For the price, they are exceptional.igotnolegs wrote:I never heard of these monitors before, so I decided to look them up. Seems hard to find a retailer, and it appears that ESI accused M-Audio of stealing their design:MelodyMan wrote:Also consider the Esi nEAR05 Experience monitors. Very cheap, very good review in SOS and i use them myself, they are very good. Great stereo-imaging.
http://esi-pro.com/nek/PressRelease111005.pdf
Very interesting.
Newbie to Studio-quality monitors, please help me
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- KVRian
- 974 posts since 10 May, 2003
Buy Darling Sister's new album "Rise and fall" now! Just send a pm or an email. Visit our myspace page on www.myspace.com/darlingsister for songsamples.
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- KVRAF
- 2685 posts since 14 Jul, 2005 from Australia
Your understanding of active / passive is spot on. Most people use active monitors now since they are more accurately matched to an amp and save space.
As mentioned, you'll need a certain audio cable to get the speakers working which should not be a problem, you'll need a 1/4inch stereo jack to 2 RCAs or 2 TS cables, most audio stores have these, just ensure you get a long cable which is well built and as thick as possible.
Monitors tend to accept one of the following...
- RCA (unbalanced consumer type cables)
http://www.gpcholdings.com/access/rca-8-200.jpg
- XLR (balanced cables)
http://www.harmony-central.com/ProductI ... 000556.jpg
- TRS (balanced cables) (notice 2 rings around the connector)
http://www.performermag.com/images/14--TRS.jpg
- TS (unbalanced cables / guitar cables) (notice 1 ring around the connector)
http://www.accessories4less.com/mas_ass ... CMSLM3.jpg
Your soundcard output provides two channels (left and right) on a single 1/8th inch connector which is equivalent to 2 RCA cables, or 2 TS cables.
The Echo site says "Includes 6 foot adapter cable for RCA and 1/4" connections", did you get a cable with your card?
I strongly recommend the ADAM A7s http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A7/ which are half your budget.
The ADAM P11As are at the 1k mark http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P11A/ but they actually have slightly worse specs than the A7s.
No other speakers I have heard can reproduce the high frequencies like the ADAMs. They are incredibly accurate in all frequencies but their tweeters are just insanely good.
In the bass region, I have heard mixed reviews, but I absolutely see nothing lacking there (and I produce dance music which requires a good bass response).
The mixes I have produced on these speakers have translated extremely well everywhere and they expose so much detail I previously had not heard in my tracks and other mixes. I feel like I can totally trust them.
On the negative side, there are aspects of their build quality lead me to believe that not enough care is taken when building / caliberating these.
You may as well spend the rest of your cash on treating your room as this can make a massive difference too and will easily cost you the remaining $500.
Best of luck
Fots
As mentioned, you'll need a certain audio cable to get the speakers working which should not be a problem, you'll need a 1/4inch stereo jack to 2 RCAs or 2 TS cables, most audio stores have these, just ensure you get a long cable which is well built and as thick as possible.
Monitors tend to accept one of the following...
- RCA (unbalanced consumer type cables)
http://www.gpcholdings.com/access/rca-8-200.jpg
- XLR (balanced cables)
http://www.harmony-central.com/ProductI ... 000556.jpg
- TRS (balanced cables) (notice 2 rings around the connector)
http://www.performermag.com/images/14--TRS.jpg
- TS (unbalanced cables / guitar cables) (notice 1 ring around the connector)
http://www.accessories4less.com/mas_ass ... CMSLM3.jpg
Your soundcard output provides two channels (left and right) on a single 1/8th inch connector which is equivalent to 2 RCA cables, or 2 TS cables.
The Echo site says "Includes 6 foot adapter cable for RCA and 1/4" connections", did you get a cable with your card?
I strongly recommend the ADAM A7s http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A7/ which are half your budget.
The ADAM P11As are at the 1k mark http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P11A/ but they actually have slightly worse specs than the A7s.
No other speakers I have heard can reproduce the high frequencies like the ADAMs. They are incredibly accurate in all frequencies but their tweeters are just insanely good.
In the bass region, I have heard mixed reviews, but I absolutely see nothing lacking there (and I produce dance music which requires a good bass response).
The mixes I have produced on these speakers have translated extremely well everywhere and they expose so much detail I previously had not heard in my tracks and other mixes. I feel like I can totally trust them.
On the negative side, there are aspects of their build quality lead me to believe that not enough care is taken when building / caliberating these.
You may as well spend the rest of your cash on treating your room as this can make a massive difference too and will easily cost you the remaining $500.
Best of luck
Fots
Last edited by fgimian on Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:47 am, edited 4 times in total.
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- KVRAF
- 2208 posts since 13 May, 2005
I second the ADAM A7, by far the best offering in your price range.
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- KVRAF
- 1628 posts since 3 Oct, 2001 from Thailand
Erm, but that's for one piece?soundpalace wrote:I strongly recommend the ADAM A7s http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A7/ which are half your budget.
Peace, my friends. I'm not seeking arguments here. 
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- KVRian
- 743 posts since 14 Apr, 2004
Another vote for the adams a7, i'm going to buy them next month!
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- KVRAF
- 2685 posts since 14 Jul, 2005 from Australia
I should mention that I compared these A7s to Dynaudio BM5as, Mackie HR824s, Yamaha (not sure model).
