Best Powered Monitors

I heard the Genelec 8050A. They are very analitical but musical.
Yes, you have to spend a lot of money to get similar sound in Hi-End. Remember that with powered monitors you replace the amplifier, the speaker cables and the speakers.
And we are forgeting that the Genelecs are Biamp. with electronic crossover.
Unfortunally, Hi-End enthusiast don´t like pro-audio components.
If you can, try a pair in your system.
Good luck.

All three of your choices are good. More analytical or clinical is a good description...you will find less flavor from pro gear and generally more dynamics - it just tries to reproduce what is on the source as accurately as possible. There will be less coloration, bad recordings will sound bad, great recordings will sound great, differences between recordings will be more apparent then you are probably used to - no general characteristic sound and no window dressing. If you can live with some of your recordings sounding clearly bad (beacuse they are) then go for it!

Hi, if you like analytical or clinical sound, this is the choice: the sound of today. But, if you would like more "flesh", more denser sound, I really urge you to look for active monitors done in the late seventies, early eighties. I am using such active monitors, and they have a completely different sound-print. They have the dynamism, speed and control, without any added artificial - but musically nice - warmth, but they have a different sound. Through such an old monitor you really hear not only the string of the violin but the resonances of the wood body of the violin.

IMHO the best powered monitors are ATC. Just remember studio monitors are designed to give the listener a clear window into the recording. There should be very little or no coloration. Many find studio monitors a little flat and unemotional sounding for stereo play-back.

Jim

The Genelec 8050A is one the best speaker monitor I heard for the money.
If you want to hear the music and you don´t need the speakers as a furniture to visual pleasure, the Pro audio monitors is your way.
Good luck.