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Hello all!

I finally bit the bullet and signed up for Taxi! Gearing up (literally) and read quite a few posts about monitors, wanted to run these ads by anyone here to let me know if its a good deal: (all are of course used and if I could afford new, well we all know how much that could be...) : )

M-Audio Studiophile BX8a Deluxe 130-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference - $300

I found another ad:

Audix 1A Nearfield Studio Monitor Speakers - $89

Though I'm sure I will get what I pay for, just looking for a decent start, small room set up. Response appreciated!

Lisa

Welcome to Taxi Lisa

I actually just picked up a set of Yamaha HS80S which I highly recommend. They are more $ though.
Have you given thought to your max budget? That may help us guide you.

Based upon reputation I'd try and spend a little more money and get some Yamahas or some Mackies, I've not heard good things about M-Audio monitors in general. That said, the best thing you can do is listen to them yourself and see what suits you. If you can bring a cd of music you know well and listen to it on multiple sets of monitors somewhere you can begin to educate yourself on their different characteristics and you can at least make a somewhat educated decision.

eo

Audix has a wonderful reputation for dynamic microphones, but has been in the monitor business approximately six months. It's unlikely that you'll find a new pair of professional grade nearfield monitors for under $500, (Mackie's budget MR8s are a great deal; I use 'em at home) or with a woofer smaller than eight inches. (just about the practical minimum, unless you're in a very small room, though Adam and Focal have some dual-woofer options that will move lots of air, in a compact footprint, they're a little further up the price scale) You might also look for a used pair of Yorkville YSM-1s or whatever replaced them. (I believe they went for something like $300/pair) Your friends might laugh, but the larger version of the Behringer Truth set ain't half bad. Alesis' M1 series is pretty well-regarded, too. KRK's K-Roks, or RP8 have good resolution, but can be fatiguing, imo.

Well, I have to agree... the Yamaha HS80S are great. I do not own them but I LOVE them and if I had extra cash to spend now, I would buy them in a heartbeat. I do have the Studiophiles as my backups (I started with them) and they serve a fine purpose. I've been totally pleased with them. The Yamahas are more money but remember, you'll be recording through headphones and only listening when the tracks are done, which is less than the time that you'll spend recording, laying down tracks, and editing.

I started small (with the Studiophiles) which worked out great then moved up to the JBL 4326's. I stole the 4326's. Not really...but I got them for a nickel and a dime so I do feel like I stole them. Either way, I say, start small. You can always go to any Craigslist site and find a lot of good gear....because a LOT of people started BIG and are now selling.

My recommendation: start small.

I'm very happy with my Mackie MR8 Mk2. The M-Audio Bx8a sound OK from what I have read, but seem to have received lots of bad reviews because of failures.

Cam

neverbeenblonde wrote:Well, I have to agree... the Yamaha HS80S are great. I do not own them but I LOVE them and if I had extra cash to spend now, I would buy them in a heartbeat.

I own a pair of the Yamaha HS80M's and (for what you get) they really are a bargain at the price! I think I paid around $750 per monitor.

I simply went to my local music store a did one of these kind of comparisons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfD7RnC7 ... ure=fvwrel

The Yamaha HS80M's are active monitor speakers which means they come with the amplifiers built in. Just plug 'em in...and start mixing broadcast quality tracks.

Stuart

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the thorough input!