In article , TonyL
wrote:
I sometimes read a magazine called Computer Music, aimed at wanabee and
real music "producers" to use the current vernacular. In this mag I
keep seeing references to monitor speakers being preferable to hi-fi
speakers. The line they take is that hi-fi speakers are designed to
"enhance the sound" while studio monitor speakers are designed so that
you hear "what is really there".

Sweeping generalisations are not unknown to occur in magazines. :-)

But there is more..they say "..even modestly priced monitors will give
you a more accurate picture of what you are hearing,"

....as above. :-)

I'm puzzled, I thought the whole idea of hi-fi was to reproduce
accurately what was recorded.

....or in some cases may mean, 'produce a result that the customers (or
reviewers) like and cause them to buy (recommend).' :-)

Why should "modestly priced monitors" be
better ?

Might be best if you asked the person who wrote the assertions in the
magazine to explain.

Comments please ?

Don't believe everything you read in magazines?...

More seriously, you'd have to get them define *which* 'monitor' or 'hifi'
speakers they are on about, what they mean by 'enhance', etc. A genuine
studio monitor might be designed to cope with things like sustained
ultra-high power levels, be rugged and survive rough treatment that might
damage domestic designs, be designed for a nearfield listening environment,
etc. ... or not. Similarly, there is large variety of 'hifi speakers'.
Ditto for kinds of music being recorded, replayed, etc. Are they thinking
of teenagers with cheap recording gear in their bedroom, or of large studio
recordings of classical music, etc.

Do they list any of the speakers they have in mind, or report any of the
comparison tests they did to reach their opinions? if so, judge on that
basis. If not, regard it as a sweeping opinion on their part that may or
may not be useful in any given case. :-)

Slainte,

Jim

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