Active studiomonitors - beware/recommend brands....

[lfm]

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.

[filter303]

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.

[Meffy]

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?

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.

[lfm]

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.

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.

[lfm]

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?

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.

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.

[ghettosynth]

...

[lfm]

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.

...

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.

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.

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.

[tungsten carbide]

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.

[ford442]

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

[lfm]

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.

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.

[lfm]

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

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.

[updog]

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.

[ZenPunkHippy]

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

Peace,
Andy.

[bigjerome]

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!

[thecontrolcentre]

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