Active Monitors vs Hifi speakers + amp?

[_tom_]

I want to replace my sound setup soon.. my Creative t20s are ok but compared to some other setups they just lack punch and depth, sound really flat if you know what I mean.. Anyway I cant decide between getting a pair of monitors such as the Mackie MR5s, or KRK Rokit 5s, or going for a hifi amp and speaker setup. I mostly just use these speakers for listening to music at reasonable volumes (probably loud bedroom if that makes sense), and a bit of basic recording (drums in ezdrummer, guitar either mic'd or direct into amplitube 2) - nothing "pro" just my own stuff at home to get ideas down really..

The KRKs are about £250 for a pair I think, and the hi-fi amp/speakers I'm looking at are system 2 here http://www.richersounds.com/information.php?cda=static&cst=hifisystems at £150, it seems good value. Those tangent speakers get a good review from what hi-fi mag.

I dont have a proper CD player so the hifi appeals to me, then again I can just play cds through the computer anyway, but somehow its not the same haha. Any opinions? My mate has an alesis amp and some Monitor 1 Mk2s but they only seem to sound good when up really loud (as in, way too loud for practical listening in a flat), and sound a bit lacklustre for rock and metal - I want punch. I know monitors are meant to be flat but those Alesis ones sound pretty damn punchy for drum n bass etc, just cr@p for rock that I've listened through them..

edit - I want to stick to a 2.0 setup as well just for portability really, plus a sub isnt really necessary to me - my creatives seem to have enough bass with their bass ports without any need for a sub - still shakes the floor when cranked :)

[ailean]

This is worth it just for the speakers. B&W speakers are really good, we have a set of CM2's which are amazing.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Technics-Pioneer-Hi-Fi-Equipment-plus-2-B-W-Speakers_W0QQitemZ250334219818QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVisualElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_CompleteHifiSystems?hash=item250334219818&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Edit: Sorry I just noticed 'pickup only' But B&W still rule :)

[_tom_]

They look a bit large for me, I have to be able to bring it to/from uni fairly easily :P

I was just hoping for some half decent desktop/bookshelf speakers. The problem with those hifi ones I linked to is that they arent magnetically shielded which I guess is a problem when I want to use them with my computer as they'll be near the monitor?

[Adam.M]

I only think magnetic shielding matters with ye oldé CRT monitors, not modern TFT/LCD/OLED whatever the hell they're making these days.

[sgmypod]

for getting a flat response for mixing....monitors are far better..but if as you say it's usually for listening to music at reasonable volumes..then yeah the HI FI route

[gwEm]

active monitors all the way

[Davey]

i use Event TR5's as my main speakers. drive them through a small 10 channel mixer. to which i got everything connected (computer, mic, modeller). wouldnt trade them for anything.

[ailean]

They look a bit large for me, I have to be able to bring it to/from uni fairly easily :P

I was just hoping for some half decent desktop/bookshelf speakers. The problem with those hifi ones I linked to is that they arent magnetically shielded which I guess is a problem when I want to use them with my computer as they'll be near the monitor?

Fair point, our CM2's are bookshelf speakers, about 30cm tall, but not that light, not too bad to move around, but not ideal either.

LCD's can be affected by magnets, but not in the same way or as much as CRT's (but CRT's give you such funky colours when you put a magnet near them :) ). If you are going to be PC based then I'd go with a good set of monitors.

[hunter]

From my experience: get bi-amped active ones. I have KRK V6 and while they are great for listening, they are also great with a modeler, or even playing bass through them. And if you want later on, you can get the matching sub woofer to get the real "boom".

BTW I got the KRKs half price from a friend who also had Genelecs. I preferred KRK as they were more direct and punchy.

HOWEVER, you won't get so much the silky highs and airy mids as with a HiFi setup, the sound will be more analytic and punchy.

[_tom_]

Yeah Indy was saying the KRK are really punchy and good. I dont really need or particularly want a flat and accurate sound, but I've heard some monitors that sounded good for music.

btw this setup will be computer > interface (edirol ua-25ex) > rca or unbalanced out > speakers/amp/whatever I decide to go for

[Oli]

From my experience: get bi-amped active ones. I have KRK V6 and while they are great for listening, they are also great with a modeler, or even playing bass through them. And if you want later on, you can get the matching sub woofer to get the real "boom".

BTW I got the KRKs half price from a friend who also had Genelecs. I preferred KRK as they were more direct and punchy.

HOWEVER, you won't get so much the silky highs and airy mids as with a HiFi setup, the sound will be more analytic and punchy.

I'm gonna be getting a pair of KRK RP6's in the new year, they sound great, they're not quite flat- they have a little boosted low and high-, but they sound great playing and mixing through.

[_tom_]

Boosted low sounds good, I dont want to have to use a sub really, my Creatives have more than enough bass without one. Gonna have to go and see if Sound Control/Reverb have any Rokit 5s to try out I reckon :)

[gwEm]

a mate and i tested aload of monitors out the other week. we liked the alesis ones in the end.

[_tom_]

I find (at least with my mates) that the Monitor 1 Mk2 are great for drum n bass and that kinda stuff but seem too hollow for rock and metal.

[gwEm]

I find (at least with my mates) that the Monitor 1 Mk2 are great for drum n bass and that kinda stuff but seem too hollow for rock and metal.

yeah, you're right - we were listening to them for drum'n'bass and electro