Who uses which monitor speakers?

[Marc JX8P]

I'm in the process of upgrading my DAW to be able to record and mix with more quality and after replacing my Audigy 2 with the E-MU 1212m I'd like to replace my speakers with a set of monitor speakers (preferably active). Price range would be from about 200-400 euros (set). Since I probably need to order these over the web there's no chance of listening to how they sound and I was wondering what speakers in this price range you all use and what kind of music you make (to give an idea if the speakers are suited for a specific kind of music).

Thanks in advance!

[whyterabbyt]

You're in the wrong part of the forum. This isnt appropriate for the Music Cafe.

[Marc JX8P]

I'm sorry - I searched but didn't find an appropriate forum... could you post which forum I need next time?

Edit: I found it - I guess it's the 'Computer hardware' one. I thought from the title that that strictly concerned computer setup. Ok, I'm reposting this there.

Apologies again.

[Ben [KVR]]

Moved to Everything Else

[Marc JX8P]

Thanks! I'm still new to this forum, I think I need a map...

[whyterabbyt]

Okay, now we're all settled...

I mainly do fairly dark ambienty soundscapy stuff, and Ive got Behringer Truths. There's a new, improved version coming out, but the Truths have had some fairly good reviews, especially in the 'value for money' stakes. I also run my CD player thru them so I get used to the sound.

[Philly]

Tapco S5's are very good bi-amped active's IMHO - I choose these a couple of months ago and am very impressed so far. The build quality is very good and the design is Mackie - what more can i say - Sound on sound Mag gave the a good review. Search for some reviews through google for a more complete picture.

[xander]

I'm in the process of upgrading my DAW to be able to record and mix with more quality and after replacing my Audigy 2 with the E-MU 1212m I'd like to replace my speakers with a set of monitor speakers (preferably active). Price range would be from about 200-400 euros (set). Since I probably need to order these over the web there's no chance of listening to how they sound and I was wondering what speakers in this price range you all use and what kind of music you make (to give an idea if the speakers are suited for a specific kind of music).

Thanks in advance!

After seeing and hearing Genelec 1030a speakers in several big studios over the last couple of years, I finally bought a pair in December. They are awesome - worth every penny. In fact, I can't imagine any speakers that would be better for use with a DAW.

Since it's my *humble* opinion that anyone who is serious about quality professional mixing should get the best monitors possible for their particular setup, they should be one of the most important investments you make. Even so, they aren't cheap, but I got mine for an even two grand from a wholesaler here. List price is around US$2,500.00. There are also cheaper models that are really good as well, like the 1029 series for around US$500.00.

Maybe it's a lot if your music is just a hobby, but the up-side is that they will last many many years with care - as opposed to software and PCs.

Genelec 1030a Studio Monitor Speakers

[anfmusic]

I've been a major fan of Tannoy monitors since my days as an Engineer at Sigma Sound Studios in Philly. The main thing you want from a monitor system is flat frequency response. You want your speakers to color the sound as little as possible. Also, learn your monitoring environment. If you are mixing in a room with hard surfaces, such as hard wood floors and plaster walls, your mixes will sound bright because the hard surfaces will accentuate the highs. But when you take that mix and listen to it in an environment with softer surfaces, it's going to sound flat because the highs got exagerated in your mixing environment. I agree with the previous post, your monitor speakers should be one of the most important investments in your set up. You can have all the high tech computer systems and effects in the world, but if you aren't monitoring your mixes on a flat monitoring system in a flat environemnt, you are mixing your songs with a blindfold on. The main goal of a Recording Engineer is to try to make the mix sound good on all speaker systems; that's why a studio has multiple monitors in the control room. For the home recordist, I recommend just one high quality set of a speaker system that will give you a flat frequency response.

[kritikon]

I would second Tannoys - the dual concentric jobbies make stereo imaging just that little bit easier. Unfortunately I have to admit that they're a little on the bright side - some of that undoubtedly is (as already mentioned) due to my studio having too much bare wall, and unfortunately, bare wood floors too. But the Tannoys, I usually found bright in previous recording situations too. I don't think it's the monitors themselves, as I've compared them against mixes done in studios with decent monitoring and there wasn't that much difference. I think it's more to do with HiFi speakers etc being so frequency weighted as compared to studio monitors.

But it's worth being aware of - if you use sweet monitors, you may have to get used to the difference in sound and compensate in your mixes to some degree. Which you have to do with pretty well any monitors unless you're monitoring in a very good room. It's the real curse of mixing/recording at home - the accoustics will almost never be good enough to really finetune a mix just with the monitors alone.

But Tannoys are a joy to mix with. They really have amazing definition for their price - they'll show up very subtle nuances or glitches that when you play on even a good HiFi setup won't be heard at all. In fact since I've had them, I've had to consciously try and ignore too much indepth fiddling with some mixes, because I know that the differences won't be heard on the average home-listening setup. I'm sorely tempted to get a 2nd set of what I know will be poor monitors, maybe NS10s or similar so that my mixing will start from a poor position. It's easier (for me at least) to get a better mix from a bad starting point than to down-mix from a good start point.

I read a few reviews of K-Roks that came off well against supposedly better opposition - they would be worth considering.

[splattabreakz]

blah

[Muff Wiggler]

another vote for Tannoy

I have Active Reveals

they astound me every single day, a joy to mix on indeed


I a/b'ed them with some Genelec's at twice the price. The Genelec sounds ever so slightly better in only a few very specific tasks. And so very very slightly the difference could have been caused by humidity, ear wax, the dude behind me changing position, etc. Cannot justify the extra cost, and am afraid that you pay a bit for the name in that case.

I'll be getting the Tannoy Reveal sub to complement them soon, and after I add this, I have no question that they will provide much greater range and transparency than the Genelec's, and STILL be cheaper, subwoofer cost included

couldn't really be happier with 'em

[Deranger604]

Right now, I'm using Event PS8. Pretty nice with the silk cover over the tweeters preventing ear fatigue. Bass CAN lack a bit, but in certein situations this could be a good thing. You can find em pretty cheap now adays. Got mine for $650 us dollar, few years ago.

[Urs]

These sound excellent. Amazingly transparent. And I don't get tired of them.

Their sweet spot is a bit loud though for my neighbours

Cheers,

Urs

[multree]

These sound excellent. Amazingly transparent. And I don't get tired of them.

Their sweet spot is a bit loud though for my neighbours

Cheers,

Urs

yup I heared them at the Messe.... and they do rawk