Equator D5 or JBL LSR305 or Presonus Eris 5 or...

[jovanja]

Just a heads up. I ended up returning the 502A's because of what appears to be some kind of foam that was hanging down in the back of the bass bass port. Seems like they used it for some kind of insulation or molding of the sound but in both monitors it was visible in the back of the port. Also, the noise level is outrageous on those. Meaning, even when no sound is being played through them, there is still a VERY audible, consistent noise.

I'd say, STAY VERY FAR away from those. I'm guessing it's just a by-product of low manufacturing standards.

Either way, I ended up putting up a little more scratch and just getting the HS5s. I WAS gonna get the Eris 5's, but, I'm afraid I might have similar issues and, with the HS series becoming "somewhat" of a bedroom producer/small studio standard, I figured I might as well give them a go.

I'm still dreaming of those BX5A's, though...

Hi remedial,
which one did you end up getting as replacement?
about the HS5, i'm not really a fan of the sound of their monitors,
i find it too mid-high forward,
their story is if it sounds good there it will sound good everywhere,
i like to hear a clear flat monitor but that has a pleasing sound to work on the music not a one that will drag me out of music,
i like their pa speakers and av-receivers,
however that's me maybe you like them,

[jovanja]

F5 are nothing like A7X though... For his budged Equators are far better than Adams.

hi EvilDragon,
do you have experience with the equator d5 or d8?

[Speakeasy]

Adam A5x 500-600€ pair

[jovanja]

Adam A5x 500-600€ pair

Hi speakeasy,
thank you for joining in
i can get the Adam A5x for 550 euros pair ,

do you find the Adam A5x revealing,good tool for mixing, are they accurate , do they translate well?
do they sound pleasant for listening? any fatigue?
any comparison with Equator D5 or D8?

[SoulState]

D5 & D8 sounds pleasant only if mix sounds pleasant. Most of mixes/records sounds like crap on them. I have both plus my old Dynaudio Bm6A (mk1), dyns have MUCH more bass than D8 (like auto-sub, lol), but i think D8 more honest in low-mids and mid-bass range. Any kind of music sounds better on Dyn's, even crappy mixes)) they good for listening music, lol . But for mixing even D5 are much better for me.(in boundary pos. 1 - which cut lows and elimenates front port "oumph") In my room and monitor positions - D5 has more bass than D8 )) but D5 standing right in front of me on the desk, dyns and D8 - 1.8 meters away in midfield range. D8 DEFINITELY NEEDS A SUB !!! in that position. Difference in amound of low-end betwen dyns and D8 in same position really drastical. But i beleive in D8 low end are more honest and not hyped like in dynaudio. Anyway mixing modern bass-heavy music without sub on D8 is really hard.

[jovanja]

D5 & D8 sounds pleasant only if mix sounds pleasant. Most of mixes/records sounds like crap on them. I have both plus my old Dynaudio Bm6A (mk1), dyns have MUCH more bass than D8 (like auto-sub, lol), but i think D8 more honest in low-mids and mid-bass range. Any kind of music sounds better on Dyn's, even crappy mixes)) they good for listening music, lol . But for mixing even D5 are much better for me.(in boundary pos. 1 - which cut lows and elimenates front port "oumph") In my room and monitor positions - D5 has more bass than D8 )) but D5 standing right in front of me on the desk, dyns and D8 - 1.8 meters away in midfield range. D8 DEFINITELY NEEDS A SUB !!! in that position. Difference in amound of low-end betwen dyns and D8 in same position really drastical. But i beleive in D8 low end are more honest and not hyped like in dynaudio. Anyway mixing modern bass-heavy music without sub on D8 is really hard.

Hi soulstate,
thank you for joining in,
i had a chance to work on a material on Dynaudio Bm6A (mk1),
i found them great for working and for listening,
but they are still outside of my price range and so difficult to find now new in a shop as all the shops carry the mk2 model that i've read is worse than the mk1 model,
plus they are back ported and i will have the monitors really close to the back wall so i guess front ported monitor will work better for me and my room,

about the equator d5 and d8,
well quite surprised to read that d5 has more bass than d8.
but with room reaction i guess is possible,
can you share your opinion about my setup,
i'm leaning towards the d8 so i can have fuller and lower sound than the d5,
my idea is to run the monitors full range while working,
and i will add a sub woofer just to have it to check my mixes with the sub woofer on,
for sub woofer i'm thinking the new presonus temblor t10,
it's listed for 500 euros, and has a foot switch so i can go my route with and without sub hustle free and not having to switch cables ,
also i will have my new monitors in distance of 1 meter left and right of my sitting position in a triangle,
so what do you think?
will the d8 have better and fuller bass in 1 meter distance of listening instead than 1.8 meter like you have it?
will i gain extra detail having the d8 alone and with the sub vs going with the d5 and sub route?

