KVR :: Hardware (Instruments and Effects) » Active studiomonitors - beware/recommend brands.... [View Original Topic]
There are 26 posts in this topic.

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lfm - Mon May 28, 2012 4:08 am

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Hi

Thinking I'll go with active monitors as I upgrade next time.

But also came to think about that passives are really troublefree and you are not dependent on the quality of a brand in the same way as with electronics and amps and stuff. It's just a speaker basically.

But active has advantage having switches to accomodate to room specifics better.

Do you have brand/models to recommend and any to supply a no-no warning?


I had a look at SOS reviews and there were quite a few that had problems with hiss on Yamaha HS50 etc.

Also thought that Behringer had good prices and bang for buck as I understand it, but thought about that amps and electronics - how do they compare in troublefree behavior?

I have been looking at:

Mackie MR8
Yamaha HS80
Behringer 3031
Adam AX7
Fostex PM2
Klein Hummel O110

Thanks.

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filter303 - Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:57 am

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I just recently visited a friends studio who was using the HS80M's while mixing metal and I must say they sounded very usable to me. I have also heard the Behringer truths and if I had to choose between them and Yamahas I would chose the HS80M's.
HS80M's are currently the top1 in musichouse thomann's list of most sold active nearfields.
I think you can't go wrong with them especially at that kind of price.

Those K&H's bass seem only go as low as 56hz which definitely is something you should keep in mind.
I would personally choose something that's cabable of producing lower frequencies than this.
In this price range you should be able to get monitors can produce something around 40hz or so.

Monitors, like pretty much everything else are a very personal choise. If you have the opportunity, take your time and try them out.

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Meffy - Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:05 am

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My cheap Behringers (B2031A) have worked perfectly for six or seven years, maybe; can't remember. They're no Genelecs but they're what I could afford and they do the job acceptably. More expensive monitors would probably be wasted on my less-than-golden ears anyway -- meaning I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

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lfm - Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:18 pm

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Thanks for input.

Yes, Yamaha feel pretty safe qualitywise - that amps doesn't break down all the time etc.

But history with NS10 were passive as I remember.

And I was a bit concerned that a number of people had trouble with a hizz kind of noise with HS50-series, in one speaker. I think one guy solved it by seeing to that they used the same power outlet or something. But a bit disturbing.

But I like the way they have switches to correct frequency response, both from 500Hz or something and then bottom end. Should be a good chance to correct for some room boom kind effect.

One guy commented having trouble getting the right mix with HS80, but he read review of HS50 where they added +2dB on mid range switch to get it closer to NS10, and he did the same with HS80 and he sounded really pleased about that discovery.

Right now I'm a little bit into Acoustic Energy AE22, passive since they got plenty good reviews on being close to NS10. The waterfall plot for AE22 is almost identical to NS10, a bit uneven in f-response but they are closed box and does not after-ring anything. They charge almost the double price for active version of AE22, so it's kind of unattractive.

Second on my list now if going up at €1000 range is Adam A7X.

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lfm - Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:21 pm

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Thanks. They seem very good and I also looked at 3031-model but it seems almost forgotten kind of. Review I found was pretty ok.

Good to hear that there is troublefree electronics for amps.

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ghettosynth - Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:27 pm

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[quote="lfm"]

I had noise problems with HS-50s but it turned out to be a ground loop problem and was most effectively solved by ground lifting the power cord on my computer. A the time it was a laptop, so no big deal.

FWIW: I really liked mixes done on HS-50s for acoustic/rock music, but I found them simply unworkable for electronic music. I couldn't get the bass right for the life of me, it was always overhyped; adding a sub didn't help.

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lfm - Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:38 pm

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[quote="ghettosynth"]

Ahhh, thank you for sharing that. That's good to know. Then it's not really something needed service or anything. I was afraid they might have quality issues with self oscillating or something.

Right now I'm about to try cheapo Tannoy Reveal 601P, which has poor bottom end and I will see how that goes. I'm not doing dance music though and it might work.

I'm trying to figure out the right reference music to switch in between to calibrate ears. I've got a feeling that is vital going back and forth with my own stuff - especially to get away with monitor that has 60Hz bottom end.

