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Wisconsin, USA

I have this set up, but they are having a lot of problems with the amplifier.  I had them repaired and they are unfortunately breaking down again.  I might be in the market for a new set of monitors.  I really liked having a subwoofer, but I'm game for any and all suggestions.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/blue-sky-exo-21

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UK

Active monitors are usually more reliable. It sucks that there aren't many budget options for subs, I don't have one I just check on my headphones.

Advising on monitors that I haven't tried would be risky, so here's my setup:
For about 4 years (up until a few months ago) I had KRK Rokit 6s, which were great. Punchy and exaggerated the bass a bit but I loved them. They're a great budget option, and very popular.
Now I have ADAM A7X (another home studio cliche) and they are incredible, more expensive but worth it, much more clarity. You get what you pay for with low-mid price range monitors.
I also recently drained the bank with some Avantone Mixcubes which are designed to reference your mix on mid-heavy speakers (if they sound good on those then they should sound good on everything). Obviously I have listed a rather expensive setup, and it's taken me years to get here.
My general advice would be to buy the most popular/renowned speakers you can afford, use them until you have a bigger budget, and then re-sell them (monitors maintain their value very well) and use that to fund the next step up. I found that it helped my ears to develop too - buying a grand worth of monitors doesn't make your music automatically sound good, so the most important thing is taking your time to learn the monitors you do choose smile

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Melbourne, Australia

Don't overlook the Yamaha stuff for low-mid end.

I'd also keep in mind the room itself, don't buy speakers that are too big for your space, and that includes subs. Very few rooms/studios are set up for a sub (thanks, longer wave forms).

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Music City
fc wrote:

Don't overlook the Yamaha stuff for low-mid end.

I'd also keep in mind the room itself, don't buy speakers that are too big for your space, and that includes subs. Very few rooms/studios are set up for a sub (thanks, longer wave forms).

big fan of the Yamahas. I have HS5's and a small powered subwoofer for my space at current, and it's one of the more pleasant monitoring experiences i've used. I barely notice the speakers ever, they are wonderfully flat and clear. Little lacking in low-end power but thats what the subwoofer is for. smile if you've got a smaller-sized space, its pretty nice.

Last edited by Tri Angles (October 6, 2020 8:42 pm)

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Berlin

i worked with my trusty genelecs for almost wo decades, and i recently switched to some new monitors.
and boy, has the game changed in the last years.
i totally recommend the ilouds from IK multimedia.
now i'm finally hearing all the mistakes that i did in the past.

but be aware that it is not fun to listen on these smonitors.
it's like listening through a magnifying glass.
if you want something that also works for recreational listen, you want something else.
the ilouds are a tool, but a great one.

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Wisconsin, USA

Update for everyone:

I purchased KRK Rokit 5 G4 speakers and have a backordered KRK 10s subwoofer.

I have the two speakers already and I like them a lot.  They have an EQ so it seems like I could really fine tune them for accuracy against my hearing.  The final verdict will come when the subwoofers arrive!



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Yokohama, Japan

Oh nice thread. I was considering upgrading my shitty speakers to something more appropriate for music production. I think I'll follow your lead @orangedrink !

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UK

Tell us what your verdict on the sub is when you get it! Sounds like its gonna be a solid setup smile

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Yokohama, Japan

The Rokit 5 G4 are awesome. What an upgrade to my home studio this has been been! Thanks @orangedrink for the thread!