Showing posts with label monitors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monitors. Show all posts

KRK RP6G2 Rokit G2 6-inch Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker) Review

KRK RP6G2 Rokit G2 6-inch Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
These monitors are a serious upgrade for any computer system especially audiophiles and musicians. These are great for Garage Band or Logic on the Mac and recreate the sound with amazing clarity, depth and tone. Plus bass is impressive for a small speaker and high's are crisp and detailed without being unbalanced. These speakers create an amazing listening experience for all type of music and instruments for a studio or small room. Not going to be for a large room setup but if you have the space or can mount these for computer/studio setup you will be very impressed with them.

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The KRK RokitG2 Series takes value-priced monitors to a new performance level. All of the great stuff that Rokit's have been known for (front-firing bass port, soft-domed tweeter, glass aramid composite yellow cone) are still there, but the G2 Rokit's feature refined voicing and a new curved baffle that looks great, reduces diffraction and provides even better monitoring accuracy.

No Pain With Gain Why compromise gain structure to achieve a comfortable listening level? As musicians and recording people ourselves, we've asked that question too. So each Generation 2 Rokit comes with an Input Volume Control that provides an adjustable gain range from +6dB to -30dB. Just another way the Rokit lets you focus on your mix, and not on compatibility concerns.
Catch a Wave, for a 3D Mix Recessed tweeters may look the same, but they don't perform the same. KRK has designed a superior tweeter wave guide for the Rokit that provides optimal high frequency pattern control and focuses the sound outward, away from the cabinet. More conventional designs direct sound along the plane of the cabinet where waveform interaction can cause phase problems and increased diffraction. KRK knows a properly engineered high frequency wave guide is a critical component to great sound, and one key to our award winning performance.
You've Got Connections At KRK our focus is your mix. But it doesn't stop at creating accurate monitors. We live this stuff and appreciate the need for monitors that not only sound great but work easily into your particular set up. That's why you'll find plenty of input options with your Rokit, sure to accommodate any studio environment. So if it's RCA, Quarter-Inch (balanced/unbalanced) or XLR inputs you require, Rokit has got you covered.
Even More Accurate Than Before We took a great monitor series and made it better. Our engineers and listening panel took the Generation 2 Rokits' speaker voicing to even more accurate levels. What you hear is what you are intended to hear, coloration is not part of the spec. This performance is brought to you by drivers that are custom-designed by our world-class studio monitor engineering team, for clear, low-distortion performance.
Take Control While your Generation 2 Rokit leaves the factory voiced to our demanding specs, KRK also knows that no two rooms "sound" the same. As such, each Rokit comes equipped with a High Frequency Level Control. This feature provides specific adjustment of high frequency output most commonly affected by room acoustics. It's just one extra level of control that KRK gives you to ensure the most accurate mix for your particular room's acoustics.
Don't Be Square, Curves Ahead Our new Rokit looks different, so it can sound better, and in a wider "sweet spot." Traditional rectangular speakers suffer from diffraction as sounds leaving the edge of the cabinet are reflected back into the original sound field, and at different time intervals. This phase distortion creates a "narrow" or boxy" sound. The Generation 2 Rokit series eliminates this issue with radically engineered curved surfaces, so diffraction is virtually eliminated. Simply put, you'll get better sound in a wider area.
Let's Be Up Front Take a look at competitive monitors and you'll find ports on the back of the cabinet. These rear-firing ports tend create bass coupling with walls and corners amplifying low frequency information which will color your mix. The superior design of the KRK Generation 2 Rokit's include front-firing ports, which are just the right shape and taper to reduce port turbulence. You'll appreciate the clean and accurate bass performance, this approach delivers, even at high SPL's.
Power Up! A great sounding monitor doesn't stop with a great cabinet and custom drivers. Our true bi-amplified amplifier system provides discrete low-distortion power for each driver. While our active crossover systems provide smooth and accurate frequency response, and again, accurate diffraction control.
KRK Rokit 8 Specs
Drivers: 6-inch Glass Aramid Composite Woofer; 1-inch Neodymium Soft Dome Tweeter with Ferro Fluid
Input: XLR (3-pin), RCA & 1/4-inch TRS--10k Ohm, Balanced / Unbalanced
Amplification: HF: 20 Watts/LF: 70 Watts
Freq Response: 49Hz - 20kHz (+/- 1.5 db)
Video Shielding: Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D): 12 11/16 x 8 7/8 x 10 1/2 inches (32.1 x 22.5 x 26.6 cm)
Weight: 19.6 lbs (8.9 Kg)

What's in the Box KRK Rokit 6 Powered Monitor, AC power cord, Owner's manual

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Mackie MR5 MR5 Reference Monitor (Single Speaker) Review

Mackie MR5 MR5 Reference Monitor (Single Speaker)
Average Reviews:

