What is the difference between speakers and studio monitors?

I want to buy something for my iMac studio but do not know if I should be buying a sound surround type system, adding a sub woofer as opposed to buying two speakers/studio monitors.

Any suggestions as to what speakers/monitors I could buy if using my iMac as a studio where I plan to mix the vocals and rhythm.

Thanks
Brian

Basically, hi-fi speakers are designed to make music sound exciting. Any manufacturer who makes them is trying to make them sound more "exciting" than the next company, in terms of perceived dynamics (how loud things leap out at you), loudness (by eq'ing the speakers to make the most of their instrinsic power) and by appealing to most people's hi-fi needs (by accentuating the part of the sonic spectrum covered by the human voice).

This colours the basic signal in a way that you ought not to have to consider when you're mixing. Monitors are much less exciting: they give you the whole sonic spectrum in a much more "as-is" way. For instance, the old studio-staple monitors Yamaha NS-10's are both loved, and despised, for their lack of excitement (but mainly for their lack of bottom end, but that's another story): if you can make your music sound great on them, it'll sound amazing on anyone's home system, whether a kitchen radio or a hi-fi geek's set-up.

When it comes to surround systems, I know people who mix on inexpensive Alesis 5.1 speakers, even though they have more expensive stereo monitoring systems, such as PMC's, or those wonderfully transparent Mackie HR824's. Genelec used to do a blinding 5.1 system for about £1000 (roughly $2000), but the Alesis will only set you back $300, and they will be perfectly adequate if you position them well. Just remember that the difference between monitors and speakers is the difference between clarity and flattery.

Good luck!

That was great advice. I especially liked: difference between monitors and speakers is the difference between clarity and flattery.

Monitors are designed to tell you the truth, also like optical lens, speakers have a focal point. For hi-fi speakers the focal point is usally 10-15 feet from the grillecloth. Near-field montiors have a focal point that appears just infront of the grillecloth so the stereo field appears in front of you, insted of being imbedded in the wall behind you.