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If you're looking for a cheap deal, try to get you hands on a pair of M-audio StudioPhile BX5's. Not great, but not bad either. They're now discontinued, so you might get a bargain on them. I did - under $200 CND for the pair.

I use Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, about $150 retail or $75 on Ebay. They sound great to me, and have a subwoofer for those booming bass sounds. You can also use them for your MP3s or computer:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... oc=KW-0827

I wonder if spending more money would give noticably better sound? Maybe I'll rent something high end and compare...

Do try what Peter said, though. It's so easy to make a big-money mistake with near- fields since everyone's environment and ears are so different.

At least be sure the store gives you 30-day return privileges. Then when you get them home, try to put them in the equilateral triangle configuration as much as possible.

Then, this is the easy part, play the heck out the O for a while and be critical of the sound and see if you need to exchange the mons.

Actives give you much more flexibility, IMO. You are not immediately locked into an amp, standalone or in a mixer.

Some mons have a transient protection circuit in them (Samsons, for example. Be wary of that because it often shuts down the first few moments of input when they've been resting for a while. Not a bad idea on stage, but a huge PITB at home.

Also maybe audition them further by playing an audio CD through the OASYS and see how it sounds, but judging just the O's sounds is better.

Listen often and hard to theO's factory demo songs and some of the more complex combis because they'll show you how well the mons do over a wide range of timbres and dynamics.

FWIW, my choice for cost-effectiveness was also Mackie HR824s. And the HR624s (less expensive) are OK, too.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

EJ2 wrote:If you're looking for a cheap deal, try to get you hands on a pair of M-audio StudioPhile BX5's. Not great, but not bad either. They're now discontinued, so you might get a bargain on them. I did - under $200 CND for the pair.

M-Audio BX5A 70W bi-amped studio monitors

I agree. The new model, the M-Audio BX5As are great monitors also, for the money ($250 USD). I wouldn't buy anything less than these, and these are pretty good. But no EQ or cut switches, so they may be too boomy in a live room.


Yamaha HS 50M 70W bi-amped studio monitors

I returned mine for some Yamaha HS50Ms ($370 USD) which are a lot flatter, more accurate, and slightly crisper. Plus they have cut and boost switches for all three ranges. But the BX5As are an incredible deal, IMO. I may even get some BX5As again just for my home stereo set-up, since they sound pretty kickin' which is fine for casual listening purposes (as opposed to having to monitor a mix accurately). And they have amazing bass output from those little 5" woofers. Plus, the M-Audio's bright blue LED looks ultra-cool.

Hi Rez,
I could have bought the BX5a (notice the "a") for a bit more money, but I wasn't interested. As was pointed out to me, they are a step back and the quality of sound is not as good as the original BX5 (no "a") which has 4 cut switches, each having 3 positions.

But, you're right, they're OK compared with higher priced monitors. Just the same, you can bargain for a good deal on the BX5 pair if the store wants to push them out.

Cheers,
Eric

I got some Fostex PM1 MK II with my OASYS absolutley brilliant sound, and handles bass well too. 120 watts a piece, so very loud http://www.fostexinternational.com/imag ... d-back.jpg theres also a review of them in a keyboard mag


AnthonyB

EJ2 wrote:I could have bought the BX5a (notice the "a") for a bit more money, but I wasn't interested. As was pointed out to me, they are a step back and the quality of sound is not as good as the original BX5 (no "a") which has 4 cut switches, each having 3 positions.

But, you're right, they're OK compared with higher priced monitors. Just the same, you can bargain for a good deal on the BX5 pair if the store wants to push them out.

Cheers,
Eric

Yes, I've heard that the "non-A" BX5s were actually better. Didn't know they had cut switches too! The BX5As have NO cut or boost switches—no EQ of any kind! But they sound great for the money! Almost prefer their sound over the Yamahas for their pumpin' bass. I get slightly clearer midrange from the Yamahas, and they are probably more accdurate. Except for the lack of any EQ, the two are actually fairly close in quality, with the slight edge in accuracy going to the Yamahas.

Any killer live montor ideas?

Shure E5 headphones !!!

Hi!

As 80salife mentioned above, KRK produces some very nice monitors. When I decided to buy my O, I went a store nearby and tried various monitors in combination with this great synth. And I definitely liked those the most. They're not the cheapest but the O isn't as well .

That's what I have:
Speaker: http://www.krksys.com/products_v4_series2.php
Sub: http://www.krksys.com/products_v12_series2.php

I really love my monitors, especially the sub, when playing a CX-3 sound and turning up the volume

I have Genelec 1030A powered near-field monitors. They are great.

I'm using QuickLok WS550 keyboard stand. Great and easily transportable. Can be used sitting and standing - although when standing, the O88 may be wobbling at quite harder playing style. Still a usable solution, I recommend it.