also i would love to have a monitor that is also pleasant to work with and pleasant and inspiring to listen to,
i'm searching for a nice,accurate and precise tool to work with, more than a listening music speaker,
i have a nice 2.1 hi-fi setup and nice 12'' active speakers in the same room for music listening so i more need a flat revealing easy to work with monitor,
i just don't like if it sounds like yamaha monitors,
maybe they are good for working and some people like them but i dont like their sound (too bright and mid/high forward for me)

so from what i've read you find the equators very revealing and honest,
cheers

[SayersWeb]

If you can definitely go for Equator D8. I am GASsing over those as well.

I have the D8s and love them... They sound great to my ears, and do well on long sessions.

[jovanja]

Hi SayersWeb,
thank you for joining in,
glad that you like the d8,
do they have a good defined punchy bass ?
are they good, accurate,detailed in all frequency spectrum for electronic dance music?
cheers

[SayersWeb]

Hi SayersWeb,
thank you for joining in,
glad that you like the d8,
do they have a good defined punchy bass ?
are they good, accurate,detailed in all frequency spectrum for electronic dance music?
cheers

To my ears the bass response is fast and clean, but not deep. I am using a sub with the crossover to the lowest setting... I believe it is at 50 hz, to ensure there is no deep mud.

I find them accurate and detailed while not being harsh. The stereo field is represented very well. Since getting these monitors I have received very good response to my mixes. My confidence with mixes and masters has greatly improved.

Previously, I had M-Audio DX8s and they were so difficult to mix/master with. It was a crap shoot, things that sounded great in the studio could sound great or horrible in my car, home theater, iPod, etc. I could never get consistent results. That is thankfully a thing of the past.

I took a big chance ordering the Equators unheard, but it has worked out really well.

[SoulState]

Hi soulstate,
thank you for joining in,
i had a chance to work on a material on Dynaudio Bm6A (mk1),
i found them great for working and for listening,
but they are still outside of my price range and so difficult to find now new in a shop as all the shops carry the mk2 model that i've read is worse than the mk1 model,
plus they are back ported and i will have the monitors really close to the back wall so i guess front ported monitor will work better for me and my room,

about the equator d5 and d8,
well quite surprised to read that d5 has more bass than d8.
but with room reaction i guess is possible,
can you share your opinion about my setup,
i'm leaning towards the d8 so i can have fuller and lower sound than the d5,
my idea is to run the monitors full range while working,
and i will add a sub woofer just to have it to check my mixes with the sub woofer on,
for sub woofer i'm thinking the new presonus temblor t10,
it's listed for 500 euros, and has a foot switch so i can go my route with and without sub hustle free and not having to switch cables ,
also i will have my new monitors in distance of 1 meter left and right of my sitting position in a triangle,
so what do you think?
will the d8 have better and fuller bass in 1 meter distance of listening instead than 1.8 meter like you have it?
will i gain extra detail having the d8 alone and with the sub vs going with the d5 and sub route?

also i would love to have a monitor that is also pleasant to work with and pleasant and inspiring to listen to,
i'm searching for a nice,accurate and precise tool to work with, more than a listening music speaker,
i have a nice 2.1 hi-fi setup and nice 12'' active speakers in the same room for music listening so i more need a flat revealing easy to work with monitor,
i just don't like if it sounds like yamaha monitors,
maybe they are good for working and some people like them but i dont like their sound (too bright and mid/high forward for me)

so from what i've read you find the equators very revealing and honest,
cheers

I think, you are right that more bass from D8 it is all about room in my situation.
From 1 meter they are more "punchy". If you need more bass maybe you need to place them in corner or sit near the walls... I hear bass only in corners or near the walls. )) So right room placement is critical for them, and some room threatment too, which i plan to do. Room modes and standing waves cancels bass at all in my listening position. So D5 have an advantage here - placed very near to ears room influence is minimal, especially in bass range. So for unthreated room D5 is a saver.
As for sub - i think for D8 better to use sub with sealed box design. I tried handmade subs with ported design with my dyn's - and it be ok, but when i used that subs with D8 - they added only muddiness, not the bass... D8 have "faster" respornse in low end than dyns, but dyns goes lower. Its all about compromises in midwoofed design.
I think ported sub can be good for cheking mixes, but for working i think sub with sealed design can be better. Something like Tannoy TS8 / TS10 / TS12 or Dynaudio BM-9S , BM-14S. Or you can check Rythmik Audio kits. They use servo drivers. Maybe this is the best solution in sub market for that price.
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12.html
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F15.html
They have amplifiers with xlr for in studio use:
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/amplifiers.html (panels with xlr somewhere in the middle of the page). Also 15" sub sounds more clean (with lower distortion) than 12", as some people talks.

