Best monitors for mixing at low levels?

[anseo]

Dear Slutz,

Because of ringing ears I cannot endure high monitoring levels for very long. Most of my mixing is around 70 db (measured at listening postition). Fortunately my control room is extremely quiet. So it wouldn't have to be a problem if I could find monitors that translate well when mixing at these extremely low levels.

Aside from the Fletcher&Munson stuff, I've noticed how my monitors sound different at different levels and I'm having a bit of trouble right now translating my mixes to other systems. By the way, the acoustics in my control room are taken care of (thank you RPG).

Please help me to make a shortlist of monitors to demo. My budget is 8000 dollars max. Thanks!

[John Willett]

The Klein + Hummel O300 get excellent reviews and I think they translate pretty well at low levels - but I will leave someone who has used these in anger to comment (I use the smaller O110D).

[phillysoulman]

My JBL 6328ps translate well at all levels.

[AMIEL]

Besides of great monitors you need a great monitor section that delivers great quality at any levels! Dangerous ST is the answer.

Mstly all the other monitor section because is an attenuator system the best sound is achieve at max volume...

[Marineville]

My Klein + Hummel 0300Ds are quite remarkable in that they seem to sound the same at any level. Great for working late at night!

[anseo]

Thanks for the info so far!! Klein + Hummel 300 will be on my shoplist and I'll check out the JBL 6328ps. I already had my eye on the Dangerous but it's a good reminder that I'm listening to more than just the loudspeaker.

My D/A is Lavry Blue by the way. I'm using monster cable and have several absorbers/diffusors/bass traps installed mostly from RPG.

Any further info on this subject is very much appreciated: please remember though that I'm looking for a set of monitors that translate well when mixing at LOW levels.

Thanks,

Anseo

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by anseo

.............. please remember though that I'm looking for a set of monitors that translate well when mixing at LOW levels.

Marineville said it - I thought the K+H O300D were good at low levels but needed a regular user to confirm it.

[Pat]

Dynaudio M1

[squeegybug]

I am convinced that a transformer volume control (TVC) is absolutely the best attenuation device available. There are a few being made now, some in the $400-500 range and up from there. Guaranteed the same output as input, at any level.

The speakers can have a lot to do with it of course. The O300 are decent enough at this, in my experience. But typically what I find is, higher sensitivity = fuller sound at low levels. O300 are sealed and are not the most efficient design.

The Zu Druids I use are much different than typical studio monitors. 101 dB sensitivity, 16 ohm, a very easy load. By far the easiest to drive and best at all volume levels that I have used.

But -- to completely balance the real physics of Fletcher-Munson effects, you have to get some of that bass in there somehow, to get an even response. Else all your mixes are likely going to be skewed. So you could use an equalizer before the power amp, and adjust to a particular listening range. Similar to the old loudness controls on some hi-fi systems.

In fact, you could just get one of these receivers or integrated amps and use it as an amp/controller. I think Marantz (and maybe others) made some that had variable boost, that automatically compensated for output level. Boosting bass at low volumes, gradually reducing the bass as the volume increased. Probably not perfect, but still better than guessing.

Another issue will be with compression. Hard to make proper decisions unless you can hear the effect at normal output levels. Maybe get some decent headphones and use that as a quality check. I highly recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, the best bass response by far that I have found from H/P.

Steve

[studiovv]

Try the E8 from KRK: they are class A and I found they sound very flat at low levels.
jf

[anseo]

Thank you very much for your contributions! Indeed it might be an idea to get a phase lineair EQ on the mixbus and try a compensating curve for the lack of bass and topend at low levels. Worth a try. Kinda "Loudness button" only much more precise. I would have to mix at a standarized level because any twist on the volume button and the curve should be different..

I have gotten a couple of good suggestions worth checking out but I was wondering how the popular models like Adam S3A and Barefoot do at low levels? Anyone experience with mixing at low levels and translation with these units? Thanks!

[corruptmary]

+1 for the 0300's. Bass doesn't disappear at low levels, they keep their balance very well.

[musaee]

solo6's

[GYang]

K+H are indeed very nice on low and mid levels, lot of details and high resolution.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by GYang

K+H are indeed very nice on low and mid levels, lot of details and high resolution.

A good dealer should loan you monitors to try.

I know Marineville tried quite a few before settling on his K+H O300D and I certainly tried several before getting my smaller O110D.

[Fleaman]

I would think Barefoots would be good at low volumes since they have an extended bass response...which is essential for low level listening...

[nandi]

I got a pair and i am very happy. I was searching too for monitoring at a low level and these gave me the necessary presence and a lot of features for tgently tweaking the sound. give them a try

[anseo]

Well the Klein + Hummel 0300D gets a lot of backing. I am definitely going to demo these and I'll try to have a go at some of the other options mentioned like the Druid. I am very grateful to all the people that made the effort to comment. Thanks!

Experiences with low level monitoring are still welcomed of course.

[DontLetMeDrown]

Can't believe nobody has said NS-10M...

[flame suit on]

[jchadstopherhuez]

Originally Posted by DontLetMeDrown

Can't believe nobody has said NS-10M...

[flame suit on]

i will +1 that !!

i usually only listen to my ns10s VERY quietly....and then a few times pretty loud to see how the woofers are movin...then i know where the low end is.

i have had a setup of proac 100s for a few weeks now....been enjoyin them at ALL levels.

best,

jchristopherhughes

[anseo]

Now that you mention it.. I still have a couple of NS10M's hidden somewhere.. Many years ago one of them started to make intermittent crackling noises so I replaced them with KRK's. I intended to get the NS10M fixed but.. that never happened.

I'll dust them off and give them a "low level check". Maybe fix 'm & keep them as B-monitors.

[Paul_G]

Yes the K&H's are very gentle on the ear for prolonged listening and they translate great at any level.
Paul G

[De chromium cob]

As you can see, there are a hundred different opinions to the question you asked. All monitors will translate well at low levels as long as YOU know the speaker and their idiosyncrasies...

[ron florentine]

Proac 100 very good at low levels....very flat at all levels..........add an Audio Research amp and your set and extremely easy on the ears.


Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

[Andy Spence]

I find my Focal twins to be pretty solid even when monitoring at low low levels.

[funkychorlton]

PMC with bryston amp (the bigger the better) - unbeatable, bass is always there and not hyped

I am surprised nobody mentioned that a big powerful amp is a most important ingrediant for low level listening - puny amps never sound really good at low levels whatever the monitors IMO - especially at the bass end

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by studiovv

Try the E8 from KRK: they are class A and I found they sound very flat at low levels.
jf

+1 Just try to find a pair with the Kevlar tweeters. Great at all levels.

[miguelmrq]

This will solve all you problems.

[anseo]

Probably not ALL my problems

[funkychorlton]

probably not ANY of your problems