Author Topic: Monitors (Read 9791 times)

MDV · « **on:** February 28, 2007, 12:30:17 PM »

Can anyone recommend any monitors to me?

I'm not looking for anything awefully flash. Powered monitors up to about £500 for the pair (so, entry level) is what I'm after.

This is to finish my recording setup: I'm currently using an E-Mu 1616M through a creative 5.1 amp, 3 satelite speakers (which I frequently unplug) and two bog standard and decidedly rubbish Sony hi fi speakers in front left and right. It needs sorting, ASAP!

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2007, 05:12:30 PM »

We use Mackie active speakers when we're playing live.

http://www.mackie.com/products/speakers/index.html

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:16:41 PM »

Quote from: Ratrod

We use Mackie active speakers when we're playing live.

http://www.mackie.com/products/speakers/index.html

Ratrod, he's wanting speakers to monitor with in his home studio - a think 350w a side is overdoing it (even for me) :lol:

I used to have a studio/rehearsal space that doubled up the band's studio and I used our Mackie SRM500s for monitoring - they were thunderous (ouch!!!) however not entirely accurate for mixing on (would sound completely different on anything else).

I'd just say to get some hi-fi speakers that sound good to you - I use B&W (bookshelf) speakers with decent stands that set me back £250 four/five years ago.

:twisted:

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:18:43 PM »

(just had a thought) - make sure you bi-wire the speakers, the bass end and seperation is much better this way.

if you can afford to, you may even consider bi-amping too (seperate amps for the treble and lo/mid drivers)

:twisted:

Davey · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:23:57 PM »

i have Event TR5 monitors and i am EXTREMELY happy with them, they were around 400€/pair
for 500 pounds you can get the TR6 ones, which are better, as they have a bit more low end.. or the TR8
http://www.thomann.de/de/event_tr6_studiomonitor_aktiv.htm
http://www.thomann.de/de/event_tr8_aktivmonitor.htm

i'd go with the 8's as they are within your budget and judging by my monitors, they should sound AWESOME!

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:44:19 PM »

some extra thoughts...

(1) find a shop where you can try out the speakers with source equipment similar to what you're gonna be using.

(2) bigger and more expensive isn't always better - what size room are you using them in? you don't need massive speakers in a bedroom.

I know when I buy audio equipment I rarely come away with the gear I thought I would. I've always found that the more expensive items haven't always fitted my needs (i.e. TOO refined)

:twisted:

MDV · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2007, 05:11:48 PM »

Thanks guys!

I just happened upon a pair of B&W DM10s, which I believe are ancient, for £20: I'll see what they're like for a bit.

Then I'l be chasing up all the recommendations here!

Edit:

HTH: Small room, and I doubt very good stuff would do me much good, the environment isnt clean enough, in fact its rather densly packed with sound relecting things, so I wont be going too nuts!

MDV · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2007, 01:26:09 PM »

Update:

A purchase approaches. I can feel it in my bones....fingers twitching toward the phone....

I'm thinking about 3 candidates at the moment:

My requirements are: transparency in a room of my house at distances of up 1-2m.

Mackie HR824: allegedly transparent, but reviews repeatedly say that they sound great, but bias mixes somewhat, adding low end and tailing off high. No doubt fun for hifi speakers (these speakers will be what I listen to everything through when at home), but not so great for mixing?

Event TR8: the consensus seems to be "Great for the price". I'm swaying toward these at the moment, for the bang for buck and the fact that, though they're undoubtadly not the best, I hardly need that for a home studio, especially given my whole couple of months experience recording and mixing!

Event SP6: Because, in great part, of the reviews for the TR8s, and, y'know, surely they must be even better! :lol:

Does anyone have any experience with these (I know you love your TR5s, davey, thanks for chipping in with that!)

Others....?

I cant get to a place to hear any real range, or any at all within 100 miles (I live in whitehaven, on the coast of cumbria). Theres just no chance at all. So some comments on these, or any others I havent considered at a similar price would be great (if you advise any, please say why!).

