New Event Opal Monitors - not your regular speakers

[Sword in Hand]

Originally Posted by trock

I have been taking a serious look at these, and currently have the ASP8's.

have any of you here upgraded from the asp8's to the opals? the only person i have read who has said the asp8's are 95% of the opals. if that were the case it makes no sense for me to upgrade

i get good mixes out of my asp8's, however i would def like more separation on the lower end, stereo field, etc. basically is this going to be night and day on being able to hear every element in the mix?

Hey trock, just got the Opals and I had previously been using the ASP8s for around 3 years as my main pair. The ASP8s, while I liked them when I used them, are nowhere near 95% of the Opals. At first, it wasn't the revelatory experience I was building up in my head, but listening more and more to these monitors really highlights how amazing they are, especially when compared to the ASP8s.

First of all the speakers go a bit deeper and the bass is a lot more detailed. My room is treated, so this is definitely something to consider if you haven't done this yet. The second thing I noticed fairly quickly is just how easy it is to pan elements in a mix. The stereo image is a lot more clear and focused. Transients come through, with much more detail, as well. If you do tracking or like to listen loud, these monitors can go much louder than the ASP8s and still sound clear (which is great for tracking), on all but the most bass heavy and dynamic music. They aren't going to hit you in the gut, but they get very close.

BUT the biggest thing I feel you can hear, more than anything on the ASP8s, is just how different mixes can sound. For instance, when listening to professional records I know really well, the Opals really make each song's mixing intent that much more clear. You can hear how different mixers approach mixing a lot better with these monitors. The ASP8s are like a foggy window or copy of the mix, where as the Opals are more true to the source. This, I'm sure, is a combination of everything the monitor does well, but it really is an ear opening experience, that might not immediately jump out at you. But it's definitely there.

There's no doubt that with my new perspective my mixes sound better and there is less guess work, but you can certainly, with enough insight, make a great mix on the ASP8s. I had to buy new monitors because one of my ASP8s stopped working and I didn't want to get them repaired, for various reasons. I decided to try out the Opals and really liked them. They aren't fatiguing at all (could mix all day on them, I would also consider the ASP8s very un-fatiguing), they have great clarity, stereo positioning, and are solid throughout the frequency range. If you have the money and feel you're missing out with the ASP8s you may want to give them a try.

Oh one negative, my room is dead silent (all of my noisy equipment is in the machine room), so the audible hiss is higher than the ASP8s, but nothing that would compete with the music. It's just a bit annoying if you're not listening to anything.

Hope this was helpful.

[trock]

wow

thanks so much for taking the time to give me that kind of detail.

that does swing my thinking back around

my room, while small, is very well treated so this makes me much more interested again


thanks again!

i will probably get them in to check out now

[Sword in Hand]

No problem.

I think if you have an opportunity to audition them before you buy, then by all means, try them out. Make sure you mix on them (and anything else you do, tracking, etc.), if you can. It took me a bit to adjust, but it wasn't that long of a period.

Good luck.

[playz123]

Originally Posted by Fleaman

Uhm, no one said the Opal had/has a foam surround, have they?

My thoughts exactly!

low frequency transducer - EX8
high frequency transducer - ULD1
Piston Diameter 180mm (7.1”)
Voice Coil Confi guration X-Coil double
Low distortion design
Voice Coil Diameter 66mm (2.6”)
Shortening Coil Diameter 65.2mm (2.56”)
Former Material High StrengthPolyamide -
Glass Fiber
Voice Coil Wire Copper Clad Al
Magnet Type Neodymium
Magnetic Gap Design XBL - Split Gap
Impedance Nominal in Cabinet 5 Ohms
Cone Type Carbon fiber composite

[Russell Dawkins]

Originally Posted by Fleaman
Uhm, no one said the Opal had/has a foam surround, have they?

Originally Posted by playz123

My thoughts exactly!

low frequency transducer - EX8
high frequency transducer - ULD1
Piston Diameter 180mm (7.1”)
Voice Coil Confi guration X-Coil double
Low distortion design
Voice Coil Diameter 66mm (2.6”)
Shortening Coil Diameter 65.2mm (2.56”)
Former Material High StrengthPolyamide -
Glass Fiber
Voice Coil Wire Copper Clad Al
Magnet Type Neodymium
Magnetic Gap Design XBL - Split Gap
Impedance Nominal in Cabinet 5 Ohms
Cone Type Carbon fiber composite

?? no mention in these specs of surround material. I was going on the appearance in the photo in post #273:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/4831174-post273.html
I have never seen a rubber surround that coarsely textured.

