Behringer Truth B1031A 8 Inch Powered Studio Monitor Speaker - Professional Audio for Music Production, Home Recording & DJ Setup

I replaced my existing Behringer 2031A's with these 1031A's because I use a DefTec sub and I did not think the slightly smaller woofer size in the 1031A's would make a difference. It did not. I had to replace the 2031's because either the amplifier or the signal recognition hardware within one of the speakers failed after five years of never turning them off. I was so happy and amazed at the sound of the 2031's that I had no choice but to give Behringer another shot. After all, they were 1/2 to 1/4 of the price of monitors I would have purchased. I cannot say that the Behringer monitors exhibit any definciency from JBL, GenTec, Mackie etc., but there are differences in sound that one must evaluate. I am quite pleased with the 1031A's and recommend them unless you have high quality amplification and want to use commensurate quality passive monitors.Since these are near field monitors, they do not present the spaciousness of high quality audio speakers meant to fill a large room. However, they do produce relatively high SPL's. As anyone who is skilled at recording will testify, the venue and equipment used in listening to a recording will vary significantly from the accurate sound of near field monitors. It is the experience and sensitive ears of the "mixer" who recognizes that the recordings will be heard in less than, or different than, studio circumstances and that one must set the equalization, limiters, expanders, pan, reverb and many other parameters in a compromise to attempt to please as many as possible with the sound. Often the sound is tailored to appeal to a specific age group. I highly recommend auditioning your mixes with good audio equipment in a living room environment to observe how you and others like the sound. Note why, or why not, they like the sound. However, if they do not like the music, you have the wrong audience for your music or the wrong music for your audience. Obviously, your music could never be at fault given how much you love it. It is, after all, your work and, sink or swim, you rule. Learn something from the preview. If you're really good, don't cave. You may need a more exclusive audience that only increased exposure may find. Great music is rarely appreciated initially. Mediocre music is most liked.The Behringer monitors are very accurate if one is to believe one's ears and the specific graphs of the relative flatness of performance as is documented on the individually supplied graphs of each speaker's frequency response. Behringer claims to match each speaker with close to identical performance of another that is tested under the same measured temperature and humidity and both are signed by a technician attesting to the pair's virtually identical performance. I take this with a small grain of salt, but my ears are happy.Lastly, almost all musicians over a period of time lose some of their hearing sensitivity, at least to higher frequencies. Some of this loss of sensitivity may be due to prolonged exposure to loud music or their age. Any recording monitor speakers must be evaluated in accordance with an honest evaluation of your own hearing. You must pay attention to the sound others perceive that is emanating from the speakers. Some may say it is too hot with too much sizzle, others may say it is to muffled and lacks life. Consider the source of the comments, but also consider the ability of your ears in relation to the comments your receive. Remember that people who really love music like to listen to it at more realistic sound pressure levels and unfortunately may be more likely to experience a higher degree of hearing loss than others. Do not necessarily judge your monitors based upon what you hear, take into consideration the comments of others. "You mean I can't trust my own ears?" Not completely. Mix your final version based upon the likely perception of your audience. If you are a skilled musician or composer you understand perception. The accuracy of recording monitors, so long as they deliver a relatively flat frequency response over the audible frequency range including subs, is not likely to be the most important factor in the enjoyment of your recording. The music itself is by far the most important to the minds of your listeners, but the quality of the sound as perceived by them may be the deciding factor.Sorry to go on so long. I assumed, rightly or wrongly, there may be some less experienced at recording who would benefit from my observations. Take care of your wonderful ears. They are the portal to your mind that allows you to create and record the product of your intellect and imagination. To share such is your gift to yourself and others.The Behringer 1031A's are very good monitors to connect to recording mixer equipment, computer or other pre-amped device.