Thanks guys.

rahnooo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2007, 01:28:56 PM »

At this price range it's well worth looking at:

* Blue Sky Pro Desk

* Genelec

* the lower end of the Quested range

The Mackie's get quite mixed reviews, and they're definatly not that transparent (and have been termed "aggressive"), but if you're comfortable with the family sound then they are pretty decent monitors :)

*Rahnooo*

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2007, 02:55:11 PM »

I doubt you can get Genelecs at that price point, but they are the standard by which powered monitors are judged, and rightly so.

MDV · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2007, 03:22:28 PM »

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/20195

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/4289

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/1385

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/1387

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/10390

That covers what dolphin at least have to offer for those brands that I even migh be willing to spend.

Oh, my bonus comes in soon and scottish power have decided to give me some money back. They havent decided how much yet (they're trying to think ways to get it closer to £0 at the moment) but if its in anyway significant (its about £500 at the moment) then I'll up the budget to 800ish if its something really special. But I'd rather not spend all of it obviously. I'd still prefer 500ish.

Anyone got anything to say about those models compared to the others? I'm not buying anything on brand reputation alone ;)

Thanks for the help, fellas

rahnooo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2007, 03:32:45 PM »

Mark were not you taken with the Blue Sky monitors? They have a reputation for being very forgiving of the room they're sued in, which is handy if you don't want to spend a fortune on acoustic treatment.

With any of the other monitors you will need at least some basic bass trapping and some treatment of the "mirror points" in your listening environment.

For my money, if you don't want to have to get involved in acoustic treatment, the Blue Sky package is the way to og.

Otherwise the Genelc's or Quested. The only downside of the Quested S6 is that they may be a little bass light on their own, and the subwoofer is another £1100. If that bothers you then the Genelec's would be an excellent choice. I'd certainly rather take any of those 3 over the Mackie's :)

*Rahnooo*

MDV · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2007, 04:06:53 PM »

http://www.beyerdynamic.co.uk/distributorpages/bluesky/bluesky.html

There werent any on dolphin/turnkey. Google is indeed your friend.

I'd be going for the media 2.1, then.

What you say about them needing less accoustic treatment is appealing, but 2.1 suggests I cant use ballanced outputs and am therefore limited in cable choices. I can hook them up fine, but I'd rather exploit all the sonic benefits that I can. Unless they come with a 1/8th jack with a well suited quality cable material? Otherwise I suppose I could make one.

Plus, they'll also have to pass muster for being loud and being entertaining when having mates round and such. These monitors, when I get them, will replace some old B&Ws as the only things I listen to anything through, and they look a little...pokey. Know what the media 2.1 sounds like in person? How about compared to the lower end genelecs or the events (I've pretty much ruled out mackie! the questeds are still on the list, though).

rahnooo · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2007, 09:37:32 PM »

If you can stretch to it, the Pro Desk is a cut above the Media Desak.

2.1 refers to it beign a stereo system with a subwoofer, as opposed to a 5.1 system (although you can add further satellites to upgrade to surround sound). As I understand it both the Media and Pro desk systems use balanced I/O so that shouldn't be a problem.

As for loudness, only you can judge that, but I would imagine they'll be plenty loud. Have a look at the User Reports section of www.soundonsound.com as someone wrote a very informative and glowing review of them having used them in a professional situation.

Have a look at the Digital Village website too - www.dv247.com as their prices are competative and they definatly stock Blue Sky products :)

*Rahnooo*

JJretroTONEGOD · « **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2007, 01:32:06 AM »

OK I've tried a lot of studio monitors and basically it depends what kind of sound you want.

I'm a producer as well as a musician, basically you have two types of monitors.

There's the 'in your face' style of the 'super flat' style.

For a completley flat frequency response you're look at the following companies:

PMC

Quested

Mackie (824's)

now these are NOT cheap I assure you!

For a more agressive sound (which I recommend) go for these:

KRK

Genelic

Yamaha (NS10's)

I personally love my KRK V6's, but monitors are just the start of the story!

If they are placed in a poor sounding room it doesnt matter how good the monitors are because you end up EQ ing the mix to compensate for the rooms poor acoustics. Bass frequencies are a massive problem in most rooms so if you can afford it, then get the room treated with Bass Traps.
You can make DIY alternatives that cost next to nothing.

Check out www.soundonsound.com

a lot of very usefull info on there!

I hope that helps you.

Author Topic: Monitors (Read 9791 times)

TwilightOdyssey