Best 2.1 for around USD $800

[nyguy4u]

We are talking about pro Studio monitors. If you have $800, you should look into them. They will blow most "speakers" away as far as sound reproduction.

There isn't a huge difference between consumer speakers and pro studio monitors. Manufacturers more and more accent the difference in their marketing material. In the 1970s the JBL 4311’s domestic equivalent, the L-100, was used in a large number of homes, and the Yamaha NS-10 also served both domestically and professionally during the 1980s, there are no present-day equivalents, that I know of. Companies such as Genelec, Klein and Hummel, Quested, PMC, and M & K sell almost exclusively to the professional monitor market, while most of the consumer audio manufacturers confine themselves to supplying speakers for the home. Even companies that provide for both, like Tannoy, ADAM, Focal/JM Labs, surrounTec, Dynaudio, and JBL, tend to clearly differentiate their monitor and hifi lines, or at least try to.

Generally, studio monitors are physically robust, to cope with the high volumes and physical knocks that may happen in the studio, and studio monitors are used for listening at shorter distances (near field) than hifi speakers, though nothing precludes them from being used in a home sized environment. Also, studio monitors are usually self-amplified (active), although not always so, while hifi speakers usually require an external amplification of some sort.

Remember, what you hear on a pro Studio Monitor is an exact reproduction of what you are supposed to hear. In most cases, it might sound worse - because they don't "sweeten" the sound.

I'd never buy a pair of plain 2.1 speakers for my computer. Never. Especially if you have a fairly large budget.

For an example, I own a pair of these in my home...
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Mackie-MR5-Active-Studio-Monitor-603999-i1513025.gc

Like I said, low end on the scale of monitors, but will blow away most "high end" computer 2.1 sets.

 

[ncc1701d]

No, we are talking about pro audio monitors.

If those are the B&W's you are using, you are fine.

Thanks. no, I decided for the time being to stick with the EXO's monitors, but powered instead of through the self contained sub woofer, an old receiver I have.

These are MONITORS, for example:

http://www.genelec.com/products/

Thanks, great web site!

 

[nyguy4u]

Did some research on those Mackie's. They look very nice and have a distributor in Hong Kong (Tom Lee Music, big audio and instrument shop). Will definitely check them out. Thanks!

very welcome.

Remember, the MR5's aren't high end. But you'd be shocked to hear the sound. You'll very rarely read a bad review on them. Actually, I've never heard a bad review on them. In most cases, you don't even need a sub. I LOVE low end, but I didn't even get a sub, because it's simply not needed.

 

[ncc1701d]

Companies such as Genelec, Klein and Hummel, Quested, PMC, and M & K sell almost exclusively to the professional monitor market, while most of the consumer audio manufacturers confine themselves to supplying speakers for the home. Even companies that provide for both, like Tannoy, ADAM, Focal/JM Labs, surrounTec, Dynaudio, and JBL, tend to clearly differentiate their monitor and hifi lines, or at least try to.

This is great info. See, these are manufacturer, most of which I've never heard of, so this is perfect for me to get looking in the right direction.
+1 nyguy4u! Thank you!

 

[nyguy4u]

This is great info. See, these are manufacturer, most of which I've never heard of, so this is perfect for me to get looking in the right direction.
+1 nyguy4u! Thank you!

You're welcome. Just to warn you though, some of these are at least $1,000 EACH. In the case of Klein and Hummel, if you do your research - you could probably find them for about $700 each.

I own several studios in the north east, and I have PMC monitors in one particular studio of mine. While it's a somewhat newer company (founded in 1990 I believe, based in the UK), those are awesome speakers! But, pricey for the consumer.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I would highly suggest going to a shop and testing a pro monitor out, there is a huge difference between then and Hi-Fi. Some will tell you one is better then the other, but it's really how you use them. I don't tend to recommend Pro Monitors to those that aren't doing any monitoring, because - quite frankly, Hi-Fi is probably the way to go.

I personally use KRK (E8T, V8 Series I, V88.) nyguy4u has suggested some good names, but for my liking, the MR5 doesn't have a sufficient low-end by itself.

nyguy4u, did you write the Wikipedia article, or just steal it?

 

[nyguy4u]

I wrote the portion I stated. The others on that page I didn't write.

Unless you are doing professional recordings, Mackie's low end is more than sufficient.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I wrote the portion I stated. The others on that page I didn't write.

Unless you are doing professional recordings, Mackie's low end is more than sufficient.

I would say that if you are doing professional work the low-end might work, depending on the work. But if you are even watching a movie the low-end is lacking, at the OP's price range they could get a sub.

As for the Wikipedia... You wrote the following?

manufacturers more and more accent the difference in their marketing material. Whereas in the 1970s the JBL 4311’s domestic equivalent, the L-100...while hi-fi speakers usually require external amplification.

From here.

 

[nyguy4u]

I would say that if you are doing professional work the low-end might work, depending on the work. But if you are even watching a movie the low-end is lacking, at the OP's price range they could get a sub.

As for the Wikipedia... You wrote the following?



From here.

I told you already what I wrote, and what I didn't write on Wiki. I contribute on the subject quite often on the web. I also write several columns for magazines as well, covering the subject. In addition, I hold several seminars at my studio covering various topics of the pro audio field.

Ya know, I thought I'd take you off my block list, hoping you'd change - but it's apparent that you haven't. I am trying to help the OP with my knowledge of the subject, and you're more concerned about myself.. and what I say, rather than the topic itself and helping the OP. I guess back on the block list you go.

 

[ncc1701d]

Hi, I've got another question regarding my newish set up...

I'm using the Optical out from my MacPro (stock standard 4.1 '09 model) and plugged it into the optical in on my Pioneer receiver. My two bluesky speakers are hooked up in the Normal 'L & R' position. I still have SL, SR, C and Sub woofer etc. available.

The question: Will I get 5.1 surround sound from the optical out or will I need some sort of new bit of hardware to add to the mac pro

 

[ncc1701d]

I found out from apple support that the the optical out is not 5.1

 

[NewRevolution88]

It may be worth your while to check out some krk monitors. The Rokit and vxt lines fit with your budget and you could even get a decent sub from them as well and keep the whole system at around $800. I'd say 2 Rokits and a sub or 2 vxts by themselves just might be what you're looking for.

 

[jackcklam]

To ncc1701d

Dear ncc1701d:

I also live in Hong Kong, and I'm interested in Blue Sky speaker products, but I don't know where to find them here in HK. What is the dealer you mentioned? Is they any audio supply shop in HK where I can demo Blue Sky speakers in person?

Thanks a lot

Jack