Studio Monitors: Points of Diminishing Returns?

[Touch The Universe]

Hey guys. I'm in the market for some new monitors and interface. My current setup is krk rokit 5's and krk rokit 10 sub with m-audio fast tracks (not the best). I would like to know any points of diminishing returns when it comes to studio monitors so I can kind of gauge where to set my budget as I start looking. I'm not sure if there are any, but I certainly would like to know if there are. Would 1000 dollar monitors bring twice the quality of 500 dollar ones? Or is it something like 25 percent? Would 2000 dollar ones be 4 times as good as 500 dollar ones?

I make progressive trance, psy-trance, goa trance and some chillout psybient every once in a while. Suggestions extremely welcome Likewise for interfaces. No research whatsoever in that department. Know of good resources to learn more about both-- do share Cheers

[rod_zero]

Since there are monitors from 150 up to 10,000 USD, I would say that you probably start seeing lower returns past stuff like dynaudio, but then they are also different between the high end: barefoot, best genelecs, and so on.

I think 1000 USD is a good budget but you would notice a big difference between your rokit and a Yamaha HS, obviously also with an Adam or similar mid range stuff.

[Touch The Universe]

Is that 1000 per speaker or 500x2 ? I was thinking of keeping the krk sub 10, are all subs basically the same sounding? Should I upgrade there as well?

[Michael L]

FWIW, I suggest you think of the 'point of diminishing returns' as "how much detail in your work do you want to hear through your monitors?" If you are producing detail that you can hear through a quality set of headphones but not through your KRKs, perhaps bring those tracks you know very well on a usb stick to your local audio shop and see the price of monitors that reproduce all the detail of the kind (eg frequencies, timbre, etc) that you produce. Then you can decide if it's worth the price.

[Shabdahbriah]

FWIW, I suggest you think of the 'point of diminishing returns' as "how much detail in your work do you want to hear through your monitors?" If you are producing detail that you can hear through a quality set of headphones but not through your KRKs, perhaps bring those tracks you know very well on a usb stick to your local audio shop and see the price of monitors that reproduce all the detail of the kind (eg frequencies, timbre, etc) that you produce. Then you can decide if it's worth the price.

THAT ^^^ right there.

[Touch The Universe]

FWIW, I suggest you think of the 'point of diminishing returns' as "how much detail in your work do you want to hear through your monitors?" If you are producing detail that you can hear through a quality set of headphones but not through your KRKs, perhaps bring those tracks you know very well on a usb stick to your local audio shop and see the price of monitors that reproduce all the detail of the kind (eg frequencies, timbre, etc) that you produce. Then you can decide if it's worth the price.

Fair enough, but there is no store near me. I have to make an all day trip. I'm doing the prep work for that now, to have a rough estimate of my budget and which monitors to check out in detail when I go. I already have a bunch of tracks ready from the last time I messed with my monitors I'm looking first to find the line between value and where it would take a considerable more money to increase quality.

I also see it a good time to upgrade my audio interface, no point in having 1k monitors with a 100 dollar interface Where to begin?

[Touch The Universe]

FWIW, I suggest you think of the 'point of diminishing returns' as "how much detail in your work do you want to hear through your monitors?" If you are producing detail that you can hear through a quality set of headphones but not through your KRKs, perhaps bring those tracks you know very well on a usb stick to your local audio shop and see the price of monitors that reproduce all the detail of the kind (eg frequencies, timbre, etc) that you produce. Then you can decide if it's worth the price.

THAT ^^^ right there.

I appreciate the response, but honestly, this isn't really helpful. Are you saying there is no point of diminishing returns? If so, then just say it. The rest is kinda common sense

[rod_zero]

The 100 USD interface DA converters have way more diminishing returns than monitors, the differences between DA converters are quite small in modern interfaces. Unless you have a behringer don't worry: focusrite, steinberg, preonus, NI all have decent DA conversion.

Monitors are way more important, I think 1000 for the apir si far, maybe a little more, but yeah listening is crucial Call the store you are going to visit in advance to check what models do they have in store.

[Michael L]

If you are producing detail

This is my point: Do your tracks include sonic detail-- vocalist articulation, live instrument harmonics, perc transients-- that you need expensive monitors to reproduce?

Are you saying there is no point of diminishing returns? If so, then just say it.

I listened to some of your synth and processed-sample tracks, and perhaps your KRKs are able to reproduce all the detail in your tracks. I don't have expensive monitors for similar reasons. Something to consider while you demo new monitors....

[Touch The Universe]

If you are producing detail

This is my point: Do your tracks include sonic detail-- vocalist articulation, live instrument harmonics, perc transients-- that you need expensive monitors to reproduce?

Are you saying there is no point of diminishing returns? If so, then just say it.

I listened to some of your synth and processed-sample tracks, and perhaps your KRKs are able to reproduce all the detail in your tracks. Something to consider while you demo new monitors....

Thanks bro, will keep all that in mind I use the audio technica's m50x's, though I'm still adjusting to finding a balance between the two (especially in the lower region). It's quite frustrating really, a bassline sounds amazing on the krk's but when heard through the headphones, it sounds incredibly flat and dull and often the reverse happens as well. Bass can sound huge and phat on headphones but too messy on speakers.

[Michael L]

Well, perhaps you can start with a demo of Toneboosters' Isone to improve your headphone reproduction (I have AT phones too, just love 'em but they tend to not have strong bass)