Event ASP8 vs. Genelec 8050 vs. Adam S2.5a for Hip Hop etc.

[Mr. Dreq]

Hi!

I'm searchin for new monitors for composing and mixing bass-heavy stlyles like Hip Hop and Big Beat Style Music. I've read so many positive comments about the S2.5a and how you can hear every detail, but would this kind of analytic style make really sense if you are mixing in the above styles? Would I miss the "bass in your face" I maybe could get from the Events, which would make the composition stage more fun? Would the Genelecs maybe provide more of the analytical side and accuraccy in combination with a more fun sound?
What about experimental musical styles that work with strange noises and artifacts that I also like to do? I would imagine the Adams would bring this elements out too much?

What about you guys who are doing this kind of styles? Can't wait for your opinions!

Regards, Markus

[cap217]

events are the nices out there I think... you gota get used to them but they sound great.... ad a sub to any of these though. Hip hop you need to know whats going on down there!

[JohnRodd]

OK up front - I endorse Events - but I don't gain anything if you buy them. I just have them, and I like them. I compared a LOT of different powered monitors, at different prices, before I settled on the Events. Then I approached Event about an endorsement deal after I had decided to get the SP8’s

1) Be sure your listening environment is properly treated acoustically - especially for bass!!!! This is perhaps the most important thing!!!!

2) Be aware that, in my opinion, foam wall treatment (egg shell looking stuff) does NOTHING for bass!

3) Compare many different speakers before you buy - and make sure the volumes are EXACTLY matched. Most store setups are NOT matched volume wise. Your ear will immediately favor the louder speaker, even if it is only slightly louder.

4) I listened a bunch to the ADAM’s - and I didn’t like the sound. Unbelievably great imaging, but a wee bit fatiguing and ‘honky’. Perhaps that ribbon tweeter thing.

5) The SP8 are not fatiguing in the least, to me.

6) I find my mixes translate really well for me on my Event SP8’s - to the movie theater, to the car, to the clients stereo, to DVD, to TV - wherever. My clients seem to agree.
Right now I have in theaters a bunch of 5.1 music mixes in the feature film Ultraviolet. It just came out this weekend. Big action cues with lots of bass and huge energy. I was told that everybody (music editor, composer, film sound mixer) was very happy with how my mixes sounded at the dubbing stage at Sony Pictures. This is a good thing! Having said that - I have spent a lot of time, energy and money making sure my studio control room is well tuned.

7) If you shop around, the SP8’s can be had for approx. $1,100 a pair.

8) I have not used the Genelec 8050’s - so I cannot comment.

9) Be careful of using a sub with the SP8’s (or any speaker, for that matter) as most folks don’t have one, and they are almost never calibrated properly. Make it work on the SP8’s, in a well tuned room, and if your mix is good, it should work well anywhere!

Just my humble opinions.

best regards

John

[Brad McGowan]

Hey John,

Did you by any chance get to compare the Events to the JBL 6328's? I'm actually thinking about checking out both of those speakers later this year.

thanks
Brad

[TonyBelmont]

Genelec 1032's....

I know they aren't a choice, but they are the way to go... Add a sub for some real fun.

[Agno]

Hip-Hop.... Genelecs 8050a's...... You can't go wrong... depending upon your room size you won't need a sub. Very honest and natural sounding. Oh yeah, they're loud as hell.

[JohnRodd]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Hey John,

Did you by any chance get to compare the Events to the JBL 6328's? I'm actually thinking about checking out both of those speakers later this year.

thanks
Brad

Heya Brad

No, I did not get the opportunity to check out the JBL 6328's.

Post your thoughts here... when you get a chance!

and - it has been drawn to my attention that it might have been the ADAM S3As that I checked out - as I get to be almost 40 I find my memory isn't what is used to be! I am told that the S3As and the 2.5's are quite different in overall sound.... so be sure to compare, and make your own judgements..... just make sure the volumes are exactly the same!

For me it came down to doing some mixes on the speakers, and seeing how they translated. This is why I don't like Gelelec 1031 / 1032 - my mixes wouldn't be bright enough if I used those!

YMMV

[Bryce]

Originally Posted by JohnRodd

it has been drawn to my attention that it might have been the ADAM S3As that I checked out - as I get to be almost 40 I find my memory isn't what is used to be! I am told that the S3As and the 2.5's are quite different in overall sound....

I'm not sure I'd say quite different - they're definitely both ADAM S series - but most folks who hear both seem to agree that they each have their own slant, and each model certainly has it's advocates.

It has been my experience quite often that people who aren't knocked out by the S3As seem to prefer the S2.5As when they hear them, and vice versa...but we've heard that more than once on this forum.

dB
ADAM Audio USA

[GYang]

I kept Events for some pre-production works and mix check.
They are fabulous (I don't say at price) for dynamic mixes, if paired with Event subwoofer.
More resolution comes at 2-3 times higher price at least. PMC, K+H etc.

Event = thumbsup

[matucha]

Shat Events do you have in mind? The older 2020 and PS8 were not good at all IMO.

[Mr. Dreq]

Thanx for your responses, guys!

I'm located in Germany and the prices here are:
ASP8: 1450 EUR
8050: 2600 EUR
S2.5A: 2600 EUR

In the light of these prices, what would be your preference? I think the Adam is about 3 times the money of the Events in the US, right? I would'nt think of the Adams if they would cost that much here! I really would like to hear them and test them against the others, but its hard to find a place here that has them all.