Heheheh - currently I'm using a pair of Mackie HR-824's as my nearfields. However, when I'm really rocking out, jamming on the choons and rehearsing my live set, sometimes I've noticed that right when it's really loud and I'm really getting into it, I look over at the Mackies and the "OL" light is on. Given the price, I always immediately jump on the master faders and yank 'em down.

This pisses me off. Just when I get into it, it's too loud for my setup.

So, I was thinking about getting a DJ monitor speaker for the studio; something that'll go loud, but will feel more like rocking a live show. I decided to give the Mackie SRM450 a go, but given the price ($1300 CAD each), figured I'd better be sure beforehand, so I rented one for a month from the local PA rental place.

Well, I'm sure it goes loud enough, and I'm sure it sounds good - but it is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much speaker for my house! First day I got it home I put in a pair of earplugs and cranked it right the hell up... my girlfriend came home 20 mins later, flashed the lights to get my attention, and told me that not only could she hear it when she got off the train three blocks away, but that the neighbors were forming an angry mob in front of the house and I should turn it down now.

Anyway - I don't think I'll be purchasing one of these, unless I then follow up the purchase with another SRM450 and a powered sub of some kind and start throwing small parties. I'm thinking of trying out the Mackie SRM350 when it is released... but in your shoes, I would definitely consider splitting up your "loud" system and your "monitoring" system - you shouldn't be monitoring very loud anyway, you only get one set of ears. :)