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Best studio monitors for under $500? I'm not mixing either.

Aug 16, 2014 at 5:59 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 45
DADDYDC650

DADDYDC650

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So I was set to buy a pair of JBL LSR305 or JBL LSR308 and right before I pulled the trigger I realized that these may not be the best for me since I don't mix. I love listening to hip hop, oldies, alternative, little bit of rock and r&b. Should I stick with the JBL's or go with something else? I also plan to game and watch a bunch of movies. I plan to add a subwoofer down the line.
 
Aug 16, 2014 at 7:42 AM Post #2 of 45
I am going to assume this a purely pc based set-up due to the location of the thread.  A studio monitor is designed to have a flat frequency response, this will do nothing other than give a transparent representation of what you are playing. It should not sound bad or not true, more often it may sound a little different at first, your ears will adjust to the subtle differences.  
 
For example I have an off the shelf 5.1 system for my tv room that cost  no more than £100, its ok at best but its certainly muddy with inflated bass due to poor speakers and a huge flabby sub, my wife and kids would say it sounds fine.  Move to my office I have my recording gear with some ADAM A7x and a pair of KRK Rokit 6's.  I originally had the ADAMs to work with and was happy as hell with them, then I bought the KRKs so I had a second set of monitors to compare when playing around with recordings. The simple truth now is (and I hate to admit it) is the main speakers I use now are the cheaper KRK's, as they are less fatiguing when recording, the ADAMs are the alternative speaker which I use as a comparison.  I watch films, play games and record all on a set of cheep KRK's, and my expensive ADAM's sit almost redundant for days on end.
 
Dont put too much stock in the label of studio monitor as at this level they are hardly on the scale of any studio other than a home artist or a hobbyist like myself.  You can use digital EQ, its not against the law.  I am sure you wont regret the purchase, at worst its going to open your eyes to how weird/bad TV and multimedia speakers are.
 
One more thing, you will probably find the smaller speakers with the sub a better option if budget allows.  
 
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:13 AM Post #3 of 45
If you are not doing mixing, you could also consider passive speakers and a receiver. That could be a good option if you think you would ever like to go to 4.1 or 5.1 for gaming and movies.
 
Aug 16, 2014 at 2:57 PM Post #5 of 45
tablix said:
  I am going to assume this a purely pc based set-up due to the location of the thread.  A studio monitor is designed to have a flat frequency response, this will do nothing other than give a transparent representation of what you are playing. It should not sound bad or not true, more often it may sound a little different at first, your ears will adjust to the subtle differences.  
 
For example I have an off the shelf 5.1 system for my tv room that cost  no more than £100, its ok at best but its certainly muddy with inflated bass due to poor speakers and a huge flabby sub, my wife and kids would say it sounds fine.  Move to my office I have my recording gear with some ADAM A7x and a pair of KRK Rokit 6's.  I originally had the ADAMs to work with and was happy as hell with them, then I bought the KRKs so I had a second set of monitors to compare when playing around with recordings. The simple truth now is (and I hate to admit it) is the main speakers I use now are the cheaper KRK's, as they are less fatiguing when recording, the ADAMs are the alternative speaker which I use as a comparison.  I watch films, play games and record all on a set of cheep KRK's, and my expensive ADAM's sit almost redundant for days on end.
 
Dont put too much stock in the label of studio monitor as at this level they are hardly on the scale of any studio other than a home artist or a hobbyist like myself.  You can use digital EQ, its not against the law.  I am sure you wont regret the purchase, at worst its going to open your eyes to how weird/bad TV and multimedia speakers are.
 
One more thing, you will probably find the smaller speakers with the sub a better option if budget allows.  
Click to expand...

Why do you prefer the KRK's over the Adam's and why are they fatiguing?
 
I want the JBL LSR308 because they offer more bass and would hold me off on a sub for awhile longer but I've read that the JBL LSR305's are actually more neutral sounding and the bass is tighter compared to the tubby bass the LSR308 offers. Usually bigger is better but I'm guessing that's not the case with the JBL's?
 
Aug 16, 2014 at 5:54 PM Post #8 of 45
I have one active system at work (JBL LSR305's) and one passive system at home (Creek 4330SE integrated amp with Epos M12 speakers). I source both from my laptop with USB connection to FiiO X3 in DAC mode. The biggest annoyance with the active setup is that the volume control on the LSR305 is on the back of the speaker. I have to use either the X3 headphone output and volume control or X3 line out with the laptop controlling the volume. Both systems are excellent as far as the sound is concerned. I like the neutral sound signature of the JBLs and they have excellent staging. They are also designed for near-field use and don't require much physical separation relative to the listening position. The Creek/Epos setup requires a bit more room both for the extra piece of hardware and for optimal speaker placement, but the ohhhhhh the sound. If I had room at the office I might consider an amp/passive speaker system, but with their modest footprint, the LSR305's are hard to beat. I also got them on sale at Guitar Center and paid only $225 for the pair. There were better sounding monitors, but they well above $500. I also had to buy a Y-cable to send the 3.5mm X3 output to the TRS input on the speakers. Good luck with your decision.
 
