Resolv 40a VS MA-15D BK - Opinions...?

[JackDark]

I have no idea what forum category this should go in. I hope this works.

I'm far from rich and I need an active nearfield monitor solution. I mean, for the last 2 years I've used Altec Lansing FX6021s which are great for what they are, but aren't actually monitors. After much gnashing of teeth and hair ripping I have decided on going with either of these:



http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Resolv40a/



http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MA15DBK/

I like how the 40as have silk dome tweeters but I don't like how they only have RCA input. I can get an adapter for that though. I don't like the blue crap but that's just aesthetics. I'd like a headphone jack up front and these don't have that.

I like all the input options and face knobs the MA15s have, but I have no idea as to their frequency response and reference clarity... I've had no luck finding reviews of the MA15s. But these do have a headphone jack.

So if you've used either of these what do you think is best? I don't really give a shit about bass, just mid and high really. If you have other monitors I'm open to suggestions as long as they are in this price range... I can't afford Genelecs or Mackies people.

Thoughts appreciated...

Also if anyone wants to suggest the best $100-50 range headphones I could use some help on that. I was looking at HD280 Pros but I really don't know what the hell I'm doing with picking out cans.

[C00kie]

I have no idea what forum category this should go in. I hope this works.

It's the right section here, it works

I like how the 40as have silk dome tweeters but I don't like how they only have RCA input. I can get an adapter for that though.

The Edirol's also only have RCA and 1/8" minijack inputs, plus S/PDIF. It should be indeed one of the least of your worries. What are you connecting them to? Would you rather have TRS or XLR connectors?

I don't like the blue crap but that's just aesthetics. I'd like a headphone jack up front and these don't have that.

I like all the input options and face knobs the MA15s have, but I have no idea as to their frequency response and reference clarity... I've had no luck finding reviews of the MA15s. But these do have a headphone jack.

Having more than one input and headphone jack saves you a small mixer indeed. Sometimes other things than audio quality can be the selling point. I also like how the controls are put at the front instead of the back, with one simple volume knob that does the job for both channels.

Haven't you seen the reviews on SweetWater? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... ws/#anchor
And Google found me these:
http://www.musictechmag.co.uk/mtm/reviews/ma-15d
http://www.machome.com/reviews/0509/ma- ... ital.lasso

So if you've used either of these what do you think is best?

Sorry, can't really help you there...

I don't really give a shit about bass, just mid and high really.

You'll regret that one day Obviously you're not into monitors that have hyped bass, but you'll need some minimal amount of it for a proper judgement of your music.

If you have other monitors I'm open to suggestions as long as they are in this price range... I can't afford Genelecs or Mackies people.

Thoughts appreciated...

Headphone jacks at the front are hard to come by, but it's a great feature.

I doubt that anything below/around $200 would cut it. Maybe you can stretch it to $300 a pair. You then can have a look at more fair contenders: KRK Rokit RP5, Alesis MonitorOne MkII, Behringer Truth B2030A... It's impossible to judge monitors by info on web pages. You really should go out and listen. Only then you can decide weather the extra $100 is money spent well for you or not.

Also if anyone wants to suggest the best $100-50 range headphones I could use some help on that. I was looking at HD280 Pros but I really don't know what the hell I'm doing with picking out cans.

Same goes for headphones as for monitors: press the START button on the far left of the taskbar, chose SHUT DOWN. Get your coat, go in town and visit a real shop that has those babies sitting there waiting for you to demo.

Bring along a compilation audio CD you've made for the purpose. Include tracks you know intimately. Make sure you have a diverse set of tracks: one that focuses on vocals, one for acoustic piano or guitar, one that uses up all the room at the bass side of the spectrum, a busy nearly muddy midrange mix...

Just listen closely how the music you already know really well sounds like on the different monitors or headphones. You should have no problem picking out what sounds the best for you. Remember: you plan to work with what you buy for several years. So it better be good! Or at least: the best you can afford.

Good luck!

[JackDark]

>What are you connecting them to?

I prefer S/PDIF, it's to a soundcard.

>You'll regret that one day

I should clarify I already have a very badass tuned subwoofer.

>Get out and compare

I would love to do that, but I live in the middle of absolute nowhere. My best bet is to drive 35 minutes to Tallahassee, and go to the likes of Guitar Center. Once there, they will have a variety of monitors, but I know they won't have these two. They will probably have DX4s at the best. So that's the pickle I'm slicin' here bro.

But I appreciate your time and input, I will check the links you found, thanks.

[C00kie]

>What are you connecting them to?

I prefer S/PDIF, it's to a soundcard.

Well, with S/PDIF the signal gets converted to analog inside the monitors. There's a chance that the converters in there are actually worse than the DAC of your soundcard It's an extra part you have to pay for.

I should clarify I already have a very badass tuned subwoofer.

M'kay

>Get out and compare

I would love to do that, but I live in the middle of absolute nowhere. My best bet is to drive 35 minutes to Tallahassee, and go to the likes of Guitar Center.

Drive half an hour is not too bad, is it? Most people waiste more time commuting, every single frigging day!

Once there, they will have a variety of monitors, but I know they won't have these two. They will probably have DX4s at the best. So that's the pickle I'm slicin' here bro.

Well, there's a telephone book that should list music shops. Inquire what they have, ask weather they know of other shops nearby that do have monitors to demo.

Good luck!!