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FIRST THING FIRST...
Forget speaker set-ups and systems that unnecessarily add treble and bass to the music you're listening to including ones with active equalization that determine on your behalf what you're ears should be perceiving at the moment and eliminating other frequencies that it believes aren't as audible anyway.
How about jumping back into studio monitors that deliver music the way the recording engineers meant it to be heard. Too expensive? Hold on. Not with a Mackie MR5. The price you pay is per piece all right, but don't forget these are powered speakers. And at this price point you get a flat frequency response which means there is no colorization. What is recorded is what you get.
Studio monitors used to be so expensive and out of reach that consumers were bombarded with those other brands that promised to wow your ears with a "perception" of full spectrum audio rather than actually provide your ears with, umm, a full spectrum.
Finally Mackie decided to release lower end audio gear with high end results that appeals to everyone else outside of the audiophile world.APPLICATION...
These speakers are built with 3 types of audio connections.
1. Balanced XLR
2. Balanced TRS (which also can accept unbalanced TS)
3. Unbalanced RCA
Originally intended for near-field monitoring as well as accurate enough for home studio mixing. But knock yourselves out in using these anywhere you see fit. If it's good for mixing, it's great for whatever else.
I used it as my desktop computer speakers. If your computer has a 1/8 stereo output a.k.a. mini-stereo then just purchase a simple (but solidly constructed) 1/8" stereo to RCA cable.HOW DOES IT SOUND...
GREAT! However, you need to re-orient your ears if you've been used to unnecessary and heavy equalized equipment. Take a moment to listen to your favourite CD. One that you are very familiar with from beginning to end. Turn off or flatten the equalizer setting. Take one pass on it and determine if you really to highlight or defeat certain frequencies only because you either have wall to wall carpeting and draperies or bare walls.
You're goal is to listen to music the way it was recorded. If you have unbiased speakers in all frequency range then you will notice nuances in the recording that you never even thought was there. Seriously.WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW...
Although this is the smallest of the Mackie studio monitoring speakers, it's still a force to be reckoned with in terms of performance, size and weight. And that's a good thing. It looks, feels and performs like any solid studio monitor. Nothing has been spared. Rather than spend money on marketing, they spend it on actual R&D and build quality.
Frequency response of 60HZ-20KHZ (+-3db) with internal bi-amplification of 55 watts (85 watts peak) for the low frequency and 30 watts (50 watts peak) for the high frequency. And don't be fooled by other speaker manufacture ratings stating 200 watts power which don't mean a thing unless they meant peak power before the internal fuse blows while already clipping at maximum distortion. Did you hear how loud your built-in television speakers can get. To think they are rated from 3 to 6 watts only. So with these truthful power rating, these Mackies are LOUD! Your ears neighbours will come knocking first before you can blow the fuse of these speakers.COMPARED WITH...
The truth is I was perfectly happy with my Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 speakers just because I couldn't afford a THX pm3-approved Mackie HR624 at that time. The frequency response was awesome at 35HZ-20KHz. The speakers were fully sealed which provided less distortion and true bass output. I tossed the boxes so I decided to sell them when I moved cross-country than risk damaging perfectly great speakers.
I now moved the Mackie MR5 pair to the living room and disabled the built-in speakers of the television and then obtained a pair of KRK Rokit Powered 6 Generation 2 studio monitors which is equally accurate as the Mackie, but has better frequency response at 48HZ-20KHz (+-1.5db) due to it's 6" low frequency driver.WHAT TO GET...
If you're budget allows for a Mackie, I would get an MR5. A cheaper alternative but still along it's price range is the KRK RP5G2 which also comes with a 5" low frequency driver. But for the same price as the Mackie MR5 is the KRK RP6G2 with better frequency response and a hefty weight and size to boot.
The difference is the porting on the cabinet. Mackie believes in using a rear port, while KRK argues a front port is better as it allows more flexible placement without fear from unnecessary bass response due from the rear ports when placed nearer against the wall.
My recommendation is to listen to both at your nearest studio monitor dealer that stocks both and decide. In the future you can expand to a 2.1 configuration to extend the bass response even lower by purchasing their own respective subwoofer counterparts. As usual, KRK products are better priced so this might affect your decision now the same way it did to me.
If you want a 2.1 configuration right now, then the Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 with it's sealed cabinet enclosure all throughout will make sure that the bass you hear is the bass coming from the subwoofer and not from any port which only exists to help extend bass response to a lower frequency.
Either of this you won't go wrong. But please do yourself a favor and get yourself a decent studio monitor than an exorbitantly priced speaker set from a manufacturer that (1) either advertises amplification and frequency response that can be achieved at full clipping power or (2) won't even advertise their specifications at all and then claim their "actual" performance doesn't do justice to the over-equalized supposed sound output.

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Thanks to its sophisticated design, our 5.25-inch MR5 Mackie Reference Monitor delivers superior sound with impeccable clarity?at an unbelievable price.

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KRK RP8G2 Rokit G2 8In Powered Studio Monitor Ea Review

KRK RP8G2 Rokit G2 8In Powered Studio Monitor Ea
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Don't expect these to be a smaller version of PA speakers. Studio monitors are quality over quantity. Yes, these are plenty loud for their intended use. The important part is their sound quality. As with any speaker of this quality, proper break-in really does make them sound better. The RP8G2 is a great value choice. Yes, there are better speakers on the market. You will pay a real premium for them, though. It is hard to evaluate speakers just on the published specs. Sound quality is so much more than technical spectral analysis.
These are solidly built, great sounding monitors that are a good value. I can really recommend them.

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The KRK RokitG2 Series takes value-priced monitors to a new performance level. All of the great stuff that Rokit's have been known for (front-firing bass port, soft-domed tweeter, glass aramid composite yellow cone) are still there, but the G2 Rokit's feature refined voicing and a new curved baffle that looks great, reduces diffraction and provides even better monitoring accuracy.

