Hi all, I am a low-budget recording artist/songwriter/composer/producer/mixer etc. I primarily listen and mix on headphones but I'm looking to branch out. Eventually I want to buy some nice Barefoots or Genelecs or something but for now I am going to try and build something decently flat for cheap while I save. I know that I am not going to be able to build proper studio monitors but I am hoping I can find a kit that's reasonably flat at least in the midrange. Is there anything in the DIY world that can beat lower-end studio monitors like the KRK Rokit or Mackie CR4 for a similar kind of price?
I am willing to compromise on total volume output because I listen pretty quiet (personal preference). Thank you very much for your time and expertise.
I am willing to compromise on total volume output because I listen pretty quiet (personal preference). Thank you very much for your time and expertise.
I have tried the Kali monitors (check out sweet water). They're accurate, which you would want for mixing. The 6" 2 ways are $200/each. There's a catch though. It doesn't bother me when I'm listening to music, but when there's nothing playing through them they hiss. They hiss enough to be a deal breaker for some people. I prefer them to Rokit and CR4. Depending on how close you're going to sit to them and the ambient noise level of the room it might not bother you.
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You are in the full-range forum, so my first thot was Mark Audio Pluvia 7HD in a suitble box. Low bass might not reach the levels you need but everywhere else.
dave
dave
These are surprisingly good:
https://www.amazon.ca/Micca-RB42-Reference-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B07JC416LG
https://www.amazon.ca/Micca-RB42-Reference-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B07JC416LG
I think full range is what I want, but if this is out of ignorance I'd love to be corrected. I don't want to mess around with the additional expense and difficulty of using multiple drivers, and exotics seem either very expensive (planar, electrostatic) or not yet at the level of conventional speakers (DMLs).
A little loss in the sub bass is a tradeoff I'm fine with for now if I have to be, I can add a sub later if I have to. And none of the home studio bookshelf speakers I'm aware of are really known for their bass either.
As far as cabinets go, I found the Frugal-horns designs from the pinned thread, but a lot of the links for affordable cabinet designs I've been finding are broken, and it's hard for me to understand the pros and cons of individual designs.
I think that FRs could make really good studio monitors, but fears are always that they won’t play loud or have enuff range. Possibly true, but the ability to resolve the critical midrange will be something no 2-way with an XO can achieve.
On second thot, giving up a tiny bit of mid/top resolution for more bass (and a bit more level capable), the A10.3 might be a more appropriate solution. The box will not by a whole lot bigger.
Can’t find a pic of A10.3, here is A10.2 rectangular Mar-Ken
dave
On second thot, giving up a tiny bit of mid/top resolution for more bass (and a bit more level capable), the A10.3 might be a more appropriate solution. The box will not by a whole lot bigger.
Can’t find a pic of A10.3, here is A10.2 rectangular Mar-Ken
dave
The parts express C-Note kits are the cheapest solution probally that is really usable as monitor. But like Dave said, this is the wrong section of the forum for such thing. Here we do discuss single driver fullrange speakers, the multiway part of this forum is more fit for this question.
I use the Mark Audio Alpair 10.3 in a reflex cabinet that is fairly neutral for a fullrange, but not as neutral as the C-Note. I do know the sound of it very well, so i can mix on it and have a good result. It's also not that cheap to build (I spend about 600€ on the build), but here you got my design: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e619di32n...0M-Slot-Ported-Official-CAD-drawings.pdf?dl=0
I use the Mark Audio Alpair 10.3 in a reflex cabinet that is fairly neutral for a fullrange, but not as neutral as the C-Note. I do know the sound of it very well, so i can mix on it and have a good result. It's also not that cheap to build (I spend about 600€ on the build), but here you got my design: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e619di32n...0M-Slot-Ported-Official-CAD-drawings.pdf?dl=0
See if you can find some Tannoy System 600 or 800 up for auction. They are great studio monitors that can be had for not that much money if you get lucky. They will take more abuse than the Mark Audio will they are coax drivers either 6 or 8 inch with horn tweeters in the center. There is even a self powered version out there.
Member Bonjonno likes 0.40X mini Karlsonator as monitors.
They are cheap - $3 of foam core board and hot melt glue and $19 Faital Pro 3FE25-8 drivers. Or $12 TC9FD. More here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/mini-karlsonator-0-53x-with-dual-tc9fds.239338/
If you want true neutral cheap monitors, the TC9FD in a Nautaloss spiral back chamber works well down to 150Hz. Add a subwoofer. They sound great and very neutral and revealing.
More here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/the-nautaloss-ref-monitor.247598/
They are cheap - $3 of foam core board and hot melt glue and $19 Faital Pro 3FE25-8 drivers. Or $12 TC9FD. More here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/mini-karlsonator-0-53x-with-dual-tc9fds.239338/
If you want true neutral cheap monitors, the TC9FD in a Nautaloss spiral back chamber works well down to 150Hz. Add a subwoofer. They sound great and very neutral and revealing.
More here:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/the-nautaloss-ref-monitor.247598/
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