Are studio monitors a better buy than passive hifi speakers?

[Ultrasonic]

Try to connect a studio monitors dirrectly to the mainboards realtek audio (without audio interface or separate sound card)
And now try to use studio monitors without isolation pads on hard surface like desk or stands

HiFi active standmount speakers go on stands in exactly the same way that studio monitors do. Again, no difference.

 

[Rick63]

I'm pretty confused by the most recent posts here by Krit. Are we in the Twilight Zone?

 

[Karmacoma]

monitors are not the best way to go price to performance ratio is poor most of the time.

Not my experience at all.The only downside of studio monitors is the double cabling (power/XLR). Monitors are designed for professional usage with price to performance ratio in mind, which is the only thing pros are looking for. Could you be more specific and give us an example of these hifi speakers with a good performance/price ratio you're talking about. I think it's gonna settle the debate pretty fast...

 

[Ultrasonic]

What I'm trying to say is that studio monitors are coming out of the box basically naked only thing that comes with them is power cord that's for those lower iq people.

This is true of every pair of speakers I've owned, active and passive.

Anyone considering active speakers having only ever used passives does though need to consider a couple of things:

1) The need for power cables to each speaker.
2) The likely need for longer interconnects (that essentially replace speaker cables), and to consider if balanced or unbalanced connections will need to be used.

 

[Rick63]

What I'm trying to say is that studio monitors are coming out of the box basically naked only thing that comes with them is power cord that's for those lower iq people.

For example Edifier or Klipsch will provide full package just plug and enjoy.

Very uncool.

 

[Karmacoma]

Very uncool.

I'd say absurd.

 

[Rick63]

I'd say absurd.

That too!

 

[sigbergaudio]

Try to connect a studio monitors dirrectly to the mainboards realtek audio (without audio interface or separate sound card)
And now try to use studio monitors without isolation pads on hard surface like desk or stands

Studio monitors require usually XLR/TRS cables separately and no one is giving them for free.

First of all I wasn't aware we were talking about a desktop/computer setup.

So what are you missing to do this? An RCA output?

I don't understand why a studio monitor would require isolation pads but an active hifi speaker would not.

With regards to XLR cables for a computer setup (so 2x1m), this will set you back maybe 20USD, not sure how this tips the scales.

 

[dubkarma]

I'm no recording engineer, but I've always used studio monitors, both active and passive, in my home audio systems, simply because they offered the best performance for the investment. I've not kept up with studio monitor design, though, as I'm quite happy with my late 1990s monitors: Tannoy AMS-12A active monitors in the bedroom system with the Tannoy System 215 DMT II and JBL DMS-1 in the larger TV and living room systems.

 

[Krit]

Not my experience at all.The only downside of studio monitors is the double cabling (power/XLR). Monitors are designed for professional usage with price to performance ratio in mind, which is the only thing pros are looking for. Could you be more specific and give us an example of these hifi speakers with a good performance/price ratio you're talking about. I think it's gonna settle the debate pretty fast...

I had used these in past ~ 7 years in the same smaller room for nearfield listening on stands. Distance around ~ 1-1.5m away using them with PC.