No Pain With Gain Why compromise gain structure to achieve a comfortable listening level? As musicians and recording people ourselves, we've asked that question too. So each Generation 2 Rokit comes with an Input Volume Control that provides an adjustable gain range from +6dB to -30dB. Just another way the Rokit lets you focus on your mix, and not on compatibility concerns.
Catch a Wave, for a 3D Mix Recessed tweeters may look the same, but they don't perform the same. KRK has designed a superior tweeter wave guide for the Rokit that provides optimal high frequency pattern control and focuses the sound outward, away from the cabinet. More conventional designs direct sound along the plane of the cabinet where waveform interaction can cause phase problems and increased diffraction. KRK knows a properly engineered high frequency wave guide is a critical component to great sound, and one key to our award winning performance.
You've Got Connections At KRK our focus is your mix. But it doesn't stop at creating accurate monitors. We live this stuff and appreciate the need for monitors that not only sound great but work easily into your particular set up. That's why you'll find plenty of input options with your Rokit, sure to accommodate any studio environment. So if it's RCA, Quarter-Inch (balanced/unbalanced) or XLR inputs you require, Rokit has got you covered.
Even More Accurate Than Before We took a great monitor series and made it better. Our engineers and listening panel took the Generation 2 Rokits' speaker voicing to even more accurate levels. What you hear is what you are intended to hear, coloration is not part of the spec. This performance is brought to you by drivers that are custom-designed by our world-class studio monitor engineering team, for clear, low-distortion performance.
Take Control While your Generation 2 Rokit leaves the factory voiced to our demanding specs, KRK also knows that no two rooms "sound" the same. As such, each Rokit comes equipped with a High Frequency Level Control. This feature provides specific adjustment of high frequency output most commonly affected by room acoustics. It's just one extra level of control that KRK gives you to ensure the most accurate mix for your particular room's acoustics.
Don't Be Square, Curves Ahead Our new Rokit looks different, so it can sound better, and in a wider "sweet spot." Traditional rectangular speakers suffer from diffraction as sounds leaving the edge of the cabinet are reflected back into the original sound field, and at different time intervals. This phase distortion creates a "narrow" or boxy" sound. The Generation 2 Rokit series eliminates this issue with radically engineered curved surfaces, so diffraction is virtually eliminated. Simply put, you'll get better sound in a wider area.
Let's Be Up Front Take a look at competitive monitors and you'll find ports on the back of the cabinet. These rear-firing ports tend create bass coupling with walls and corners amplifying low frequency information which will color your mix. The superior design of the KRK Generation 2 Rokit's include front-firing ports, which are just the right shape and taper to reduce port turbulence. You'll appreciate the clean and accurate bass performance, this approach delivers, even at high SPL's.
Power Up! A great sounding monitor doesn't stop with a great cabinet and custom drivers. Our true bi-amplified amplifier system provides discrete low-distortion power for each driver. While our active crossover systems provide smooth and accurate frequency response, and again, accurate diffraction control.
KRK Rokit 8 Specs
Drivers: 8-inch Glass Aramid Composite Woofer; 1-inch Neodymium Soft Dome Tweeter with Ferro Fluid
Input: XLR (3-pin), RCA & 1/4-inch TRS--10k Ohm, Balanced / Unbalanced
Amplification: HF: 20 Watts/LF: 70 Watts
Freq Response: 45Hz - 20kHz (+/- 1.5 db)
Video Shielding: Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D): 15 x 10 7/16 x 12 inches (38.1 x 26.5 x 30.4 cm)
Weight:26.1 lbs (11.8 Kg)

What's in the Box KRK Rokit 8 Powered Monitor, AC power cord, Owner's manual

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B-52 Matrix-1000 V2 700W Active 3-Piece Speaker System Review

B-52 Matrix-1000 V2 700W Active 3-Piece Speaker System
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Bought my first Matrix 2000 in 2005 and it is tops in the competitive environment. I'm #1 booked as a DJ in part because of my sound gear. The woofer, although heavy, pumps, and is loved among my college party clients and wedding reception party people. I would have to double the price to upgrade noticeably in sound quality. After caring for it (in operations and in transport), the subwoofer went out (after nearly 6 years). I liked the fact that the satellite speakers (although not as great by themselves) kept my mission moving at a high school gig. I went with purchase of a new Matrix 2000. I'm sold, and it will be a good investment for your business.

