What's a good monitor these days?

[Doc Jones]

I've been using a pair of Mackie HR824s for a few years now and really need to trade them in - they're just too powerful (and insanely loud) for my new apartment (already had the neighbors banging on my floor). So I am looking for something in the same price rang (say between $1,000 and $1,500) that is smaller than the 824s, but that is known for very good translation and ultimately sound really well. Any suggestions?

[Merlot]

what about the 624's by mackie? I am using the Event ASP6's and love them.
I think I read ADAM is going to start making an entry level monitor. Might be something to look into.

[jackholexxxx]

I think I read ADAM is going to start making an entry level monitor. Might be something to look into.

They are the ADAM A7's. I was thinking of getting them for a friend of mine. They run 50W to the woofer and 50W to the ribbon tweeter. Plus they have a cool looking carbon fiber driver!

Check them out at http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A7/

[Tomer=Trance]

i would second the Adam A7s or try the Adam Anf10 passive monitors+150w (or 300w) poweramp like the alesis ra150 or maybe (on the higher end) a Rolls or Hafler amp.
check out the Dynaudio Bm5a aswell for a simmiler price range.

[Doc Jones]

yeah, a couple of my friends here also recommended the Adam series of monitors - I'm definitely going to check them out. What are your guys thoughts on these JBLs?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR4326Ppak/

[jasedee]

I reckon your best bet is a pair of Dynaudio BM5a's....not as powerful as the 6a's, and almost as accurate.

You could find a pair in your price range...over here I could probably get em around AUD$1600

They are very well regarded monitors for accuracy

[F5D]

I also recommend the BM5A's. I had them for 4 months and liked them very much. They are accurate, a little bright sounding and can also play the bass quite low altough they are so small. However, I still sold my BM5A's to a friend of mine to get a pair of bigger BM15's (for better bass response).

I also have a problem with listening spl because of neighbours but I still went with bigger dyns. I cannot play them very loud but I just have to live with it. Dynaudio Acoustics sound is very good. I earlier had Mackie HR626's (2x6" + 1") which were really nice (imo the best mackies) but they also had a little fatiguing treble. Dynaudio monitors are completely nonfatiguing and they produce their drivers in their own factory. Many high end speaker manufacturers have used Dynaudio drivers and especially the silk dome tweeters and woofers with extra large voice coils are well known.

I have read many comments about active dyns being brighter than the passive ones (for example BM15 vs. BM15A and BM6 vs. BM6A) and I also noticed that when switching from BM5A's to BM15's (passive), altough they are completely different models. Sometimes I felt that the BM5A's were a little too bright for my taste (and a measured frequency response also shows that) so the sound of BM15's seems to be better for my needs. Anyway, I'd go for the BM5A's if you have to switch your monitors to smaller ones.

btw, have you tried to attenuate the bass of your 824's with the switches on the back? It's the bass anyway which your neighbour can hear.

[AlexHall74]

A friend of mine bought KRK Rokit 8s.

They are pretty bad ass.

I have not heard the smaller KRKs.

Cheers, Doc!

-Alex

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

If you want to keep within familiar territory then 624's would be a good compromise. Having said that...why not pick up an old pair of NS10's.....if you play them really loud they will permenantly shut off...thus protecting your neighbours ears :lol:

DS

[Doc Jones]

thanks for the feedback guys -
I will definitely give the BM5As a listen!
F5D - believe it or not, I actually switched the setting to low cut @ 80hz and the neighbors still were banging on the floor :?

DS - I still have my ns-10ms that I bought many years ago. Problem is that I never took the time to learn them properly, so my mixes alway sucked (I always compensated way too much for the lack of low end), so now I just use them when mastering.

Alex - I haven't heard too much about the KRK series, I'll look into the Rockits.

cheers all :)

[Khazul]

I would suggest keep the 824s and augment with a Mackie HRS120 (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/3391)

:lol:

[Tomer=Trance]

accualy i would add 5 more 646 to that 12` Sub to creat a 7.1 NOISE. :lol:

[blay]

I am still surprised by the fact people are recommending the krks.

I dont care how flat a monitor is - if cant listen to it for more than an hour at a time then it is basically useless.

Try the new tannoy reveal active range. Or stick to something tried and proven like the dynies.

cheers

Blay

[jasedee]

I am still surprised by the fact people are recommending the krks.
Yep...I didnt want to say anything, but the KRK's are average sounding monitors IMO. Stay well away...

