[akinari-kun]

Recently I've been interested in investing in a pair of studio monitors to replace my JBL Duet IIIs. I've never really invested a significant amount of money on speakers as I've always saved that money on headphones, but as of late I've been using my PC for audio more than I have in the past, and my Duet IIIs just don't cut it, though they don't sound too shabby.
 
Alas, in my pursuit of audio nirvana, it's now time to throw more money at my computer screen.
 
I've narrowed down my choices to the following three, and I have quite a tight budget, so with all due respect I'd appreciate if suggestions for pricier units were left out of this thread. Obviously I know pricier units sound better, but I need an upgrade right now and do not wish to break the bank. $150 is about as high as I would like to go. 
 
Behringer MS16
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-ms16-active-personal-monitor-system
 
Alesis Elevate 3 
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/alesis-elevate-3-studio-monitors
 
Fostex PMO.4n
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/fostex-pmo.4n-powered-studio-monitor-pair/h02725000001000
 
M-Audio AV40s were originally on the list until I found out they're not bi-amped and have an array of nasty issues. 
 
I've read reviews for all three monitors and they seem to all have good reviews, which makes it even more difficult to justify the Fostex's ~$50 price premium. The local audio store actually has the Behringers and the Fostex out for listening so I will give those two a try sometime, but I'm a little bummed out that I'll never have a chance to hear the Alesis Elevate 3s as they seem to have rave reviews especially considering their price point.
 
If anyone has any experience with these three studio monitors, please chime in! I do not plan on doing any recording with these monitors, at all, only for casual listening.
 
Thanks

 

[Byrnie]

I'm in the same boat but I'm also considering the audioengines and krk rokit 5. Let me know what u choose. I still need to hit up a guitar center to demo these.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Graphicism]

Quote:

Obviously I know pricier units sound better, but I need an upgrade right now and do not wish to break the bank. $150 is about as high as I would like to go. 
 
Fostex PMO.4n
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/fostex-pmo.4n-powered-studio-monitor-pair/h02725000001000
 

 
I would spend as much as possible. I think around this point they scale quickly, not only in quality but size.
 
If you bought those at Guitar Center you could save as extra 10% (price match guarantee) bringing them down to $152.99
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fostex-PMO-4n-Powered-Studio-Monitor-Pair-107295479-i1546638.gc

 

[akinari-kun]

Guitar Center has them for $199.99 right now, slight more than $169.99

 

[Graphicism]

Quote:

Guitar Center has them for $199.99 right now, slight more than $169.99

 
Quote:

If you bought those at Guitar Center you could save as extra 10% (price match guarantee) bringing them down to $152.99

 
Guitar Center will price match and give you an extra 10% off if I'm not being clear enough.

 

[spinnin]

Are these powered speakers?

If passive, have you considered the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers?

Currently $127 on amazon but they have sold for $90 at times.

 

[kazsud]

Emotiva has Airmotiv which is their (bi-amped) monitor speaker series w/ ribbon tweeters.
 
I have the A6s which are awesome!! I recently upgraded the ac line fuses to hi-fi tuning supreme slow blow fuses which added to the sound stage and clarity. I had to place them 3ft back because the of the increase in soundstage.
 
http://www.emotivapro.com/

 

[akinari-kun]

Quote:

 
 
Guitar Center will price match and give you an extra 10% off if I'm not being clear enough.

Ah, thanks for clarifying! 
 
And yes, they are powered. Don't plan on buying passive speakers anytime soon, just don't want to go through that hassle. 

 

[vhatp]

Hello everyone,

I found myself in a very similar decission-taking situation. Still, no really satisfying answers have I found...
Have you, now after some time, evaluated the choice of yours? What is your experience?

Choosing a BUDGET ACTIVE STEREO SPEAKERS FOR PC MUSIC LISTENING, and some hobby mixing occasionally. Mainly in nearfield range, but not only. The room is 20 sq.m with bad accoustics. I know, I know... 
I wish to remain in the 150$ boundaries.

I am thinking about these:

M-Audio AV 40 II (concerned about life expectancy while known for overheating)
Kurzweil KS-40a (maybe with minor improvements as described on some other forum)
Alesis Elevate 5 (pro: front bass-reflex and 5-inch woofer, but so new that no reviews available yet)

I might use my Phil Jones Bass BG-100 amp in place of subwoofer...maybe.

Thanks a lot to everybody giving a hint.