[chgolatin2]

  Could someone enlighten me about the differences between the two?  So far, I've looked into Monitor speakers due to the reason that they are use in musical recordings and mixes, also, I looked at regular bookshelves speakers and all I could gather is their crossover differences between the 2.  Price comparison, Monitors are somewhat cheaper and have more toys to play with such as built in amp, etc.  Bookshelves are well, simple.  Just a xo, tweeters and mids..  we all have differences taste, listening preferences, etc but I would imagine that you could do more with monitors, correct me if I'm wrong..

Now can Monitors be used for "audiophile music listening" or just recordings etc alone?  Hmmmmm

[doug s.]

i think both are names, nothing more.  a monitor could be called a bookshelf, & wice-wersa.  historically, the term "monitor" meant for use in a recording studio, but now, it's also referred to for stand-mount speakers used in a home enwironment.  "bookshelf", to me, is an outdated term, from the 60's, or earlier, which referred to a smaller more "home-friendly" speaker that could be placed on a bookshelf.  any "bookshelf" speaker will still most likely sound a lot better if set on a stand, out into the room, away from walls.

i think it is inaccurate to say monitors are cheaper and have more toys, etc.  actually, cuz the term "bookshelf" is so outdated, you will find the most expensive smaller speakers are likely called monitors, whether they are for use in the home or in the studio.  and, the same goes for cheap speakers - they will likely be called monitors, regardless of cost.  but, if anyone is adwertizing new speakers as "bookshelf speakers", then i would hazard a guess they are looking to sell to non-audiophiles, who are more interested in squeezing a speaker into whatever space they can fit it - sound would likely be a secondary consideration.

doug s.

[Wayner]

Audio Advisor's speaker section refers to them as bookshelfs, so do many other retaliers. I think most people call them bookshelf just because that's what they've been called for 50 years.

The term monitor relates to the recording studio environment and though some may think they are the same animal, they are not. Most monitors are built for sound and have few cosmetic appointments. Many have built in amplifiers and still others are built by folks who shouldn't have made them in the first place, like Alesis and Mackie.

One speaker that has bridged the gap for 40 years is the JBL-L100 studio monitor, that is at home in either environment and equally up to the task in either environment.

Wayner

[JimJ]

It may be wrong, but I consider the terms interchangeable; I find myself calling them "stand-mounted" speakers more often than not.