[F5D]

I would suggest keep the 824s and augment with a Mackie HRS120 (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/3391)

:lol:
Just remember to drive the HRS120 "active bass trap" in negative phase. 8)

[jackholexxxx]

I am still surprised by the fact people are recommending the krks.
Yep...I didnt want to say anything, but the KRK's are average sounding monitors IMO. Stay well away...

Agreed, I am amazed at how many people rave about them. I almost bought some until I listened to the Event ASP8's. No comparison.

jackholexxxx

[blay]

I should have clarified - I view the krks a little like the old NS-10s - if you can make it sound good on them it will prob sound good on most systems, which is really what you are looking for in a studio monitor... the ability to make a mix translate on as many different systems as possible.

However, IMO it is just as important to have monitors which arent fatiguing. It doesnt matter if they lack in certain frequency ranges, as long as you are aware of the short-comings and can compensate accordingly....

In short - no point buying monitors that you dont like listening to. I like monitors that combine good monitoring with good listening...

cheers

Blay

[Khazul]

Im coming to the conclusion I need both - something that I can stand to listen to all day, and does a decent job of reproducing the energy of kicks and bass (to give the vibe and energy when just playing), and then a second pair purely for getting the mix right - probably smaller (5" maybe), much more accurate, less prone to triggering bass modes in the room, and generally just much more brutally honest...

For the former - Im using Event TR8XL very nice flat non fatiguing sound, but they seem to be really sensitive to their environment. For the latter - Im looking for something suitable - I was allmost tempted by the little triple-p pyramids, but they mean getting a suitable power amp as they are passive.

Either way - in my studio (in a rented house, so I cant really do much about the accoustics) the Events seem to be completely impossible to mix on - they are interacting with the room way too much - shame - they were really great in the last place (in what I thought was a much less ideal room and placement). - Ive tried alternative placements, on stand, off stand, accoustic damping on the stands.. etc etc - nothing helps.

Anyway - so another one here looking for something to mix on :)

Currently thinking maybe Genelec 8020A/8030A...

[Tomer=Trance]

I should have clarified - I view the krks a little like the old NS-10s - if you can make it sound good on them it will prob sound good on most systems, which is really what you are looking for in a studio monitor... the ability to make a mix translate on as many different systems as possible.


I disagree,
IMO what you should look in a monitor is clearaty and detail. (you will not find this in the ns10s)
some of the highend studio monitors today are amazing in that aspect (dynaudio,adam,EMS etc...).

flat can never achived in home\project\not spacialy designed spaces and even in most proffesional studios no matter how flat are the monitors being used- dou to the room.
anyway, check the monitors under your home studio conditions and choose the one which works the best for you and your enviroment.
spend your money on acoustics rather then buying another gudget or a synth,it will serve better in the long term.

[F5D]

Which ever monitors you're going with, use an analog volume controller for them (passive if possible)! I just got an M-Patch 2 passive volume controller today and the sound is now alot better than before when I used my 828 mk2's digital volume control. At the worst case (when playing at low volumes) the bit depth of the motu's output was only 10-12 bits. Now I get full 24 bits and maximum output signal from d/a to the mpatch2 and to the monitors. The bass is more dynamic, powerful, goes lower almost as if I had just added a sub. The highs are alot clearer and transparent. My BM15's sound just amazing now! :D

[blay]

the sound is now alot better than before when I used my 828 mk2's digital volume control. At the worst case (when playing at low volumes) the bit depth of the motu's output was only 10-12 bits.

Are you saying that the bit depth varies in relation to volume on the 828mkII? :shock:

Thats certainly news to me...

cheers

Blay

[blay]

from harmony central:

One of the benefits of passive volume attenuation is that you no longer have to control volumes with your software master volume fader. Reducing audio levels from software only reduces your bit depth. It is much more appropriate to keep your software masters at unity and passively attenuate the audio to your active monitors.

You learn something every day :wink:

cheers

Blay

[Khazul]

the sound is now alot better than before when I used my 828 mk2's digital volume control. At the worst case (when playing at low volumes) the bit depth of the motu's output was only 10-12 bits.

Are you saying that the bit depth varies in relation to volume on the 828mkII? :shock:

Thats certainly news to me...

cheers

Blay
Such is the nature of digital. The output is still 24bit, but if the digital level signal is very low, then its might be peaking at a sample value of say +/- 5000 or so (out of a possible 8Million or so) - ie only 14bits are being usefully used.

