Studio Monitors $500-$700(Pair) Which one?

[SoundWaterfall]

Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 System
Active Studio Monitor System with 2-way, 60W Active Speakers, 60W Powered Sub


$599



Mackie MR8
8" Active Studio Monitor with Room Correction Abilities


$249.99 (Each)


Yamaha HS80M
120W Powered 2-way Studio Monitors with 8" Woofer and 1" Tweeter

$349.99 (Each)

[djbrough]

buy some used 824's or a used set of A7's. You'll be better of with any of those 2 than what you've stated above.

[earldrum]

Originally Posted by djbrough

buy some used 824's or a used set of A7's. You'll be better of with any of those 2 than what you've stated above.

I agree, I actually picked up a pair of Dynaudio BM5As for $800 new last year at GC clearence memorial day sale. You can find the BM5As used in that price range as well. My recommendation is to spend another $100 for the pair and go up one more level, it really makes a difference.

[papers08]

i jus bought those yamahas and so far iv been extremely happy with them

[Janesaid2me]

Im going to not agree at least not with the mackies...ive worked with those for years and found the HS80m way better. As for the ADAMs that might be a better option but i think youll find it hard to get them for that price range. I got my pair of HS80M used for 400 bucks...beat that?! I think not. In defense of the mackies i think they might be better for mixing different styles of music then the yammys...but for what i do (indie rock stuff) i prefer the hs80m.

[SoundWaterfall]

is anyone compares those monitors?

my studio is 4x5 size. i'm record all around music pop,rock,jazz.

[B-San]

Interesting thread... I've heard good things about the Yamahas... I will check back for others' opinions!

[Guitarpedia]

well for me, Bluesky have the advantage on subwoofer..but the question is that useful? coz if u have 8" its covers the bass already.

i dont like mackie's coz they made in china now! lack of quality i think.. but im not sure..

[Guitarpedia]

for recording is better 8" but for mixing i'd rather use 6"

[SoundWaterfall]

has anyone try the mackies yet?

[manning1]

in my opinion monitors are the biggest bunch of BS in pro audio.
ive seen guys spend a bundle on treated rooms n control rooms n fancy monitors ,
been there done that n still the dam mix might not translate well to
auntie flo's little junky stereo. or ones nephews ghetto blaster.
only conclusion ive ever come to is ya need a bunch of speakers in yer studio.
blasters/car speakers/mono/puter speakers/tv speaker...i even got a clock radio etc etc.

be carefull spending too much is my advice.
cos theres just too wide a range of playback systems in the world.
you could have the most pefect 250k control room with the best soffit monsters money can buy...
but auntie flo dont have that. therein lies the rub.

[Beastie]

hey i think your best best is either the blue sky, adam a7 or krk v4 - but ultimately your best off listening to each for yourself and see what you think is best for you!

good luck

peace

[SoundWaterfall]

well i guess, nobody had experience with the mackies?

[SoundWaterfall]

Originally Posted by djbrough

buy some used 824's or a used set of A7's. You'll be better of with any of those 2 than what you've stated above.

yes i'm thinkin' about it

[BudgetMC]

I've got the Blue Sky Mediadesk, and get happier with it every time I fire it up.

And... you can put yourself down for a B-Stock demo unit direct from the factory. And save a bundle. I got mine for $390 (shipped).

Blue Sky

[Guitarpedia]

yes i agree blue sky all the way

[TOFT]

+1 for adam a7

[Solar]

BEst advice i can give you is the following and it is the same that was gave to me.
- Take the time to burn a CD of your best music track that you like or that are a type of reference for you in the genre of music you do or mix.
- Then do not rush., take that CD and go in your music store and put your music in the listening room and take the time to A/B the songs into your 3 favorites monitors that you would like to purchase and HEAR it by yourself.
- What i mean by this is that YOUR ears will be the right judge not ours. And do not get me wrong, i'm not trying to say here that "DO NOT LISTEN" to suggestion from your fellas gearslutz, its the opposite, no matter the suggestion we can give you, but at the END, you need to apply the exercise of Listening with your ears and from there you make your decision in witch Studio monitor will from there suit your needs in terms of what you're hearing (quality, neutraliy, transparaency or coloration)

- Most important, sometimes this exercise does not give you result on the first try. In other words, you can go and start listening and you might not be sure the first day on witch one to pick. Thats ok, then go back again and apply the exercise again 'till you put your hands on the right set versus what your budget allows you at this moment!!

Good luck!!!!

P.s As for me, regarding your budget, i would suggest:
- Krk V4
-Blue Sky
- Adam A7 (a litte bit more xpensive)

[Heartfelt]

A few years ago, I had Mackie 824's and never got a song to translate without tons of car runs. In fact, even then, there were issues I never solved.

I got a pr of NIB HS80M's on ebay for 525.00 and I am set until I have well over grand for monitors.

I have the mids and highs down a notch and I know that if i get the mids and highs present but pleasing on the boxes, it's done.

Also, the bottom end is no longer a guessing game. It is not exaggerated in the room but I can hear what is happening with no questions.


BTW, a subwoofer doesn't mean accurate or good automatically... it simply means more.

[20hurts]

I have a pair of Event TR8's that cost me 500 bucks that I think sound great. Easily better than Mackies imo.

[JPeters86]

Try the Dynaudio BM5a, it beats the ones you listed by far in my opinion.

[BudgetMC]

Solar speaks wise words. If you can A-B-C the monitors somewhere, then do it. I recommend that you take a track or two that you know have some flaws... and then listen for how well the monitors reveal those flaws. REally well mixed/mastered tracks sound good on lots of systems, so that isnt' what you want to use as a test.

[Vocalvoodoo]

I recently switched from the Blue Sky System One to the Yamaha HS50M's. As odd as it may seem, I couldn't be happier.

Then again, monitors are a very personal thing.

[JPeters86]

Woops, forget my first reply, didn't read "Pair". The Dynaudio's are ± 500$ each (but worth the money saving...)

[SoundWaterfall]

i finally brought the yammies.. and i'm very happy! thanks guys!

[Heartfelt]

Welcome to the fold.

[Mylithra]

The best advice I can give on monitors is to remember you will be spending long hours in front of them. (at least I do) You're going to want to get something thats easy on the ears. Also, dont mix and monitor at really high volume levels for long periods of time, You'll confuse your ears and tire out quicker.

[FrustiThaSnowman]

Can someone maybe explain to me why?
Those Mackie HR264MKII seem to be very good, even the designers at "realtraps" use them. But I personaly find these speakers hype the bass end too much. It sounds pretty agressive. Why is that? I'm a very big fan of the yamaha HS80 and
own a pair wich I love very much

[Heartfelt]

I had that problem with the 8's but I don't blame them completely. My room was horrid. However, I have heard many say in different forums that they have experienced the same thing.

I am in a new room that is slightly larger with the same Auralex kit... I havent built my traps yet and with the Yammie 8's, I am, for the first time, translating. It will only get better with my traps built.

I don't think my success could be ONLY the room.

[Heartfelt]

800 is a screaming deal for the BM5's