Studio Monitors as everyday PC speakers?

starmanwarz · 12 Jul 2016 at 18:53

I used to make beats/dj back in the day and for the past 10+ years I've had a pair of active nearfield studio monitors (Alesis M1 Active) for my music and PC tasks (games, music, movies).

One of my monitors is almost dead now and I am wondering if I should be buying another pair of studio monitors or if I should just get some generic 2.1 speakers. I am not into the music stuff right now so I will only be using them as everyday PC speakers. I listen to a lot of music, prefer gaming with speakers instead of headphones and I also watch movies.

After all these years I am used to the flat, clean sound of my monitors which I really enjoyed.

What should I buy?

Marsman · 12 Jul 2016 at 19:09

For music, good stereo speakers are much better than 2.1 speakers, so I'd go for monitor speakers again if you're going to listen to a lot of music. Good 2.1 speakers, such as Acoustic Energy Aego M, are a good option if gaming is the main use, but decent speakers are also wanted for music.

£75 looks like really good value for the M1, so maybe another pair would be a good idea, if you're looking to spend that kind of money.

APM · 12 Jul 2016 at 19:15

More monitors,why change now?

starmanwarz · 12 Jul 2016 at 19:22

Marsman said:
£75 looks like really good value for the M1, so maybe another pair would be a good idea, if you're looking to spend that kind of money.

Where did you see that price? I got mine for £200+ many years ago (M1 Active 520). From what I'm seeing they got replaced with a USB version.

Anyway, if I'm going for studio monitors I am looking at KRK/Yamaha this time.

Marsman · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:06

Ah, you had the 520's. Must admit I didn't see those at first. It's the 320's that are £75. Not sure if the 520 are 4 or 5 inch woofers. If they're 5", that's a quite a bit larger, and will explain the £100 or so price difference.

dacads · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:32

You could look at the Alesis Elevate 5, or something else as there's plenty of choice.

Presonus, Tannoy, Adam etc

starmanwarz · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:43

Marsman said:
Ah, you had the 520's. Must admit I didn't see those at first. It's the 320's that are £75. Not sure if the 520 are 4 or 5 inch woofers. If they're 5", that's a quite a bit larger, and will explain the £100 or so price difference.

Yup they are 5"

Calo · 13 Jul 2016 at 22:16

Get some floor standers and an AV Reciever. You wont regret it!

Marsman · 14 Jul 2016 at 18:30

Really depends on usage and placement. Floor stander speakers are great for HiFi, but not the best choice for near field use. They excel when turned up filling a room with sound. Even my Wharfedale 9.1's sounded a bit limited when I tried using them on my desk at lower volume. They perform vastly better when I use them on stands in more open space with the volume turned up. It will be similar for floor standing speakers either side of a desk.

starmanwarz · 15 Jul 2016 at 19:17

I decided on studio monitors, probably the JBL LSR305, they are getting excellent reviews.

Marsman · 15 Jul 2016 at 19:46

I think they'd be a great choice, they do look very good.

crazy8s · 17 Jul 2016 at 17:13

I have the M-Audio BX5 D2, would recommend