Well I finally did it. I replaced my Altec Lansing ADA 305's with some really worthy Monitors. The Altec Lansing's are back where they should be, ie., hooked up to my computer!

I have searched high and low for a great pair on Monitors and I believe I have found them. First of all I tried to find a Pair of Behringer Truth B2031 monitors in my area to demo but to no avail. I don't understand why GC doesn't carry the Truths. I have heard great reviews on the Behringer Truths but before I plunk my money down for anything, I want to hear what they sound like first. I don't really care to get something as important as Studio Monitors over the internet blindly without knowing what they sound like beforehand. If I did and they weren't to my satisfaction I would be doing the return rigamarole thing. Hassle, hassle, hassle to say the least. For all you that don't mind that, I salute you.

Okay, after I demo'ed several Monitors from the Mackie 824's, 624's, KRK's, Event, Tannoy, M-Audio, etc., I believe I have a winner. And it is not the Mackie, KRK, Event, Tannoy, or M-Audio.

Again, let me say that these are going to be used mostly in my home studio. I also plan to use them once in a while for small events, eg., Gigs, party's, and small concerts and gatherings. Okay, without further ado my new Studio Monitors arrreeee...... you ready? The Yamaha MSP5's. Say What??? you say! That's right. From one of the most unlikely Manufacturing candidates around in the Music Industry for making quality Monitors. Sorry Yammie That is not just my opinion but also the opinion of a majority of the Music Industry. Or should I say WAS! Yamaha is breaking new ground with their Monitors and I understand it's all for the better. If you notice if you've gone to Guitar Center and go into the Pro Keyboard section that ALL of the Keyboards are hooked into Yamaha MSP5's! Right off that tells me they would be great to use with, yep, you got it, Keyboards! GC wants to sell as many Keyboards as they can, right? What better way to do that than to hook them up to a great sounding set of Monitors. And believe me they sell tons of Keyboards every month. Would it be that way if the Keyboards were hooked up to some chinchy monitors? My guess is they wouldn't sell nearly as many and not nearly as fast as they do now.

I demo'ed a pair and I was immediately interested in them. So much so that I bought a pair on the spot. Before I made the final transaction I wanted to know a little more about them so a sales rep dug up a Manual which gave me a little more info about the specs. I asked him if the tweeter was pure titanium or if it was a composite. He didn't have the slightest and the Manual didn't tell me one way or the other. I have since found that they are indeed pure titanium tweeters. The Woofers are, get this, only 5" [12cm]'s in diameter! The tweeters are 1" [2.5cm] titan dome type. I know what your thinking! How can such a small woofer produce with any sufficiency enough Bass!!!! I wondered the same thing until I demo'ed them! And after I got them home and hooked up to my PSR 2000 and started testing them out more I have to say I am truly amazed to say the least. The bass is awesome, the mids are smooth and silky, and the high's are crisp and extremely clear. And these puppies put out! Volume up the whazzoo! They have dual Bass response ports just above and on either side of the woofers which helps give the Monitors such great bass response. There is also HF and LF adjustments on the back of the Monitors that allow a person to adjust high and low frequency. The high frequency adjusts from -1 0 +1 and the low frequency adjusts from -2 -1 0 +1 thus giving the user options for his sound output. And talk about compact... They are 6.65" wide by 10.98" high, by 8.74" deep [169 x 279 x 222 mm] and weigh in at 16.5 lbs. [7.5kg]. Another neat feature I think is both the woofer and the tweeter have protective covers to protect against prying fingers or other objects that might damage the speakers. If you have kids around the house you know what I mean

These Monitors are pretty neutral sounding so they would be great in my opinion to do studio mixing. They have a fairly flat frequency response and all the unwanted sound that can be in a mix is apparent and can be eliminated and adjusted as needed. Also they have Huuugggggeeee! heat sinks on the back of them for Monitors this size. I played them for a couple of hours at one sitting and I touched the heat sinks and there was barely any warmth to them at all. Another added safety feature for sure. There are XLR inputs AND 1/4" inputs as well. The power switches are on the back and they each have a green LED on the front letting you know if and when they are ON. And the bonus is if you want even more Bass Yamaha makes a matching Subwoofer for them in the SW-305. The Sub encases 2 8" woofers and it generates 200 Watts from its internal amplifier. The frequency range of the Sub is 20-160Hz. It weighs in at a hefty 52.9 lbs. [24kg} The nice thing is I don't think I will ever need a Sub with these Monitors.

PS: If you would like to read a Professional review on the Monitors click here: http://www.yamaha.co.jp/product/proaudio/homeenglish/topic/magazine/stdsnd/99_2/

Even though the URL has reference to Yamaha Japan's web site the review is an independent one from Sound On Sound. Sound On Sound is an online Subscription magazine so for you to read it normally it would cost you. Yamaha is making it available for everyone to read for free.

Best regards,
Mike

If anyone has any questions or comments please fire away. Oh yes, they retail for $299 each [189 pounds sterling]. Although I ended up paying $226.91 each [143.13 pounds sterling] (for our UK members) plus tax of course.

[This message has been edited by Idatrod (edited 05-18-2003).]

Uncle Dave has a pair of MSP5's for sale at a great price!