What size monitors?

[maddnotez]

Looking to get an entry level, bang for buck pair of monitors for mixing. Have been looking and it is between 5" - 8".

For now it will be in an open, unfinished and medium sized basement. I am not expecting amazing results but that is what I have to work with. Eventually I will finish the basement but it is pretty open.

I am thinking 8" based off that alone but I was curious what some others thought before I got them.

 

[stratjacket]

I would also recommend a Sub. It's all personal preference, but I wouldn't go less than 7" speakers.

It will all sound like shit if the room is an echo chamber. I'd definitely treat the room with some corner and wedge foam.

This site is cheap and pretty good. I've bought from here as well as Auralex and I can say that I can feel the difference, the Auralex seems thicker and probably is a better, but not $$$ better.
http://www.thefoamfactory.com/acousticfoam/acousticfoam.html

 

[maddnotez]

I would also recommend a Sub. It's all personal preference, but I wouldn't go less than 7" speakers.

It will all sound like shit if the room is an echo chamber. I'd definitely treat the room with some corner and wedge foam.

This site is cheap and pretty good. I've bought from here as well as Auralex and I can say that I can feel the difference, the Auralex seems thicker and probably is a better, but not $$$ better.
http://www.thefoamfactory.com/acousticfoam/acousticfoam.html

Ok thanks.

I have a powered sub. Vector SL...Thought about using that but idk if that is a good idea.

 

[Metlupass2]

I've got a pair of Yamaha HS5's with the matching HS10 subwoofer and have always been happy.

 

[Chris O]

I have KRK Rockit 6's, no sub, and very happy with those.

 

[RaceU4her]

I've got a pair of Yamaha HS5's with the matching HS10 subwoofer and have always been happy.

me as well

 

[maddnotez]

But given that my basement is open (maybe 2-3 regular sized bedrooms) should I go for 5” or 8”? I saw something online saying the bigger the room, the bigger the speakers I’d need but it didn’t go into dimensions.

 

[stratjacket]

For recording and mixing, to be honest it’s a small area. So you can probably go with 5inch speakers.

Below is a diagram for laying out the monitors that you may have seen before, but just in case it helps. It does make a difference to be in that sweet spot when listening.

 

[ChurchHill]

I've got a pair of JBL LSR308s with a sub and I've been really pleased with them, extremely pleased. I've also got some BeyerDynamic DT770 headphones that are actually not terrible for mixing and great for listening.

I'd have to agree with stratjacket about room treatment. Speakers, EQ, etc., just isn't going to do much for a room that echoes or has standing waves. Just about anything is an improvement over bare walls. Bookshelves make excellent diffusers and a well placed couch or chair can help.

I'll agree with stratjacket again about the layout. The sweet spot is usually about 1/3 the way back from the front wall to the back wall with 2/3 behind you. Running a mirror along the walls will show you where the most important spots to treat for echoes. If you can see yourself from the mixing position, the sound waves will bounce right back to you just like your reflection in the mirror.

That is, unless you're a vampire... then mirrors are no good. Also, I've always heard that size doesn't really matter, but I think my wife just says that to make me feel better...

 

[maddnotez]

Ok sweet. And thanks for the tips.

I’ll probably just go with 5” then. Those seem to be cheaper too which is good

 

[Chris O]

That is, unless you're a vampire... then mirrors are no good. Also, I've always heard that size doesn't really matter, but I think my wife just says that to make me feel better...