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B-52 Matrix 2000 Speaker Sound System Review

B-52 Matrix 2000 Speaker Sound System
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PRO'S:
I DEMOED THESE AT MY LOCAL RETAIL SHOP AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING... THESE ARE BY FAR THE BEST SOUNDING SET UP I HAVE HEARD IN MY LIFE!!! I LOVE BASS HEAVY MUSIC FROM ROCK, UK HARD HOUSE, HARD TRANCE... AND RAP. USUALLY SPEAKERS HAVE A CERTAIN "TYPE" OF MUSIC THAT THEY ARE GOOD FOR. ACCORDINGLY YOU BUY THE SYSTEM AND TRY TO COME CLOSE TO WHICH EVER TYPE YOU LIKE. WELL THERE IS NO COMPROMISE WITH THESE "BAD BOYS" THEY WILL DISH OUT CLEANNNN!!! SOUND NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC YOU THROW AT IT. I DEMOED MANY DIFFERENT TYPE OF SONGS FROM RAP, HARD UK, 80'S AND SOME FLAMINGO JAZZ. I WAS BLOWN AWAY AT THE CLEARITY OF THE SUBS. I STOOD AT THE STORE TRYING TO FIND SOME KIND OF MUSIC MATERIAL THAT DID NOT SOUND GOOD ON THESE BUT 1 AND HALF HOURS LATER I WAS SOLD THAT THESE ARE HEAVEN SENT. THEY PUT OUT MUSICAL NOTES NOT BUMP,THUMP AND THUD... EVERY BASS NOTE IS ARTICULATED DETAILED AS I EVER HEARD BEFORE. I'VE STOPPED DROOLING NOW AND CAN'T WAIT FOR MY SET TO ARRIVE... PS ALL THE POWER YOU NEED TO RUN THE SYSTEM IS CONTAINED IN THE SUBWOOFER CABINET. JUST HOOK UP THE XLR'S FROM YOU MIXER AND THE SUBWOOFER BRANCES OUT TO THE (2) 12" MONITORS WITH A TITANIUM MID AND TWEET SET UP... 1200 WATTS TOTAL (2)300 GOING TO THE MONITORS AND (1)600 RUNNING THE BASS!!!
CONS:
AFTER EXPERIENCING THE DETAIL AND CLARITY IN BASS YOU WILL NOTICE THE FLAWS IN OTHER SPEAKER SET UPS BY OTHER COMPANIES. HOPE MY REVIEW IS HELPFULL THANK YOU "DJ M N S"

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Behringer MS16 Powered Studio Desktop Monitors Review

