KVR Audio

Divian · Post by **Divian** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 5:52 pm

Hello,

I'm looking for 1 set of decent monitors to replace my old logitech 2.1 speakers that gives me no real representation for EQ'ing. In a way that music can be decent produced without too much colouring when listening on other sound destinations...

I'm looking in the price range €400-500 for reproducing techno-house-ambient music.

Mainly my ideas were:
1. KRK-ROKIT RP8 (http://www.krksys.com/krk-studio-monito ... kit-8.html)
2. YAMAHA HS80M (http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-pr ... ies/hs80m/)

I still need to listen again to those but what are your opinions regarding this matter?
At first I was eagered to buy the RP8 but don't want to end up with a monitor that is just an update of logitech speakers. You got lovers and haters regarding the RP8 because of too much low?

I'll need to get those YAMAHA's a second look, because the listening session came by surprise and I wasn't prepared.
Are the HS80M good alternatives? People say flat = better, but since I'm knew to real monitors I have no clue nor comparison. In this regard I don't want to end up with monitors that sound bad and don't end up.

Unluckily the monitors will not be able to be ideal positioned I'm afraid: desk directly against a wall or window but normally not in the corner. Will the air opening in the front (KRK) will benefit more because of this than the opening on the back from the Yamaha or doesn't this matter?

Anyone advise on what to take with me to the listening session besides music I "know"?

ps: 8" is needed I think for impression of the bass but the sound level will be quite low anyway (bedroom studio)

Thanks in advance...

KevWestBeats · Post by **KevWestBeats** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:50 am

HS80s

Spiritos · Post by **Spiritos** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 10:36 am

I don't know any of them personally but lately I have been looking for monitors too and have come across these as well.

From what I've read the Yamahas give a clearer and more thruthfull sound as opposed to the KRK 8's which are coloured and heavy on the bass.

Also I don't know if you're aware that the HS80M have been followed up by the newer HS8. These are the freq specs:

Yamaha:
Min: 35 - 39 Hz
Max: 29 - 31.9 kHz

KRK:
Min: 40 - 49 Hz
Max: 19 - 19.9 kHz

Divian · Post by **Divian** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:42 pm

Thanks for the feedback. Most likely I'll buy the HS8...

Aubrey Lamont · Post by **Aubrey Lamont** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:40 pm

I have the Rokit 8s.

They definitely seem to have a boosted low end, but I wouldn't go so far as to call them "an update of logitech speakers."

That said, the Yamahas will be flatter and are probably better monitors overall.

With enough practice, you'll eventually learn to use whatever speakers you end up getting. I love my KRKs for dance and ambient music.

codec_spurt · Post by **codec_spurt** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:58 pm

I used the HS-80s for a long time in a studio I worked in.

They are a great monitor. You don't really need much more.

They are a bit bright in the top end, even to my muffled ears.

They have loads of bass, and I mean loads of bass, but the highs are very pronounced.

And they are loud. And I mean loud.

I had a choice of buying them when they were cheaper than the KRK 8s. So that would have been a good incentive. But I didn't like the pronounced highs.

And yes, I suppose compared to them the KRKs seem 'muddy' as is a common complaint.

The truth is, we are just under the ideal price point here. You have a choice between tinny and muddy. Take your pick. I chose muddy. Some choose tinny. They are both LOUD. And you need to learn them anyway.

One thing I would say is, if you can't hear that the HS80s are excessively bright or that the KRKs are excessively 'muddy' - lower mid range actually, then I would consider taking an ear test. Hopefully you just have a bit of wax build up in your ear. My ears are made of cloth and I can tell the difference. I just prefer muddy to tinny because I get tinnitus otherwise.

The good points, well, for the money, they are both a kick-arse monitor and you will have a lot of fun working on them. You will be able to do excellent mixes on them. And they are both LOUD.

Did I mention they are both L O U D ! ?

I think the Yamahas are more exciting, but the KRKs are more true.
That is why I went with them. But I could happily mix on either, coz I know them.

Maybe try and find another monitor at this price point. Both of these are quite coloured considering they are supposed to be monitors.

Sorry, didn't help much. Just used both of them for a long time with lots of Dub, Electronica, Rock, Hip Hop being mixed on them.

cheers.

Divian · Post by **Divian** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:00 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I actually went listening to them today and need some more advice if possible.

codec_spurt wrote:The truth is, we are just under the ideal price point here. You have a choice between tinny and muddy. Take your pick. I chose muddy. Some choose tinny. They are both LOUD. And you need to learn them anyway.

What should be the ideal price point? Maybe I can add a little bit up to that?

codec_spurt wrote: One thing I would say is, if you can't hear that the HS80s are excessively bright or that the KRKs are excessively 'muddy' - lower mid range actually, then I would consider taking an ear test. Hopefully you just have a bit of wax build up in your ear. My ears are made of cloth and I can tell the difference. I just prefer muddy to tinny because I get tinnitus otherwise.