Cheers... Brian
 
Aug 16, 2014 at 5:55 PM Post #9 of 45
daddydc650 said:
An amp would just an extra device within my limited amount of space within my office.
Click to expand...


There are small amps that take up very little room. However, if space is a consideration, then the LSR308s would not be a very good idea.
 
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:59 AM Post #10 of 45
^Agree with CEL on this one any speaker with an 8" driver is going to be big, and the benefits in range are not huge.^
RE: fatigue with ADAMs, I think its just the ribbon tweeter has so many layers of detail on the top end it can start to tire the brain after several hours.  Its far better than the KRK's in terms of critical listening but then when you concentrate on music, especially the same track, for hours on end it can become too much.  Also having 2 sets of speakers you will naturally gravitate to one that suits your own taste, and perhaps my ears are more tuned to a bass heavy EDM genre rather than a ruler flat speaker for more orchestral or acoustic sounds.
 
Aug 17, 2014 at 8:40 AM Post #11 of 45
The LSR308's are too big for any office I have worked in. My local Guitar Center had a wall of monitors to audition (ADAM, M-Audio, Mackie, KRK, Yamaha, and others). They even let me hook up my own source. As Tablix observed, the ribbon tweeters on the ADAM speakers, while highly accurate, could tend to be fatiguing over long listening periods.
 
Aug 17, 2014 at 10:21 AM Post #12 of 45
I tend to find the exact opposite.
 
I don't have the least problem listening to any ADAM speakers. Sometimes for very extensive periods. In fact the smooth and sweet response from the X-ART tweeter is one of the best features of the entire range. All of which use the same tweeter - even the top of the range $50,000 models. In fact I have never found a loudspeaker to sound appreciable superior with acoustic music. Piano and the human voice are exceptionally well rendered.
 
I do appreciate that if you expect a ribbon type tweeter to sound harsh then it will sound harsh - in  a sighted test. Of course I except the individual opinions will very.
 
I do agree with Tablix as regards the comparison between the voicing of lower end KKR and ADAM models. Particularly when listening to House and Pop music. The ADAMs have a more or less flat FR in comparison and the KKR have a nice bump in the mid and high bass which tend to make them sound great with pumping sounds. Like a club system in miniature. Highs are a bit muted to my ears as well. That is not surprising really as the KKR originally became popular as affordable bedroom studio speakers for budding musicians and engineers taking their first steps into using DAW and other production software. 
 
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:15 PM Post #13 of 45
bms44974 said:
  I have one active system at work (JBL LSR305's) and one passive system at home (Creek 4330SE integrated amp with Epos M12 speakers). I source both from my laptop with USB connection to FiiO X3 in DAC mode. The biggest annoyance with the active setup is that the volume control on the LSR305 is on the back of the speaker. I have to use either the X3 headphone output and volume control or X3 line out with the laptop controlling the volume. Both systems are excellent as far as the sound is concerned. I like the neutral sound signature of the JBLs and they have excellent staging. They are also designed for near-field use and don't require much physical separation relative to the listening position. The Creek/Epos setup requires a bit more room both for the extra piece of hardware and for optimal speaker placement, but the ohhhhhh the sound. If I had room at the office I might consider an amp/passive speaker system, but with their modest footprint, the LSR305's are hard to beat. I also got them on sale at Guitar Center and paid only $225 for the pair. There were better sounding monitors, but they well above $500. I also had to buy a Y-cable to send the 3.5mm X3 output to the TRS input on the speakers. Good luck with your decision.
 
Cheers... Brian
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Brian. I don't think the volume control on the JBL LSR305's would bother me since my Creative ZXR sound card comes with an audio control module which should do the trick
 
Seems like the LSR305's would provide the best value and size unless I pay a lot more which I'm not willing to do. The reason I wanted the LSR308's is because of the deeper bass which should due to trick until I buy a subwoofer. I just don't think I have enough room for them.
 
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:18 PM Post #14 of 45
tablix said:
  ^Agree with CEL on this one any speaker with an 8" driver is going to be big, and the benefits in range are not huge.^
RE: fatigue with ADAMs, I think its just the ribbon tweeter has so many layers of detail on the top end it can start to tire the brain after several hours.  Its far better than the KRK's in terms of critical listening but then when you concentrate on music, especially the same track, for hours on end it can become too much.  Also having 2 sets of speakers you will naturally gravitate to one that suits your own taste, and perhaps my ears are more tuned to a bass heavy EDM genre rather than a ruler flat speaker for more orchestral or acoustic sounds.
Click to expand...

I'm curious as to which studio monitors you choose for under $400?
 
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:25 PM Post #15 of 45
daddydc650 said:
Thanks for the info Brian. I don't think the volume control on the JBL LSR305's would bother me since my Creative ZXR sound card comes with an audio control module which should do the trick

Seems like the LSR305's would provide the best value and size unless I pay a lot more which I'm not willing to do. The reason I wanted the LSR308's is because of the deeper bass which should due to trick until I buy a subwoofer. I just don't think I have enough room for them.
Click to expand...

Are you going to use adapters for speaker volume control with the Zxr acm? I'm pretty sure it only works with headphones otherwise.
 
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