Been on NS10's for 12yrs, now need to treat my ears

[Lsixtysix]

I have had the Focal SM9's for about 5-6 weeks and my pants are soaked!

[Karloff70]

If I was you I would get myself to a place where you can at least briefly listen to these things. Spending that much money on monitors without hearing them first is lunacy!!

The other thing about monitors and their subjective qualities is of course how they translate, and you won't know that until you have mixed something on them in your room and played it elsewhere.

I would include Unity The Rock/Boulder and Pelonis 4288 in your shootout. Also, if you're used to NS10's since years I believe you will feel cheated and annoyed after a while mixing if you buy monitors that don't 'lay the mids out on a plate' like you're used to, and those PMC's do certainly not do that although great 3D sounding monitors. You'll end up feeling like you're 'stretching an arm in there' to tweak mid stuff in comparison to 10's.

[mista min]

We have PMC's next to some NS-10's in our studio. Love them. Really great stuff when it comes to hearing a 3D stereo image. Great speakers! Also, might wanna check out the Trident HG3's.

Really not a fan of the O300, but I liked there O400 or something like that.

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by mista min

We have PMC's next to some NS-10's in our studio. Love them. Really great stuff when it comes to hearing a 3D stereo image. Great speakers!

Yes, but then between them you have everything. Including the 10's still laying the mids out on a plate for you. Which the PMC's don't.

[The Listener]

I don't know why but whenever I hear Yamaha NS10 mentioned and then someone seeking a high-end alternative - I think of Geithain speakers...

Although I have never heard them, have no experience with them whatsoever, I have this gut feeling that if I had a lot of money I would try to check them and I don't even know why!! Weird isn't it?

Maybe someone else will jump in and explain why...

Geithain: New Products

[cianthreetimes]

We just transitioned from NS-10s to Adam A7's here at Barefoot. Really silky high end, still packs a midrange punch, and plenty of low end. We're all really enjoying them!

[Soniferous]

it sounds like the OP is interested in neutral speakers. The ATCs and K&Hs are known for being neutral whereas focals, Adams, etc.. are obviously hyped - perhaps good for certain kinds of music, or for certain mixers' tastes.

I think that his question is about "super linear" and "exceptionally accurate" not about people's tastes.

Should he drop big cash, $7k for ATC-level monitors?

saggsy bro, you can get as close as you'll even need and not spend the budget. Just get the K&Hs.

I mix mostly indie rock and classical music. When I decided to move up from my "go-to monitors" (JBL LSR 25p - which I still use to mix pop music cuz that's what I'm familiar with, it's fast, translates etc.. all the same reasons why you'll still be mixing records on your NS 10s, or at least starting them there) my main high end monitor experience was with the ATC 150s. The producer I worked for used the 50s, 100s, and the 150s in LCR so that was the sound I was looking for when I wanted to move up.

The K&H o300s are close enough. Get some great mics with the extra $4k. Find a dealer who will give you a great deal. I'm sure there are some here.

Oh and I'd skip the digital option. They're speaker manufacturers, how are they going to implement D/A technology differently than whomever made your current monitoring chain?

And if the conversion is "better" than what you've already got: They charge a lot more for that option, and if the technology improves you are stuck with your expensive conversion option, VS arguably a better solution --> get a good DAC.

[wcb123]

Quested s8rs and the subwoofer

Sent from my HTC Desire using Gearslutz App

[Rsantana]

Originally Posted by Lsixtysix

I have had the Focal SM9's for about 5-6 weeks and my pants are soaked!

Just got my sm9s about 5 min ago

[Tone Laborer]

You've been on ns10s, but you're worried about lack of bass on the KH? That doesn't make sense.

Any of the choices in your original budget, 3K-5K, are going to be far superior to the NS10s. Miles and miles more superior. And that goes for mid range response too.

Good luck weeding through the bizarre world of GS monitor opinions and misinformation, some of which is evident in these first few replies, but, I think your on the right track.

Having spent some time mixing on 10s myself, I would say after 12 yrs, you're way overdue for an upgrade. Do it. It will be a revelation.

[nickelironsteel]

MKs are good for transparency

[Audio X]

Originally Posted by saggsy

12yrs mixing only on NS10's

Sorry to hear that.

Originally Posted by saggsy

Just recently had a pay rise and now my monitor budget has stepped up a bit so then I was thinking of K+H 0300d's.

These are great but are not manufactured anymore so you'll probably have to pick them up second hand.

[Daniel Comport]

You will NEVER regret owning ATC monitors

[pieter k]

Originally Posted by The Listener

I don't know why but whenever I hear Yamaha NS10 mentioned and then someone seeking a high-end alternative - I think of Geithain speakers...

Although I have never heard them, have no experience with them whatsoever, I have this gut feeling that if I had a lot of money I would try to check them and I don't even know why!! Weird isn't it?

I feel the same way.

Being in Europe though, you've got a leg up on me, in California. I wish someone was reliably importing these and that we could go listen to them somewhere.

[Andreas G]

Originally Posted by The Listener

I don't know why but whenever I hear Yamaha NS10 mentioned and then someone seeking a high-end alternative - I think of Geithain speakers...

Although I have never heard them, have no experience with them whatsoever, I have this gut feeling that if I had a lot of money I would try to check them and I don't even know why!! Weird isn't it?