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tungsten carbide - Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:01 pm

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What about KRK VXT6? I like the sound of them and I have not encountered a lot of unhappy owners. Adams are sweet too, was very tempted to buy them when I was in the market.
To be really honest if somewhat contrarian, I'd have to say that for routine stereo imaging my KRK Rokit 6's were not bad although not as clean sounding overall as the models you're considering. For forensic listening I am probably in the minority in that I prefer my BeyerDynamic DT 880 cans. But my style of production and mixing involves listening on about 10 different pairs of headphones as well as my mono Avantone, the family cars, and some crappy computer speakers because those systems are more representative of the imaging that the music buying public will actually hear 99.9% of the time.

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ford442 - Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:04 pm

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ADAM A7X are wonderful..!! far superior to my previous B2030A Behringers..

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lfm - Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:26 am

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Yes, I felt I have to remake mixes at least a two-dozen times until it sounds right in different listening devices.

One hopes to get monitors that reduces that to 2-3 mixes maybe - and done.

I have my hifi speakers - which are old stuff Spectrum 410's from the 80's - 200L boxes - and those only were not the best for mixing.

I saw at Pensado's Place that he had some KRK's there in his Lair series. A SOS review was quite postive. Thanks for the tip.

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lfm - Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:33 am

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Yes, if going for the €1000 range(a pair) - I think those are favourites - reading different forums and reviews.

If going active monitors it's nice with a setting for midrange 300-500 Hz as well to adjust better to room. I miss that about Mackie - just bass and treble you could go passive just as well - having these controls on amp.

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updog - Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:12 pm

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for entry-level monitors i'll recommend Samson Rubicons. I've had R5a's for years now and i still love them, and i'd probably keep them if i bought better monitors. with the 5" cone they lack low end but other than that they're great with the ribbon tweeters!

these and Audio Technica ATH-M50s for headphones would be a great set for someone starting out, well actually the latter are great for anybody.

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ZenPunkHippy - Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:17 pm

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Focal build outstanding active monitors, some models within your budget.

Peace,
Andy.

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bigjerome - Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:04 pm

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Love my Adam A7X's.
IMHO, one of the best, if not the best.
All my mixes translate well and I don't get fatigued after hours upon hours!

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thecontrolcentre - Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:16 pm

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I bought my Genelec 1029A/1092A system in 1998. I'm still very happy with them. Top quality ...

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liquidsound - Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:25 pm

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When I got my Genelec (after Yamaha) I thought all my VSTi were updated! Small and powerful.

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ford442 - Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:58 pm

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i looked at Focal when i was buying my ADAM A7X - ADAM you can get from zzounds, guitar center, b&h, musicians friend, etc - but, it looked like for Focal one has to go to a specialty shop in Berkley.. that put hem a little above the working man's equipment and into the realms of the rich and famous.. i couldn't see the price on Focal, but i imagine that it was more than the $1500 i spent on my A7X..

i spent money that i inherited from my father's passing and i am very pleased at my investment.. i believe it was Uncle E who said to me "you can't go wrong with A7X" and i believe it - i have never heard such accurate reproduction of sound.. people say that they are one of 'the' industry standard near-fields right now..

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Shy - Mon Jun 11, 2012 7:20 am

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Even though A7X are more than fine, around that price or a little higher, you may be able to get a pair of Dynaudio Acoustics BM6A (not BM6A Mk2 which are not as good). If you do care so much about mixes translating properly, I don't know any other monitor in that price range that's as good, and hardly any nearfield monitors in -any- price range are at the same level.

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lfm - Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:52 pm

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Thanks for input.

Are you the one that have BM6A on sale on eBay - original not the mkII?
Just kidding.

My hopes are set on cutting the number of 'final' mixes until it actually works on most listening devices.

I really think you can make increadible mixes on any speaker/headphone - but do you have the patience to really redo it until it works on everything you can find playing it back.

It takes a lot of time to go on a fieldtrip in the car and listen, over at some friends place and listen and so on and on - this for every try on a final mix.
- No I need to cut low end a little more.

