difference between monitor speakers and a power amp and speakers ??

[jey_power]

hi, was wanting to the difference between monitors and having a power amp hooked up to two big speakers??

is the sound better, different or what??

cheers, jason

 

[jaffi]

It depends on what sound you are looking for. Most commercial speakers are meant to make the sound better. To do this they will mess with phase, embelish certain freq's and change the overall original sound. The most noticable things they do is boost the bass. Monitors, on the other hand, are meant to be accurate to the original material. They are meant to have a flat freq response so that no freq's are emphasised over another freq. They are also linear in relation to phase. They don't change the phase at all. If you are recording somewhat seriously, you should definately be using studio monitors.

 

[jey_power]

oh rite...thanks for that

now that brings me to another question...

whats the difference between passive and active monitors??

cheers, jason

 

[MASSIVE Mastering]

Passive requires a dedicated amplifier. Actives use a built-in amplifier.

 

[jey_power]

what is better passive or active??

does a built in amp differ to a seperate one??

thanks, j

 

[MASSIVE Mastering]

Some prefer active. Some prefer passive.

IME, "budget" actives (Event, Mackie, etc.) are less thrilling than a good set of boxes with a nice amp.

The higher end actives (Genelec, ADAM, Barefoot, PMC, etc.) have much higher quality amplification, more headroom, MUCH better crossovers and generally much MUCH better translation.

IME, YMMV, yada, yada, etc., etc.

That all being said - In the severe budget category, I've found that M-Audio's BX8's and Wharfedale's Pro Diamond 8.2's are quite decent sounding boxes - Although the QC on both leaves a lot to be desired...