KRK sounds nice but a bit more compressed like and low. HS8 (newer HS80 version) sounds amazing clear and large in the spectrum. This was the only monitor where the Hihats seemed very high and clear. (SSSSSizzling)
In this regard I'm a bit worried for using those monitors I actually like most since I now realise (being home for some hours and all is quiet), I hear some kind of little tinnitus-whitenoise-like sound. I'm worried this has something to do with those Yamaha's (even though they didn't were too loud while hearing them. Or maybe it were the kids playing a bit too loud or too little sleep???

codec_spurt wrote: I think the Yamahas are more exciting, but the KRKs are more true.
That is why I went with them. But I could happily mix on either, coz I know them.

What do you mean KRK's more true? Wouldn't mixing on those put your tracks rather low? Or did you ment it the other way around (yamaha's = flatter = more true)?

codec_spurt wrote: Maybe try and find another monitor at this price point. Both of these are quite coloured considering they are supposed to be monitors.

I heard some Adams (don't know the type anymore but a bit higher in budget) and they sounded decent but not as clear as the less priced Yamaha's. Didn't had the possibility to hear the "Event 20/20".

Divian · Post by **Divian** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:09 am

@codec_spurt

I'm concerned regarding your comment about tinnitus.
Does the Yamaha triggers tinnitus or what do you mean? From time to time I'm having the same complaint but don't know what triggers it. I take precaution with protective ear plugs in loud areas and watch the loudness when I'm in control. Don't know if monitors beside loudness can trigger this? The sales man opted for KRK's because Yamaha's will give more fatigue to the ears but I don't know how to address this since he told me that didn't had anything to do with ear damage. However after reading your post in regard of tinnitus I'm a bit worried at least...

I want a correct image spectrum, but not at the cost of health damage in any concern (if that makes sense).

ps: There's a room control or correction of -2Db for the high. doesn't this help against excessive highs?

please help me out

macmurphy · Post by **macmurphy** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:31 am

i've been using the HS80Ms for quite some time and they haven't had any detrimental effect on my hearing at all - seriously don't let that non issue put you off. if you like them go for it.

Cole1012 · Post by **Cole1012** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:06 pm

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:50 pm

Divian wrote:luckily the monitors will not be able to be ideal positioned I'm afraid: desk directly against a wall or window but normally not in the corner. Will the air opening in the front (KRK) will benefit more because of this than the opening on the back from the Yamaha or doesn't this matter?

If your desk is right against a wall, personally I'd go for a monitor with a front port. The closer a speaker gets to a wall, the more it boosts bass specifically because of the port if it's at the back. Doesn't matter much where the port opens if the speakers are a foot or so away from the wall (or more preferably).

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:51 pm

Divian wrote:luckily the monitors will not be able to be ideal positioned I'm afraid: desk directly against a wall or window but normally not in the corner. Will the air opening in the front (KRK) will benefit more because of this than the opening on the back from the Yamaha or doesn't this matter?

If your desk is right against a wall, personally I'd go for a monitor with a front port. The closer a speaker gets to a wall, the more it boosts bass specifically because of the port if it's at the back. Doesn't matter much where the port opens if the speakers are a foot or so away from the wall (or more preferably).

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:51 pm

Divian wrote:luckily the monitors will not be able to be ideal positioned I'm afraid: desk directly against a wall or window but normally not in the corner. Will the air opening in the front (KRK) will benefit more because of this than the opening on the back from the Yamaha or doesn't this matter?

If your desk is right against a wall, personally I'd go for a monitor with a front port. The closer a speaker gets to a wall, the more it boosts bass specifically because of the port if it's at the back. Doesn't matter much where the port opens if the speakers are a foot or so away from the wall (or more preferably).

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:53 pm

Sorry - issues with my connection.

codec_spurt · Post by **codec_spurt** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:08 pm

macmurphy wrote:i've been using the HS80Ms for quite some time and they haven't had any detrimental effect on my hearing at all - seriously don't let that non issue put you off. if you like them go for it.

I used them for quite some time too. Superb monitors.

I don't recall saying they caused Tinnitus. Only that those who already have Tinnitus, and are therefore very susceptible to high frequency content, may possibly need to find another monitor, because it would aggravate, at very high SPLs for prolonged periods. Maybe I didn't make that point. I have now.

The highs coming out of the KRKs are fairly harsh when pushed, but they are not over pronounced, the Lower Mid-Range is. Hence people calling them a bit muddy. Neither monitor is perfect. These are beastly monitors that can produce very high SPLs, it would be foolish to think that people were just using them as near fields at talking level.

Please don't dismiss it as a non-issue, it is an issue for people that suffer with tinnitus.

Also people that are on the autistic spectrum are more sensitive to light and sound. Obviously just bright light in the main, and high frequencies as their counterpart. Though mileage does vary of course.

It's just something to consider if you suffer with either of these things. Neuro Typical people like to hate and envy us for our heightened senses, possibly because they think that makes us super men. But in reality it is a damn curse that has to be overcome. It can be quite easily overcome, but it needs work. It all balances out in the end and no one needs to hate or envy anyone else.

I wasn't accusing you of hating or envying btw, but it seemed like a good time to make a point.

Both the HS80s and the KRK RPG-8s are the best monitors you can get for the money imho. One is a bit brighter, and one a bit boomier. A million threads on the subject say the same.

Cheers.

KRK ROKIT RP8 or YAMAHA HS80M as first monitors?