For me the main goal to use D8 - is their midrange. Yes i think they have more detail than D5. And they have "bigger" and "fuller" sound. But D5 is like microscope or headphones for checking mixes. It's all about placement. You can't place D8 on the desk 60 cm from ears like D5's )) So in the end it's all about room threatment. I think D8 from 1 meter can be as good or even better in ideal room. But in unthreated room even on 1 m distance room modes can ruin all, especially bass.

also i would love to have a monitor that is also pleasant to work with and pleasant and inspiring to listen to,

I think JBL LSR 305 are good for that)). Many found them pleasant sounding, and more pleasant than D5. One guy in gearslutz changed D5's for 305's. He wrote something about that 305 have clearer top-end (i think it's just brighter). But i think in D5 top-end can be better. Sometimes it is hard to hear changes in reverb in complex mixes. In D8 that situation is better. But if you make a clean mix in D5 - it will sound great anywhere.

About ports on D5 and D8. I personally don't like ported designs at all, but i can't imagine size of the box with sealed design and with similar bass response on my desk )) Standing on the desk in front of me D5 have cleaner bass response with boundary1 position (cut lows). With other positions i think bass are too "wooofed" for that placement, and affects the midrange clarity. Port in D8 also have some noise in high volumes and very low notes. But nothing so criminal. I use them in boundary 2 position (flat) and have no problems with ports. I think bass responce of the D8 more like sealed box, they don't have any that ouuumph-ouuumph. Just clean and clear bass, that doesn't shake the walls, but clearly audible. (In good room i beleive, not mine, lol )) )

i'm searching for a nice,accurate and precise

I think both D5 and D8 more accurate and precise than Dyn's. For me Dyn's are more like Hi-Fi sounding. (hyped highs and sub/lows). Midrange are better/more "right" or "flat" on D8 than Dyn's. But D8 need a sub to go as low as Dyn's. For now i use my dynaudio just to check bass/sub, and final mixes/result. I can't work on them anymore)

[jovanja]

Hi Soulstate ,
thank you for the info,

""
As for sub - i think for D8 better to use sub with sealed box design. I tried handmade subs with ported design with my dyn's - and it be ok, but when i used that subs with D8 - they added only muddiness, not the bass...

unfortunately i cannot get the rhythmik audio subs where i live
also i cannot find anywhere the Tannoy sealed ones,
the Dynaudio BM-9S i can get the have a new model Dynaudio BM-9S II coming soon as well,

are the Adam subs sealed?
maybe other brands that are worldwide represented with sealed design on a budget
considering the price i was thinking getting something between the Presonus T10 and Jbl lsr310s which are ported

i have a Velodyne Impact 12 sub with my hi-fi setup in the same room and plays good,


""
For me the main goal to use D8 - is their midrange. Yes i think they have more detail than D5. And they have "bigger" and "fuller" sound. But D5 is like microscope or headphones for checking mixes. It's all about placement. You can't place D8 on the desk 60 cm from ears like D5's )) So in the end it's all about room threatment. I think D8 from 1 meter can be as good or even better in ideal room. But in unthreated room even on 1 m distance room modes can ruin all, especially bass
""


I will have the monitors 1 meter apart to the left and right side equally from my listening position in the center,
will have them coming up from my desk on isoacustic stands and at ear level,
they will be close to a back wall,
have some treatment in the corners and i can put new panels behind the monitors,
next to the monitors 1,50 m away from the listening position l & R side i have 12" art PA speakers and they sound very tight and punchy not muddy at all in the bass and mid area,
This makes me think that the D8 should sound tight and punchy as well at 1 meter,

what do you think?

