passive monitors do I really need new ones?

[Eric CollinsParticipant]

Hi all! I'm brand new here and have a basic question. I did a little recording years ago with a Fostex ADAT and have finally decided to try and get back to it using a more modern approach (computer, audio interface, DAW, etc), but am still a newbie with waaaay more to learn than what I already know. I used to use and still have, some cheap Audix Studio 1A passive monitors. I'm using them for now with a Hafler P3100 amplifier, which I'd like to keep using since I have it and it's dead quiet. Plus the 'old guy' in me still likes the idea of using a separate power amp. I'm thinking that maybe I should upgrade to better monitors, but I'm not sure if my newb ears are going to be able to actually hear much of a difference. Am I dead wrong on this?? Plus I've noticed that passive monitor choices seem slimmer these days since active monitor technology has clearly advanced so much over the years. There still seems to be some great choices though; ATC, Amphion, ProAc, etc.. My budget could probably handle the 2k-ish range (maybe more, if I off-loaded some things ), but in the spirit of just "learning to work with what I have", am I better off putting those sheckels towards something else for my little bedroom studio? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Magnus EmilssonParticipant]

Hello Eric and welcome!

I would say that the most bang for you buck you will get investing in some acoustic treatment, instead of monitors. Though passive monitors are usually available for bargain level prices second hand, since active is all the rage. 🙂

But I will repeat my advice to spend the money and/or effort on getting some acoustic treatment instead. This will give your current monitors a chancer to perform.

/Magnus

[Eric CollinsParticipant]

Hi Magnus, thanks for the welcome and feedback! I had a similar thought about at least 'some' room treatment, but my seriously tiny room downstairs is so full of absorbent materials; a bed with lots of pillows, my wife's clothes, my hunting clothes, curtains, rugs, boxes and a super low ceiling (if I jumped, I would hit my head), that I'm not sure that I would need to add much...maybe a couple of baffles on one wall. It's basically a store room in the basement of our old farm house that I decided to take over a corner of until I can build a bigger space. I like the idea of looking for some good second hand monitors and will start poking around online to see what I can find. Thanks again for the feedback.

Eric

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