Behringer MS16 Powered Studio Desktop Monitors
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SUBJECTIVE REVIEW: Behringer MS16 2-Way Active Personal Monitor System
Pros:
- Accuracy, soundstage & imaging!!
- Connectivity & Front Panel Controls (Right CH Speaker):
.... INPUT 1 (1/8" TRS) Connector
.... INPUT 2 (RCA Right & Left) Connectors
.... ADJUSTABLE 1/4" TRS Microphone Input - mixable w/stereo inputs for playback and vocal monitoring applications
.... 1/8" TRS HEADPHONE Connector w/auto-mute loudspeaker function.
.... FRONT PANEL Controls (Bass, Treble & Level)
Cons:
None except deep bass - which can be resolved by adding a powered-sub like I did!!! ;-)
NOTE: All subjective comments based on:
1) SPEAKER LOCATIONS:
.... a) Free-standing near-field monitor location, 4' apart, slightly tilted-in (closes walls 10') - Music by my Polaroid 30 GB MP3 player (NO powered-sub )
.... b) Keyboard: L & R location installation, slightly tilted-in (with & without Altec Lansing FX2021 powered-sub**)
**NOTE: Adding a powered-sub relieves the Behringer MS16 4" woofer speakers of reproducing the lower frequencies thus lowering the possibility of distortion or breakup when played louder, - 85 dBc to 90 dBc Fast SPL Peaks!
2) Critical listening SPL = approx. 85 dBc to 90 dBc Fast SPL Peaks measured @ 8' to 10' away from the speakers.
.... a) Radio Shack SPL Analog Meter: Dial = 80 or 90 / Weight = C / Speed = Fast
ACCURACY:
One of the Behringer MS16 hallmarks is the accuracy in reproducing encoded musical sounds from my MP3s, ... like, a violin sounds like a violin, a trumpet sounds like a trumpet, a tenor sax sounds like a tenor sax, a Grand Piano, like the Grand Piano that Diana Krall uses in her "Live in Paris" CD (I use to own a 6' Yamaha Grand in my HT/family room), etc. What is unusual for this price range, is the MS16 ability to reveal subtleties and the resolution of the high frequency characteristics within the encoded music/instruments, . . . they are just more evident with the Behringer MS16 vs. other speakers in this price and some costing more; i.e. with close mike recording of an acoustic guitar, you can hear the artist fingers (George Benson; Earl Klugh; Russ Freeman) sliding up and down the frets; you can tell that that two violins are playing a melodic line, rather than just one violin; the air harmonics off the crash or ride cymbal sounds, just like our Tama Rock Set w/Zildjian cymbals; Diana Krall breathing during some of her songs Intro ("Live in Paris" Music CD). Here - I do chalk up the sound quality to Behringer MS16 1.5" (38mm) Diameter High-Resolution Tweeter., which is a nice size for a small personal Studio near-field Monitors.
SOUNDSTAGE:
The left to right placements of instruments & voices are excellent, providing a precise, very wide, beyond the speakers soundstage. The Behringer MS16 front to back (depth) soundstage is also excellent, as well as the dynamic's resolution (soft vs. loud) in playing back the encoded instrument sounds which helps provide excellent location placement of the instruments. Though the front to back soundstage can be a result of how close the microphones were to the instruments, no doubt, the quality of the best recordings, will be revealed by this speaker and the opposite is also true, poor recordings will be revealed as poor. The Behringer MS16 plays back all my Jazz CD Music with relative smoothness, with no surprising in-between the eyes, unnatural frequency peaks because of it's super flat & wide Pro Monitor like frequency characteristics. I also own the JBL N24 w/4" woofers (JBL NSP1 PKG) which was raved by Brent Butterworth for its super midrange playback (voices) and in direct comparison, the Behringer MS16 is equal to task providing the same balanced, natural, clear unstrained playback! (Samples: "Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim" 1967 Digital remastered DDD Music CD; Diana Krall "Love Scenes" & "The Look of Love" Music CD; Bob James "Fourplay" Music CD; David Benoit "Fuzzy Logic" Music CD [Album Of The Year - 2003 National Smooth Jazz Awards], etc.).
IMAGING:
Another characteristic that the Behringer MS16 displays is its ability to image the specific instruments across the soundstage, with a floating in front, side, quality sound presence comparable to some JBL PRO Studio Monitors, though its point source is more precise due to the smaller cabinet side. The Behringer MS16 low-diffraction front cabinet geometry feature curved cabinet edges to eliminate diffraction, which ensures precise imaging and localization. I love the Behringer MS16 ambience reproduction in my room, because it gave me the feeling that "you are there" and if the recording is from a live concert, the ambience provided the right amount of reflections to make you think your listening to the performance outdoors, or in the symphony hall. ("The Corrs - Live at the Royal Albert Hall" Music CD; Diana Krall "Live in Paris" Music CD).
BASS FREQUECY:
WITHOUT POWERED-SUB: (Bass adjusted slightly less than MAX @ the 5 o'clock position / Treble left flat)
The Behringer MS16 bass is rated down to 80 Hz, and after adjusting the Bass Control to near MAX (5 o'clock position), ... it easily matches my JBL 24s (Benchmarked down to 89 Hz -2.7 dB - Fronts location by Tom Nousaine for Sound & Vision Magazine) lowest rated frequency reproduction in my familiar jazz music (David Benoit, Bob James, Joe Sample, Diana Krall, etc.) MP3 encoded music is not as demanding as a keyboard or CD (pure digital recordings), so what I hear was more than acceptable @ 85 dBc Fast SPL Peaks! (louder than normal listening). The deep bass is lacking of course, which is expected for a 4" DIA woofer, but it wasn't MIA and actually sounded better than most free-standing speakers w/4" or 5" woofers. The upright bass (Diana Krall) and electric bass lines (Bob James "Fourplay" w/Nathan East on bass) reproduction was way above average and overall, ... it nicely filled my 20 x 30' room with well balanced, clean & smooth frequency jazz music.
WITH POWERED-SUB - YAMAHA PORTABLE GRAND KEYBOARD:
Reproducing a digital keyboard is demanding so to get that floor & air feeling bass SPL without distortion or breakup, I coupled the Behringer MS16 Speakers w/the Altec Lansing FX1021 2.1 Speaker System, or more specifically, Altec Lansing FX4021 Powered Subwoofer (w/Two 5.25" long-throw woofers in isobaric configuration). This unit is rated down to 32 Hz and takes care of the lower frequency duties. Matching the Altec Powered-sub to the MS16s took about 20 mins. using the Keyboard built-in MIDI DEMO files and by playing it personally! I'm finally happy with what I hear from my Yamaha DGX-505 88-key Portable Grand.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
If you want "budget" monitors that provides excellent imaging, revealing resolution, super flat & wide Pro Monitor like frequency characteristics, the Behringer MS16 is for you! At no time during my critical listening phase (w/85 dBc - 90 dBc Fast SPL Peaks) did I hear any distortion or breakup (with or without powered-sub) from my Behringer MS16 speakers!!!
- Although the following is an OPTION & NOT REQUIRED to ENJOY these powered speakers, you can add a powered-sub to round out the lower frequency foundation and once you balance the SPL between the powered-sub & MS16s, ... you've got a very nice killer setup for MP3, PC, Laptop, Keyboard & near-field Home Studio application @ a very reasonable price!
In my case, I'm guessing, that the Behringer & Altec powered-sub combination for my Yamaha Portable Grand Keyboard frequency response is approx. 40Hz - 18kHz ±5 dB in my 17' x 13' living room (see my attached Amazon photo's) and for the price, ... it just sounds GLORIOUS @ 85 dBc - 90 dBc Fast SPL Peaks!!!
Highly Recommended!!! (Another way to think about it is, ... you can't build a 16 Watt [2x 8 Watts] self-powered speakers like this for under $60 a pair!!!)
Background: Audiophile since 1980; retired Audio/Video dealer; retired semi-pro musician (piano, keyboard, acoustic / electric guitar, bass guitar & drums).