- Edifier S350DB 2.1 active system just plug and play 205€ (for that price it's not that bad) warm sounding with a lot of bass no hiss at all from 1m away.
- JBL 305P MKII (my first ever studio monitors) was a decent studio monitor pair only serius issue was the hiss noise from the tweeters, airy tweeter decent amount of detalization + decent amount of low end (mid woofer detalization is not perfect) 278€ for monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 445€ in total.
- JBL 306P MKII in terms of pure detalization it was a downgrade from a 305P MKII. 438€ for monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 615€ in total.
- Mackie MR524 different sound faster than JBL but was defective out of the box (distortion in certain songs) 280€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 475€ in total.
- Mackie MR624 overall slightly better than MR524 but has even worse (distortion in certain songs from one of the speakers) 356€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 533€ in total.
- Focal Alpha EVO 65 good quality no distrotion at all but terrible hiss may be even worse than JBL (not a fan of sound character tweeters are quite fatiguing on ears for longer listening but at the same time detalization from tweteers is good better than JBL/Mackie in terms of pure resolution. 678€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 855€ in total.
- Kali Audio IN-5 great midrange, tweeter not so much in terms of pure detalization the same goes for low end there is not a lot of it and at the same time bass detalization is not that great for the price they are asking for. Cabinet quality is poor it sounds boxy in not a good way if you crank it hard enough mechanical resonances may be noticeable (it's cheaply built even JBL 305P MKII to me looked better for build quality) 650€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 827€ in total.
- Kali Audio LP6 V2 straight away no resolution/detalization it sounds like a towel is droped on speakers/tweeters yes it's flat very flat! But also very boring no excitement whatsoever. To me it has weak detalization overall it's quite dull and low end is weak even at max aviable settings not much is going on. LP6 V2 is a significant downgrade from a IN-5 i definitely like 305P MKII more than LP6 V2. 418€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 595€ in total.
- Airpulse SM200 it sounds different than A100 not as full overall, but seems to have better instrument seperation, less low end than A100. Tweeter on SM200 is more fatiguing than on A100 not as polite. SM200 have more hiss than A100 good amount of air. Overall i like A100 more than SM200 it sounds more alive not as limited. 682€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 859€ in total.
- Airpulse A100 very full sounding speaker at the same time not fatiguing for a longer listenings, very good detalization/resolution from tweeter good amount of air and depth low end has great detalization (fast saunding speaker complete opposite to JBL slow sounding speaker) A100 have a good build quality similar to SM200 or Focal Alpha EVO 65. No hiss at 1m distance. Now A100 is aviable on Amazon.de for only 398€ (i bought it for 508€) just plug and play.

From this list my favorite is A100 and it's not a studio monitor but a speaker which was built for home usage and at very low price.

In my opinion A100 compleatly destroys JBL 306P MKII and LP6 V2 it's not even close in terms of pure detalization/resolution and sound fullness and doing it at lower price. JBL 305P MKII is better than 306/LP6 but still it's way to expensive for what it really is as A100 sounds significantly better when we are listening to a good quality files. EVO 65, IN-5 and SM200 will be closer to A100 but still i choose A100 over them for way, way less money.

 

[aschen]

I dunnow but I have had many hi fi speakers (still do), amps, preamps, DSP devices. Its fun to play with that stuff.

I got downgraded to a smaller listening area and have a pair of KH150s as my main speakers (with 2 small subs). For simple set it and forget it system I think they (or something similar) are hard to beat. Built in EQ, room correction, they turn themselfs on and off automatically, state of the art performance per Amir's measurements, Plenty loud for me but if you push them too hard they will protect themselves (no need to worry about voice coil magic smoke), child friendly rigid grills. The list of advantages are huge for me. YMMV

a simple and reliable high performance system in one box (er 2 speakers) has a lot of appeal.

 

[DSJR]

A long time ago (mid 90s) and so much water under the bridge, but back when I had my ATC 100As (used a lot for mastering and smaller studio use), I just listened to the music and from then on, the 'hobby' side of audio reproduction went into a severe decline, from which it's never really recovered frankly. The speakers simply did the job as the playback tools they were, the music flowed out unfettered in this domestic settling and I wept when I had to let them go (due to impending marriage and combining two small homes into one small home).

I know better can now be had for rather less these days (I'm thinking of KH420s, external finish aside and I'd love to hear the Graham Audio LS5/5s to see if they compete at all), but I shed a quiet tear all over again when I heard a pair of the latest 100ASLs a few years back as I just 'fell into' their way of doing things and the connected system (some wanky turntable and an ATC preamp to start with, followed by a digital source), just disappeared from the scene...

So yeah, a basically well-thought-out pro speaker can easily do the job at home if finish isn't an issue (the MUM 8 monitors look hopeful too, but apart from some comments and a Sound-on-Sound test, I have no other knowledge)... HUGE thumbs-up for those who are able to use and enjoy serious monitors at home

 

[Sal1950]

I had used these in past ~ 7 years in the same smaller room for nearfield listening on stands.

I don't understand how you could go thru that many speakers in the same setup?
I haven't owned that many speakers in my 50+ years as a audio enthusiast.
What magic are you looking to make?

