What soundcard + speakers? Amplifier?

Eric Foo · May 6th, 2005, 02:15 PM

I just got a pair of KRK Rokit RP5 powered monitors. I really like the sound. Its not the cheapest thing around, but it sounds really, really good for the money. An optional subwoofer is available. It comes with RCA, and balanced Phono & XLR inputs. I have it setup on my desk as nearfield monitors. I'll get around to testing them in a room setup one of these days.

I also have an Alesis Multimix 8 USB on the way which will function as a 8 channel mixer and external soundcard. The Edirol M100fx is another alternative for a mixer with USB to the computer. This effectively bypasses whatever noise from the computer's audio.

I find myself doing quite a fair bit of VO work in post these days, so the mixer will come in handy.

http://www.krksys.com/v3/rokit_rp5.asp
http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=37
http://www.edirol.com/products/info/m100fx.html

Ralf Strandell · May 7th, 2005, 04:02 AM

I found a review of the M-Audio BX5 and there it was told that the low end is a bit disappointing and that the BX5's really need the subwoofer... Maybe the Rokit RP5 monitors would be slightly better then (with or without the Rokit sub)? Has anyone compared those? I could also consider going up one step to BX8 or RP6/RP8.

A pair of good monitors is a long term investment, right? Affordable becomes less affordable after the first upgrade...

So...

The Mackie hr824 or Genelec 8030a are probably much much better, but cost about four times as much (and Genelec 8130a even more)... But then again, if I'm going to listen to those for the next ten or fifteen years I could pay a little more...

What do you think of those Genelecs, for example (I could get them locally here)?

Oh, this becomes slightly more expensive than Creative times two...

Douglas Spotted Eagle · May 7th, 2005, 08:50 AM

Someone's review would suggest that the BX5's need a sub, but the Gennie 8030 don't? Ummm.....That is just simply crazy. It's not a matter open to intelligent opinion. I have both. The two speaks are VERY close together in overall range capability.
Don't listen to what you read in reviews about any monitor. Monitors are WAY too subjective. My opinion is that the KRK and the BX5's are in virtually the same exact class, and suggestiong one needs a sub and the other doesn't is pretty far out there. It all boils down to physics. Don't listen to my opinion either. Take your favorite, well known CD, and go to the store with it, and listen. Use your ears, not your eyes.
In the average editing room, the BX5 will be great, with or without the sub. It depends on what you're doing. If you cut mostly dialog, the sub is pretty unnecessary, but if there is music, and it's at all front of mix music, you need a sub, especially for louder listening. The same for the Rockit's. Or the Gennies.
In a larger room, look at the BX8 or a larger speak, but don't buy the larger speak unless you have a larger room or want to listen with a *little* more punch at quieter levels.
Mackie has some AWESOME stuff for the price. Our A room has a 5.1 system in the 626 wth the 180 sub and it's wonderful. B room has just 624's in it, but they're great. My office has the Gennie's. They rock. But they're all a little different. And they're all scaled to the rooms they're in.

Ralf Strandell · May 7th, 2005, 09:58 AM

No, it wasn't a comparison. Just a review of the BX5's and the intended application there was music mixing. This is probably the reson why the reviewer recommended a sub.

I don't have any previous experience with monitors so that review made me a little bit conspicious.

It's nice to know that the BX5's and Genelec 8030's and KRK's are in the same class. So, I can choose from whichever are locally available for listening without missing anything great... And the Mackies were... same class?

Darrin McMillan · May 7th, 2005, 01:05 PM

I use an Audigy2 sound card with Klipsch 2.1 or for surround I use Klipsch 5.1 Ultra's. If you are not worried about surround then the Promedia 2.1's will serve you well. I had the 2.1's first and just can't part with them. They are a pretty natural referance if you control the SUB properly. The 5.1's are great for 5.1 surround. They just don't have as much snap as the 2.1's. Anyway I'm babbling. Enjoy.

