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GuitarPlayer.com >> This Month >> 2.1 Desktop Monitor Systems
60 Second Buyer’s Guide
2.1 Desktop Monitor Systems
| April, 2006
A 2.1 speaker system—which comprises two “satellite” stereo speakers and a subwoofer—can be hellacious good fun when recording and mixing. The main thrill factor is the subwoofer, which can be adjusted to deliver an expansive frequency spectrum, or tweaked to kick down enough massive bass to simulate the Luftwaffe’s bombing of London during World War II. Just keep in mind that while it’s all kinds of inspiring to have a home theater-style rumble shakin’ your skeletal framework as you track guitars, that added low end can screw with your tonal perceptions as you mix. You may, for example, be hearing more bass than is actually “on tape,” and produce a mix that’s thin and lifeless. As with all monitor systems, until you know exactly how what you hear in your studio space translates to the outside world, be sure to reference your mixes on several playback mediums before you select a final mix.
KRK RP6/RP10
If you want to spend the bucks on a more pro-level setup, get into the à la carte game with this 100-watt, bi-amped KRK system. This big boy includes two RP6 monitor speakers (6" woofer/1" neodymium tweeter) and an RP10 subwoofer (10"), and the frequency response is 49Hz-20kHz. RP6 $399 each retail/
$199 each street N/A. RP10 $599 retail/$299 street.www.krksys.com.
JBL Creature 2
A marvel of vibey design—as long as you’re not bearing any residual creepiness over the birth pods in the Alien flicks—the very affordable Creature offers a frequency range of 50Hz-20kHz, 8 watts of power to the satellites, 24 watts of juice to the sub, and a touch volume control. $99 retail/street N/A. www.jbl.com.
Tascam VLS21
It’s wafer thin! With apologies to Monty Python, the VLS21 is a svelte setup that saves desktop real estate with its flat-panel satellites. The powered system delivers 5 watts per channel to the sats and 15 watts to the ported sub. $129 retail/$99 street. www.tascam.com.
M-Audio LX4
Cool and compact, the LX4’s satellites offer a 4" woofer and a 1" mylar tweeter, while the sub houses an 8" driver. Frequency response is 40Hz-20kHz, and the crossover frequencies are at 140Hz and 2.9kHz. $349 retail/$279 street.www.m-audio.com.
Bose Companion 3
If your desktop is really crowded, the Companion 3’s satellites can be mounted up and out-of-the-way on your flat-screen computer monitor. You also get a handy control pod (a combo volume control/headphone jack/aux input) that can be placed away from the desk clutter and closer to your playing position. $249 retail/street N/A.www.bose.com
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