[Khazul]

from harmony central:

One of the benefits of passive volume attenuation is that you no longer have to control volumes with your software master volume fader. Reducing audio levels from software only reduces your bit depth. It is much more appropriate to keep your software masters at unity and passively attenuate the audio to your active monitors.

You learn something every day :wink:

cheers

Blay

And passive volume conjtrols *cant* be overridden by errant software and blow up your monitors either :)

[Tomer=Trance]

Passive=no amplification so there is no risk at overdriving the signal chain from your soundcard to your monitors.

a passive monitor mixer is usualy design to be colorless and trasparent.

[Doc Jones]

You learn something every day :wink:

cheers

Blay
agreed. thanks for the info f5d!

[blay]

Cant find anyone who stocks the m-patch 2 in AUS - just the original m-patch, which will prob suit me better anyways (being a half-rack unit) as I will be able to rack it next to my ultralite...

Think I just found my next purchase - thanks for the heads up F5D :D

[Tomer=Trance]

Cant find anyone who stocks the m-patch 2 in AUS - just the original m-patch, which will prob suit me better anyways (being a half-rack unit) as I will be able to rack it next to my ultralite...

Think I just found my next purchase - thanks for the heads up F5D :D

you also have the Suzy from RME\Synthax,which is a passive monitor mixer although the Mpatch 2 looks alot more sturdy.
personaly i use a cheap behringer mon800 monitor mixer which works great for me and also has some extra features like talkback and 2 sets of headphone outs.

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05/Content/Synthax/PR/Suzy.html

[blay]

Most people I know are taking the signal out of nice expensive soundcards into shithouse cheap mixers, picking up lots of noise on the way - all in the aim of having 1 fader to scramble for when satan saws and the like rear their ugly heads...

I havent seen a piece of behringer gear last more than 18months, and they are noisy straight out of the box.

Id say the components in the RME unit would be of much higher quality than SM Pro... but thats just my guess.

cheers

Blay

[Khazul]

What I have never figured out is why something as simple as a monitor control box cost a bloody fortune compared to say a a very basic mackie mixer. I would like to get a pre-sonus central sation here - especially if I get a second set of monitors - but they are expensive and have been seeing them come up second hand. Allways hopeful that the prices will plummet one day :)


Another intersting side of your comment blay - even good mixers sometimes cut serious corner on their monitoring sections - thats the one thing on my Yamaha 01x that really annoys me - the monitor outs are crap - unbalanced FFS!!!!

Otherwise its a really good solution for audio I/O and workstation hardware mixing needs.

[F5D]

Cant find anyone who stocks the m-patch 2 in AUS - just the original m-patch, which will prob suit me better anyways (being a half-rack unit) as I will be able to rack it next to my ultralite...

Think I just found my next purchase - thanks for the heads up F5D :D
No prob. :)

Strange if you can't find the mpatch2 in Australia because SM Pro Audio is an Australian company. :shock:

I guess both models are as good. The only difference is the size, looks, knob size and color and the original mpatch lacks the headphone amp which imo is crap anyway. :D

[blay]

Yeah it is strange.

What doesnt surprise me is the fact that the cheapest advertised price I can find the m-patch 1 in AUS is $180AUD, whereas several stores in the states are stocking it for $99US????

Even with currency conversion it still doesnt make sense that the unit would be that much cheaper in the US. Australian audio retailers are theives...

cheers

Blay

[Tomer=Trance]

What I have never figured out is why something as simple as a monitor control box cost a bloody fortune compared to say a a very basic mackie mixer. I would like to get a pre-sonus central sation here - especially if I get a second set of monitors - but they are expensive and have been seeing them come up second hand. Allways hopeful that the prices will plummet one day :)


the central station might also be a good option.

i have been using a basic mackie vlz1202pro for this porpuse and i can say the switch was amazing,only then i could hear how noisy the mixer was.
about the Mon800,i can assure you they accualy managed to hit the spot this time for as amazingly low price (around 59 euro i think). near to non coloration,0 noticable noise,clean headphone out. cons: 2nd and 3rd set of monitor outputs are unbalanced.
i wouldnt run a 5000 US pair of monitor thru them tho but i can say the same with the synthax suzy or central station.

[Khazul]

Anyone use the Samson C-Control? Unlike the mon800 - at least you can rack mount it.