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JBL LSR2325P Pair of Bi-amplified Studio Monitors Review

JBL LSR2325P Pair of Bi-amplified Studio Monitors
Average Reviews:

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Me:
Musician, been recording on 4 track, 8 track, 16 track & 24 track recorders since 1996, i have pro mics (M-Audio Sputnik, AKG D5 & C3000, Rode NT3) and have owned many others, i use a TC-Electronic G-Force and a TC Helicon Harmony G-XT.
How i chose these speakers:
- I took a trained sound engineer friend (who has been recording since 1996 too and who attended a Sound Engineer course at SAE) with me because he is the only person whose ears i trust and because i wanted to be sure i wasn't going to choose the wrong set of speakers.
- I went to all the major studio gear stores in Paris, France, in the Pigalle area where all the music stores are. We listened to many many different speakers, sometimes without prejudice and other times with great hopes because we've been reading about brands like Genelec & Dynaudio & all the newer brands out there just like anyone who trusts the specialized press.
- We checked speakers ranging from 200 to 2000 a pair, more or less: we just tested everything they had that looked interesting, including the latest M-Audio, Yamaha, Alesis, Genele, Dynaudio, Adam, etc., etc., etc., etc.
- We tested the speakers on tracks we both knew very well & some very clean recordings as well as some others.
- We selected tracks for reverb to see if the speakers could render the reverb properly, which is something many speakers simply fail to do.
Results of the search:
- Against all expectancies, all the major contenders turned out to be crap. And i mean absolute garbage. Given that we both had exactly the same criticism about each speakers we listened to, i'm pretty sure we weren't being delusional. Now it is possible that the set-up in the stores were not optimal, and maybe the passive speakers were linked up to a bad amp, but most speakers were active & linked to the source via a professional monitoring system with lots of switches designed specifically for this purpose.
- Genelec flaws: no mids AT ALL, same power as a bad car stereo, no bass.
- Dynaudio BM15 ACTIVE: absolute crap amplification, rubbish.
- ADAM A5: aggressive mids, crap treble, no bass. Absolute GARBAGE.
- Yamaha (new NS-10 style speakers) & M-Audio: average sound, not enjoyable at all.
- Most speakers had a very aggressive sound in the mids or treble, and lacked bass. Even in the very expensive range of speakers, none managed to impress us and virtually all were flawed in some aspect that alone would render them totally useless & unbearable.
- The last store we visited was definitely much more pro (Sound Factory) and had real speakers. They played us some PMC passive speakers linked to a 300 stereo amplifier. We were AMAZED. They were fantastic. Well, these were not the most expensive (around 1000 a pair i think), and by far the best. They aren't used at Abbey Road for nothing then...
We then told the salesman we had already heard his Dynaudio BM15's and said we hated them & didn't want to waste his time with those -- "skip em!", we said -- but he had the passive version. And they were very good. The difference was AMAZING. In other words, manufacturers of speakers know how to make speakers, not amplifiers. So get the passive version of whatever you want, and add your own amplifier, the result will be incredibly better, i assure you.
So far the PMC were the best and the Dynaudio were not bad but not cheap. Just out of curiosity i asked to check out the tiny JBL 2325P's that were a ridiculously cheap 400 and were active...i said to him "i guess the JBL are crap but let's give em a try anyway, just to see"...he replied "no, they're not bad actually".
With my friend we both looked at each other with big eyes, we were very pleasantly surprised...they weren't quite as good as the PMC but they easily beat all the others we'd listened to that day.
I ordered this in the US because i now live in Mexico. I got them here on Amazon for 400$ (470$ or so with shipping), with 2 Samson speaker stands and 2 Wirlwind XLR cables. I just set them up today, on their stands.
I don't have a proper good quality source at the moment, my SACD player is in France, so i tried first via the minijack output of my Toshiba P300 laptop and the sound was harsh & had some very apparent artefacts due to the extremely bad quality of this output (Toshiba should be ashamed, really). I then switched to my Archos 5 mp3/video player and the sound is incomparably better. Not perfect, of course, we're not talking about a proper HQ source here, and remember the connection is a cheap minijack=>RCA cable, nothing like XLR=>XLR.
On bad recordings, or old ones, the sound is not so good, and indeed that's exactly how it should be: these speakers tell you when the source is bad. But switch to Kate Bush's Aerial album (her latest, from 2005 i believe), encoded in high quality by myself, and the bass response is amazing, everything is perfect.
Summary:
- Incredible bass response for 5 inch woofer, simply amazing. And it doesn't sound artificially boosted as on some speakers that just try too hard.
- Very well balanced & detailed mids & treble. Although i do prefer the treble & mids on my previous speakers (B&W DM602 S2 -- Bower & Wilkins make excellent passive speakers, with kevlar woofers & perfect tweeters, but you need to be very careful positioning them to get good bass response). But these JBL 5" woofers provide more oompph in the bass than by much bigger B&W's used to. Quite amazing, really. And it's not muddy bass, it's clean, well controlled, has fast attack and nice round oompph. I can hardly imagine how good the 2328p's must be! They were much more expensive, though, & too big & heavy for my needs.
- Very small in width but deep & quite heavy (7.7kg).
Manufacturer's specs seem accurate upon listening (for once) and outperform by far much bigger & much more expensive speakers:
43Hz-20Khz
55 W LF - 35 W HF (don't let this fool you, these speakers are loud enough to make you deaf for indoor use).
You have a treble +/- switch on the back & the same for bass. These work rather well but don't feel too solid & i wouldn't play around with them too much.
The volume knobs are not smooth but have small 'steps' to them so you can set both speakers to exactly the same setting easily. They have a good feel to them.
You have line balanced ins on XLR & TRS jacks, plus unbalanced line in on RCA/cinch.
The on-off switch on the back is silent & a blue light on the front tells you when the speakers are on.
Overall opinion:
The best active monitors by far in 2009-2010 for this money or size? I'd bet they are, yes.

