I got this book MIXING SECRETS FOR THE SMALL STUDIO and they point out how important it is to have accurate near-field monitors to accomplish a good mixdown. They recommend brands like Blue Sky which they categorize as low-cost, however these fall into the well over $1000 dollar range. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I can get a sweet Les Paul for that! Now I'm thinking maybe I'm just too dang cheap with my budget set at around $200. That seems a reasonable price for speakers to me; I mean we're not talking rocket science here!
I know they have to be powered with separate amplification for the woofers and tweeters. The speaker cone materials should be advanced (not recycled cardboard), And the enclosures should be properly insulated, baffled, and electromagnetically shielded.
I asked a few people their opinions, and I finally settled on M-Audio BX5A Deluxe monitors. Reading the literature on them, they seem to have everything that makes a big difference, so I'm hoping they will work out well for improving my mixes. Got them on Ebay for $189, and should be test driving them by this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes!!!