Maybe someone else will jump in and explain why...

Geithain: New Products

Funny, that's what I use

[Jomox]

There's so many to pick from, ATC, Barefoot, Adam, Focal, PMC, PSI, Westlake etc etc, only you know which you will likely personally, none of our personal opinions matter as it's to personal as to which you will like (There's no one monitor better than the rest because of this)

Originally Posted by Soniferous

whereas focals, Adams, etc.. are obviously hyped - perhaps good for certain kinds of music, or for certain mixers' tastes.

Adam hyped? dunno which Adams you heard but the SX series are far from hyped, very natural and balanced.

[saggsy]

Thanks for the replies.

I think my preferences lean toward sealed enclosures as i've never liked the woofy sound of reflex enclosures and silk dome tweeters are a preference as they dont tend to rip your ears off. Definately more into the more neutral tonal stylings as opposed to something which is going to be hyped either top, bottom or both.

I am going on my past breif experiences listening to Quested Vs2108's (which are ported i know - didnt really like too much) and ATC ACM20a's - which sounded very much like everything was there in your face.

I've also heard some big soffit Genelecs, looked like they had 15's in them, but they were massive and full range as id ever heard.

I mix mainly rock/heavy guitar, bass, synth bass, strings, weird keyboard stabs and loops, drum loops and occasionally live drums, rap vocal and strong sung rock vocal, both male and female.

Read some more on o300's and am starting to 2nd guess some gearslut reviews/thoughts - it seems that people really took to them when they first came out and now are starting to hear better alternatives.

I repeat it is almost impossible for me to hear any of these, I cant even find an ATC dealer in Australia?

Love to hear some more from ATC users - its a hell of a lot of cash to throw down.

And more from Barefoot owners - I think MM27 would be too big for my room size (and way over budget) are there many MM35 users out there??

Cheers

saggsy

[countrymetalguy]

I too mix a fair amount of rock and metal, I've had JBL LSR4328's with the matching sub and have been very pleased with them. The top end is pleasing to the ear and mixes come out correct without having to "learn" them. Worth a listen at under 3k for 2 monitors and a sub..

[raal]

i'm familiar with the dfficulty in demoing stuff before buying as i live in Mexico.

purchased Barefoot MM27s sight unseen because i knew of no one in Mexico that had them before i ordered. don't regret the purchase at all. have them in the room along with Adam S3As + sub. both are very different and very useful to my ears, but i strongly suggest that you try to find places that have whatever you're interested in, take material you're familiar with and listen before making your decision. there are those that swear by MM27s and those that just don't like them. same applies to NS10s, S3As, etc.

good luck!

[reddirt]

Hey Saggsy, why don't you discuss it with Mick from Mixmasters; he's in your city and if i recall, imported Barefoot at one stage if not still. he's certainly got a lot of knowledge and access to eqpt.
Cheers, Ross

Edit: Just checked their web site and barefoot aren't on there but he'd still be worth a chat I reckon

[javd007]

How about focal 6be's? I hate to say it as bad as they sound, the ns-10s give me incredible mixes. It's really true.

[saggsy]

Thanks Ross, I was on their site the other day, I didn't see and reference to them being a Barefoot dealer, i might have to call him like you said. Even so, i doubt he would import a pair of Mm35's just for me to demo.

saggsy

[saggsy]

i once thought about solo 6be's when my budget was smaller, the twins i think would be physically too big for my room and i dont like the idea of the split mid-bass / bass design of the two main drivers.

saggsy

[purplesky]

If the NS10s sound so bad why are they still used so much by people who can afford much more expensive monitors?

Seems strange.

[saggsy]

the NS10's have become tiresome to listen to, i've definately 'learned' them over the years but now im after some thing more acurate and fullrange, something nicer to listen to but also more 3D and revealing.

saggsy

[matt thomas]

you should post in the Australia/NZ forum, and see if anyone near you has these speakers so you can hear them.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/austr...arslutz-forum/

matt

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by purplesky

If the NS10s sound so bad why are they still used so much by people who can afford much more expensive monitors?

Seems strange.

Midrange detail and transient response.

I'd wager even if saggsy replaces the 10s as his main monitors, he'll still use them a fair bit as a 2nd reference.

[saggsy]

i love how i can hear exactly what my compressors are doing on the NS10's and will keep them for sure, but im starting not to enjoy my mixes and especially need more information in the lower octaves.

Do you think that for me to get a more accurate set of monitors I would be best getting a three way set, which i would presume would have a nicely detailed mid which could be lacking on a two way and take away from what I'd be expecting coming from the NS10's??

saggsy

[FullCount]

Originally Posted by saggsy

I am going on my past breif experiences listening to Quested Vs2108's (which are ported i know - didnt really like too much) and ATC ACM20a's - which sounded very much like everything was there in your face.

How can anyone not like 2108s!? I love them.. They sound very similar to Barefoots, in my opinion. Granted, the Micro Mains have more mid-range detail, are more forward and have better bass, though I found the differences to be small, whatever they were. Bass being the biggest difference.

Regarding your room and Micro Mains, I don't really think it matters too much which size you go for. Pretty much the only difference between MM27 and MM35 is maximum SPL. But if your room is small the 27 would be a waste. The 35 take you 90% of the way there, anyway.