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M-Audio Studiophile AV30 Professional Reference Speakers Review

M-Audio Studiophile AV30 Professional Reference Speakers
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought these speakers to listen to music and news at my desk in my apartment, and BOY do they fit the bill.
I've put them through the ringer--rock, folk, house, drum & bass, hip hop, samba, All Things Considered--and they sound remarkably good in all applications. Everything but D&B and hip hop sounds almost as good as on my other monitors (KRK 5's) that cost twice as much. The fidelity is impressive, and the response is remarkably flat. If you're used to or prefer the more U-shaped sound of non-monitors, be sure to turn on the appropriate EQ in iTunes; they'll sound tinny otherwise, but that's what a flat-response monitor will sound like compared to regular 2- or 3-way stereo speakers. It's all those mid-range sounds you're used to covering up.
They also handle a good deal of volume. With the volume knob at 50% and my MacBook volume at 75%, it's "Turn that noise down!" loud and still as clear as at lower volumes for most types of music.
The bass lines in the D&B have some drop-off on the bottom end, but that's a LOT to ask of a value-priced monitor with a 3" woofer. I listen to really nasty stuff with super-low bass--Technical Itch, Dieselboy, Bad Company, and the like--so I expected that this would be the one area with less than amazing reproduction. I was right. (Roni Size's "Brown Paper Bag" is much more within their range.) Hip hop beats can lose a some punch, too, and this is the one area where you'll notice a little distortion at higher volumes. (The kick drums in D&B are usually a little more like real kicks than in much hip hop, and these sound great even at higher volumes.)
Again, for the size (don't have a ruler--each speaker is maybe 5" wide and 6" deep) and price, they do surprisingly well. Other challenging types of music with lots of bass that just isn't as low, e.g. House, come through remarkably well.
The 4" version was very well reviewed, so I thought I'd give these a shot because they cost less and take up less room. Also, the primary difference would be in the bass response, and I live in an apartment building, so for me, having less bass was actually a good thing. They still get too loud for me to play them anything close to maxed out, and they sound great.
One more thing: I like the design. M-Audio knew this would be more for desktop listening than studio applications such as mixing (for which I got the KRK 5's). Thus, they put all the inputs and controls on one speaker, which is nice because it only requires one power cable and you don't have to split an RCA cable to run one line to each speaker. It comes with a 1/8" to RCA cable (connects your computer's audio out port to the RCA jacks in the back) AND a 1/8" to 1/8" cable (connects your iPod to the Aux In port on the front). The volume knob in front is also nice.
If you want reasonably high fidelity for a low price at your desk, and you don't need subwoofer-type bass response, I'd recommend these speakers. Highly.

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system with accurate sound. Top musicians, producers, and engineers trust M-Audio? studio speakers to create their hits - and now the compact AV 30 speakers bring this professional legacy to your home. Unlike plastic multimedia speakers, AV 30s use proven

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KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2 5In Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker) Review

KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2 5In Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
There is nothing better than these in the monitor category at this price point, period.
Folks... these are near field monitors. They are designed for one thing: to provide an accurate, unbiased, uncolored representation of your mix, when listening up close. They do that phenomenally.
A near-field monitor setup is designed to be listened to from a few feet away, with speakers at ear level. If you properly set them up and use them in this fashion, they SHINE.
If you're expecting an every-day-listener set of speakers out of these, you might be disappointed. No, they won't fill your room with wall shaking bass. Off-axis or at a distance, the highs will sound average. Point is - room setup, speaker placement, and your purpose most of all, is important. These are monitors. Their job is to be neutral. Most people are used to speakers that are anything but; exaggerated bass, rolled off highs... not here... we're talking FLAT response from as high as you can hear, down to about 40-45hz. (If anything, that's my only complaint; they reach down to about an "F" on a bass guitar; a low "E" is where they start to lack.) If you're looking for super-loud, bone crushing bass, colored exaggerated sound that you get out of consumer grade stereo equipment, spend your money on normal stereo speakers! You aren't ready for, or don't need these.
If you're looking for a neutral representation of your source material, and will be sitting a few feet from these (like on your desk) you'll be blown away. If you're looking for bumping beats for a house party, yeah you might be let down.
They do what they're supposed to do, very very well. Don't tell KRK but I would have been satisfied with these had I paid twice as much. I totally dig the "grown up" sound, that flat, un-colored response, when it comes to listening to music for fun - I'm hearing what the engineers heard when they put together their mix. And when I'm using them for "work" - making mixes of my own - they make life so easy. If my mix sounds good on these, it will sound good whether somebody is listening with headphones, a car stereo, or a hi-fi. That's the point of monitors - they're accurate, and they play the role of happy-medium, and these deliver, big time.
The fact that they don't put out excessive sound pressure, in my opinion, is a bonus. I work from my home-studio, it's a flat with downstairs neighbors. I can crank these to what I perceive as "loud" and mix and produce into the night, without bothering the folks downstairs.
As for the "sound" - the stereo imaging is what stands out; again it has to do with your setup and where in your room you place them, follow directions - but I digress, the sound stage is wide and full, we're not just talking "left" and "right" but we're talking distinctions between near and far and everything in between, a wide and deep soundsatage... there is plenty of "air" between different instruments; every detail and nuance is there, you'll discover things you never heard before in music you've listened to a thousand times. The highs reach into ranges probably only my dog can hear, but does so while still sounding warm and not shrill. The low-end lets you know its there, but again, it's not going to rattle your walls. They're 5" speakers. You will be taken aback by how much bass, and how low it accurately hits given the size, but if you're looking for sound pressure - no it ain't there; it's not supposed to be! Sound pressure is the job of the PA or hi-watt hi-fi. KRK sells an add-on subwoofer if you really need to feel your sound... and if loud is important, move up to the 8s (which I also have much experience on; phenomenal as well.) I don't find the SPL necessary for most mixing tasks... (perhaps if I were mixing movie soundtracks with sub-sonic sound effects... I'd want the sub...) But otherwise, with very little practice you'll be able to mix the low end properly, without over or under-estimating it, which is all too common a problem with lesser monitors. When we say they're flat to 40, that doesn't mean they disappear lower...
For what it's worth, I'm hooked up via balanced TRS, from a DigiDesign 002R, in a smallish room, approx 150 sq ft, with some sound treatment; and do most of my work in Logic... dealing with a variety of music styles from metal to hip-hop.
There's a reason you'll find KRK in high end studios world-wide... and you'll never find anything else in my vicinity from now on.

