How to Choose Powered Monitors

M-Audio is just one of many makers of fine powered reference monitors for home studio use.

Choosing powered studio reference monitors is an important decision for your home studio if you want to be serious at all about music production. Running your audio through speakers designed for general computer use will result in an inability to control the mix properly, leading to finished tracks that just don't sound right when played in a car, club, on an iPod or on another individual's computer.

Instructions

1. Decide on the maximum amount you want to spend. Superior quality powered monitors for home studio use usually run around $300 to $400, but half-decent powered monitors can be had for as little as $99 that should suit your needs if you are simply going to be using them to hear your own music, and to adjust the mix. These cheaper monitors, though, fail to achieve a perfectly "flat" frequency band, meaning some areas (mid bass, high mids, etc.) will be more accurately and fully reproduced than others.

2. Assess your needs. If you need powered monitors in an environment where you need to hear the mix as it is being recorded, especially with live musicians present, you will likely need something that pushes at least 70 watts, if not more. This will run you around $300 to $500, and there are many great varieties of studio reference monitors to choose from. If you are a producer or an electronic musician, something that pushes 20 watts through each channel should be sufficient, as long as you are not expecting to listen to your mixes at the ear-damaging level.

3. Compare companies. There are many companies, some of them including M-Audio, Behringer, Yamaha and KRK, that make studio reference monitors. When navigating the sea, make sure you only consider active, not passive, studio reference monitors. Passive monitors are a different beast altogether, as they need their own source of amplification. Every producer or musician has his or her favorites, and ultimately make your decision based on how they sound to you. In this field, though, for the most part you get what you pay for.

4. With a portable MP3 player in hand, go to a music store that sells pro audio equipment and ask to try one of your own mixes, or one of your favorite tunes, played through the powered monitors they have on display as floor models. Ultimately you may not choose to make your purchase here, as you can likely find the equipment you need cheaper over the internet. But, not only do you get a chance to try them out, but the advice of a sales associate could prove helpful.

5. After you have made your purchase, save the receipt and all packaging! Don't just tear open the box and throw it away. Not only are powered studio reference monitors known for going dead while still in their warranty period, but the original packaging makes a great way to transport your monitors in relative safety, if you don't have a better option.If you take care of your powered studio reference monitors, they should serve you well for years.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to check the inputs and outputs a model of powered monitors you are considering offers, and match it against your needs.

• Be careful when using too much volume running through your powered monitors, especially using a device through the inputs that has its own source of amplification. These products, while built to be durable, will do nothing for you if you blow a speaker.