Help me decide: KRK or JBL monitors

jacobluecke · Nov 15, 2012, 08:41 AM

I'm new to the studio monitor world but I'm at the point where I need some for my amateur home studio.

I'm on a pretty restricted budget here, less than $300. I'm currently considering a set of KRK Rokit 5 monitors, which seem to be generally well liked.

My alternative are this JBL C2PS Control 2P set.

Any thoughts on these two options? I haven't been able to find a comparison online.

I use an Apogee Duet (1) to record acoustic guitar instrumentals with many layered tracks. Song samples in my sig.

Your help is much appreciated.

spoonie1972 · Nov 15, 2012, 08:51 AM

Having never heard the JBL's, get the JBL's.

The Rokits are simply awful.

With that said (and not many people around here will agree with me) the VXT4's, while small, are fantastic, and are worth every penny. You can probably find a pair used within your budget, because people have no idea how good they are.

Caveat: Every recent KRK i've used has been susceptible to RF noise.

If you liked the old NS10's, the HS-50's are a good option, too.

YMMV. Best luck!

Luap · Nov 15, 2012, 02:12 PM

Listen to some if you can.
What sounds great to 1 person could sound like crap to you. Everyones tastes vary, everyone has different expectations, and nigh on all monitors sound different to each other. So you really need to check some out to hear what you like.

That said, I agree with spoonies post above. Put the HS50's on your shortlist too.

zimv20 · Nov 15, 2012, 07:50 PM

1. the only valid way to judge monitors is to use them in your own space. best if you can try them for a while, mix a few songs on them.

2. the monitors will react radically differently in treated vs untreated rooms. it's no reflection on the monitors themselves, so before judging and purchasing, the better investment is in room treatment.

a couple bass traps in the corners will do wonders. either of these will work great (i have both):

http://realtraps.com/p_minitrap.htm
http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_244_bass_traps.html

spoonie1972 · Nov 16, 2012, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimv20

1. the only valid way to judge monitors is to use them in your own space. best if you can try them for a while, mix a few songs on them.

2. the monitors will react radically differently in treated vs untreated rooms. it's no reflection on the monitors themselves, so before judging and purchasing, the better investment is in room treatment.

a couple bass traps in the corners will do wonders. either of these will work great (i have both):

http://realtraps.com/p_minitrap.htm
http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_244_bass_traps.html

Agree completely. Your room is just as important as your monitor.

Luap · Nov 16, 2012, 02:41 PM

Acoustic treatment is good n all. But I doubt it is on the cards when the guy is budgeting $300 for his monitors. To make an appreciable difference, he'd need to spend rather more than the monitors cost in the first place.
If the budget was $3000, then yes, treatment all the way. But $300? Few are going to bother.. Besides, we don't even know what the OP's room is like.

Destroysall · Nov 16, 2012, 03:02 PM

The KRK Rokit series of monitors are much more hi-fi active speakers than they are studio monitors. I would recommend monitors from Mackie, ADAM, and Genelec.

Destroysall.

jacobluecke · Nov 16, 2012, 03:59 PM

Since a few of you mentioned my recording room, I'll describe it for your amusement.

Imagine a poorly-heated attic bedroom with carpeting. Due to the limited upstairs space, the walls form kind of an odd hexagon shape. All of this is in a house that sits less than 200 yards from railroad tracks.

Recording is certainly a challenge but it's all I've got right now.

I appreciate the sound treatment ideas but I probably need a whole new room first. Some day!

I'll go with the JBLs for now. Thank you all!

JCstudios · Nov 16, 2012, 08:06 PM

If you're going 5 inch, go for JBL. I wouldn't go anything lower than an 8inch with KRK, unless going on the VXT range, but they are pricey.

I currently owns a pair of RP8G2. Which is fine for mixing and all purpose and it doesn't cost me an arm. If I have a proper room for production, I will go for Adams or Alexis. Mackies aren't that great unless you go for higher end models which will cost you an arm at least.

