This 'unofficial' Forum is dedicated to the Clavia Nord Keyboards, including the Nord Stage, Nord Electro and Nord Piano. Discuss any issues around Nord's keyboards, share your favorite patches, samples, and music. We are not affiliated with Clavia!
I don't have or tested them. According to what you can read on the forum, the Nord monitors are worth the price for design and mounting reasons. They are practical, and you get a nice piece of furniture and fitment for the living room as well.
As far as audio quality is concerned, I'm sure they are a very solid solution that fits well.
Some people say they won't satisfy as stage monitors. Which is quite comprehensible.
I use the JBL 305p MKII monitors which are only 30% of the cost of the Nord Piano Monitors here in the US. The JBLs sound very good to me. I'm not sure I would pay over 3x more for the Nords (although I haven't heard them) unless I was planning on keeping the them permanently attached and then it would be for aesthetics. Also, you should review the inputs and outputs of the Nord monitors to make sure you can use them the way you want for recording.
These users thanked the author ajstan for the post:
I used JBL 305's for my home setup. When I purchased a new Nord Grand I also sprung for the Nord monitors. I can say their sound was pleasant but not to my liking. The JBL's had a very audible broader range and overall fuller sound. I returned the Nord monitors. I might also add that I have tried more expensive monitors but for the size (important to me) and sound (not price) I like the JBL's.
These users thanked the author Frank Rose for the post:
I bought iLoud Micro as for the little size reason. As for the practising and some home recording they are enough, but on some rhodes sounds there is abnormal resonance at some higher middle frequencies so I need to cut some EQ or lower the volume, also some synth patches with very low bass create real wind from the speakers. So as I said, if I had more place I will buy proper JBL monitors or if I have a Nord Grand I will buy Nord monitors. iLoud micro are good for practising and playing around but I found that after some time (1 hour) my ears are quite tired even if I listen music from them via bluetooth.
I'm relatively new to the forum (I just purchased the Nord Grand a couple months ago) and was about to pose the EXACT same question; though the Nord monitors appear to be sleek and surely sound great, I felt as though I could purchase third-party monitors that would sound just as excellent (if not better) for a fraction of the cost. My Sweetwater sales engineer said the Yamaha HS7 6.5 inch would work for low frequency response, but he particularly advocated for the JBL 306P MkII 6.5-inch (since the JBL 308P MkII 8-inch would likely be a bit too powerful for my 12ft-by-8ft NYC apartment room) in conjunction with a Solid State Logic SSL2+ interface. I told him I'd consult the User Forum to see if I saw any additional corresponding feedback before I made a final decision -- and I believe this thread has sealed the deal. The JBL 306P MkII monitors seem to be the best move (unless the JBL 305P MkII 5-inch monitors are deemed sufficient by those in this thread that have used them? Not sure about how much of a difference it would make in terms of low frequency response).
Last edited by AJDom on 16 Mar 2021, 04:17, edited 3 times in total.