An owner could surely enlighten us.

[playz123]

Well. I'm an owner, and it doesn't look like foam to me, but on the other hand I have no intention of sticking my finger into one or cutting out a piece to test in the lab! In any case what about contacting Event and asking them for details if you are planning to buy, but are concerned about that sort of thing?? Personally their performance is what I care most about, and I also know that they are one of the most superbly manufactured speakers available, so I think I'll take my chances concerning what might or might not happen in 15-20 years! Cheers..............playz

[Sword in Hand]

I agree with playz123, great construction and it doesn't feel like foam at all, some kind of rubber I would say.

[Russell Dawkins]

If the Opal can sound as good as it does and still employ a rubber surround - so much the better. Very glad to hear it.
I wonder what's up with the removal of the image from the post I linked to (#273).

[Matti]

Well. at least I can see a picture there

Matti

[Russell Dawkins]

Originally Posted by MATTI

Well. at least I can see a picture there

Matti

I could when I posted, but not now.

[playz123]

If you are referring to Kana813's post, I viewed his image several times in the past and still can today. Possibly using a different browser?? Are you seeing the images in other posts in this thread?.......playz

[Russell Dawkins]

Originally Posted by playz123

If you are referring to Kana813's post, I viewed his image several times in the past and still can today. Possibly using a different browser?? Are you seeing the images in other posts in this thread?.......playz

Yes, that's the post I am referring to. When I made my post I could see the image linked to, but today I can't. Using Firefox, which I see had a security update after I posted on the 27th, all I see on post #273 is a complete blank where the image used to be. With Safari, I see a blue box with a ? in it where the image was.
On the other hand, I still see images in posts #'s 278 and 282, both with Safari and Firefox.

[playz123]

MacPro... Safari> no image
Macpro....Firefox>no image
PC..........Firefox> image viewable
PC.........IE8> no image

ISP: Shaw.ca....Victoria, BC

[Matti]

Pc IE8

Matti

[kana813]

Here's a close up picture of the surround:

[Lux]

Does anyone know if the TRS input is balanced too?

[Fleaman]

Originally Posted by Lux

Does anyone know if the TRS input is balanced too?

Well, 'TRS' means it is balanced (tip, ring, sleeve), though many TRS jacks are designed to handle unbalanced connectors also....

[Ty Ford]

"smart jacks" that can take TS, but also take advantage of TRS.

Regards,

Ty Ford

[Lux]

Merry Christmas!

My Opals has arrived. I will come back with some impressions later, but so far, fantastic.....

[Russell Dawkins]

A Merry Christmas, indeed!

I had a Christmas like that last year, except for me it was K+H 0300s.

I'm sure you'll have a happy new year!

[e.oelberg]

I'm pretty sure there is more than one person in this thread payed by Event to promote their new gadget, they are smart about PR.

don't believe the hype e.o.

[Ermz]

LOL, just in case you forgot you were on gearslutz folks..

[Matti]

Originally Posted by e.oelberg

I'm pretty sure there is more than one person in this thread payed by Event to promote their new gadget, they are smart about PR.

don't believe the hype e.o.

YOU didn´t get your money?

Matti ;-)

[bmanic]

Originally Posted by e.oelberg

I'm pretty sure there is more than one person in this thread payed by Event to promote their new gadget, they are smart about PR.

don't believe the hype e.o.

Funny. You are the one with only 12 posts and dissing Event as a company in general.. you from some competing company perhaps, an anti-sock-puppet-sock-puppet?

- bManic

[nas]

Originally Posted by e.oelberg

I'm pretty sure there is more than one person in this thread payed by Event to promote their new gadget, they are smart about PR.

don't believe the hype e.o.

Originally Posted by Lux

Merry Christmas!

My Opals has arrived. I will come back with some impressions later, but so far, fantastic.....

Congratulations! .... looking forward to hearing your feedback

[Fleaman]

Originally Posted by e.oelberg

I'm pretty sure there is more than one person in this thread payed by Event to promote their new gadget, they are smart about PR.

don't believe the hype e.o.

Cool. I suppose you've heard the Opal's then?

Please share your experience so we don't have to believe the 'hype'.

Or are you just hyping (against) yourself then??

Uh huh....

