Follow up on speakers and Help with sound card

Ok I did eventually get the KRK Rokit 5=) I love the speakers but.....................I am not happy with the sound coming out of my Mac Pro with maschine using this speakers.
Sorry but the integrated sound card in the Mac Pro really sucks :angry:

Initially I wanted to buy the M-audio Pro USB sound card but I saw few complains on a Mac forum about drivers issues and the likes and I was told to buy the Apogee duet.
I did some research on the duet and saw few online reviews and seems like a great Fire wire card.
But it sale at my local store for 540$ after tax. Ouch?
I don't have an audiophile ear but I am not happy with the my sound card atm and want something with a little more kick.
It is not just when using maschine but also when watching movies.
Someone motivate me to spend 500$ on an external sound card.
Just tell me how great the duet is and that my ear will thanks me for it please=)

 

Only motivate yourself for a Duet if you RECORD lots and have great microphones to match. Well, it all depends on the size of your coinpurse ofc
I wouldnt think the soundcard would affect the outgoing sound that much. Studio monitors are there for giving a honest and neutral sound. The key is if you manage your music to sound good on them, then it will sound good elsewhere. It takes a while to get to know your monitors.
Good luck!

 

Keep in mind I am a novice to all of this so I don't know much about it all=)
I saw this video on youtube from Apogee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GZfZCpKUO0&feature=related
saying that there is a difference in sound quality and it shows how to tell. Of course it's from Apogee themselves so I am sure they are pushing the product.
I also could use the inputs on that card to record from my guitar directly into maschine. Not sure if that can even be done? =)
I honestly don't want to spend 500$ on this card but I can't see anything out there for the Mac Pro of decent quality.
There is the M-Audio Fast track Pro for 240$ but I heard it's crap compared to the Duet for mac.
I would rather spend the money for the Duet and then eventually I am sure I would get my money back on ebay if some day I decide to sale it.
There are a handfull of Duet on ebay for sale and a gazillion of m-audio track pro.
I am just looking for a little better quality sound from my Mac.
It's not even the quality of the sound that bothers me the most it's that there is very little power going into the speakers for some reason.
Not sure if studio monitors are all like this but even with the volume on max they are not very loud sounding.

 

well, your overall sound depends on the weakest link. the krks are great (i own the 6') but not highend, so a soundcard for maybe 200 bucks will certainly suffice. Have to agree with kraklnek - monitors give out the true sound, while hifi-speakers are designed to sound nice with any material. So there's nothing to do than train your ear and get used to the speakers.

the "power" problem: do you really have every meter in your mac turned up? sounds like you don't... cause i've never turned my krk's the full way up - it would kill the membranes

 

First I would try passive volume controller like SM Pro Nanopatch, so you can output @ full volume from Mac, if it does the trick. Good to have even with "Pro" interface.

Sure Apogee has quality AD/DA, but have a look at Motu Ultralite too. Much more for your money.


edit. I'm not familiar with those speakers but sounds like you have some oher problem than soundcard quality if speakers arent loud enough. Bad cables, system volume low.. etc.