Upgrading my monitor speakers?

[mark66]

Hi all.

I have been working from my own home studio for some time now, using the KRK VXT6 monitor speakers for over 7 years. During the past 2 years I have been working with the Genelec 8331AP speakers in my professional environment at work. I have become completely accustomed to the impressive stereo image, the depth, the reverb, and how the vocals come through clearly. Even the smallest sound details are exceptionally audible. Now I'm mixing multitracks at home and find that I'm not happy with the result when I use my own speakers. (I don't have a professionally treated space, but it sounds quite good at home.) The balance doesn't seem optimal, and I miss the rich, compelling sound I'm used to. Everything sounds quite monotonous and flat. Could it be that my current speakers are inadequate or that technology has improved? It might make sense to consider investing in new monitor speakers in a slightly higher price segment?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

[uOpt]

Hi all.

I have been working from my own home studio for some time now, using the KRK VXT6 monitor speakers for over 7 years. During the past 2 years I have been working with the Genelec 8331AP speakers in my professional environment at work. I have become completely accustomed to the impressive stereo image, the depth, the reverb, and how the vocals come through clearly. Even the smallest sound details are exceptionally audible. Now I'm mixing multitracks at home and find that I'm not happy with the result when I use my own speakers. (I don't have a professionally treated space, but it sounds quite good at home.) The balance doesn't seem optimal, and I miss the rich, compelling sound I'm used to. Everything sounds quite monotonous and flat. Could it be that my current speakers are inadequate or that technology has improved? It might make sense to consider investing in new monitor speakers in a slightly higher price segment?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Well, there is a 10x price difference between your work and home monitors.

[Winstontaneous]

Though you don't have a professionally treated home space - do you at least use speaker stands/pads, not have monitors too close to walls, address flutter echos, etc? If not, prioritize that.

Listening to pro tracks you like in your home - do they have "an optimal balance with a rich compelling sound?" If so that means it's possible to get the same results yourself.

The job of a studio monitor is more to be revealing than to sound "good" per se, but I know what you mean about getting used to the presentation of high-end speakers. I'm at a place where I think I'm outgrowing the JBL 305s I've been using for the past 6 years.

[Scoops]

Hmmm, lemme see

Environment 1 - Professional environment with very high end speakers
Vs
Environment 2 - Untreated environment with mid end speakers

I'd suggest improving the environment first. Like Winston says above, but also make sure you have your monitors positioned in the room correctly, and you have your speakers equidistant from themselves, and you.

[darkinners]

If I were you, I'd get all the acoustic treatments that you can (within budget and space constrain), that alone more than likely has a better result than getting a new pair of monitors.
At least address the first reflection point, corner bass traps, and speaker placement. Those alone can make all the difference in the world.