""
I think bass responce of the D8 more like sealed box, they don't have any that ouuumph-ouuumph. Just clean and clear bass, that doesn't shake the walls, but clearly audible.
""
this is what i need , a clean and clear bass, not boomy

thank you for your opinions
cheers

[SoulState]

If you cannot buy sealed sub, quality made ported sub is better than nothing)
But about adam subs - some people don't reccomend their cheapest models like sub 8, i heard an opinion that sub 8 sounds like typical home theatre sub - "bom bom", and nothing like articuladed bass or whatever...
Adam subs is ported as i know, at least budget models.

D8 can't sound like 12" PA speakers.)) You can't make a home party with them (without a sub).
I can't call they THAT "punchy" in general way. They sound more surgical and neytral without any hype. Very "dry" sound.

But if you make on them track that will sound more or less "punchy", i think you'd be blown away if you check that track on your PA's.

Really after purchasing D8 i need to learn mixing from the scratch...(8 years of mixing expirience with dyns just WASTED) I realised that all my tracks mixed with dynaudio sounds like crap...)

With dynaudio it's been like - mixed track with dyns sounds cool only on dyns)) But not with others systems...
With equators is the opposite. All sounds like crap on them (ony few very very good mixes sounds really great on them, but 90% of music is really crappy sounding), but if you make an effort to make good sounding mix on them it will sound good anywhere.
Really i can find only about 10 tracks from 100gb of my music that sounds cool with D8, lol ))

[jovanja]

If you cannot buy sealed sub, quality made ported sub is better than nothing)

hi soulstate
i can do a budget of 500-700 euros for a sub
i can get the Dynaudio BM9S which is sealed for 649 € but they have a mkII model now coming and i wonder if they price will go higher,
otherwise i would be tempting should i go between JBL lsr310s or Presonus T10 in the 500 euros range,
or try to stretch and go between Focal Cms sub or Adam sub10mk2,

D8 can't sound like 12" PA speakers.)) You can't make a home party with them (without a sub).
I can't call they THAT "punchy" in general way. They sound more surgical and neytral without any hype. Very "dry" sound.
But if you make on them track that will sound more or less "punchy", i think you'd be blown away if you check that track on your PA's.
With equators is the opposite. All sounds like crap on them (ony few very very good mixes sounds really great on them, but 90% of music is really crappy sounding), but if you make an effort to make good sounding mix on them it will sound good anywhere.
Really i can find only about 10 tracks from 100gb of my music that sounds cool with D8, lol ))

hahaha yes i know they will not sound like 12' pa speakers and i dont need them to sound like that cause i have the rcf art12,
basically i need a surgical and neytral without any hype. Very "dry" sound speaker like you describe the D8 and also lots of people on the net,

for example i dont like the sound on the yamaha monitors,
they sound too bad for my ear and i cannot work on that kind of a monitor,

are the D8 pleasant sounding when the mix is right?
i'm just curious cause many opinions is they are so clinical and unforgiving,
but in my book the yamaha are so bad that whatever mix you do on them still sounds bad

[Uncle E]

yes maybe the idea is if it sound good there it will sound good elsewhere,
but i find their sound too bad that hurts my joy for composing music ,

You're trying to solve two completely separate tasks with a single set of monitors. It can work but I personally think it's a good idea to have a second set of brutally honest monitors available to you when you're mixing.

[jovanja]

yes maybe the idea is if it sound good there it will sound good elsewhere,
but i find their sound too bad that hurts my joy for composing music ,

You're trying to solve two completely separate tasks with a single set of monitors. It can work but I personally think it's a good idea to have a second set of brutally honest monitors available to you when you're mixing.

Hi Uncle E
thank you for joining in,
i was referring that to the yamaha monitors that i find their sound non enjoyable to listen while working ,
i'm looking for an flat, accurate,brutally honest monitor that will reveal flaws in the mix but a monitor that can sound good and enjoyable when the mix is right,
i couldn't t hear an enjoyable sound with yamaha monitors no matter how good the mix was and i could hear an enjoyable sound with plenty of other monitors,
so while i like yamaha av receivers and pa speakers i just dont dig the yamaha studio monitors,
that's why i was asking if maybe equator is something like yamaha sound (too much mid/high forward) or is not like it's flat, accurate and has a good spectrum balance,
at the moment i will look only for this one set of monitors,
they will be for mixing so more i'm focused on accurate and honest monitors than hyped ones that sound good but are not accurate as i have pa speakers and hi-fi speakers for music listening,
i'm coming off having alesis and krk monitors and while i find them nice for listening i find them hyped, not accurate and difficult for judging mixing decisions,
but i need them to be pleasant for listening to while mixing,
brutally honest but pleasant,
hope you get my thought