Looking for speakers under 350CAD

[AmeliaBuns]

Hey, I am looking for some speakers, and I rather save money if possible!

I have the Hifiman Edition XS as my headphones, but I want something for when I can't put my headphones on or when I'm cooking/too tired etc.

I listen to all kinds of music, metal, classical, instrumental, indie etc. I prefer a netural sound and don't like how my edition xs are in the treble too much but I deal with it for how good it is otherwise (comfort aside...).

I was originally looking at the edifier MR4, but now I'm not sure what to get. The options I'm stuck between are:

Mackie CR-X Series 5" (244 CAD), I think they're ugly but maybe I can paint them?

Yamaha HS4 (330CAD) Very pretty and I love the white! Sounds like it's great for me but found some hate online, and worried about the bass. I can always get a subwoofer if I don't like it right?

Edifier MR4 (140CAD). So cheap, so tempting!!!! I'm not a professional Afterall.

Edifier RT1700BTS (185CAD) Bluetooth seems like it could come in handy?

the Konta Oras are 400cad here!

I'm not sure what to get or what to expect, I only tried the RT1700BT so far, they are fine? not the best but 100% listenable, I don't like their "tunneled" sound tho.

Any advice? My original plan was to grab the MR4 because they're so cheap and get the job done, but specially the Yamaha and then the cr-x caught my eye as people talk about them. The HS5 adds up to 537CAD which is a lot of money for me sadly.

people say the HS5 also need a sub anyways, so I don't see the point in getting the HS5, when I can use the same budget for an HS4 + sub which has better mids from what I heard.

I'm mainly looking for something that doesn't sound harshly bad coming from the Edition xs rather than something better.

I posted this on reddit but then found this subreddit and I always got mad that most places just have no science or measurement behind them, this place seems like it was made for me

Thanks

I also think I'd love it if the speakers were white or white and black!

PS: volume is not an issue for me as I never have gone past 70db at 2m away and usually listen to music at 60-65db as I have sensitive ears and don't like loud noise.

 

[GXAlan]

JBL 3 series?

 

[komhst]

I also think I'd love it if the speakers were white or white and black!

Edifier MR4 in white color!

 

[ivayvr]

JBL 305 MK 2

 

[Matias]

Personally I would stretch the budget a little and get the Kali LP-6 2nd wave.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LP6Wv2Pair--kali-audio-lp-6-v2-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor-pair-white

 

[AmeliaBuns]

Edifier MR4 in white color!

View attachment 396359

to be honest, those were my first choice, then the internet scared me out of them saying they're garbage and you can't get good idea under 400cad

are these better than rt1700bts? I prefer a natural sound!

 

[AmeliaBuns]

JBL 305 MK 2

those are 269cad each, above my budget.

Personally I would stretch the budget a little and get the Kali LP-6 2nd wave.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LP6Wv2Pair--kali-audio-lp-6-v2-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor-pair-white

as tempting as it is. i'm short on money and it'd not be very responsible of me!
Plus it's shipping from the US, and in Canada, it means that i have to go all the way to the tax office, and a library to print the self-declaration form for the taxes (after begging the courier to give me the forms) which is a bit of a pain the couriers here tend to charge 200-100cad extra for just filling a small paper....

I'll watch his videos tho! the mr4 and kanto ora for some reason tempt me, i was going to get the HS4 and almost pressed purchase after seeing some hate on them here.

 

[Matias]

In Canada:

KALI AUDIO LP-6W V2 | Lone Pine 6.5 Inch 2-way Powered Studio Monitor | White | Each

LP-6W V2 - 6.5in Powered Studio Monitor - White (Each) Styled in white, the Kali LP-6 V2 is a studio monitor (single monitor) that puts the ability to achieve excellent mixes within anyone's grasp. This monitor helps content creators and professionals deliver exceptional mixes by providing an...

www.tomleemusic.ca

Other retailers are out of stock for the white one.

 

[AmeliaBuns]

In Canada:

KALI AUDIO LP-6W V2 | Lone Pine 6.5 Inch 2-way Powered Studio Monitor | White | Each

LP-6W V2 - 6.5in Powered Studio Monitor - White (Each) Styled in white, the Kali LP-6 V2 is a studio monitor (single monitor) that puts the ability to achieve excellent mixes within anyone's grasp. This monitor helps content creators and professionals deliver exceptional mixes by providing an...

www.tomleemusic.ca

Other retailers are out of stock for the white one.

these are 269cad EACH, which translates to 538CAD + whatever cable you have to buy to connect them together, plus it uses 2 power cables which is slightly annoying.

 

[ivayvr]

I am in Canada myself and no tax or couriers: https://www.amazon.ca/JBL-2-Way-Powered-Studio-Monitor/dp/B077N2GQXC?th=1
Music City usually have them on sale from time to time (usually for long weekends).

