I have a friend who is looking for good active monitors, under $400 or so, and mostly used in a near-field/desktop setup. Coming more from the pro audio (mixing and post-production) side than the audiophile side, so as flat a frequency response as possible would be nice. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

In case anyone cares, I'll also be sending along my modded Fostex T20v2 and T40v1 to this friend on indefinite loan to see if they're up to the task of being good studio headphones. I'm sad to say that I really don't listen to headphones very much, anymore, otherwise you'd have to pry the T40 off my cold, dead hands.

Mackie MR5 | Sweetwater.com

are the m-audio Bx5a's any good?

Amazon has them onsale for $214 right now.

Amazon.com: M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors: Musical Instruments

They're ok. The tweeters that they use are very nice. The Mackies that strech posted above kill them though

Nice. Thanks, Stretch I'd ask if the MR8 is worth paying extra for, but I'm thinking it's a bit too big and too heavy for her use, anyway. I've done some research and also saw the Yamaha HS50M as the main competitor, but lots of people say it needs bass/a subwoofer.

Also, the ...Harbeths? ...that were recently discussed elsewhere, as a Poor Man's Quad 11L.

Almost any 2 way will "need" a sub -- the 12L doesn't need a sub except for synthesizers, organ, acoustic bass, etc.

Dusty is thinking of the Wharfedale's that were recently discussed as the poor man's Quad. Specifically the 8.1 or 8.2 active monitor, both of which are available for less than your friend's max budget.

yeah, the Harbeths are the rich man's non-active Quads.

i have the bx8a (older style) and love them. i would tell him to listen to the newer version of these along with the Mackies posted above, only problem i see with the Mackies is the Freq range compared to the bx8's..still he should listen to both in life first.

Don't know if these are still available:

http://www.head-case.org/forums/audio-gear-sale/5996-forsale-elsewhere-120.html#post271516

I passed on them and I'll probably regret it

yeah, the Harbeths are the rich man's non-active Quads.

speaking of which, when does the new one come out?

(not to imply I'm rich of course)

For the record, I will own Harbeths one day, but that's neither here nor there.

For inexpensive actives, I also recommend Audioengine.

For the record, I will own Harbeths one day, but that's neither here nor there.

For inexpensive actives, I also recommend Audioengine.

I'm lucky enough to my Harbeths here and now. One of the best (if not the best) purchases i have made.

I'm debating the upcoming bookshelf model and the Monitor 30, for desktop nearfield.

Despite having ample desk space, I'm thinking the Monitor 30 would be too big, but I'm really not sure.

But I would like the 30 if I can swing it, as it should play lower.

I'm debating the upcoming bookshelf model and the Monitor 30, for desktop nearfield.

Despite having ample desk space, I'm thinking the Monitor 30 would be too big, but I'm really not sure.

But I would like the 30 if I can swing it, as it should play lower.

I think the M30 would be to big for desktop. The smaller P3esr would be great. I think these speakers are really good in a desktop system. Killer little speakers.

Anyone heard Fostex Monitors?

PM Series MK II - Nearfield Monitors

I'm debating the upcoming bookshelf model and the Monitor 30, for desktop nearfield.

Dammit sammich, until today I didn't know the P3ESRs existed. Now I can't think about anything else.

I think 18'*11*11

ha.

From what I've read, its identical to the existing design, but with a new "radial" driver.

Not really sure how it betters the existing design, but hey - new is new

Sorry about the incomplete post. Was just going to say that the 30s are probably too big for a desktop by my lights.

Damn those Mackeys look nice. I've been seriously considering going from my LX4 2.1 M-Audio set up to something nicer.

I've been looking at active Quad 11Ls and 12Ls.. I want to stick with active to keep my computer rig basic and simple.

Anyone able to give a break down between the pros/cons of the 11L/12L/Mackeys?

ha.

From what I've read, its identical to the existing design, but with a new "radial" driver.

Not really sure how it betters the existing design, but hey - new is new

Was just looking at the Harbeth site. They've re-worked and enlarged the crossover boards. With parts similar to the M40 boards they say.

i have the bx8a (older style) and love them. i would tell him to listen to the newer version of these along with the Mackies posted above, only problem i see with the Mackies is the Freq range compared to the bx8's..still he should listen to both in life first.

I looked up some reviews and I think the consensus is the Bx8a Deluxe is bass heavy and doesn't have built-in EQ adjustments, but might still be a decent option.

And I was waiting for someone to post something way over budget... Harbeths sure look nice.

As your friend most likely knows, for monitoring, how well you know the speakers is just as important as how good the speakers are.

That said, if you can find the Mackie HR624/824, those kill the MR5/8 imo. And the Bx8a is a bass monster (in a bad way).

ha.

From what I've read, its identical to the existing design, but with a new "radial" driver.

Not really sure how it betters the existing design, but hey - new is new

The Radial drivers have been around for years, they are what makes the Harbeths midrange so special. I'm glad to see them make into the smaller less $$$ models. If i had the money I would love to set up another system at my computor with the P3esr speakers.

That said, if you can find the Mackie HR624/824, those kill the MR5/8 imo. And the Bx8a is a bass monster (in a bad way).

Cool, thanks. I sent in requests for price quotes for the MR5 and HR624 at Northern Sound and Light, which have been known to be pretty cheap, at least for headphones.