KRK ROKIT RP8 or YAMAHA HS80M as first monitors?

[codec_spurt]

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).

The term is known as 'Quarter-Space'.

[bronxsound]

For better mixing Yamahas all the way. Saying that as Rokits owner.

[EvilDragon]

Lemme suggest something different and better: Equator D5.

[Cole1012]

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.

Codec spurt can you elaborate on what you think the ideal price point for monitors is? Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

[codec_spurt]

For better mixing Yamahas all the way. Saying that as Rokits owner.

bronxsound -

Yes as a Rokit owner, I would agree, the Yamahas probably have the edge. If you don't have hearing problems or whatever - they are probably the clearer of the two. It is easier to compensate for the accentuated high frequencies, than it is to compensate for low-mid fudge, which can get very confusing very quickly.

I have a problem with high-frequency so the the KRKs are better for me.

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.

Codec spurt can you elaborate on what you think the ideal price point for monitors is? Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

Well, assuming that your question is not sarcastic, I would say that the range we are talking about here is the ideal range - any cheaper - it just won't work, more expensive - we can't afford them.

Really, I would spend thousands on monitors if I could afford it. The Barefoots look mighty fine to me and lots of engineers/producers I respect very much use them.

This is the low end.

It's quite simple really. The Yamahas are bright ( no one would disagree with this ).
The KRKs are a bit boomy ( no one would disagree with this ).

So choose what suits you better. For people that have tinnitus the KRKs win. For example.

But then again, it would be foolish in the extreme to think that these two players were the only choices in the field.


EvilDragon suggested: Equator D5.


I would take him seriously and consider these too, even though I have never heard of them.


To be fair, this thread was a dirty scrap between the Yammys and the KRKs that goes on and on and on, because of their price point. I bought the KRKs even though they were more expensive for me, but I regretted it. The Yamahas are better overall. But not if you have tinnitus.

I love my Rokits. Big buggers, with big yellow cones. I make a lot of hip hop and drum and bass, and I don't need no stinking sub. (but one might be nice). I've learned them now and can live with them. If I wanted to listen for pleasure and with a hyped sound, I would choose another pair. That might even be the HS80s, but at lower volumes - the highs don't get harsh until they are pushed. At lower levels, the Yammys are a much more balanced monitor.


This really is a six of one, half a dozen of the other situation.



cheers.

[Cole1012]

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.

Codec spurt can you elaborate on what you think the ideal price point for monitors is? Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

Well, assuming that your question is not sarcastic, I would say that the range we are talking about here is the ideal range - any cheaper - it just won't work, more expensive - we can't afford them.

Thanks for the long reply. I thought that maybe there was a large jump in quality if you spent $1200 or $1500 or $2000+, and that you may not have to choose between monitors that were tinny or muddy.

[psychoxkps]

I recommend for first(maybe last) m-audio m3-8:)) sorry for interrupt topic:)

[Melodyshine]

I tried the HS7 and the highs are really too much pronounced (in my opinion they sound similar to my Logitech speakers). And I tried the KRK RP5 and the vocals didn't sound as clear as with the M-Audio BX8 D2.

[psychoxkps]

Logitech are gaming speakers - not monitors....

[codec_spurt]

Logitech are gaming speakers - not monitors....

Well, to be fair, they do make some speakers that aren't for gaming. Like they make some mice that aren't gaming mice.

They certainly don't make studio monitors.


Logitechs are good for a 4th or 5th opinion. Very valid. It's mainly overpriced crap, but that is what punters are listening on, so...

Just think of them as the modern day Auratone.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Aurat ... 20&bih=944



cheers.

[kritikon]

Yeah, it's generally not a bad idea to have a set of cheapo not-very-good speakers for checking mixes on. The fact a mix works well on crappy speakers probably says more about the acceptability of the mix than on really good ones. I certainly wouldn't try to do detailed mixing on crappy speakers, but it gives you a ball park idea. For example, reasonable speakers will still play quite heavy bass on a poor mix, and depending on how the room's set up etc, it may not be so obvious that you've overdone the bass. But play on most weak Logitech-type speakers and they'll fart away the instant the bass hits. So you know it's too heavy without even poncing around with fancy analysers etc. I used to like ghetto blasters for that - throw a mix onto cassette, play on a boombox and you instantly know if you're anywhere finishing the mix or not.

