[Chris]

Recommend me some powered monitors in the ~$150 range or so. I have a good set for home, but I'd like a set to drag around with my laptop rig, so that if I'm recording somewhere else, I have decent monitors to use.

[keithb]

Let me know what you find Chris - my monitors currently consist of a pair of hi-fi surround speakers pulled out of someone's trash, connected to the hacked-up amp from a pair of 'computer' speakers, and an old sub with a broken crossover

[Chris]

These look decent:

M-Audio StudioPro 3



$99 for the pair, and I believe they're relatively flat response (will have to do some more homework).

The step up are these:

Studiophile DX4



I have the BX8's at home now and they kick ass, but I don't want to lug $500 monitors around and unwire the things every time I go somewhere. And standard PC speakers don't really work, since they're tuned to make music sound good rather than deliver an accurate sample of un-equalized sound.

[darren]

I've heard of a lot of people using Behringer Truth monitors in their project studios.

[Drew]

I've got a set of Behringer Truth's, Chris, the slightly cheaper ones ($230 or so, I want to say, for a pair) simply because the bigger ones wouldn't fit on my desk.

They sound great - next time you swing by, toss your favorite reference mixes into your car, and we can queue them up for you.

On the downside, even slightly smaller than "normal" monitors, they're still not exactly what most people would consider "portable." The box they shipped to me in is about the size of your 2x12. You might be better off just getting a really good pair of computer speakers, rather than monitors.

[Chris]

I've seen yours, those are way too freakin' big.

[Drew]

Yeah, and those are the smaller ones.

Honestly, I'd go with a good set of computer audio speakers, if size is an issue - my old Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's were awesome. If they make anything without a sub, I'd recommend that.

Maybe go down to best buy with a disc man and check a few out, then grab 'em online somewhere?

[Chris]

The thing is, my esteemed friend, computer speakers aren't tuned for flat response, whereas actual monitors are. Buying a set of high end PC speakers would totally defeat the purpose of wanting actual monitors to bring with me.

Hi-Fi speakers are meant to 'sound good', and so they incorporate a lot of built in EQ to boost highs and lows, as this sounds better to your ear. Since most music (vocals, guitar, piano) happens in the midrange, and hi fis scoop this out, it's difficult to accurately hear what's going on, and it makes it difficult to do a mix that will translate well to other systems. Think of it as trying to walk a high wire, but you have a 50lb weight on the left side of your balancing pole.

Studio monitors are meant to sound accurate, and let you know what's going on in the mix. While all monitors are different, they have a more even response across all frequencies. People who aren't used to listening to them won't like the sound because of a pronounced (more accurate) midrange.

Good read regarding it here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jun0...s/monitors.asp

[Drew]

I'm aware of that, Chris. It's just, monitors aren't generally built with portability in mind - part of that flat response generally involves a larger enclosure for the low end.

It's a tradeoff either way. Maybe google for "portable recording monitors" and see what comes up? There might be a niche product or something designed to mix on a mobile studio.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Drew

I'm aware of that, Chris. It's just, monitors aren't generally built with portability in mind - part of that flat response generally involves a larger enclosure for the low end.

It's a tradeoff either way. Maybe google for "portable recording monitors" and see what comes up? There might be a niche product or something designed to mix on a mobile studio.

Or I could post a thread on my music forums and ask one of my 4,000 members if they've come across something you alcohol-sodden ho'bag.