speakers

[horsebox]

I want to get a pair of speakers for my Mbox2 and i was woundering if i need active or passive and whats the best setup with them?

[northridgedave]

Active means self-powered, passive means you need an external amplifier.
From that point the possibilties are pretty much only limited by your budget and what sounds good in your studio to your ears.
Lots of low priced powered speakers, tons of amp/speaker combinations.
Basic setup and diagrams will be in your getting started guide.
Good luck,
Dave

[horsebox]

Do they have to be active?

[SeedGuy]

No, it's up to you. If you buy passive, as stated in the previous post, you need to buy the speakers AND a power amplifier.

Active speakers are extremely popular at the moment, and IMO the way to go.

Active speakers have the speakers and the amplifier matched by the manufacturer, and will be 100% compatible, and for beginners, this saves time researching what type of power amplifiers to buy for your speakers.

So it's up to you, but actives will probably be your best/easiest option. Then let your ears decide.

Mike

[3JDamon]

The big advantage of active speakers is that the woofer and tweeter are powered independently with an active crossover splitting the frequencies at line level, rather than a passive crossover at speaker level. This can be done with passive speakers, but it is much more expensive to buy the crossover and amplifiers separately.

However it is difficult to argue with the cost effectiveness of a Hafler power amp and Event 20/20 passive monitors, which can be found for under $300 used total. No matter how high-end you get, they'll forever remain good alternates.

And beware of the glorified computer speakers being passed off as studio monitors just because they have a wooden cabinet. Knock on the side of the cabinet, and hear what they are adding to every sound they emit. You should hear more knuckle than box.

[KroNEe]

[/QUOTE] Knock on the side of the cabinet, and hear what they are adding to every sound they emit. You should hear more knuckle than box.

[/QUOTE]


That is a great way to put it. I just got a set of KRK VXT8's, and I really like them for the price point. I got em out the dore for a grand including tax. My main mix monitors have been the original 824's, lot of haters out there but I still love them. The new ones I about fell on the floor when I heard them, absolute crap. The KRK's are a nice addition, lot more mid range detail and a little low end too. Not bad. the little mini rocken $149 a pair were amazing on the lows for there size, I would not trust them to mix on but they are great if you are on a very small budget.

Buy the way anyone heard the Digi monitors, I went to sams assh and they had them set up on a icon HD system and they could not figure out how to make them work, way to go music store guy.....

[glogan]

For a smaller but nice 2.1 near field option you may want to look at the Blue Sky Media Desk and/or similar Blue Sky setups. I am a happy customer. A lot of bang for the buck and to my ear nothing touched it in the price range. Can also be expanded to a 5.1 system.


Blue Sky Site

EQ Mag Review

Pro Audio Review