Monitors / Speakers / Headphones

www.MarkTAW.com/recording/HomeStudio/BuildaHomeStudiononaBudget/MonitorsSpeakersHeadphone.html (printable version)

Monitors / Speakers / Headphones
A few months ago, Electronic Musician had an article "Build a Home Studio on Any Budget" but their bottom budget was my top budget. This is my answer to that column.

Once you have the sound in the computer, you have to be able to hear it. While the A/D converter usually handles D/A conversions too, you need to be sure your monitors are compatible with whatever D/A converter you use. If the output is RCA and the speaker requires TRS, you'll need a converter to go between the formats. These are pretty much in order from most expensive to least expensive.

Mackie HR824
Also one of the most popular self-powered pro monitors out there, and again with an extremely flat response. These monitors feature a low-end response similar to speakers combined with a woofer, and switches to compensate for various room types and positions in a room. $1200 - 1600.
Event 20/20bas
One of the most popular self powered pro monitors, these have an extremely flat response. $850.
Event PS5 / Event PS8 & the new BX5
The kid brothers of the Event 20/20bas, these monitors are less powerful and the 5" series speaker series is also smaller, but all boast the same ultra-linear frequency response of the Event 20/20bas, but to a lesser degree. These are definately worth a look if you're building a studio. $500 - $700
Event TR5 / Event TR8
By reducing the headroom, using new materials, and manufacturing in a different location, Event has created a newer, less expensive monitor. The specs on these look pretty impressive for the price point ($300 and $500 street). If I were buying my first monitors now, I would seriously look at these in the sub $500 price range.
M-Audio Studiophile SP-5B
These are the speakers I'm using. They're self powered, meaning you don't have to buy a seperate amp to power them. When evaluating them in the store, I found their sound to be similar to Tannoy Reveal's. Far from the ultra-flat-response of the Event 20/20, and considered to be very much non-pro gear by many professionals, their price point makes the tradeoffs worth it. $300.
Roland DS-30A
Someone mentioned this on an audio board I read, and the specs look decent at the price point - $200. Roland also has a DS-50A fpr $250 and a MA-8 for $100. I saw the MA-8 monitors in action at a friend's house and wasn't blown away by their quality. They're sort of high end computer speakers. What sets the DS-xxA series apart from other monitors is that they have their own D/A conveter and accept digital input. What this does for the sound quality, I'm not really sure.
Stereo / Computer Speakers
At the lowest end, you can use what you already have. Your home stereo system, boombox, computer speakers, whatever. If you put a lot of money into your home theater system, then it may make sense to use these. While they're not pro-quality, for a beginning studio they're often enough to get you started.
Headphones
- Grado SR80
  These aren't studio headphones, they're audiophile headphones, but I happen to like them a lot. Their cost is around $80 and much cheaper than just about any quality monitor you can buy. These are open back design and will leak sound. The high end is very articulate, so it's good for listening to the high end. Some say the low end is somewhat weak, and I agree, so be careful mixing the low end in these.
- Sony MDR 7506
  For a little bit more, the Sony MDR 7506 are another good choice. Their sound is similar to the Grado SR80, but their closed design lets you use them close to microphones without worrying about leakage.

What to get?

In the pro-audio newsgroup I read, the standard answer to anyone buying a sub $800 monitor set is "save up some money and get something better." Others contend that you can make a decent mix on any monitors as long as you're familiar enough with them.

General consensus, though, is that this is one of the most important parts of your chain. Microphone, and Mic Pre being the other two. Actually, the most important is a good room. Unfortunately, a good room doesn't come in a box (though RPG does have a room in a box solution).

I guess you really have to match the money you spend to your needs.

The Mackie HR824 and Event 20/20bas are the reigning kings in the self-powered bookshelf monitor world, roughly splitting the pro market in half between them. At around $1400 and $900, they're not cheap. I also hear a lot of talk about the Tannoy Reveals.

When I first started playing bass I was told that people either liked the Bartolini sound or they liked the (insert other brand here) sound. Well, I think the Mackie/Event vs. Tannoy world is like that.

Event has a budget "Project Studio" line, and they've topped that with an even more budget "Tuned Reference" line starting at $300, and these would probably be my choice in this price range over the M-Audio SP-5B based on specs alone, though I'd have to give them a listen.

If you shop around, you may be able to find the M-Audio SP-5B for around $200, and in that price range the Roland DS-30A also exists. On paper the DS-30A looks good for the price.

By "on paper" I mean it has a frequency response that's linear. Linear usually means "-/+ 3db" from some sub 100hz to about 20khz range. For example, the Roland DS30's are linear from around 78hz to 20khz, while the Event TR5 monitors are linear from 53hz to 19khz.

Some argue that more important than what monitors you use, is how familiar you are with them. Which is why I alwas recommend listening to lots of music through your monitors. I've hooked mine up to my TV so anything that comes through the TV can also come through the monitors. Everything from video games to TV shows to DVD's goes through my studio monitors.

My sound card has a "monitor mode" that routes inputs 3 & 4 directly to the speakers, even when my computer is off and no power is going to the sound card. I plugged the out from my TV into this, and with the push of a button I'm listening Friends through my monitors.

Headphones are a great, and often necessary part of any studio. I don't think I'd work exclusively with headphones, but they're useful for quiet mixing/recording. The headphones I mentioned are consumer grade, so you may want to check out & listen to other headphones in the pro arena, but if you're spending over $200 on headphones, you may want to spend that money on monitors first.

Next: Upgrade Options & Outboard Gear

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