May 7th, 2005, 08:50 AM	#18
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Someone's review would suggest that the BX5's need a sub, but the Gennie 8030 don't? Ummm.....That is just simply crazy. It's not a matter open to intelligent opinion. I have both. The two speaks are VERY close together in overall range capability. Don't listen to what you read in reviews about any monitor. Monitors are WAY too subjective. My opinion is that the KRK and the BX5's are in virtually the same exact class, and suggestiong one needs a sub and the other doesn't is pretty far out there. It all boils down to physics. Don't listen to my opinion either. Take your favorite, well known CD, and go to the store with it, and listen. Use your ears, not your eyes. In the average editing room, the BX5 will be great, with or without the sub. It depends on what you're doing. If you cut mostly dialog, the sub is pretty unnecessary, but if there is music, and it's at all front of mix music, you need a sub, especially for louder listening. The same for the Rockit's. Or the Gennies. In a larger room, look at the BX8 or a larger speak, but don't buy the larger speak unless you have a larger room or want to listen with a little more punch at quieter levels. Mackie has some AWESOME stuff for the price. Our A room has a 5.1 system in the 626 wth the 180 sub and it's wonderful. B room has just 624's in it, but they're great. My office has the Gennie's. They rock. But they're all a little different. And they're all scaled to the rooms they're in. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

May 7th, 2005, 01:05 PM	#20
Darrin McMillan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 96	Audigy2 with Klipsch I use an Audigy2 sound card with Klipsch 2.1 or for surround I use Klipsch 5.1 Ultra's. If you are not worried about surround then the Promedia 2.1's will serve you well. I had the 2.1's first and just can't part with them. They are a pretty natural referance if you control the SUB properly. The 5.1's are great for 5.1 surround. They just don't have as much snap as the 2.1's. Anyway I'm babbling. Enjoy.

May 6th, 2005, 02:15 PM	#16
Eric Foo New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Malaysia Posts: 19	I just got a pair of KRK Rokit RP5 powered monitors. I really like the sound. Its not the cheapest thing around, but it sounds really, really good for the money. An optional subwoofer is available. It comes with RCA, and balanced Phono & XLR inputs. I have it setup on my desk as nearfield monitors. I'll get around to testing them in a room setup one of these days. I also have an Alesis Multimix 8 USB on the way which will function as a 8 channel mixer and external soundcard. The Edirol M100fx is another alternative for a mixer with USB to the computer. This effectively bypasses whatever noise from the computer's audio. I find myself doing quite a fair bit of VO work in post these days, so the mixer will come in handy. http://www.krksys.com/v3/rokit_rp5.asp http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=37 http://www.edirol.com/products/info/m100fx.html

May 7th, 2005, 04:02 AM	#17
Ralf Strandell Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 180	I found a review of the M-Audio BX5 and there it was told that the low end is a bit disappointing and that the BX5's really need the subwoofer... Maybe the Rokit RP5 monitors would be slightly better then (with or without the Rokit sub)? Has anyone compared those? I could also consider going up one step to BX8 or RP6/RP8. A pair of good monitors is a long term investment, right? Affordable becomes less affordable after the first upgrade... So... The Mackie hr824 or Genelec 8030a are probably much much better, but cost about four times as much (and Genelec 8130a even more)... But then again, if I'm going to listen to those for the next ten or fifteen years I could pay a little more... What do you think of those Genelecs, for example (I could get them locally here)? Oh, this becomes slightly more expensive than Creative times two...

May 7th, 2005, 09:58 AM	#19
Ralf Strandell Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 180	No, it wasn't a comparison. Just a review of the BX5's and the intended application there was music mixing. This is probably the reson why the reviewer recommended a sub. I don't have any previous experience with monitors so that review made me a little bit conspicious. It's nice to know that the BX5's and Genelec 8030's and KRK's are in the same class. So, I can choose from whichever are locally available for listening without missing anything great... And the Mackies were... same class?