Looking for some studio monitors to connect to my PC for every day use (not sound mixing etc)
Would prefer digital input just to save having to buy a sound card as most seem to be RCA input. But if that is what is required, then so be it.
Looking at $300 max.
Been recommended the Fluid C5 and F4's but don't really know anything about them. Anyone had any experiences?
I've heard good things about AudioEngine 2+ and 5+ setups, they include a digital DAC so you can avoid the sound card:
https://www.pccasegear.com/category/567_895/speakers/audioen…
audioengines are garbage as studio monitors.
Come now, you can't make such statements without providing alternative non-garbage speakers
its simply a fact, audioengines were made not for the purpose of studio monitors.
@garetz: are you seriously just going to diss the speakers without telling us what is better? Why even reply?
@jzdhgkd: how is stating a fact dissing anything ? Studio monitors are not all speakers, and not all speakers are studio monitors, so if i dont provide an alternative that is a studio monitor, the fact that these arent studio monitors is somehow not relevant ? The op asked for " STUDIO MONITORS" audioengines do not fit that description, i dunno how much clearer i can make that.
@garetz: well I mean they don't need to be studio monitors - but yeah just trying to avoid the whole "Logitech/creative" speakers. so studio monitors were the next option. Cant find audioengine speakers anywhere to have a listen before I buy either.
@Fergy1987: Yeah they aren't easy to find in store. A mate at work got the 2+ and likes them but the 5+ would definitely be a better all rounder. As @garetz said these are not true "monitors" but given you wanted something for "everyday use" and don't want to spend a lot I thought they were a good middle ground. In saying that it looks like @Stix has linked you to an awesome deal on true monitors (which may also require a decent sound card).
Probably a bit much to consider anything at $300 a 'real' monitor, but you could start here:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pair-of-FOSTEX-PM0-4d-Active-Prof…
They come from a good pedigree. (Be a true ozbarginer and use an ebay discount code to bring it under $300)
Having digital conversion at this price is likely to be no better or worse than your (I assume built in?) soundcard, and it's even more unlikely you'll hear a difference. Just grab a decent 3.5mm to RCA and be done with it.
So looking at the studio monitors available they all seem to really just have RCA inputs - I would then need a sound card for these - don't really want to go 3.5mm to RCA.
Seems sound cards with RCA are external cards - anyone got any suggestions on something under $100 for a card?
Any reason not to use 3.5mm?
not really :P
damn that's a good deal!! but they are going to be way too big for my desk unfortunately.
time to get a bigger desk.
Anyone have any thoughts on Behringer MS40's?
I do - I have a pair next to my 27" iMac. Being monitors they have a short range, so you won't be in their sweet spot unless you're sitting directly in front of them. For the price you get lots of front knobs for bass, treble and one each for the two audio connections: 3.5mm and RCA. Plus they make your desktop look more professional. Other than that, it's clear these are cheap, possibly the cheapest, monitors in the market - they are knock-offs of another monitor speaker set; feel relatively light compared to other smaller monitors; have a cheap feeling power button that pops the speakers when you use it (more expensive ones don't); headphone jack has a slight hiss and generally the sound quality lacks some body or depth (not great bass). Corners were cut in the design so the enclosures for left and right are identical instead of mirrored as in professional monitors (note the position of the tweeters).
There's no doubt these are cheap and clearly designed for a price point, yet I still bought them because I was starting out in video editing at the time and barely had budget. Plus, they made me look more professional than what I really was. Surprisingly, I worked at an advertising agency at the end of last year that edited Holden ads and they had a pair of these in each of their edit suites (mind you, the sound mix was not done there). I bought mine for $180 in Melbourne back in around 2008 or 2009. Honestly, if you don't do any work and need speakers for everyday use (movies, games, YouTube etc.) you could probably do better. I should point out I'm no expert in speakers.
I'm going to go check some out on the weekend, but basically have the following in mind.
Any thoughts on the following? or any that I should be avoiding completely.
Fluid C5
https://www.storedj.com.au/fluid-audio-classic-series-c5-5-s…
Fluid F4
https://www.storedj.com.au/fluid-audio-f4-fader-series-4-stu…
Alesis Elevate 5
https://www.storedj.com.au/alesis-elevate-5-powered-desktop-…
Presonus Eris E4.5 - (bit worried about the frequency response on these)
https://www.storedj.com.au/presonus-eris-e4-5-high-def-4-5-s…
Behringer MS40 - although the review above is slightly concerning :P
https://www.storedj.com.au/behringer-ms40-active-40w-monitor…
anything THX approved