Hi Ryan,
If you are shopping for a pair of studio monitors for near field listening here is my short list of 5 pairs that you must at least audition before making a purchase decision:
1. Genelec 1031A (Expensive!)
2. Dynaudio BM6A ($1700 pair)
3. Event ASP8 Studio Precision 8 ($1300 pair)
4. Mackie HR624 ($900 pair)
5. Behringer B2031A Truth ($340 pair)
Let's start with the Genelec 1031A. This is the worldwide reference for professional recording studios for near field monitoring. Take your favorite CDs and listen how they sound on the 1031A. Amazing detail, imaging and clarity. Use them as a reference to judge how close the others in the line up match to this benchmark. Obviously, as you go down the line, you would lose the sparkling clarity, smoothness, 3D imaging, bass handling, power handling, etc.
Each one of the 4 pairs following the Genelec are the best speakers in their respective price class - meaning you cannot do better for the same amount of money.
The 2nd choice is my list - the Dynaudio BM6A is surprisingly close in sonic performance to the 1031A. As a bonus, they save you 50% off the Genelecs. If you are a serious home studio owner, get these.
The Studio Precision 8 is a great performer. I prefer them over the Mackie HR824 which tends to over-hype the bass.
The Mackie HR624 has a cleaner sound than the HR824 and is free from the over-hyped bass issue. You can always add their sub to get the full spectrum sound. At $900 a pair, the HR624 is ideally suited for the project studio with options to expand to a full 5.1 or 7.1 setup. You cannot go wrong with this choice.
Now for the budget minded there awaits you a big surprise!
Take your time to audition the top 4 monitors. Get familiar with their strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind the price for each, then take your favorite CDs and listen to the Behringer B2031A at the very end. You would be blown away by how much value you are getting for a mere $340. After listening to them you would be left wondering how could these cheap speakers sound so good.
I was so overjoyed, I bought a pair myself. Behringer boldly copied the Genelec 1031A design. It even looks the same. Here is a picture of the 2031A in my studio. The stands are Ultimate Support MS-36B2.
www.land.state.az.us/alris/transfers/html/images/behringer.jpg I cannot possibly ask for a better value for $340.
Now, if you really want to see and hear what the big boys use, you must go listen to a set of Dunlavy Signature SC-VI speakers. They are $25,000 a pair. The big studios use them as a reference for mid to far field listening. They have the flattest frequency response with a razor sharp image. If you sit exactly on axis, they throw a true 3D image with breathtaking clarity, detail and finesse. I have never heard anything so real so involving. This speaker does magic. I have heard more expensive speakers from B&W, Wilson, JMLabs, Meridian, but still the SC-VI remains my all time reference for reproduced sound.
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