[cmander10]

I'm looking for some studio monitors to use when giving my ears a rest from headphones or while away from my desk to listen to music. I will only be using them for a year or so and then upgrading, so I am looking to spend around $100-200. I currently have the CA-3602 and I am getting a bit tired of it. Sounds like I am in a swamp compared to my HD600 setup. I don't have an amp, sub, or receiver so I am just looking to get a decent pair of monitors that can hook directly to my DAC via RCA (i.e. an active monitor). So far I have found these to be recommended:
Mackie CR4
Presonus Eris E4.5
M-Audio AV 40
Monoprice 5-Inch
 
I don't need a lot of base, which is why I am going without a sub for now. I am looking for clarity, not loudness. The music I play is rock, classical, and vocals for the most part. I am leaning towards Monoprice since it seems to be a rebranded M-Audio BX5, which seems to be highly suggested. If anyone has any other input on which speaker to get let me know.

 

[nicolachel]

Used CR3 for a few weeks and the clearity(for vocal) seems to be good or even hyped in the mids so you might like it.
 
Do not have experience with the other brands but for these prices and temporary usage I don't see how can you go wrong

 

[noway]

A bit more than your price range:

JBL LSR305
http://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR305-Two-Way-Powered-Monitor/dp/B00HNKLN2Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1434774434&sr=1-1&keywords=jbl+5%22+monitors

or buy something used. You can't expect anything decent in $100-200 price range new.

 

[cmander10]

Seems a refurbished M-Audio BX5 D2 can be had for the same price as used JBL LSR305 on ebay. Perhaps the BX5s would be a better option?
 
I also found these which also seem to be recommended. Not sure about the price though since it seems to be too cheap, but it is the manufacturers website, unless they are out of business...
http://www.hivi.us/products/detail.aspx?pid=100000005711758
http://www.hivi.us/products/detail.aspx?pid=100000070135755
http://www.hivi.us/products/detail.aspx?pid=100000002911525

 

[nicolachel]

  Seems a refurbished M-Audio BX5 D2 can be had for the same price as used JBL LSR305 on ebay. Perhaps the BX5s would be a better option?
 
I also found these which also seem to be recommended. Not sure about the price though since it seems to be too cheap, but it is the manufacturers website, unless they are out of business...
http://www.hivi.us/products/detail.aspx?pid=100000005711758
http://www.hivi.us/products/detail.aspx?pid=100000070135755
http://www.hivi.us/products/detail.aspx?pid=100000002911525

 I actually have a pair of LS305s that are not being used
 
Feel free to IM and we can work something out if you are interested.

 

[cmander10]

All the speakers I am looking at have XLR and TRS inputs. I will come out of my DAC as RCA using an RCA splitter so my current RCA cable goes to my amp/HP and the other would go to my speakers with RCA to XLR/TRS cables. Will this work and is there any benefit to one input over the other other than price?

 

[cel4145]

 I actually have a pair of LS305s that are not being used

Feel free to IM and we can work something out if you are interested.

+1

LSR305s are definitely a good choice

 

[cmander10]

Ended up going with the LSR305s. Thanks everyone for the input.