Most of the small boxy studio monitors are intended as nearfields and will often have a narrow or controlled dispersion. ATC, PMC and Genelec (newer models like 8050) tend to be wide dispersion and will be better for home.
Studio monitors vary in presentation too - quite considerably from precise/clinical to warmer designs that will put lipstick on a pig (make a bad recording sound ok) - so demo and choose what fits your taste - they are often more forward sounding in the midrange and can consequently sound more realistic on horns although many will find this harsh, raw or PA sounding. Generally they tend to have wider dynamic range (greater dynamics and can play much louder cleanly) when compared to domestic hi-fi speakers. They often have less bass extension but will be punchy and more accurate instead. (bass sells - so that is often what you get in abundance in a domestic design)
ATC pro models have a clipping LED and a rounded smooth edge baffle (so they can work without a grill). If you like to see the drivers (grill off) then you need to go for a pro model or make some kind of frame for the baffle to eliminate sharp corners.
Apart from looking ugly (compared to some of the beautiful domestic designs avalable) they can sound great (provided it fits you taste).
Larger studio monitors - like Westlakes - tend to go in walls (soffit mount) - this is regarded as an optimum solution in most studios for main monitoring (realistic playback for clients, bass checks) - these are obviously much less suited for domestic use.
Studio monitors vary in presentation too - quite considerably from precise/clinical to warmer designs that will put lipstick on a pig (make a bad recording sound ok) - so demo and choose what fits your taste - they are often more forward sounding in the midrange and can consequently sound more realistic on horns although many will find this harsh, raw or PA sounding. Generally they tend to have wider dynamic range (greater dynamics and can play much louder cleanly) when compared to domestic hi-fi speakers. They often have less bass extension but will be punchy and more accurate instead. (bass sells - so that is often what you get in abundance in a domestic design)
ATC pro models have a clipping LED and a rounded smooth edge baffle (so they can work without a grill). If you like to see the drivers (grill off) then you need to go for a pro model or make some kind of frame for the baffle to eliminate sharp corners.
Apart from looking ugly (compared to some of the beautiful domestic designs avalable) they can sound great (provided it fits you taste).
Larger studio monitors - like Westlakes - tend to go in walls (soffit mount) - this is regarded as an optimum solution in most studios for main monitoring (realistic playback for clients, bass checks) - these are obviously much less suited for domestic use.