I find non-rack mountable rack-like boxes deeply annoying (even half rack size units) :)

Another option is the Mackie Big knob - personally I dont like it because you have to have it on your desk, which means loads of cables near/on your desk, which in turn mean interference from LCD/CRT monitors etc.

[F5D]

Anyone use the Samson C-Control?
I had one. It has good connectors and routing options but it colors the sound. People say the same about mackie big knob. If you want a transparent volume controller which doesn't color the sound, passive is the only way. If I had too much money, maybe I would have bought the central station because it also looks damn cool. :lol:

[Doc Jones]

just had a chance to test out the dynaudio bm5as - nice!!!!
it was funny, there was a guy at the place who was thinking about picking a pair of HR 824s. So we struck up a conversation and I told him how I was thinking about selling off my 824s and had heard alot of good things about the bm5as. Just then one of the sales guys comes in and within a few minutes of talking, we find out he works as an engineer at a local recording studio in downtown and he, hands down, loves the bm5as!! After a/bing a bunch of material between the bm5as and the 824s (as well as some other monitors), we were all pretty much in agreement that the dynaudio monitors sounded the best!

[Gopal]

Happy owner of BM5as here

[djencode]

A little late on the ball, but a proud owner of Tannoy Reveal 6D's


imo best in its class

[Tomer=Trance]

The new Adam A7s are amazing for their price (999$)
Im having some cash shortage ATM but as soon as thats over im defently geting thos. :wink:

[mr.e]

i'm thinking of switching my tannoy reveal actives and buying samson Rubicon R8a monitors.
they look sweet ... any suggestions guys?


http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1890&brandID=2

[Tomer=Trance]

hmm ribbon tweeter... possibly nice.

My suggestion is never pick a monitor before listening to it and if you canlisten to it in your studio before buying.

[pseudonym]

I've been advised to go for these Alesis M1 Mk2 Actives for my (rather shitty) budget of ?200:

http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAction.do?dispatch=showProduct&SKU=ALES-M1MK2&context=WEB&make=Alesis&model=M1%20Active%20Mk2

Any thoughts on these guys?

cheers!

[djencode]

my friend uses em. well the passive version. actually 2 of my friends use those. mind u, 2 of my friends also use tannoy's :D

[dj teknovibe]

I've been using a pair of Mackie HR824s for a few years now and really need to trade them in - they're just too powerful (and insanely loud) for my new apartment (already had the neighbors banging on my floor). So I am looking for something in the same price rang (say between $1,000 and $1,500) that is smaller than the 824s, but that is known for very good translation and ultimately sound really well. Any suggestions?


Yep for definate, accurate as hell really and sound nice, the dynbaudio bm6a monitors are excellent. By the way a lot of people aggree that the mackie monitors are pretty accurate but the stupidly hyped bass and treble makes them hard on the ears after a couple of hours and the only way to get round the hyped bass and treble is to get shed loads of bass trapping and mid/high frequency absoption in your studio. It is possible to do accurate mixes on them but they are just good for cinema surround sound systems cos of the the stupid amount of bass and harsh treble.

I use to have some and loved them but after about 2 hours my ears ached and I couldnt get my songs to sound right using them so now i've got dynaudio bm15a monitors and they are just mackie eaters. They eat mackie monitors for breakfast and I can do a 10 hour studio session and my ears still won't ache at all. The dynaudio bmga's are like that in every way I think apart from the fact that the bm15a's go down to about 35hz and the bass is amazingly well controlled. God I love my bm15a's.

But the bm6a's are in your quoted price range.

[djencode]

i auditioned the mackie hr824's and i didn't find them as acurate or warm sounding as my tannoy's


heck i picked these speakers over GENELEC's!

[dj teknovibe]

You picked the tannoys over genelec? Ok, well everyone has their own idea of what sound they like. The mackie in the general studio aren't accurate at all. When I say they are accurate I mean you need loads of bass trapping, and I mean a hell of a lot, and to pull them well away from the sides and backs of the studio walls and bass roll of switch to 47hz just to tame that silly amount of bass which makes most people cut the bass out of their track and end up up with hardly any bass in their tracks due to them having to compensate for the mackie's bass levels.

They're home party speakers really. Thats what I would class them best as or cinema surround front speakers. And tannoys, I don't like them myself but thats me.

[mas]

yeaaaaahhh, I'm definitely gonna be a happy BM6A owner in one or two weeks!!!!!!!

Cheers mates,