Monitors: What to buy?

[nIGhT-SoN]

Hello guys!
I'm looking to buy some monitors for my home studio. My budget is around: 450$/360€. I have my gear in living room, dimensions around 3m*5m (9ft 107⁄64in*16ft 427⁄32in) no proof at all. I know I should use some, but my budget is low for now. My main genre of music is dance, so I think I will need monitors with 6-8 inch woofer size.

For now I was looking at ESI Aktiv 08, they look preatty good and I've listen to them and sound nice. Now I've seen PreSonus is realasing Eris model a lot expensive but I was thinking on the 5" model. Also I could go with Yamaha HS50M in this price range. Better I will put a list with brands I could get and I want to ask for your help, maybe there are some of you who was in the same possition.
- ESI Aktiv 08
- ESI Unik 05
- PreSonus Eris 5
- Yamaha HS50M
- KRK Rokit 5 G2
- Phonic P6A/P8A
- Fostex PM0.5
- Mackie MR5 MKII
- M-Audio BX8 D2
- Alesis M1 Active MK2
- Blue Sky EXO2

For now I don't have all the money, but I said to ask now so I have time to get more oppinions and suggestions, I'm that kind of guy who gets excited and buy without researching. Also I can't listen to them and make a comparation, those shops are far away from me and there is no shop near. I've listen to ESI Aktiv 08 when I had a chance and I did like them. Now I want to hear your oppinions, suggestions.

Thank you in advance!

[JavaJ]

It's tough- I am in the same boat as you. I currently am using a home theater amp (Harmon Kardon AVR300). At least it is a decent amp. Would love to get some proper studio monitors for flat response so I can mix properly (although my headphones are great for that). Plus, it would let me get rid of the amp which takes up way too much space that could be used for music gear hahahaha

[budweiser]

@nIGhT-SoN : cms 40 is 8/900 if you want to listen in stereo. Otherwise the yamaha and the alesis are good ones. DOn't know the adams.

[nIGhT-SoN]

You're right about the Focal, don't know how did got there, Adam too. I heard that Yamaha are good but not that good at low freq.

[budweiser]

That's true, they're (too) small. The alesis are good value for the price. I changed mine for a cms 65 pair + cms sub and although they can't compete, they're not ridiculous at all.

[nIGhT-SoN]

Sincerly I was thinking between Alesis M1 Active MK2 and ESI Aktiv08. ESI for the bigger woofer and some tweaks that could help me since I don't have a good room, Alesis because a friend has the passive ones and he's very happy about them and I've read good things about them.

[musikmachine]

What about teh D5s?

[schnapsglas]

Exo 2. Really, smaller satellites with a sub is the right way to go here... if you do not treat, anything over 6" will overpower.

[mixmasterm]

I'm in the same boat and currently strongly leaning towards the Equator D5 series. I'll probably pull the trigger on them this afternoon so I can finally mix.

[nIGhT-SoN]

Exo 2. Really, smaller satellites with a sub is the right way to go here... if you do not treat, anything over 6" will overpower.

Can't seem to find them anymore, there was an online shop that had them and actually I remember it was on my list sometime ago. Also, Equator D5 can't find them...
LE: Found Blue Sky EXO2 (with some scratches, the last one)! it's on my list now.

You've made a good point with the size of monitors, but now I'm thinking wouldn't a subwoofer make more problems? I mean you have to put it in the right place, don't know much about how to set it up right.

[musikmachine]

Where're you based? If it's europe Thomann should have them, UK handinhand distribute them. Equators raising the price btw, got an email a couple of days ago. I'd go smaller, better mids and with a sub more accurate bass with control of crossover etc. No steep roll off below 60hz and you can just turn it off at night. I prefer the 2.1 setup, i only got a sub last year but i wish i'd done it years ago.

[werp]

Same boat..my room is 8.5 x 4.2 x 3.0 metres..
Contemplating a pair of 8 inch JBLs...although they come in 5. There's an add on controller with software that adjusts for your room.
I gather you walk around with the provided microphone and it adjusts itself digitally to deliver the best response.
Tempting..

[schnapsglas]

You've made a good point with the size of monitors, but now I'm thinking wouldn't a subwoofer make more problems? I mean you have to put it in the right place, don't know much about how to set it up right.

Complicated answer, but there are few reasons here:

1. In small rooms placement is crucial. Subwoofers are less directional and smaller satellites allow you to place them in precise manner.

2. You say you want to do dance music. Then the cheapest way to go full range is with these. Who knows, you might move to a better place.

3. Subwoofer volume can be controlled independently.

4. If you get ported bigger speakers, you have too much resonance in very important bass region -- it makes the problem of bass trapping worse. Especially if the port is anywhere close to the wall, it's a problem. Non-ported speakers exist but in sacrifice of the frequency response.

If I had to choose again, I would go with something like Focal with sub. Trying to deduce bass response from non-full range cheaper speakers in nonprofessional room is taking a huge risk.

(I like JBL 5" with sub as well, but not sure if it is within the price range...)

EDIT: not to mention something like EXO2 would make a perfect "second monitor"...

[lofty]

...

[mixmasterm]

Ok I went with the D5s, these are my first real studio monitors! I'll be sure to post in this or whatever current budget monitor thread is around at the time when I've had a chance to play with them.