 

[Krit]

I don't understand how you could go thru that many speakers in the same setup?
I haven't owned that many speakers in my 50+ years as a audio enthusiast.
What magic are you looking to make?

I was sick with speakers (sound) in this time of period thanks good now it's over! Was discovering a new things. After some research only thing that would be interesting to me to test in future is Acoustics energy AE1 Active.

 

[DSJR]

I don't understand how you could go thru that many speakers in the same setup?
I haven't owned that many speakers in my 50+ years as a audio enthusiast.
What magic are you looking to make?

I'm not being critical here, but I've met a few of these types of people in my time. Many in the UK right now, lacking funds for multiple new-box purchases, they buy and sell used equipment all the time, never keeping it for more than a few weeks. Whether they ever really get to know the items they're using, I have no idea, as it's on to the next thing in next to no time...

I know I can't talk at all really, as I got through this 'phase' in the early days when I was at work, demming and 'comparing' stuff all day and comparing different 'sounds' all the time, using the music as the tool instead of the other way round. At home though, I've tended to bond with the better gear I use - and then find it hard to sell on after - unless I pull my head out of my backside and get cracking selling, my wife and son one day will have a great time flogging my old stash of stuff, some of it appreciating in value nicely it seems.

My suggestion is to go hear as much live unamplified gigs and concerts as possible of a mixed range of genres - choral, chamber/folk, orchestral, jazz down at your local pub or whatever, discover that 'reproduced' recorded sound will rarely if ever give you that intensity and dynamics, but it'll help in choosing a speaker that gives as good a compromise as possible and it certainly worked for me at the time - made me appreciate a friend's Quad '57 electrostatics a whole lot more despite volume limitations....

 

[Karmacoma]

I had used these in past ~ 7 years in the same smaller room for nearfield listening on stands. Distance around ~ 1-1.5m away using them with PC.

- Edifier S350DB 2.1 active system just plug and play 205€ (for that price it's not that bad) warm sounding with a lot of bass no hiss at all from 1m away.
- JBL 305P MKII (my first ever studio monitors) was a decent studio monitor pair only serius issue was the hiss noise from the tweeters, airy tweeter decent amount of detalization + decent amount of low end (mid woofer detalization is not perfect) 278€ for monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 445€ in total.
- JBL 306P MKII in terms of pure detalization it was a downgrade from a 305P MKII. 438€ for monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 615€ in total.
- Mackie MR524 different sound faster than JBL but was defective out of the box (distortion in certain songs) 280€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 475€ in total.
- Mackie MR624 overall slightly better than MR524 but has even worse (distortion in certain songs from one of the speakers) 356€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 533€ in total.
- Focal Alpha EVO 65 good quality no distrotion at all but terrible hiss may be even worse than JBL (not a fan of sound character tweeters are quite fatiguing on ears for longer listening but at the same time detalization from tweteers is good better than JBL/Mackie in terms of pure resolution. 678€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 855€ in total.
- Kali Audio IN-5 great midrange, tweeter not so much in terms of pure detalization the same goes for low end there is not a lot of it and at the same time bass detalization is not that great for the price they are asking for. Cabinet quality is poor it sounds boxy in not a good way if you crank it hard enough mechanical resonances may be noticeable (it's cheaply built even JBL 305P MKII to me looked better for build quality) 650€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 827€ in total.
- Kali Audio LP6 V2 straight away no resolution/detalization it sounds like a towel is droped on speakers/tweeters yes it's flat very flat! But also very boring no excitement whatsoever. To me it has weak detalization overall it's quite dull and low end is weak even at max aviable settings not much is going on. LP6 V2 is a significant downgrade from a IN-5 i definitely like 305P MKII more than LP6 V2. 418€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 595€ in total.
- Airpulse SM200 it sounds different than A100 not as full overall, but seems to have better instrument seperation, less low end than A100. Tweeter on SM200 is more fatiguing than on A100 not as polite. SM200 have more hiss than A100 good amount of air. Overall i like A100 more than SM200 it sounds more alive not as limited. 682€ for a monitor pair + 23€ for trs cables + 139€ for audio interface + 15€ for isolation pads = 859€ in total.
- Airpulse A100 very full sounding speaker at the same time not fatiguing for a longer listenings, very good detalization/resolution from tweeter good amount of air and depth low end has great detalization (fast saunding speaker complete opposite to JBL slow sounding speaker) A100 have a good build quality similar to SM200 or Focal Alpha EVO 65. No hiss at 1m distance. Now A100 is aviable on Amazon.de for only 398€ (i bought it for 508€) just plug and play.

