Any downside to using a nicer set of Studio Monitors (speakers) for everyday use?

[clay]

I have been using an older Aiwa sound system that I got 20(!) years ago as my primary computer audio output device. The tape decks have failed, the 3-disc CD changer has failed, but the Aux inputs and speakers still work just fine, so I've stuck with it.

I also have a completely separate setup that I use in my professional audio recording business. A variety of input devices on the front end feed audio into the computer and output to a nice pair of Focal studio monitor loudspeakers (http://www.focalprofessional.com/en/).

I'd like to work towards simplification, which means getting rid of the Aiwa system (dang thing just keeps going, and going, and going) at some point, and hopefully using my nice speakers for both my casual listening and pro audio stuff. I'll get a TRS switch box (something along these lines: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SLW333/ ) to switch between sources.

It is possible to route everything through my pro audio interface, but I'd rather not have another powered device always on. So, it would seem that going the route I'm planning would be a better choice.

So my question is this: Is there any downside (speakers wear out more quickly, etc) to using my nice reference speakers for my normal day-to-day usage (mp3's, streaming video, DVDs, etc), along with the pro audio stuff? They reproduce sound so well when compared with the Aiwa speakers, so I know there will be an appreciable difference in sound quality (at least to my ears). But I want to avoid doing anything that will compromise the quality of the speakers for my pro audio gigs. I can't think of any reason not to make the change, but wanted to see what you folks thought.

Thanks!

[cbelt3]

can your Mac do TOSlink output ? Because that to your preamp may be your best solution. Of course if you hear the difference between straight analog and digital to analog, it may drive you batty. Digital sounds kind of 'tinny' to me versus straight analog.

[clay]

no direct Toslink from the Mac (2011 mini).

[OWC Jamie]

Your 2011 mini DOES have an optical digital out.

This is what you need to go to a standard TOSLINK audio input.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/CBLAOPTMT/

[clay]

Okay, but I'm looking to AVOID needing to have another powered device (i.e. my audio interface) turned on all of the time.

[clay]

clay wrote:
Okay, but I'm looking to AVOID needing to have another powered device (i.e. my audio interface) turned on all of the time.

Although, I suppose my audio interface draws about the same, or less, power than my Aiwa system does with all its fancy LED lights, etc. Time to hook up the Kill A Watt for testing...

[Will Collier]

I think that's a great idea, and one I'm surprised more people don't think of. After all, virtually 100% of recorded music gets mixed and mastered by people listening to their work on good studio monitors. Stands to reason you ought to get quality reproduction out of them as well.

[Sam3]

Studio monitors are near-field monitors, i.e. the user is close to the speaker and the speakers are closer to the wall of a studio, whereas the home user is further away from the speaker and the speaker is not butted up against the wall. The speaker characteristics will therefore be different.

[edgarbc1]

by no means do I do pro audio at home, but
i use my nice (to me) studio speakers for all my computer audio output.
i dabble as a hobbyist recording my hobby band and my own musical escapades

i would absolutely do this again.
i have a little mixer which i can get my hand quickly to for zeroing the audio output to the speakers and which i can crank for listening to audio of interest.
I always zero out the output before i turn off and unplug everyday
as i take my laptop to work.

i have a switched power strip near my feet which i can turn off the speakers and subwoofer at my discretion and which i do about 50% of
the time.

it works for me and i believe i got a great setup which has lasted me
for years. If you have a serious doubt on the longevity of the your
monitor setup in the long term, if you choose to do this, your income
would allow you to purchase new monitors as the need arises, if you choose not to do this, to preserve your monitors, then you only have to find an altnerate output source for your everyday audio needs.

[kj]

The only thing I would say is that I know some studio monitors don't sound good; just revealing. But it sounds like you like the sound of your monitors, so that is moot. I personally wouldn't worry too much about wearing speakers out. It seems to me they can last an awful long time. I have speakers that are on the warm side (british), so they aren't flat, and I'm glad. But I also have some studio monitors that I enjoy the sound of, so why not? Also, I really like having built-in amps, which more studio monitors have, so there is that. As a niggle, I also don't believe studio monitors represent some sort of factual representation of music. They all sound different, so it's just a matter of liking the sound and/or finding it useful. kj.