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The KRK RokitG2 Series takes value-priced monitors to a new performance level. All of the great stuff that Rokit's have been known for (front-firing bass port, soft-domed tweeter, glass aramid composite yellow cone) are still there, but the G2 Rokit's feature refined voicing and a new curved baffle that looks great, reduces diffraction and provides even better monitoring accuracy.

No Pain With Gain Why compromise gain structure to achieve a comfortable listening level? As musicians and recording people ourselves, we've asked that question too. So each Generation 2 Rokit comes with an Input Volume Control that provides an adjustable gain range from +6dB to -30dB. Just another way the Rokit lets you focus on your mix, and not on compatibility concerns.
Catch a Wave, for a 3D Mix Recessed tweeters may look the same, but they don't perform the same. KRK has designed a superior tweeter wave guide for the Rokit that provides optimal high frequency pattern control and focuses the sound outward, away from the cabinet. More conventional designs direct sound along the plane of the cabinet where waveform interaction can cause phase problems and increased diffraction. KRK knows a properly engineered high frequency wave guide is a critical component to great sound, and one key to our award winning performance.
You've Got Connections At KRK our focus is your mix. But it doesn't stop at creating accurate monitors. We live this stuff and appreciate the need for monitors that not only sound great but work easily into your particular set up. That's why you'll find plenty of input options with your Rokit, sure to accommodate any studio environment. So if it's RCA, Quarter-Inch (balanced/unbalanced) or XLR inputs you require, Rokit has got you covered.
Even More Accurate Than Before We took a great monitor series and made it better. Our engineers and listening panel took the Generation 2 Rokits' speaker voicing to even more accurate levels. What you hear is what you are intended to hear, coloration is not part of the spec. This performance is brought to you by drivers that are custom-designed by our world-class studio monitor engineering team, for clear, low-distortion performance.
Take Control While your Generation 2 Rokit leaves the factory voiced to our demanding specs, KRK also knows that no two rooms "sound" the same. As such, each Rokit comes equipped with a High Frequency Level Control. This feature provides specific adjustment of high frequency output most commonly affected by room acoustics. It's just one extra level of control that KRK gives you to ensure the most accurate mix for your particular room's acoustics.
Don't Be Square, Curves Ahead Our new Rokit looks different, so it can sound better, and in a wider "sweet spot." Traditional rectangular speakers suffer from diffraction as sounds leaving the edge of the cabinet are reflected back into the original sound field, and at different time intervals. This phase distortion creates a "narrow" or boxy" sound. The Generation 2 Rokit series eliminates this issue with radically engineered curved surfaces, so diffraction is virtually eliminated. Simply put, you'll get better sound in a wider area.
Let's Be Up Front Take a look at competitive monitors and you'll find ports on the back of the cabinet. These rear-firing ports tend create bass coupling with walls and corners amplifying low frequency information which will color your mix. The superior design of the KRK Generation 2 Rokit's include front-firing ports, which are just the right shape and taper to reduce port turbulence. You'll appreciate the clean and accurate bass performance, this approach delivers, even at high SPL's.
Power Up! A great sounding monitor doesn't stop with a great cabinet and custom drivers. Our true bi-amplified amplifier system provides discrete low-distortion power for each driver. While our active crossover systems provide smooth and accurate frequency response, and again, accurate diffraction control.
KRK Rokit 5 Specs
Drivers: 5-inch Glass Aramid Composite Woofer; 1-inch Neodymium Soft Dome Tweeter with Ferro Fluid
Input: XLR (3-pin), RCA & 1/40-inch TRS--10k Ohm, Balanced / Unbalanced
Amplification: HF: 15 Watts/LF: 30 Watts
Freq Response: 53Hz - 20kHz (+/- 2 db)
Video Shielding: Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D): 10 7/8 x 7 1/4 x 8 7/8 inches (27.6cm x 18.5cm x 22.5cm)
Weight:13.8 lbs (6.3 Kg)

What's in the Box KRK Rokit 5 Powered Monitor, AC power cord, Owner's manual

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