New set up = Amp vs Reference Speakers

Greetings all,

I am setting up my first music work station. And am at the big shopping point of selecting a new Peavy/Roland/et all keyboard amp of if I should go for some 8inch reference speakers. My budget is $500, and either fit that bill, lol.

What do you use and why?

As for my application, this is a home studio, not a gig package or travel set. Clearly amps are the tool for clubs and concerts.. I guess I am curious if they also have benefits I am unaware of at home.

Thanks!
~R

The take I have is that if you are recording with the intent of having something that sounds good on just about anything you can play it back on, the "reference" speakers give you that "middle-of-the-road" neutrality.

It astounded me that playing a CD on various players has so much variability! You can record a cassette and play it on any cassette player with the variance being the audio quality of the amp and speakers. Not the case for CD for some reason.

Don

Cool, thanks,

let me get a little more specific then. :)

Does anyone have a strong opinion of ribbon tweeters?

Thanks!
~Robin