I have an old set of behringer truth monitor (I think they're 8 inch woofers).
When I had my big studio, I had then all calibrated and the sound was awesome - no need for sub woofers.
But, since my accident, I need everything within easy reach and I only use the monitors as a backup pair of speakers.
Properly setup though, they took some beating - and you can get a pair for £300 or less.
The VERY best studio monitors I ever had were made by Keff - with 15" woofers ( I bought them from our local radio station) - the year was 1986 with a Yamaha 4 track - and they were simply the best sound I've ever heard - before or since. As they were bigger than most modern studios, I never "set up the room".
They're long since gone - I sold then to someone who wanted something to annoy his neighbours
.Personally, I feel there's no way you can get a "natural" bass sound from a 3 or 4 inch speaker - it simply can't move enough air.
In my simplistic and I admit, old fashioned view (I'm allowed this at 68), once you have to add a sub to hear the bass response, then unless you spend a lot of time getting a "flat sound in your room, I think you're starting to wander away from "true" studio monitors and into the realm of "posh computer speakers".
But, as I said, I'm old.
But, a 3 inch speaker isn't going to match the "air moving abilities" of an 18" one.
I've always thought that "if it sounds ok on my TV and in my car, then it'll probably sound ok to a reviewer".
Paul
