Flat frequency response,bass,definition,stereo imaging

4 ohm load limits amp choices, no grille

This is a review of the new Alesis monitor one MKII's.I've never bought into the false hood about reference studio monitors.If they are designed by pros to be used by pros they have to be good,great,or truely superior loudspeakers when compared to your typical hi fi loudspeakers.I've used reference monitors in a studio situation only to come home and listen hi fi loudspeakers.I've found that as a class studio monitors are more thoroughly engineered,everything is geared toward accuracy of reproduction.My Alesis monitors are just plain superior to my other loudspeakers.They are very flat in response,bass is surprisingy deep and accurate.They can play really loud while still sounding smooth.They tell me the truth about what is on my cd's.If you place them in your room the way they are placed in a studio you will realise the same low sound coloration and highly detailed sound.The Yorkville ysm1's are studio monitors ,they are almost as clear as the Alesis monitors. Bass is a little deeper,the AR338 speakers are more linear in frequency response than all the speakers I use which is rare for a hi fi loudspeaker.They just don't offer the definition of small details in sound of the real monitors.The bostons are nowhere near as flat in frequency response as the other loudspeakers.If you take into account the special placement needs of nearfield and studio monitors you'll realize the amazing accuracy these speakers allow the listener to hear.I tell you this if you want a speaker that will tell you the truth about your music a true studio monitor can't be beat.Hifi loudspeaker manufacturers can only dream about the performance offered by studio monitors.It takes guts to build an accurate loudspeaker system.Record producers,engineers,etc. need accuracy.If a hi fi loudspeaker maker built a truely accurate loudspeaker this would probably bankrupt them.Regular consumers want speakers that sound,but if you are truely serious about accuracy of reproduction get yuorself a pair of studio monitors for home use.It's rediculous but to get this accuracy from hi fi loudspeakers you'll probably spend $2000.00 or more,much more.The JBL Lsr32 studio monitors are better than 99% of all hi end loudspeakers available to consumers today.Don't take my word,search out a dealer and be amazed at the accuracy of real studio monitors when used in a home environment.

Similar Products Used:

Boston ACoustics cr8 monitors,Yorkville ysm1 ,Acoustic Research 338 classic series.

Good clarity, flat responce, solid mid bass.

Deep bass, durability

I heard these were the standard, and were used by just about everyboday. I understand why. Responce is tortilla flat. It was good on all ends of the range. I had used a pair of cheaper TEAC monitors and was sorely disappointed. However, after about two months, one of my tweeters started cracking. That's bad when your mixing pure analog wave forms from Rebirth - an emulator for Roland analog gear like the TR-808 and 909. Who knows what happened but if you're going to use silk on the tweeter, put a grill over it. I will say this, when comparing them in the store nothing came close that was in the same price range. I hear there is a more powerful MKII out. Should be interesting.

Alesis Studio One, Mk 2: Extremely revealing, clean, fast, articulate with tight bass to about 40-45. Great for people who like this type of sound.

Sound quality is extremely dependent on room placement, amplification, source and media production values. These speakers are revealing. They are near field (recording) studio monitors good for small rooms with a seating position no more than 6 (or maybe 7) feet away from the speakers (not a weakness, this is what they were designed for).

An outstanding audiophile value even at $3,000 a pair. Awesome sound cheap. Worth finding the right supporting cast and using save $'s to upgrade source and amplification. Great sound becomes even more affordable.

Similar Products Used:

Dynaudio 1.3's and 1.8's.

Excellent price-performance ratio
Linear response, bass not bloated but strong
Sound quality destroys the Yamaha studio monitors priced similarly

High frequencies may occasionally be sharp

The Alesis Monitor Ones are a good pair of linear monitors - leagues more accurate than the Yamaha standard studio monitors for the same price. For 250 dollars, Alesis has created a solid performer for the studio engineer, sound application developer, and/or recording artist.

Similar Products Used:

Tannoy PBM8 (and other Tannoy studio monitors)