 

[Timcognito]

Click Review Index (upper left) > Click Speakers in banner > Click on Price column head (it will sort*) > Read including comments on interesting candidates as others have concerns and reveal facts > Ask questions
*Amir usually prices per speaker so start at $200? but not always so be careful and it is revealed in the first sentence.

 

[AnalogSteph]

With the MR4s I'd be slightly apprehensive about their "box of chocolates" QC (unless you've been intending to get a meaurement mic anyway) and rather lacking low bass. (LOL, a UMIK-1 costs almost as much as the speakers.)
R1700BT.. maybe, it's a proper active 2-way at least.
Kali LP-UNF to the rescue, perhaps? Hmm, seems those are over 600.
As a Canadian you're kinda screwed with unfavorable exchange rate. Seems you're looking at CAD 400-500 for a set of basic 5" monitors, and those are the price/performance option.

BTW, it would be goold to know what will be used as a source for these.

 

[fragzone]

Wharfedale 12.0 and a cheap amp if you can find them on sale could be a good option.

 

[AmeliaBuns]

Wharfedale 12.0 and a cheap amp if you can find them on sale could be a good option.

If you're willing to pay for the extra I'd gladly go this route
I'm not planning on spending more than 400CAD ABSOLUTE max and even 400cad is a stretch, I'd much rather spend 300cad~
these are like 300cad each!

 

[Blumlein 88]

Considering your hard budget limit and suffering from Canada exchange rates, you might be better off looking for something 2nd hand. I don't know what kind of ebay or reverb.com pricing is available in Canada. Or Audiomart Canada.

Kali LP-6 Studio Monitor Speakers

Great sounding monitors in the studio or your living room. Small discolouration on one side of one speaker.Buyer pays shippingThanks

www.canuckaudiomart.com

Just listed today, maybe get the guy to trim shipping or some such.

Or these JBL 305 speakers.

JBL LSR305

JBL LSR305 compact powered studio monitor makes legendary JBL performance available to every studio. With the revolutionary JBL Image Control Waveguide and refined transducers, JBL 305 offers stunning detail, precise imaging, a wide sweet spot and impressive dynamic range that enhances the...

www.canuckaudiomart.com

 

[AmeliaBuns]

Considering your hard budget limit and suffering from Canada exchange rates, you might be better off looking for something 2nd hand. I don't know what kind of ebay or reverb.com pricing is available in Canada. Or Audiomart Canada.

Kali LP-6 Studio Monitor Speakers

Great sounding monitors in the studio or your living room. Small discolouration on one side of one speaker.Buyer pays shippingThanks

www.canuckaudiomart.com

Just listed today, maybe get the guy to trim shipping or some such.

Or these JBL 305 speakers.

JBL LSR305

JBL LSR305 compact powered studio monitor makes legendary JBL performance available to every studio. With the revolutionary JBL Image Control Waveguide and refined transducers, JBL 305 offers stunning detail, precise imaging, a wide sweet spot and impressive dynamic range that enhances the...

www.canuckaudiomart.com

have you used this website before, is it safe?
I'm scared of getting scammed, then I'd have no speakers and no money left!
EDIT: it seems to be just a free website that's community owned, so no pay-backs like ebay that'd be very risky...

 

[Gringoaudio1]

I’ve used Canuck Audio Mart before. It was fine.

 

[AmeliaBuns]

In Canada:

KALI AUDIO LP-6W V2 | Lone Pine 6.5 Inch 2-way Powered Studio Monitor | White | Each

LP-6W V2 - 6.5in Powered Studio Monitor - White (Each) Styled in white, the Kali LP-6 V2 is a studio monitor (single monitor) that puts the ability to achieve excellent mixes within anyone's grasp. This monitor helps content creators and professionals deliver exceptional mixes by providing an...

www.tomleemusic.ca

Other retailers are out of stock for the white one.

I found these used very close to my house for 325CAD!!!!
they are the v1 tho, is there any difference?

Btw I forgot to reply to @AnalogSteph , a fiio k11. it hasn't arrived yet tho I can cancel (hopefully!)

 

[Rednaxela]

They hiss a bit (more).

 

[AmeliaBuns]

With the MR4s I'd be slightly apprehensive about their "box of chocolates" QC (unless you've been intending to get a meaurement mic anyway) and rather lacking low bass. (LOL, a UMIK-1 costs almost as much as the speakers.)
R1700BT.. maybe, it's a proper active 2-way at least.
Kali LP-UNF to the rescue, perhaps? Hmm, seems those are over 600.
As a Canadian you're kinda screwed with unfavorable exchange rate. Seems you're looking at CAD 400-500 for a set of basic 5" monitors, and those are the price/performance option.

BTW, it would be goold to know what will be used as a source for these.

They hiss a bit (more).

Oh... even the 100cad pair of speakers I've tried or seen for the past 8 years don't hiss!
that sounds like it'd get annoying