From this list my favorite is A100 and it's not a studio monitor but a speaker which was built for home usage and at very low price.

In my opinion A100 compleatly destroys JBL 306P MKII and LP6 V2 it's not even close in terms of pure detalization/resolution and sound fullness and doing it at lower price. JBL 305P MKII is better than 306/LP6 but still it's way to expensive for what it really is as A100 sounds significantly better when we are listening to a good quality files. EVO 65, IN-5 and SM200 will be closer to A100 but still i choose A100 over them for way, way less money.

I'd like to remind you that your point was to say hifi speakers had a better price/performance ratio than monitors...

In your list the Edifiers are the only ones that would qualify as hifi speakers, and I'm not even sure of that, and the rest are all studio monitors.

So, what's your point exactly? What was that all about? I'm sorry but I don't follow you.

I got downgraded to a smaller listening area and have a pair of KH150s as my main speakers

Same scenario here, buying a pair of kh150 was a revelation for me, still can't believe how small speakers like these can give me such delight. In a small room they're hard to beat.

 

[Krit]

I don't understand why a studio monitor would require isolation pads but an active hifi speaker would not.

Because something like A100 have better cabinet build quality and it has a rubber feet. Let's say if you will be using IN-5, LP6, 305, 306 or even EVO 65 withought pads it will be a disaster on hard surfaces as studio monitors have no rubber feet and usually cabinet enclosure quality is lower. But even then A100 have pads included for free.

 

[Krit]

In your list the Edifiers are the only ones that would qualify as hifi speakers, and I'm not even sure of that, and the rest are all studio monitors.

So you think that i'm laying ? Do some testing then talking.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I have Edifier M60 as my desktop computer speakers. Very nearfield listening only. At $199 they are brilliant IMHO. The last thing I need is an amp and DAC on my desktop.

I recently purchased KEF LSX II LT at Costco, now on sale there for $499. I have them next to my TV in my family room. Great all in one little package. Blows away the speakers in my TV, as one would expect, or most soundbards. But they also present bonafide hi-fi listening lossless via Wi-Fi, USB or optical in, and also do Bluetooth. So very versatile. I think you can get a $500 pair of passive speakers that will sound better, but then you also need an amp and DAC.

My main listening room has a WiiM Ultra feeding a DIY Hypex powered amp, which feeds a pair of 6.5" DIY monitors with SEAS drivers, of course with passive crossover. It sounds great.

KEF LS 50 Wireless II is a very good speaker, and all inclusive. But also costs $2,900. At that price you can certainly look at alternatives if you wish to have separate amp, preamp and/or DAC.

As you get to more expensive studio powered monitors, especially if they have no digital in or DSP, then I think you are often better off with a WiiM or other such streaming device/DAC with its DSP EQ and a pair of passiive speakers. Good amplification has become quite cheap.

I was mightily impressed a few weeks ago at local hi-fi shop when I listened to the KEF LS 60. Wow. 5K and includes everything you need. It is a floor stander, not a monitor, and I found it to be brilliant on normal listening. KEF Coda W is a very good speaker at $900. It has the latest Bluetooth codecs, but DOES NOT have wi-fi, so you would have to add a WiiM mini or pro and feed the KEFs via an optical input.

I was going to buy the Coda W but then Costco let loose with the KEF LSX II LT deal. Larger driver in the Coda W gives more bass and SPL.

Super Bowl over my KEFs was enjoyable.

KEF LSX LT II Powered Speaker Review

KEF LSX LT II Speaker

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[a4eaudio]

...withought pads it will be a disaster on hard surfaces as studio monitors have no rubber feet and usually cabinet enclosure quality is lower.

Can you cite a source or provide measurements to support this?