PC Speakers or Monitor Speakers for StagePiano?

[digital]

Hey all,

Got a quick question but appreciate input/feedback from anyone with some views on this~
I have been using headphones for quite sometime for my Synthesizer to listen to it's playback.

I am planning to get speakers instead as headphones generally get very uncomfortable after putting it on for too long.

I'd like to know if I should be getting a high end multimedia (PC) speakers or a pair of monitor speakers (i.e. HS50M) for sound output from the Synth?

* BTW, I m using S70XS and I mainly play pianos heavily and other acoustic stuff

Thanks in Advanced!

 

[Cheez]

Depends on your budget and quality of sound you want. Monitor speakers will give you better definition. But you probably don't need high end ones. Something like Yamaha MS202 or lower end nEar speakers or M-audio ones will do.

 

[digital]

I'd like to hear the piano w/ clarity much like the detailed sound you can get from the from listening them through headphones..

Hmm actually I have never seen MS202 for sale. but are a pair of HS50s over kill?

*Edit: BTW, do i need to get the 'matching' subwoofer for these monitors?

 

[SilverBeast]

Surprisingly, the Kurzweil KS-40A sounds good given its price..."clean" sound.

 

[poladark]

My five cents:
As long as you're not mixing, monitor speakers aren't "necessary" but they're nice if you have the extra money to burn. If you're using the speakers for performances, then I guess monitor speakers might be good too. (Unless they're big performances, in which case a proper keyboard amp is in order.) PC speakers are made to make recorded music sound good and that isn't necessarily what you want when you're actually making music, in which case a more "flat" frequency response is usually desirable.

I use a pair of 5" ESI nEar active monitors for practising with my synths and dabbling in mixing for my band and they work well enough for me (and my band). I personally wouldn't go for a smaller monitor than a 5" one. I'm no expert so if you're seriously considering getting a pair of active monitors, you should ask to try a couple of different pairs in a store before you buy.

Woofers are a bit of a controversial subject, when it comes to monitors. I think it's great if you don't have to use them. Often you use a woofer in combination with smaller monitors. With 5" ones they shouldn't be necessary.

 

[digital]

So if i m going for high definition, and possibly in use for some small scale performances + possibility of expansion to a simple mixing... monitor speakers of about 5" like the HS50M is cool for the purposes?

 

[poladark]

You seem to be hung up on HS50M. There are a lot of different brands and models out there. Usually the best thing is to go to a music store and ask to try a couple of different monitor speakers out.

...and of course, if it's for practicing at home mostly then quality PC speakers might still be a very attractive option. Don't let people talk you into buying more expensive equipment than you actually need.

 

[digital]

You seem to be hung up on HS50M.

Yeah actually I have had HS50s in mind for quite awhile but just really wonder if it's a good investment to get those. (Read many good reviews and had a chance to play an S90ES on the setup and really liked the S700 piano patch that came out from the HS50s - the clarity is amazing), Also I m using a S70XS, so i am somehow accustomed to think products of the same brand 'work together' better... +plus point: they look really sleek.

Would appreciate more views from everyone!

Thanks!

 

[soft]

To enjoy the low ends of the piano sound, you might wanna add sub woofer.

 

[digital]

hey soft,
monitor subs are pretty expensive... would i be better with a pair of 8" cones like HS80?

 

[Cheez]

You don't need subwoofers. A pair of monitors is sufficient.

 

[digital]

are 8" cones better than 5" cones in terms of the frequency response such as having more audible bass and stuff?
i was told that 5" are insufficient and i m better off with 6" or 8"..

appreciate if someone can shed some light on this!

thank you.

 

[poladark]

Well... a larger cone will be better at producing lower frequencies but i personally don't think a 5" cone will be insufficient for your needs. I don't want to understate the value of giving monitors a listening test before you buy.

However, please also be aware that the ear is less sensitive to bass notes at lower general sound volume. This is a property of human hearing (and not a defect of monitor speakers). What people often do when they're playing at low volume and don't hear the bass a lot, is that they raise the volume of the bass. Sometimes this is why people get a woofer as well. What people should be doing is to raise the overall volume until they can hear the bass. If you're playing an instrument, you should play it at a sound volume that is appropriate for that particular instrument. Don't be afraid to "turn it up".