Nov 15, 2012, 08:41 AM	#1
jacobluecke macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO	Help me decide: KRK or JBL monitors I'm new to the studio monitor world but I'm at the point where I need some for my amateur home studio. I'm on a pretty restricted budget here, less than $300. I'm currently considering a set of KRK Rokit 5 monitors, which seem to be generally well liked. My alternative are this JBL C2PS Control 2P set. Any thoughts on these two options? I haven't been able to find a comparison online. I use an Apogee Duet (1) to record acoustic guitar instrumentals with many layered tracks. Song samples in my sig. Your help is much appreciated. __________________ http://soundcloud.com/jacob-luecke/
	0

Nov 15, 2012, 08:51 AM	#2
spoonie1972 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto	Having never heard the JBL's, get the JBL's. The Rokits are simply awful. With that said (and not many people around here will agree with me) the VXT4's, while small, are fantastic, and are worth every penny. You can probably find a pair used within your budget, because people have no idea how good they are. Caveat: Every recent KRK i've used has been susceptible to RF noise. If you liked the old NS10's, the HS-50's are a good option, too. YMMV. Best luck! __________________ 2012 MPB 15, 16GB, 512SSD, Geek 11941 - Logic Audio 2009 Mac Pro, 64GB, 5,1 Firmware, X5570 swap x2. Geek 18185 - VEP5, Kontakt, etc.
	0

Nov 15, 2012, 07:50 PM	#4
zimv20 macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: chicago	1. the only valid way to judge monitors is to use them in your own space. best if you can try them for a while, mix a few songs on them. 2. the monitors will react radically differently in treated vs untreated rooms. it's no reflection on the monitors themselves, so before judging and purchasing, the better investment is in room treatment. a couple bass traps in the corners will do wonders. either of these will work great (i have both): http://realtraps.com/p_minitrap.htm http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_244_bass_traps.html __________________ Oct 2011: check out my band's first album @ boxsetauthentic.com
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 03:59 PM	#8
jacobluecke Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO	Since a few of you mentioned my recording room, I'll describe it for your amusement. Imagine a poorly-heated attic bedroom with carpeting. Due to the limited upstairs space, the walls form kind of an odd hexagon shape. All of this is in a house that sits less than 200 yards from railroad tracks. Recording is certainly a challenge but it's all I've got right now. I appreciate the sound treatment ideas but I probably need a whole new room first. Some day! I'll go with the JBLs for now. Thank you all! __________________ http://soundcloud.com/jacob-luecke/
	0

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Nov 15, 2012, 02:12 PM	#3
Luap macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2004	Listen to some if you can. What sounds great to 1 person could sound like crap to you. Everyones tastes vary, everyone has different expectations, and nigh on all monitors sound different to each other. So you really need to check some out to hear what you like. That said, I agree with spoonies post above. Put the HS50's on your shortlist too.
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 02:41 PM	#6
Luap macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2004	Acoustic treatment is good n all. But I doubt it is on the cards when the guy is budgeting $300 for his monitors. To make an appreciable difference, he'd need to spend rather more than the monitors cost in the first place. If the budget was $3000, then yes, treatment all the way. But $300? Few are going to bother.. Besides, we don't even know what the OP's room is like.
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 03:02 PM	#7
Destroysall macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Arizona, USA	The KRK Rokit series of monitors are much more hi-fi active speakers than they are studio monitors. I would recommend monitors from Mackie, ADAM, and Genelec. Destroysall.
	0

Nov 16, 2012, 08:06 PM	#9
JCstudios macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2012	If you're going 5 inch, go for JBL. I wouldn't go anything lower than an 8inch with KRK, unless going on the VXT range, but they are pricey. I currently owns a pair of RP8G2. Which is fine for mixing and all purpose and it doesn't cost me an arm. If I have a proper room for production, I will go for Adams or Alexis. Mackies aren't that great unless you go for higher end models which will cost you an arm at least.
	0