[Lux]

Ok, here comes a review of my first impressions of the Opals.
(This is MY personal impressions. Not necessarily the truth, so you guys who becomes stressed over the possible fact that EVENT has created a quality monitor, can relax)


My old nearfield system was NHT m-20, and I also have B&W 802, Matrix serie III (with Northcreek crossovers) Earlier I used Yamaha NS 1000 m as main speakers.

The Opals is to me , so far at least - a very qualified monitor system. The midrange is so natural and clean. With my other systems, I have always experience that when I beginning to reach higher volumes, especially my left ear,- starts to hurt. I have tinnitus, and hyperacusis, so I have connected the pain to that. And that IS one explanation. But the pain has started at much lower level than when listening to a live instrument/sound.
With the Opals I experience that I can reach about the same percieved volume impression as in real life before my ears starts to hurt. I and DO NOT miss details, I hear new details in familiar recordings. For me this is very valuble, even that I will continue to mainly work at a low audio level. I would describe the midrange as a combination betwen 802 and NS1000. The ns 1000 has a remarkable midrange, but are outshined by the Opals. Opals low mid has the right body, which I felt NS 1000 didnt have.

Bas is really tight and deep and the higs are clean and soft in the right way. No harshness at all.

The overall tonal balance seems just natural to me, I can not hear crossover problems. I hear very small EQ changes, and I think you could miss djudge this speaker if you just give the a short listen, or if you are unexperienced. Because they dont hype anything. The can first sound anonymus, because they have this natural respons that not many speakers have, but when you give them a little time, it comes clear that mixing decisions will be easyier and more funny. The first recording I did was my sons voice. I directly noticed that never before in my studio, the recorded source has sounded so similar to the original.

The stereo image is lovely. I can hear the smallest panning. Sounstage is 3d, and sound sources stay in depth positions regardless volume.

I can walk behind my Opals, and yesterday I did that while music was running. I instantly noticed something new. They did not sound boxy from behind. I had nice balanced sound, in fact almost the same balance. Of course with the highs damped, but still enjoyable. You will have less bad reflected sound.

My first production (I mainly work as arranger/producer) was a orchestral pice - classical style (EAW orch) with solo male voice. The mix translated better to a small music system (Bang Olufsen Century) directly, than with my old monitors.
The Opals are very nice on also on acoustic music. Indeed! I was astonished when I listened to different string ensembles. I have worked as a pro classical clarinet player - You get that correct sound from the strings. Cant discribe in english. But it is the sound from the instruments body and the bow sound, that comes out as in real life.
Trebles often sounds boring from speakers. Not so with Opal. The differnt coulors come out to your ears.

Much more could be sayed, but I am not so good at english so it take me so much time.
LUX

[Russell Dawkins]

Thank you, Lux, for the informative review. You make a few unique points.

I appreciate the time and effort needed to do this in a foreign language.

Have you by any chance heard any of the Klein und Hummel series, such as the 0300 or the 0410?

[Noooway]

Sorry for dropping in so late with this quick reply ...

I recieved my new Opals from Peter Freedman couple of weeks ago and oh my God I'm happy. First thing we compared the hiss with my old ones, and there is definitly lower hiss in the new pair. There is some hiss, but not so much in the mid frequency and ear sensitive area as with the old speakers. So after using them for a while now I have not one single time cared about annoying hiss. Another nice thing is that a click I heard in the tweeters before while turning the power off is also gone. Nice. And the best thing of all is that mixing on these speakers translate so easy to other systems. It is just beautiful. Now I hear others mixes like I never done before. Put on different CD's, and whow what a surprise, I hear the music, the band, the mix, the mastering ... There is no ear fatigue. I can listen and listen for hours. I am very very happy. I don't know if it was Ty Ford who said it first, but if I could afford the money for another pair I would easily use these as my main speakers in the living room too. This "silent" upgrade have been good. I guess they changed the woofer cause a very very few speakers before was said to have some bass phase issues or some unwanted bass problem in some way or another. Don't quote me on that ... I may only have dreamt it.
Thank you Peter for your great support, I will mail you soon but running out for a concert right now. I've been busy listening :-)

[Lux]

Originally Posted by Russell Dawkins

Thank you, Lux, for the informative review. You make a few unique points.

I appreciate the time and effort needed to do this in a foreign language.

Have you by any chance heard any of the Klein und Hummel series, such as the 0300 or the 0410?

Thanks!

No, unfortunatly I have not heard 0300 or 0410.