That's what I would do, take a cd that you're very familiar with, either something you've made, or an albut that you know well. That way, you can compare the monitors to what you're used to hearing on your own system. Keep in mind though, everything sounds different in a store, where there's no baffling or accoustic treatment, and where therre's a bunch of kids blasting away, such as in Guitar center. Good luck Kurt ----- Original Message ----- From: Jason D. To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 10:58 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: Studio moniters Thanks guys. I saw that there are m audio monitors that are around four fifty with an eight inch sub that are powered. anyone have experience with m audio monitors.? Is this the type of thing where I just need to go to guitar center and listen to different kinds of monitors in my price range? ----- Original Message ----- From: Sean A. Cummins To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 11:47 AM Subject: [ddots-l] Re: Studio moniters Dear Jason, For that amount of money, you should think about purchasing used on EBay. My personal recommendation are the Tannoy near field monitors. I have use Tannoys for over 25 years in all sizes and their the best sounding for the buck. Even if you can't afford to buy their powered monitors, you should be able to get a Samson power amp and a pare of Tannoy PBM 6.5 or 8, for around the $400.00 range. Take Care, Sean A. Cummins