[srb]

Which product is the B3031A an exact copy of?

They aren't an exact copy of anything.  They look similar to the Genelec 1029a with their two front vertical slot ports and they have a similar driver setup as the Adam A7X with their ribbon type tweeter.

Steve

[neobop]

The Genelec 1029 seems to be discontinued.

[srb]

The Genelec 1029 seems to be discontinued.

I think the majority of Genelec's smaller MDF box speakers have been replaced with rounded cast aluminum cabinet versions, which are too costly and difficult to manufacture in the larger sizes that use 10", 12" or 15" drivers.

Steve

[neobop]

Looking around, I've seen a few that look like they could do the job.  This isn't a recommendation, more of a question.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/yamaha-hs80m-8-powered-studio-monitor--each

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/mackie-mr8mk2-2-way-reference-monitor

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tannoy-reveal-601-a

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/696917-REG/Dynaudio_Acoustics_BM_5A_MKII_BM_5A_MKII_7.html

[scottnixon]

Equator D5 .. handsdown best sounding value monitor.  I have to use active monitors a lot and most sub-800$ reek.  Maybe okay for basic tracking, but dreadful to mix on.  D5 are pretty high end in the price range, and only $300 a pair.  equatoraudio.com

[jtwrace]

Equator D5 .. handsdown best sounding value monitor.  I have to use active monitors a lot and most sub-800$ reek.  Maybe okay for basic tracking, but dreadful to mix on.  D5 are pretty high end in the price range, and only $300 a pair.  equatoraudio.com

Damn.  For that kind of money I might need to get a pair for giggles.   

60 day RoR too.   

[JeffB]

I auditioned pretty much everything at guitar center a couple months ago.  I liked the Mackie MR5mk2 the best.  I wasn't looking to mix on them though.  I was thinking of hooking them up to my TV in connection with a sub.  Ultimately, I decided to keep looking for something else.  At $150 each though it was tempting.  I heard someone say they preferred the Macke MR5mk1 to the mk2.  I got to thinking about trying to find the mk1 on ebay.  You really need to listen for yourself though.  The thing I have been really looking for lately is a very clear, yet non-fatiguing mid-range.  I have auditioned several speakers for my TV in a fairly wide price range, and none of them have had a better mid-range than my TV speakers.  I think the TV is using a wide-band 2.5" with maybe a 6" helping as a kind of a sub.  But the vocal duties are clearly handled by the single small wide-band driver.  I also have another speaker with a single 4.5" driver and it is really good with television.  So far anything with a cross-over has seemed flawed.  On TV, speakers with cross-overs are always exaggerating the higher frequencies.  It might seem like you're getting more detail, but really, you getting weird distracting sounds.  There is also a distinct drop in vocal quality.  I didn't originally notice this.  But my mom who is very hard of hearing, can hear the TV pretty good on either single driver, but has a very hard time hearing the TV with any of the speakers with cross-overs.  So, lately, I really prefer the smaller drivers, and hope I can integrate a sub.  I also listened to the QSC K10 and QSC K12 PA speakers.  I didn't think they sounded nearly as good as the Mackie mr5.  From that comparison, it just seems like the bigger drivers are incapable of sounding as clear as the small drivers.  I am sure the QSC would sound good played very loudly in a large venue, but up close at low volume, it wasn't even close.  My single driver 4.5" make all music sound good and they are completely non fatiguing.  This might not be the way to go for making mixes.  If you mix on a bright speaker, then your mix should come out a little dull, which probably sounds better than the reverse situation.  Especially since I think most speakers with cross-overs are already bumping up the higher frequencies.  I may be wrong, but that is what I am currently thinking.

[Quiet Earth]

Nice looking P Bass Scott. 

[bhakti]

I don't believe this is what you are looking for, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Just bought some KEF LS-50s ($1500) and they sound really good with the ncores!  I think there is some good synergy going on.  Close (maybe very close) to the Shindo/Devore combo I used to have.

Best!

[jtwrace]

I don't believe this is what you are looking for, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Just bought some KEF LS-50s ($1500) and they sound really good with the ncores!  I think there is some good synergy going on.  Close (maybe very close) to the Shindo/Devore combo I used to have.

Best!

Thanks but def not what I'm looking for.

[srb]

I had a pair of KRK Rokit 5 and liked the rounded radiused cabinet.  I wanted to also like the sound, but found the bass boomy, the midrange shouty and the treble sizzly.  I think they must be intended for young rock "dudes" and I ended up getting rid of them.  I understand from others that the more expensive KRK VX series are much better balanced.

I auditioned the Yamaha HS50M and found them to be on the bright side.  I ended up with the Yamaha MPS3 which I found to be the most balanced of the sub $200 (each) monitors.  Although I usually prefer silk soft domes to aluminum tweeters, I think the MPS3 sounds good in their price range.

Around the OP's budget range of around ~$600, there is at least one vendor who is selling the Dynaudio BM5A MKII for $700 per pair instead of the more common $1000 per pair.  The recently introduced Dynaudio DBM50 (also $1000 per pair) seem to be more or less a replacement for the BM5A MKII, although the latter are still available in the current product line.  You get fairly high quality drivers with the Dynaudios and they would be a strong contender if you can get a pair at the reduced $700 price point.

Steve