I think I did this 'final mix' more than 20 times with one song I felt worth bothering with. Today I think it sounds crap - but at the time it was ok.

I know I lack patience - and try to compensate for that - getting decent monitors - not over the top stuff.

I had many revelations - thanks to kind tips for KVRians - from the book Mixing Secrets for the small studio. The whole book is about what you listen to, what you are listening on, where you listen and how you listen.

I have some cheaper Tannoy that will have a go and see how it affects that monitors start loosing low end above 60Hz - and see how that translates, calibrating ears with reference stuff you know are good.

And I see what I learn from that - before going for the real deal. Passive AE22 that also lack low end but are extremly good having no resonances almost. Or A7X or something else that covers low end but may resonate quite a bit in low end.

I really think I need a lot more of mileage mixing before I know.

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Unaspected - Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:33 pm

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I had been using (now discontinued) Tannoy 6Ds for a couple of years but they failed half way through a project and I had to replace them before any repairs could be made.

Originally I was interested in Adam A5Xs and whilst they sound really nice for general listening, they sounded overly boomy in the audition room. Wicked for dnb but not quite as hot for rock music.

Then I spied the Focal CMS50s and whilst they weren't in my budget, after hearing them, I had to have them and am using them presently. The precision on the highs and mids is excellent for what I needed them for. Their characteristics also make vocal processing quite a pleasant experience.

I'm still contemplating obtaining a pair of Adam speakers for electronic music but as I've mostly been working with live acts of late, the Focals fitted my requirements best.

Otherwise: http://www.me-geithain.de/studio/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=140&lang=en

^ I really want to try out those monitors.

The most disappointing monitor brands that I've used have been KRKs, Yamahas and (I know, I was shocked too) Genelecs.

I've also had the pleasure of using higher range Focals and they were very nice indeed. Again, I would say that they suit rock music best. Mackie make quite nice monitors too - nothing special, nothing bad but a number of people I've worked with really dig Mackies.

Monitor choice is so subjective though. No one has the same ears and reviews don't really tell us much. Statistics can offer some information but not enough to make a decision.

My personal recommendation therefore is to try as many monitors as you can and go with what works for you. Forget hype and brand. Another little thing I often do is simply close my eyes - as I'd also recommend when adjusting processing effects and mixing in general.


EDIT: Typo.

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ford442 - Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:34 pm

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how many physical dollars did the Focals cost if you don't mind me asking?

EDIT - oh i see, almost identical to A7X price only small like A5X.. hmm..

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Unaspected - Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:00 pm

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I don't mind at all. I'm going to have to dig the bill out though as I've forgotten...

Which also forces me to sort through my pile of receipts... a good thing and long overdue.

£798 for the pair, which is roughly $1200 in American dollars - though it probably doesn't translate like that. I suspect they would be cheaper in the US.

And thanks for helping me sort that pile of paper.


EDIT: Just noticed how pedantic my pound to dollar figure was.

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ford442 - Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:51 pm

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CMS50 = $699 at Amazon.com
A7X = $699 at B&H

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surferman - Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:07 pm

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I'll add a +1 to the Samson Rubicons.

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lfm - Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:38 am

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Crap - I think I have to add Focal to my list too.

What I liked was extensive possibilities to configure - apart from reviews I read.

Mackie is kind of ruled out having soo little to adapt to the room you're in. I have bass and treble on every amp I've had and could go passive with those and make them more affordable as well. With active you are stuck with what they put in there.

Top actives would have something for general room adaption(around 160, 300 or 500Hz for some). And they would have something to cut lows - not just boost like Mackies(if I remember correctly). For normal room sizes 50Hz resonance is more common than lack of resonance I figure.

Tannoy Reveal8 has a pretty cool switch system that you can use their software to measure room - and you get how to set switches for correction. And it was I think at least 10 switches or something. But have not read any stunning reviews on them so lacking that they are out - more expensive as well.

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lfm - Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:41 am

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At least the r6a model is discontinued by them. I think they only make Resolv series now.

Otherwise pretty good reviews on SoundOnSound as really good value for money.

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There are 26 posts in this topic.