Small Active Monitors?

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comfortstarr
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Small Active Monitors?

Post by comfortstarr » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:15 pm

Because of a move, I now have a pretty small space for my little in-home studio. I need to downsize my monitors. I have a pair of 12 year-old Events that sit on floor stands. They're big suckers. I want to move to something with a smaller footprint that can sit on my desk (regular desk, not "recording desk"). Not sure if it matters, but the interface they'll run through is a Metric Halo ULN2. The type of music is mostly rock-ish with some acoustic stuff. I don't want to break the bank, cheap and "okay" is good enough!

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

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timh
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Post by timh » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:26 pm

I don't really have anything to compare them to, but I have Equator D5's and I love them. I use them to mix and also just listening to music in my living room.

http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5-Coaxial- ... s-p/d5.htm
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digitaldrummer
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Post by digitaldrummer » Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:36 pm

I'll second the D5 recommendation (although I use them as a secondary to my Dynaudio BM6a's). and then there is this:

http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/88/d5-co ... d-monitor/


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terryb
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Post by terryb » Wed Aug 14, 2013 6:59 pm

right at this moment, I'm using a pair of maudio bx5s. not bx5a. just bx5.
they are small and they translate well for me.

comfortstarr
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Post by comfortstarr » Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:28 pm

Gah, those D5s look nice. Too bad they only have the DSP models, I doubt I need that. But, they're still pretty dern cheap for what are apparently very very good speakers. Thanks for the heads up.

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digitaldrummer
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Post by digitaldrummer » Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:46 pm

just to be clear, the DSP in the D5 is not anything you get to adjust. Equator uses the DSP to tune and match the speaker pairs. so yeah, you actually DO need them if you get the D5's. :)

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roscoenyc
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Post by roscoenyc » Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:19 am

I've got these Yamaha's in my home rig.
I really like how they sound and they are pretty darn compact

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb99/a ... sp5669.htm

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Nick Sevilla
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Post by Nick Sevilla » Wed Aug 21, 2013 12:08 am

Yamaha MSP5s.
Really nice, don't break the bank.
Can still buy them new.
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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Post by Jim Williams » Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:53 am

What's wrong with a decent power amp and a set of passive speakers?
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comfortstarr
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Post by comfortstarr » Wed Aug 21, 2013 11:43 am

Jim Williams wrote:What's wrong with a decent power amp and a set of passive speakers?
I kind of want to reduce total footprint everywhere, so I'd rather not add an amp, but it is a possibility--and does reduce one plug!

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Post by snatchman » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:16 pm

I have not heard them ( kinda waiting for someone's review who has myself... :wink: )..'Dem 'dar PreSonus Isis? Iris? Ahhh, anyway the PreSonus new monitor..!

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Post by alexevansohio » Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:10 am

Slightly more expensive than some of the recommendations, but I'd definitely recommend checking out the Adam A_x range. I have the A7x's and they sound great. If you want smaller, maybe look at the A5x. Also worth checking out are the new JBLs- they're really cheap and sound excellent. The Equators that everyone else are recommending sound great too. A little bit less body in the mids than the JBLs, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, and a bit less air (they have a way less extended frequency range, though not at all limited) than the Adams. Try to listen to a few pairs if you can before buying. Most decent sized Guitar Centers should have the JBLs and the Adams out to demo along with the Yamaha HS series monitors, which are quite good. They won't have the Equator gear though.

comfortstarr
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Post by comfortstarr » Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:12 am

Which JBLs are you referring to?

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Gregg Juke
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Post by Gregg Juke » Tue Oct 08, 2013 9:07 am

There's a small set of powered Yorkville's; I forget the model number. Nice little monitor that can be used as a stage monitor (hotspot), but is full-range and we are using the one I have as a mono-speaker in the studio. If you could get a pair, you'd be golden. Or, just use an amp and go for something like the Radio Shack/Optimus desktops, which you can still find out there (sometimes for $20 a pair)...

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JWL
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Post by JWL » Tue Oct 08, 2013 9:19 pm

I just picked up a pair of Presonus Eris E5s. I have to say I'm astonished at these things. Astounding performance relative to size (5" woofers playing clean under 60Hz? I'll take it) and budget.

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