About
Reviews (1)
Jan 21, 2018
Fantastic sound with all the equipment you need to get started!
I have been looking for studio monitor speakers for the better part of two years, looking up reviews, asking friends, and doing listenings in stores. The reality is that you pay for what you get, but there is something to be said for getting the most bang out of your buck. The the level of clarity is great, and any adjustments needed to allow you to mix to a more true sound is found on the back of the speakers.
Regarding the other pieces of equipment, I must say I was delighted that I could get everything here for the same price as the speakers alone from other sites. The speakers are valued at about $299ea, or about $600 for speakers ALONE. Buying the other essential pieces of equipment here would likely be at least an added $20 miniumum (assuming you already place the speakers on your desk and isolate them using a cardboard box or something). But for this bundled price, you were able to pay no more for much better equipment. I cannot say that I hear the difference from a Monster Cable and a Mogami cable, but since I am not paying any extra for the "superior" cable, I can't complain. Depending on the size of your room, the cable length may be an issue for optimal positioning. In my home studio, it works well.
The Auralex pads do exactly what is advertised, and they look much better than the cheaper options. there are enough pads to fully set up your speakers. The pads also give you several option on how to angle your speakers. I set mine up flap due to my carpeted floors, and that keeps the speakers centered and out of risk of falling off the stands. Several reviewers say these will work just the same as the more expensive alternatives.
Regarding the speaker stands-- they honestly feel a bit unstable on carpeted floor, so positioning your speakers and pads in a manner that keeps them absolutely centered is crucial. The platform upon which you set the speakers on feels a bit small, especially since the isolation pads are a bit longer than the platform. The base's triangular design seems like a good idea, but there is risk of tipping at each of the sides. Once again, must of what is mentioned here can be resolved with careful setup or a small flat hard surface underneath the stands. If you are working on hard floors or less shaggy carpet, this may not be an issue at all.
In summary, this bundle is great for folks who are looking to upgrade to a more "professional" setup without the added weight and expense of buying the other essential equipment. The speakers themselves are what I have found the be the best bang for my buck, and I will likely not need to upgrade until I am a world-famous composer who can also mix/master well... so never :)
My musical experience: music teacher, music producer, sound designer and composer working for documentaries, video games, and live productions.