What are studio Monitors ?
Studio monitors buying guide Nepal : Studio monitors are speakers made for music production purposes such as editing, mixing, and monitoring.
Besides that, We can also use them for day to day activities such as using it as an extension for your TV speakers or filmmaking. A studio monitor might include one or more drivers like the woofer, Tweeter, single driver subwoofers, and bass drum.
The Tweeter is usually placed vertically above. They are typically shaped in the form of a dome or cone; they are made from a series of materials. They are known for producing high-frequency sounds, which usually start at about 2 kHz.
The second speaker is usually vertically placed under the Tweeter; this is called a woofer. They are commonly known to be shaped like a cone and are known for producing the mid to low frequency sounds, which are then displayed on monitors which have two drivers, also known as “two way.”
A third driver can be found in some monitors and also a mid-range speaker. The Tweeter makes high frequencies, the mid-range speaker produces mid frequencies, and the woofer makes low frequencies, this is how this three-way system works.
What are the types of Studio Monitors ?
The different studio monitors available in the market are the mid-field, near-field, and far-field.
1) Near-Field Monitors
The drivers in these monitors are usually small and are situated close to the listener at about two to three feet. Their closeness enables the produced sound to reach the listener’s ear more audibly than when it is bounced around the surfaces in the room. Near fields have been known to increase the amount of direct sound and reduce the amount of reflected sound.
2) Mid-field Studio Monitors
These monitors have a larger cabinet to accommodate the bass extensions, they have an improved mid to high-frequency distribution at a farther distance. These monitors are made for a way bigger studio space.
3) Far-Field Monitors
These monitors are quite extensive, including the Driver, so they are fitted along the walls of the studio space, far away from the audience at about 10 feet away. They are most times hooked to the wall or inside the wall at the back of a mixing table. These monitors usually have about 2 to 3 speakers, which are the Tweeter, mid-range driver, and the low-range Driver.
4) Passive Monitors
Passive monitoring systems are modular in nature, requiring you to match your speakers with an appropriate amplifier and crossover.
This needs an external amplifier to aid the amplification of the input signal before going into the monitor. The signal that has been amplified is then sent through different electronic components inside the monitor known as the crossover network.
5) Active Monitors
Active monitors have all that built in, which presents a few benefits.
These do not need an external amplifier because it already has an in-built amplifier inside its cabinet. The input signal enters the monitor and passes through the crossover network then it separately amplifies each band before it is sent to the designated drivers.
What are the best brand for studio monitors ?
Here are some of the best brand for studio monitors :
1) YAMAHA Studio Monitors
The Yamaha monitors have been famous for its reasonable price and its professional industry-standard quality. In fact, we can spot that most of the popular recording studios across the music industry are using the Yahama’s studio monitors.There are three categories of Yamaha monitor that you can find on the market currently; The HS-series, the MSP3 and the MSP STUDIO series.
The powered HS-series cater to the home studio market, MSP3 is for the personal applications in a smaller studio, whereas MSP-series is made for the professional studio.
A) MSP Series
1) MSP3 Studio Monitor
The MSP3 is very compact and small enough to place at the corner of the desktop without sacrifice its audio quality and features. It is more suitable for the smaller studio or even for the home-studio personal uses.
It is a 2-way powered monitor speaker system that utilizes a built-in 20-watt amplifier on each speaker to power up the 2.2cm tweeter and a 4″ cone.
B) MSP STUDIO Series
Unlike the MSP3 which is made for personal and general applications. The MSP STUDIO Series studio monitors are catered to the professional users who have advanced studio setups to complement with this speaker
1) MSP5 STUDIO Professional Studio Monitor
The MSP5 STUDIO is a 2-way bi-amplified bassreflex system that features a 5″ cone woofer which is driven by a 40-watt amplifier and a 1″ dome tweeter powered by a 27-watt amplifier.
It is very suitable for the smaller studio that desires a professional studio-grade monitoring environment. Being measured at the dimension of 179mm x 279mm x 208mm. The MSP5 STUDIO has become one of the popular professional studio monitors for those small studio and DAW-based productions.
2) MSP7 STUDIO Professional Studio Monitor
The MSP7 Studio is the most powerful studio monitor in the Yahama’s Studio-series. It utilizes the 6.5″ polypropylene cone woofer which is driven by a dedicated 80W amplifier. And its 1″ titanium dome tweeter is driven by a dedicated 50W amplifier as well. Just like the MSP5, the MSP7 is a near-field monitor that is powered by a 2-way bi-amplified bass-reflex system.
The MSP7 is more suitable for those professional / bigger studios who want to produce the industry-grade audio monitoring results. Some users were even claimed that the MSP7 is potentially better than the legacy NS10.
C) HS Series
HS Series was launched as a replacement for the Yahama’s flagship NS10 near-field studio monitors. Unlike other Yamaha speakers that are only available in black color, the HS-Series are available in both black and white. The price range of the HS-series is more affordable as compared to the MSP Studio series. Furthermore, It is capable of reproducing a right balance of frequencies (just like the NS10M), but with a bit more bass. And it does feature a switchable EQ adjustment control function.
