Topic by rikgesha

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  • rikgesha
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  • Registered: 13-10-2014
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Topic: Monitor speaker for Pianoteq

Hi, what are some good monitor speakers to play with Pianoteq?
My budget is 300 euro.

Thanks.

Reply by kalessin

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  • kalessin
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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 06-12-2013
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Re: Monitor speaker for Pianoteq

Off the top of my head: Behringer B2031A. Decent 8" monitors for a good price. I wouldn't go much smaller than 8", although 5-6" monitors can work as well if you are not looking for the ultimate dynamics range.

I am currently using Neusonik NE08 myself. I thought they were not available anymore, but a certain well-known European retailer still seems to carry them. They are definitely inferior in terms of linearity when compared to the Behringers, but for piano playback, that's not that much of an issue. And they are dead cheap by comparison, a pair costs about 200 bucks.

Last edited by kalessin (13-10-2014 14:22)
Pianoteq 6 Standard (Steinway D&B, Grotrian, Petrof, Steingraeber, Bechstein, Blüthner, K2, YC5, U4, Kremsegg 1&2, Karsten, Electric, Hohner)

Reply by Modellingoptimist

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Re: Monitor speaker for Pianoteq

If you have one, take your laptop with Pianoteq installed (alternatively you can take an uncompressed recording of Pianoteq), try as many monitors as you can and take those you like the most. With such a narrow budget I'd also consider buying used ones. Always try and compare before you buy.

Depending on how ambitious you are and if you want to and can afford it I'd also consider increasing the budget or waiting. Cheap stuff is seldom sustainable. Eventually you buy several times spending the same or even more as if you bought better stuff directly.

I'd also keep in mind that monitors can also serve as substitute for a conventional stereo system in the living room. Good ones even reach HiFi level being relatively cheap.

My ultimate choice is the Neumann KH series, but I can imagine this is not your first step.

I just wouldn't start too low.

formerly known as Notyetconvinced

Reply by rookie

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  • Registered: 27-07-2014
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Re: Monitor speaker for Pianoteq

rikgesha wrote:

Hi, what are some good monitor speakers to play with Pianoteq?
My budget is 300 euro.

Thanks.

The JBL LSR 305 work fine for me. They have a slight ground hiss, but as soon as I play that's history and to me personally the sound is really good.