Choosing Studio monitors for playing (not mixing) guitar

[mck159]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy studio monitors for playing guitar through them and researching it is quite a rabbit hole

My requirements are:

• budget: up to $500
• space: fairly large room (30sqm / 320 sqft), with zero acoustic treatment (and I can't really change it, as long as I'm renting)
• placement: they will be placed on the desk, max 10cm from the wall - I can't move them farther from the well. Also when playing I seat by the desk, so they need to sound good at close proximity, rather than project
• purpose: it's mostly for playing guitar, not mixing - so I rather look for enjoyable listening experience, than super accurate reproduction (unless it's the same)
• volume: I usually play pretty quitely (just above strings level, maybe a bit louder from time to time), so I don't care if they distort at higher volumes and if they project
• comfort: I often have long playing sessions (few hours), so they can not be fatiguing, and can not have harsh trebles
• others:
  • I generally don't like bass heavy music - I don't mind the bass, but my taste is far from modern bass-heavy mixes (even e.g. most recent mixes of some Beatles or David Bowie songs)
  • I'm sensitive to sounds, so they can not have hiss when not playing music (or when playing quietly)

After hours (or tens of hours ) of research, following look like best options:

• iLoud Micro - seems to be designed for spaces and volume like mine, tho some people mention hiss at low volumes or when not playing
• Adam D3V - seems to be quite similar for iLoud Micro, and people report having less hiss - I just see a lot of threads about issue with muffled trebles at low volumes, which some report was fixed with recent firmware update (tho opinions on this are mixed)
• Kali LP UNF - slightly larger and seem to have better performance, to be fair I' not biggest fan of their design (look a bit "cheap", especially the volume control and led) - but may still be best option
• Kali LP-6 - does it make any sense for my space and placement, or should I stick to UNF?
• Adam T5V - same as Kali LP-6, and it's also rear ported - not sure if it's an issue at low volumes, if they are placed close to the wall

There are few models I ruled out:

• JBL 305p - everyone mentions background hiss, which I'm sure I couldn't stand
• Yamaha HS5 - very harsh trebles according to most reviews, and really weird sound characteristic

 

[LTig]

Hi all,

Welcome to ASR.

I'm looking to buy studio monitors for playing guitar through them and researching it is quite a rabbit hole

I don't think it is a good idea to use studio monitors (or any other hifi speaker) to amplify musical instruments. Play a bit too loud and you may kill the drivers. This is true not only for distorted electric guitars but also for acoustic ones. There is a reason why guitar amps (with speaker) exist.

Have a look what Thomann offers. (Edit: amps for acoustic guitars. There are modeling amps for any guitar type at Thomann)

 

[sm5]

If practicing and using plugins like Neural DSP guitar plugins: anything works. I prefer IEM headphones for tracking bass and guitar DI and use plugins. Zero:2 works great and is low price. Most musicians playing live use in-ears for entire shows. I find them less cumbersome than regular over ear headphones also when tracking. It is easier to stay in time than speakers also.

Any of those speakers listed would probably be fine. I’ve had Adam T5V and they were good. I prefer Neumann KH80s personally as you can calibrate them and they are more compact and easily mountable, but obviously the price is higher.

If you’re fine with guitar plugins: no point buying a separate guitar amp. I sold all my amps and guitar cabs and only use plugins now.

 

[Philbo King]

I use one of these and love it (Mine is 20 watt, an older model).

Although I have several larger amps, this has become my favorite.

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Champion-Warranty-Features-Effects/dp/B0D73Z9Z4K/ref=asc_df_B0D73Z9Z4K?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80745595094064&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=102786&hvtargid=pla-4584345073649792&psc=1&msclkid=353fda5b411c165ca596b389c8daa0ad

It's loud enough to perform bar gigs with, has overdrive (gain knob), amp modeling and effects built in, and weighs perhaps 6 lbs. I did replace the 'stock' 8 inch speaker with a Jensen Special Design version, which dramatically improved the tone quality.
At larger gigs, a 1/8" to 1/4" cable feeding a direct box (to convert to XLR for PA feed) plugged into the headphone jack works great, though it mutes the speaker. (Those shows generally have stage wedge monitors to allow hearing what you're doing anyway).