1) HS5 POWERED STUDIO MONITOR
HS5 & HS5I are 2-way bass-reflex bu-amplified nearfield monitors. It uses 5″ cone woofer driven by 45-watts LF amplifier and a 1″ dome tweeter which is driven by a 25 HF amplifier.
With the dimension of 6.7″ (W) x 11.25″ (H) x 8.75″ (D) and only weighing at 11.7 pounds, It’s the one you should choose if you plan to use it on a smaller studio. And you can even go for the HS5I if you need any additional mounting feature.
2) HS7 POWERED STUDIO MONITOR
Just like the HS5, it is also a 2-way bass-reflex bi-amplified near-field monitor. The HS7 is more powerful than the HS5 with bigger woofer and stronger amplifiers. The HS7 uses a 6.5″ cone woofer which powered by a 60W LF amplifier and a 1″ dome tweeter which is driven by a 35W HF amplifier. And with 43Hz – 30kHz frequency response.
It also features the “Room Control and High Trim response control functions. And it also does comes with the XLR and TRS phone jack inputs.
3) HS8 POWERED STUDIO MONITOR
With all the standard features similar to the HS5 and HS7 monitors. But, the Yamaha HS8 is by far the most powerful studio monitor model in the Yamaha’s HS-Series. The Yamaha HS8 uses an 8″ cone woofer driven by a 75W amplifier and a 1″ dome tweeter which is driven by a 45W amplifier. And it can produce the output power of 120W in total. The frequency response is between 46 Hz – 24kHz.
The overall flatter responses and sound imaging of the HS8 are quite impressive and very detailed in all aspects. You can notice any imperfection of your mixing very easily.
2) M-Audio Studio Monitors
A) BX5 D3 Active Studio Monitor
Introducing M-Audio’s BX5-D3 monitors—the return of a studio icon and the successor to the industry-renowned BX D2 monitors. Trusted by recording/mix engineers and composers globally, M-Audio’s BX monitors guarantee absolute surgical precision and repeatable engineering excellence.
With M-Audio’s BX5-D3, every detail has been meticulously engineered with one goal in mind – to facilitate the freedom to mix with confidence. BX5-D3 monitors have a rear-mounted bass port, meticulously engineered to the exact length and diameter. The result? Deep, defined bass response with maximum bass extension and resolution. When combined with a smoothly-flared port, BX5-D3 monitors markedly reduce the audibly-intrusive air turbulence that results when bass is played back at high sound pressure levels (SPLs). BX5-D3’s tweeter is mounted in a custom waveguide for reliably accurate dispersion that eliminates unwanted high-frequency “scatter,” whilst ensuring a soundstage that remains consistently wide and stable. For seamless setup and easy-location of the optimum listening position, the BX5-D3’s front-mounted positioning LED shines brightly when you’re located in the perfect listening spot, for uncompromisingly accurate and reliable critical evaluations. Finally, BX5-D3’s iconic design on the front panel—M-Audio’s famous “keyhole” shape—is more than just an attractive look: This special “fastenerless” design ensures so there are no driver attachment screw heads to interfere with the sound coming from our drivers.
B) BX8 D3 Active Studio Monitor
Introducing M-Audio’s BX8-D3 monitors—the return of a studio icon and the successor to the industry-renowned BX D2 monitors. Trusted by recording/mix engineers and composers globally, M-Audio’s BX monitors guarantee absolute surgical precision and repeatable engineering excellence.
With M-Audio’s BX8-D3, every detail has been meticulously engineered with one goal in mind – to facilitate the freedom to mix with confidence. BX8-D3 monitors have a rear-mounted bass port, meticulously engineered to the exact length and diameter. The result? Deep, defined bass response with maximum bass extension and resolution. When combined with a smoothly-flared port, BX8-D3 monitors markedly reduce the audibly-intrusive air turbulence that results when bass is played back at high sound pressure levels (SPLs). BX8-D3’s tweeter is mounted in a custom waveguide for reliably accurate dispersion that eliminates unwanted high-frequency “scatter,” whilst ensuring a soundstage that remains consistently wide and stable. For seamless setup and easy-location of the optimum listening position, the BX8-D3’s front-mounted positioning LED shines brightly when you’re located in the perfect listening spot, for uncompromisingly accurate and reliable critical evaluations.
C) AV32 Studio Monitor
AV32 speakers are compatible with all your gear, including your tablet, computer, or mobile device. The convenient headphone output allows you to work privately at any hour. Ideal for producing all kinds of media, the AV32 monitors are also perfect for gaming, watching videos, and listening to music. Cables are included.
D) AV42 Studio Monitor
M-Audio’s AV42 desktop speakers are an inexpensive way to improve your sound, whether you’re creating music or enjoying media. In addition to their OptImage IV tweeter wave guides, AV42s feature 1″ silk dome tweeters similar to those found in high-end studio monitors here at Music Shop Nepal , which are responsible for providing smooth top end are a nice touch. A substantial step up from laptop speakers, M-Audio’s AV42 desktop speakers look good, sound good, and work with a wide range of your gear.
Note : AV42 is discontinued.
last word
If you have nay queries regarding any of the musical instrument then please feel free to contact us via Facebook, Instagram and WhatApp ( 980313065 ). And if you have any questions regarding any of our products then you can mail is via musicshopnepal@gmail.com .
Also, check out all studio monitors here.