them, Thinking back to the demo I had with them I rather agree with its conclusions.

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/508para/index1.html

cnh

Those Paradigms are an 8 ohm load, the LSIs a 4 ohm...the question? Were the LSis properly amplified because without GREAT power they will NOT sound very good but will sound flat and lifeless? I have not heard the Paradigms but I have my doubts about them beating out LSI-9s for musical reproduction. But, as I said, I need to hear them.

cnh

lightman1

I have a pair of Paradigm studio monitors. They REALLY come alive with the proper amp and source. I'm diggin' the 'digm!

MANSKITO

cnh wrote: »

Those Paradigms are an 8 ohm load, the LSIs a 4 ohm...the question? Were the LSis properly amplified because without GREAT power they will NOT sound very good but will sound flat and lifeless? I have not heard the Paradigms but I have my doubts about them beating out LSI-9s for musical reproduction. But, as I said, I need to hear them.

cnh

It could be the gear, gear was different I can't rule that out but all things considered both Speakers were powered by a a lot of sweet looking gear.

Don't get me wrong the LSI 9s where not put to shame by the studio 20s in terms of SQ, it was not a completely one sided battle but still the 20s where the better speaker in sound and better build quality.

While the LSi9s where better in a few areas, the delta between the studio 20s and the LSI9s was large enough to where I don't think any one if they heard both speakers would disagree with my judgement.

How ever now that I think about it, The LSI9s where demoed as speakers for the audiophile on a budget and the gear probably reflected that. While I know I have a good ear for sound, I do not yet have an eye for good gear. So I can't even begin to say if the gear was on the same level as the Paradigm speakers. They where actually the lowest end speaker he carried. Still though I don't think they where under powered they sounded fantastic just not as good as the Paradigms.

While the dealer that carried the Paradigm studio/Signature speakers billed them as something closer to the best speakers you could buy for any reasonable amount of money. And again if I had to guess the gear probably reflected that as well.

So again I say it could very well of been the gear that made the difference in sound. But the gear Had nothing to do with the respective build quality of the speakers, and let me tell you the Paradigms where SEXY as hell. But they where not so sexy that i would buy them over the LSI9s if in fact the gear was the reason the Paradigms preformed better.

But by all means go listen to the paradigms if you get a chance there now up there as some of my favorite speakers that i might one day own.(also please keep in mind that the Studio 20s coast a little over $100 more per speaker and came in just above 1k while the LSI 9s where just under 1k.)

mopar paul

Agreed-If you can listen to the Paradigms Studios I would say do so-I had a pair 2 years ago and they are quite a speaker!

Menasor

Paradigm Studio 20's are good speakers, but I'm willing to bet the Ascend Sierra-1's are better. The Sierra-1's have been compared to Paradigm's Signature line


http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html


Great highs, completely transparent mids, and excellent bass extension in a mini monitor. These things can be run at full range!

MANSKITO

Menasor wrote: »

Paradigm Studio 20's are good speakers, but I'm willing to bet the Ascend Sierra-1's are better. The Sierra-1's have been compared to Paradigm's Signature line


http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html


Great highs, completely transparent mids, and excellent bass extension in a mini monitor. These things can be run at full range!

Ya maybe they have been compared to paradigms signature line, but I wouldn't. They may very well sound the part but they certainly don't look the part.

But i have never heard them, so i can't say.