Asking for a complete review on Studio Monitors (RP8, VXT8, HS80M, B3031A, and more)

[V-Hoff]

Hi DJTT!

I know this is a topic that is debated every week since the beginning of times, but with this topic I'm trying to get attention from DJ Tech Tools, DJWorx and Digital DJ Tips about Home Studio Monitors.
We really need a deep and complete review comparing the monitors side by side considering the DJ mind and the Producer Mind.
What I would like is something that skratchworx once did with Headphones, that was a perfect and complete review, it continue to help a lot of people and will became my standard link to share among my friends.

I will keep here only the 8 inches monitors for equal woofer size pool, and I will add their prices on US Dollars (for a single monitor) searched by Google Shopping so we can compare the budget:


Can we add more monitors to the pool?
Should we compare different Woofer sizes? I dunno if a 8 inches woofer could be too big for Home Studios...
Would you add a subwoofer with any of those? DJ wise or Production wise?


Now lets go to the contenders:

Price Range: US$ 200 ~ US$ 300

Behringer B3031A - US$ 251
Prices: https://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&....0.EJwbPdoF5xc
Link: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/B3031A.aspx

KRK Rokit RP8 G2 - US$ 225
Prices: https://www.google.com/search?q=krk+rp8&hl=pt&tbm=shop
Link: http://www.krksys.com/krk-studio-mon...t/rokit-8.html

Yamaha HS80M - US$ 299
Prices: https://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&....0.BpQbbWvftOE
Link: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music..._series/hs80m/


Price Range: US$ 500 and above on the next post



Let the discussion begin

[V-Hoff]

Price Range: US$ 500 and above

KRK VXT8 - US$ 599
Prices: https://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&....0.BM8E4eJ8xtk
Link: http://www.krksys.com/krk-studio-mon.../vxt/vxt8.html

Mackie HR824mk2 - US$ 680
Prices: https://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&....0.lignKcYtF0Y
Link: http://www.mackie.com/products/hrmk2series/

Genelec 8050a - Around US$ 950
Prices: https://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&....0.Ubc13QsyDps
Link: http://www.genelec.com/products/2-way-monitors/8050a/

[Xonetacular]

What are we comparing? I really don't think most studio monitors should be looked at from a DJ perspective- that kind of defeats the purpose and there is no point looking at Genelecs from the perspective of a DJ mixing at home.

There are some monitors like the rokkits and some cheaper stuff that are good for DJing but that is a completely different conversation when looking at them for producing.

If we're going to review studio monitors lets look at it from a studio perspective- and really the challenge of this is how to objectively review them. With monitors especially it seems to turn into "I own these so they are great".

And on that note I'll add Focal CMS series. Focal CMS 65s are $795 each, CMS 50s are $695 each.



http://www.focalprofessional.com/en/cms-line/cms-65.php


When you get into higher end monitors you're not going to be DJing with them too.

Should we compare different Woofer sizes? I dunno if a 8 inches woofer could be too big for Home Studios...
Would you add a subwoofer with any of those? DJ wise or Production wise?

Speakers being too big for a studio space is also mostly a myth to an extent, often perpetuated to sell small monitors. If you have 80 db coming out of a 10" woofer or 80db coming out of a 5" woofer the room doesn't know the difference- you just might have better low frequency response and getting monitors with less low frequency output doesn't really solve any problems with the room or your ability to hear the mix right.

[V-Hoff]

Well, personally, my main doubt is what to buy for mixing and producing at home, I need the best for the two worlds and I'm thinking about a lower budget and a small and not properly configured size/disposition room, as most of home studios are.

If it would be best to buy a monitor with a smaller woofer and better quality and then add a subwoofer and turn it on only to DJ properly I would do it.

I've only added the higher end to this thread be more appealing and to get more attention from the pro reviewers at the DJ World. Let's see what will happen.

I also will search the forums to find the old discussions and link them at the first post so this can be a fixed topic as it seems to be a recurrent subject at the forums... If you guys can contribute here with links to some nice discussions/reviews would be perfect.

[V-Hoff]

Speakers being too big for a studio space is also mostly a myth to an extent, often perpetuated to sell small monitors. If you have 80 db coming out of a 10" woofer or 80db coming out of a 5" woofer the room doesn't know the difference- you just might have better low frequency response and getting monitors with less low frequency output doesn't really solve any problems with the room or your ability to hear the mix right.

As you can see, I'm not a good person to review and compare, I don't even have a monitor to argue with you. What I'm intending to do is to get attention so we can find a person to do a big manual/wiki/document that can be use to all those beginners trying to build their first home studio.

[wongaling]

dude spend the money, Either genelecs, Dynaudio, Adam's, tannoys, events. theres a few other good brands but those I'd call the main contenders

[djproben]

Well technically these are 7" monitors but I'd throw Adam A7X on the list too ($500 each). And I forget the name of them but someone did a monitor for $300/pair recently that is supposed to be the bomb; it was discussed on another monitor thread a week or two ago.

But yeah it's probably best to have separate sections for DJ and Production use as people will want different things.

I'd be very interesting in hearing more about the Focal CMS65s. I have Focal computer speakers (XS is I think the model) and they are just luscious.

[RockingClub]

My personal attitude is "If you buy cheap stuff you'll at least buy twice". That's why I am now waiting until there is enough money to get Mackie HR824 MK2 while still working on some cheap computer multimedia speakers in the meantime. I already got the chance to test the Mackies in a studio and I really loved their sound. As far as I know their low frequency range and sound quality is far the best in their price and size range.
What you have to be aware of is that reference monitors (for production purposes) are aimed at playing back your music as accurate as possible.
They should not give you a bass boost or something like that. But this, on the other hand, could be the reason why you should want to have a second pair of speakers for enjoying or mixing your music. So if you really want to get the best of both worlds you will have to make some concessions.

Out of your selection of three cheaper speakers I would take The Yamaha or Rokit (it's a matter of taste).

[Xonetacular]

Well technically these are 7" monitors but I'd throw Adam A7X on the list too ($500 each). And I forget the name of them but someone did a monitor for $300/pair recently that is supposed to be the bomb; it was discussed on another monitor thread a week or two ago.

But yeah it's probably best to have separate sections for DJ and Production use as people will want different things.

I'd be very interesting in hearing more about the Focal CMS65s. I have Focal computer speakers (XS is I think the model) and they are just luscious.

Those would be the Equator D5s at $299 a pair.

Yeah the Focals are pretty damn awesome. I had to go out on a leap of faith and trust all the phenomenal reviews I read of them since I couldn't test them locally- I couldn't find anyone who had nothing but praise for them and I like them a lot more than the Dynaudios and Adams I had heard. They are really clear, precise, and pleasant to listen too and I'm glad I spent the extra cash for them.

[lethal_pizzle]

I wouldn't recommend any nearfield monitors for DJing purposes unless you produce too and can only get one set of speakers. And it all depends on the size of the room. The 8" Rockits would sound absolutely ridiculous in my 9 foot by 8 foot studio.