I spent most my time A/Bing the Dynaudios and ADAMs.
The differences are as follows (in my opinion)...
- ADAM has an extremely tight punchy bass response, Dynaudio is more loose and deep sounding. Dynaudio bass response was a little more familiar to listen to as it reminded me a little more of Hifi systems. ADAM bass response was extremely upfront and I think it's best you drop the bass about 2 clicks at the back of the speaker.
Initially, this was the one thing I didn't like about the ADAMs. After several weeks of mixing with them, this became one of the best things about the speakers. The bass response is incredibly accurate, You can really hear exactly which portion of the bass region an instrument consumes. Listening to Hifis now make everything sound like flubber in the bass region compared to the ADAMs.
- The treble was clearly better on the ADAMs, these were the first speakers I heard that didn't have the dirt that I hear in the high mids. I heard this on the Dynaudios too and again, it reminded me a little more of the Hifi sound. The ADAMs had the smoothest high mids and the cleanest, most cirsp and detailed treble response I have ever heard in my life!! I am constantly amazed by the treble response.
- Due to the aforementioned points, I found the ADAMs less harsh to listen to up loud and I often have them a little loud when I listen to music. They sound wicked.
- The ADAMs have volume / power controls on the front! These were the only speakers in the store that had this and now that I use them daily, I really appreciate this, I always turn on the speakers when I sit down from the front panel. All other speakers seem to have their controls at the rear of the speaker which would involve an uncomfortable reach to the back every time.
- The ADAMs actually also look nicer (if that's your thing), to say the least, these speakers are aesthetically gorgeous!
- The volume knobs / tweeter volume don't seem to be 100% calibrated between pairs. For instance, on my pair, I had to turn the tweeter up two clicks higher on one speaker to match the level. The volume knobs click into place, and one of my volume knobs started just below -60db while the other started on -60db. Now it seems that the volume is calibrated at 0db on these speakers and due to the fact that each click is not an equal increment in volume, on certain volumes, one speaker is clearly louder than the other.
I have advised my store and have been told I will get a replacement pair several weeks back but am still waiting for a call. I have managed to adjust them so that they are even in sound now anyway so I'm not too fussed either way.
Overall, these speakers are incredible, but due to my experience, I would say watch out for the build quality when it comes to calibration and knobs. Click knobs can be a pain if not calibrated right because they click into position.
Cheers
Fots
I spent most my time A/Bing the Dynaudios and ADAMs.
The differences are as follows (in my opinion)...
- ADAM has an extremely tight punchy bass response, Dynaudio is more loose and deep sounding. Dynaudio bass response was a little more familiar to listen to as it reminded me a little more of Hifi systems. ADAM bass response was extremely upfront and I think it's best you drop the bass about 2 clicks at the back of the speaker.
Initially, this was the one thing I didn't like about the ADAMs. After several weeks of mixing with them, this became one of the best things about the speakers. The bass response is incredibly accurate, You can really hear exactly which portion of the bass region an instrument consumes. Listening to Hifis now make everything sound like flubber in the bass region compared to the ADAMs.
- The treble was clearly better on the ADAMs, these were the first speakers I heard that didn't have the dirt that I hear in the high mids. I heard this on the Dynaudios too and again, it reminded me a little more of the Hifi sound. The ADAMs had the smoothest high mids and the cleanest, most cirsp and detailed treble response I have ever heard in my life!! I am constantly amazed by the treble response.
- Due to the aforementioned points, I found the ADAMs less harsh to listen to up loud and I often have them a little loud when I listen to music. They sound wicked.
- The ADAMs have volume / power controls on the front! These were the only speakers in the store that had this and now that I use them daily, I really appreciate this, I always turn on the speakers when I sit down from the front panel. All other speakers seem to have their controls at the rear of the speaker which would involve an uncomfortable reach to the back every time.
- The ADAMs actually also look nicer (if that's your thing), to say the least, these speakers are aesthetically gorgeous!
- The volume knobs / tweeter volume don't seem to be 100% calibrated between pairs. For instance, on my pair, I had to turn the tweeter up two clicks higher on one speaker to match the level. The volume knobs click into place, and one of my volume knobs started just below -60db while the other started on -60db. Now it seems that the volume is calibrated at 0db on these speakers and due to the fact that each click is not an equal increment in volume, on certain volumes, one speaker is clearly louder than the other.
I have advised my store and have been told I will get a replacement pair several weeks back but am still waiting for a call. I have managed to adjust them so that they are even in sound now anyway so I'm not too fussed either way.
Overall, these speakers are incredible, but due to my experience, I would say watch out for the build quality when it comes to calibration and knobs. Click knobs can be a pain if not calibrated right because they click into position.
Cheers
Fots
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4341 posts since 20 Feb, 2004
Thanks a lot to all who gave me very detailed, informative comments on this thread. The presence of experienced, smart people willing to give in-depth advice is one of the things I love about KVR! 
Well soundpalace et. al., you guys have sold me on the Adams. And, as was noted, they fall exactly within the upper limits of my budget.
I'll be placing my order soon.
Thanks again for everyone's help here.
-Jer
Well soundpalace et. al., you guys have sold me on the Adams. And, as was noted, they fall exactly within the upper limits of my budget.
I'll be placing my order soon.
Thanks again for everyone's help here.
-Jer
A well-behaved signature.