Radias vs Monitors

angryquaker · Post by **angryquaker** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:10 pm

Greetings, earthlings. I've decided to go ahead and get the M3, I figure I've been with Korg since the 90s, so why mess with a good thing?

Anyway, when I order the M3, I thought a nice set of studio monitors might be a good thing to add. I've never owned or used "real" monitors at home. Until now, I've always just run my computer out to an aux channel on my home stereo, run the keyboard into an input on the computer, and voila. I have a decent set of Bose speakers, but I realize that they, in addition to the other components, "color" the sounds I hear from the keyboard. Sounds great when I'm programming at home, but there are times when I get out to a gig, plug into the PA, and there's a significant difference. So it seems that a set of reference monitors could help me get better sounds and better mixes when I sequence stuff for live performance.

On the other hand, the Radias board sounds like it'd be a good thing to have at my disposal, particularly for synth-heavy applications, like some of the more progressive-type stuff (Styx, Dream Theater, Rush, etc) one of my bands plays.

Radias = $299. KRK RP5G2 = $299/pair.

I'm kinda almost pushing my luck just getting the M3, however, I think I can sneak in another item without the wife throwing me out in the street. I think if I try to get both the Radias and the monitors, it might just push her over the edge. So, if it were you in my situation, and you had to choose between a Radias or about the same price worth of reference monitors, which would you consider to be more important? I understand that having both would be awesome, and I will eventually, just not this week. I really want to stay in my house, and in the good graces of my lovely and beguiling wife. She really is great, I already own more gear than some whole bands. LOL Please advise.

Thanks,
Russ

Tronman · Post by **Tronman** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:18 pm

Personally, I think the EXB-RADIAS is a nice-to-have, but the EXB-M256 memory expansion is a must-have.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:45 pm

Regarding the monitors, I'd recommend something with at least 8" speakers. I have auditioned a few 5" monitors and they don't have much bass.

Ultimate Dj · Post by **Ultimate Dj** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:53 pm

I'd get the Radias, hands down. Assuming that you have headphones

which I thnk will work perfectly fine for the time being. Get the Radias, you'll reap a lot more from it.

puravida
DJ

Berend · Post by **Berend** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:31 am

Feeling the same way about this apples and pears thing. Favoring getting the Radias, I mean. To me, it is a finite decision with infinite and incomparable benefits.

The monitor issue is quite a bit more complex and subjective as you may read in the following threads:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... 83f9488f34

http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13644

Much depends on your and, in a discussion about the subject, on other people's frames of reference. To me "8 inches" is a moot point unless you're out to impress the ladies... If that's your reference, that's great. Seriously, 8 inches tells you nothing about high and mid performance, to mention just that. 5 inches (and a subwoofer) very different, not necessarily better. and so on and so forth.

Wisdom to you.
Berend

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:00 am

Having EXB-RADIAS installed, i jusy suggest you not to buy it if you plan to do haevy programming on it. i mean, it's true that structure it's VA and plus you can use all the FX of the M3, but programming EXB-RADIAS is not as simple as a real VA (and even sounds you get are quite different in my view).

so, my suggestion is, get the EXB-RADIAS since you will have very nice synth preset ready to use, but look for a different VA gear (to join your M3) if you think you are going to do heavy programming on synth sounds (e.g. low cost Xio synth)

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:03 pm

Berend wrote: Seriously, 8 inches tells you nothing about high and mid performance, to mention just that. 5 inches (and a subwoofer) very different, not necessarily better. and so on and so forth.

The point was, purchasing only 5" studio monitors (with no subwoofer) may produce less than desirable results.

Berend · Post by **Berend** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:56 pm

Hey Synthoid,

I apologise if I appeared offensive. Sure didn't mean to. You are right of course, 5 inch and no sub is a challenge to realistic sound, to say the least, but we ARE talking about woofer diameter only. This correlates only partly with overall monitor sound quality, whatever the size of the "woofer".
(Small woofers in these smaller "monitors" often have to take care of "low", low-mid and/or mid.)

Hi Music Lovers,

Trying to give friendly and informed advice, my point continues to be: First, take a reference. One that deserves to be considered a true reference (read the threads that I linked above for more on the subject). Then, go out and listen to active and passive near-field monitor brands and models. See if you can actually compare/approach anything you liked in your true reference. If not, start over.

This is to avoid the otherwise unavoidable disappointments you will encounter. Maybe the most important argument being that you will be spending money on your choice. If you're disappointed you'll have to spend more money to upgrade. Chances are that you may repeat your first mistake if you fail to establish YOUR reference or only take other people's advice. You don't know what their frame of reference is. YOURS is the only one that counts! It's about YOUR ears and YOUR sound!

Audio is a vast and complex subject.

ENJOY!
Berend

Coronado · Post by **Coronado** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 6:35 pm

+1 Hear hear!

Audio is a vast and complex subject.

You better believe it!