[Halma]

Lemme suggest something different and better: Equator D5.

Hehe, I was looking if somebody else already mentioned them. I am still saving my money on my pair. They sound stellar according to some pros.

Wiered, two weeks after your post and nobody else mentioned them. Are they really so unknown and under-rated?

Regards
Sebastian

[Divian]

Finally decided!

I went to 2 different shops and a friends place, listened to tracks I knew (several styles in music).
Remark that my choice was made while keeping all music styles in regard. I wanted to end up with a wide spectrum, with a warm but natural sound, working at lower volumes and where the bass could be felt without the need of a sub.

Frankly, the KRK range isn't for me (in regard of producing), even the VXT6 disappointed me on the mids. It's clear to me now that below €600 it's quite hard to find a decent monitor that does what must.

Brands I tested with a lower price tag of <€600 a pair (KRK RP, Behringer, M-audio, Mackie, Yamaha)
Brands I tested with a higher price tag of €600 - €4000 a pair (JBL, KRK VXT, Event, Presonus, Genelec, Neumann, Adam)

Monitors that had my interest when listening:
Genelecs (8040 I believe): amazing sound and massive broad spectrum. The only monitor where I really could instantly "feel" the gaps and the placement of the sound in the spectrum that I wanted. It just lacked a bit of low that I wanted to end up with. (and a bit too pricy at 1000 a piece)
Adam A7X: nice sound but a bit more "compressed" than the Genelec and the 7" just didn't seem enough to work without a sub. (The 8" was again too pricy then but wasn't setup in the room).
Neumann KH120A : Really impressed by the size of these and the amount of low-end that easily held stand against the Adam A7X. The sound seemed a bit warmer then it actually was. Maybe the mids where a bit more boosted?
Presonus Eris E8: Very bright sound, but it made me believe as they were boosted on the high end. because the lower-mid end didn't feel natural to me when comparing.

Monitors that dissapointed me
Event Opal (aka the egg): Really, the new standard? At such a price, give me the Genelec 8040 anyday (without a doubt)!
Event 2030: Bass heavy but did not feel natural at all!
KRK VXT6: Better than the RP range but not satisfying enough to me (no VXT8 setup in the room).

The YAMAHA HS8: The only monitor in my price range that was actually delivering everything I expected (even without a sub). If I had the money it might have been the Genelecs (with a sub). For 5 times less that kind of money I'm more than satisfied with my choice! Only fair to say that the HS8 wasn't A/B tested with every monitor since there were 2 rooms according to price range. However I was able to A/B test it a few weeks ago with the Neumann KH120A and they interested me both at that moment. If money wasn't a problem: Genelec 8040 (+sub), HS8, Neumann KH120A, Adam A7X (most likely A8x) would most likely have been my choice.

conclusion
It took me 4 hours of driving to the store for decent comparison and 3 hours of listening before my final decision.
This learned me that monitors really are a personal thing and is only up for personal discussion. It seemed that every monitor I compared had to stand up against the HS8s, that seemed to be my reference at the time being (and time to come). Clearly, just as with my headphones I bought 15 years ago (and still use) nothing beats the sound you know best!

The HS8 are even brighter than my headphones and that sweetspot is so impressive! I never experienced stereo like this before! Before this my headphones were my reference and a decent Creative instruments 2.1 system. After hearing the HS8s, I now really know how bad those creative's sound (too hollow, narrow and well, muddy). The room control is set up: flat. And my room isn't treated but my listening position and sweet spot really seems to feel right for me as it is. Maybe because I like to work on lower volumes. I was afraid of hisses or the higher frequencies, but really, no concern there at this moment (day 2). Even my friend purchasing the KRK RP8 for quite some time know, was impressed listening in my room to my choice of monitors. Finally I can say without a doubt I have the monitors I needed most.

ps: Buy a set of acoustic mopads and don't forget the right cables. No discussion there!

Thanks for the help on this topic as well... with an extra thank you towards "codec_spurt" for helping me out with my "old friend"

[Spiritos]

Congrats on your purchase. Enjoy them!

[Divian]

Congrats on your purchase. Enjoy them!

Thanks. As a sidenote. THE Equator D5 had my interest as well at THE time being. However since I couldn't find a dealer to go and give it à listen, I couldn't make up my mind on them. They seem to bo hard to find in Europe... No dealers in Belgium...