What are studio monitors for? How can they differ from simple columns? Let's imagine this situation: you have a music lover friend who invited you to visit to evaluate his new acquisition. You come to his house, he sits you on a comfortable easy chair and turns off the light and after a few seconds turns on your favorite song. You often listen to this melody at home when doing household chores, in the car when driving to work, but at the moment this melody sounds completely different. The sound is so clear and capacious that it seems as if these musicians are standing right in front of you. These sensations overwhelm you.
What makes the sound so good? Light off? Soft chair? Or is it because of the new studio speakers your friend bought? Undoubtedly, such a speaker system can not only increase the sound quality many times over, but also evoke new fascinating sensations fromlong-familiar melodies.
In this article, we will look at the difference between a column and a monitor, discuss their varieties, and also find out some popular models, the sound of which will give you goosebumps.
Variety
Firstly, studio speakers are divided into portable and stationary:
- Portable sound systems are very popular among traveling performers (musicians, hosts, etc.). Their main advantage is convenient and fast movement.
- Stationary speakers are distinguished by high sound quality and large dimensions. In addition, these multifunctional columns are capable of performing tasks of increased complexity.
In addition to the species type, studio speakers are divided into wired and wireless (Bluetooth). Although today the latter type of connection is considered more popular and in demand, it is still much inferior to wired counterparts in terms of sound quality.
Also, studio speakers and monitors are both multiband and broadband. But, probably, speakers with a phase inverter are considered the most common option.
Which is better to choose?
Before you buy speakers, you need to understand what purpose they will serve. A true music lover will certainly choose a speaker system with a powerful amplifier. Another will choose active studio speakers, which vary greatly in cost. There is also a third kind of people who enjoy listening to music in the car. For such purposes, they choose a subwooferat low frequencies that outputs a monophonic signal (single-sideband).
If you are not a music lover like your friend mentioned at the beginning of the article, then it is better to choose a speaker system from cheaper options. It is not necessary to chase powerful modifications and a popular brand.
Also, do not forget about the variety of formats for acoustics. One of the most popular is the 2.1 system. This type is distinguished by the ability to connect both speakers and a subwoofer.
Producers
After you have determined the size of the speaker system and its main purpose, it is time to choose a manufacturer. For some, this is the most difficult problem, since there are so many brands. Which one to give preference to?
YAMAHA, Sven, HECO and Focal-JMLab studio speakers have quite a lot of positive feedback. These sound systems delight their listeners with high-quality sound and ease of use. JBL and B&W studio speakers also performed well. This is one of the most popular brands, so don't hesitate to find a budget option among them.
YAMAHA YST-SW030
This subwoofer, judging by the responses, is able to satisfy even the highest demands of the music lover. This device is universal, it can handle almost any composition in any genre. The YAMAHA speaker system creates a realistic surround sound that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the rhythm of the song.
If you are on the road for a long time and like to listen to music in your car, then this speaker system will suit you. She, according to experts, is able to produce high-quality bass thanks to the new Advanced technologies.
Speaker power - 130 watts. This is enough to enjoy the strong and high-quality sound of low frequencies. And the stylish cabinet made of wood and MDF ensures visual compatibility with your home equipment. In addition, the small dimensions of this speaker system make it easy to install a subwoofer in a car.
BOSE speaker system
What is the most important thing in creating a home theater? Big plasma panel? Cushioned furniture? Probably, many will agree that the most important thing in a home theater is high-quality video, not sound. But this is far from the case.
Let's go back to our friend mentioned at the beginning of the article. Let's say that instead of music, he turned on your favorite band's solo concert on his new plasma. The picture is very high quality, but it seems to you that something is missing (the sound is very quiet and hissing). Looking closer, you notice that the sound is coming from one small speaker, which is 4 meters away from you.
Even if you buy the largest home theater plasma, you can't do without a quality speaker that will create the maximum effect.
The BOSE speaker system is said to be the best choice for such occasions. One of the advantages of this systemThese are small speakers with two speakers each. With them, you can feel the full power of high-quality five-channel sound and enjoy your favorite songs.
Alto Professional TX215 Active System
This speaker system features not only high-quality detailed sound, but also a modern design. Thanks to the new improved shape of the horn, we get a wider sound opening angle.
The system is equipped with a Class D audio amplifier that boosts power up to 600W. The front panel has a large metal grill that protects the speakers from any damage.
This studio speaker was created, according to music lovers, more for live performances. It has a relatively light weight, special handles for quick transport, and a convenient shape that allows you to install the system as a stage floor monitor. Its weight is no more than 15 kilograms, and its power is up to 600 watts.
Sven MS-307
Sven has released an active speaker system, which is designed for a wide audience. According to consumers, thanks to its high technical characteristics, you can enjoy high-quality voice acting for movies, games, music albums, etc.
Acoustics is equipped with special audio cables and a powerful amplifier, thanks to which you can connect to other sources (TV, computer, radio). This column hasadditional features such as FM radio, Bluetooth, and an audio file player.
The model is made in a modern style: a large black subwoofer, two elegant satellites, a silver control panel. This design will fit perfectly into any home interior, while occupying a minimum of space. Often, the subwoofer is placed on the floor, near the desktop, and small speakers are placed directly on the table or attached to the corners of the walls, thereby creating surround sound.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the difference between a speaker and a studio monitor, what you should pay attention to when choosing audio equipment. We found out which manufacturers are the world market leaders.
Basically, the price of a studio speaker directly depends on the technical parameters. For example, if you want to create a home theater, then you need to stock up on a fat wallet, because in such a situation you should not save on sound quality. And if you need acoustics in the car, then a large subwoofer with a built-in sound amplifier (mid frequencies) is perfect for this purpose. To work with sound, you can look at budget options, such as, for example, JBL studio speakers. Although their specifications are significantly different from other, more expensive models, but still, judging by the reviews, the low cost and sophisticated look will please many users.
