Nearfield monitors

[Susceptor]

Hello!!
I am intending to buy some nearfield monitors and my options are KRK RP6 (perhaps RP8, if I will order them - both are from the old series), Event TR8 (maybe XL, if I can afford them) or Yamaha HS80M. Saddly, I cannot afford Adam A7 (that was my main choice)

I'm interested in mixing for my project; I produce Darkwave, Neoclassical and Industrial (think In Slaughter Natives) so I am interested in good bass response, but not necessarily club subs.

Also, I was told by a guy who works in a studio and has been using NS10 for a looong time that HS80M does not compare to NS10 and is way inferior. Is that true?

Anyway, please help me with advice, and argument your answers if you can.
Thanks!!

[Electronique]

Originally Posted by Susceptor

Also, I was told by a guy who works in a studio and has been using NS10 for a looong time that HS80M does not compare to NS10 and is way inferior. Is that true?

I thought people used NS10's for reference speakers like old car speakers and 5C Sound Cubes (Avantone Mixcubes)??

Maybe im wrong...

[donsolo]

Honestly,

Don't buy the KRK stuff, pure mud.

NS-10s are kinda midrangey so you'll have to get used to mixing on them.

The yamas have kind of a weird top end.

The NS-10s ARE your best bet because you will eventually buy a good amp and then eventually better passive monitors (do you know how cheap B&W 603s are?!)

It's really the amp that'll kill you. I've got a $1400 Anthem that I love (Mastering Rig) but there's nothing really exciting in low end amps.

[Susceptor]

I'm sorry if I was unclear.
NS10s are not my option, I told a guy who was mixing on NS10 for a long time my options, and he told me that HS80 do not compare to NS10.

My options are:
-KRK RP6 (maybe RP8)
-EVENT TR8
-Yamaha HS80M
-(maybe) Samson Rubicon 8a (last moment thought)

I can't do an A/B test to them and I cannot decide.

[donsolo]

Originally Posted by Susceptor

My options are:
-KRK RP6 (maybe RP8)
-EVENT TR8
-Yamaha HS80M
-(maybe) Samson Rubicon 8a (last moment thought)

Of these, the Events will be the best.

But that's kind of a crappy list. You should really consider saving up and really investing in a good set of monitors and some acoustic treatment.

Don't just do it half-assed.

[thegobstopper]

I have heard that the NS10s are, of course, the industry standard in monitors. This doesn't make them the best - only the "most" accurate in reproducing what was recorded. With that said, and considering they're not made anymore, you must choose something you can afford and that which will suit your purpose.

Before you buy any monitors, please make sure that your listening space is suitable for critical listening. This includes acoustic treatment and symmetry. There are MANY websites dedicated to this type of thing.

After this is done, you may decide that you don't want to overspend your budget and want something to tide you over. The fact is, you can have a very good listening environment with monitors that you're familiar with (over time, of course) and cheap by certain standards. Don't be misled into thinking that you need to spend thousands on monitors for a project studio. The Yamaha's will suit this need just fine. In fact, I've read that the HS50's and 80's are almost as "good" as the NS10s. I use the HS50s, have an acoustically treated space (done by me with months of research) and have very good, accurate mixes from very cheap gear.

In the end, cut the money in half from the expensive monitors, use 50% of that for acoustic treatment and 50% for monitors. You'll be doing yourself a huge injustice if you have expensive gear with a concrete listening area; it won't do any good.

[donsolo]

That just makes me wonder what your experience is with high end monitors.

Anything self-powered is just a bad idea. Those amps in those speakers are rarely any good and with passive, at least you can upgrade your amp later.

Auratones are great with the right amp as well.

And calling NS-10s the most accurate is a gross misinterpretation. The NS-10 is the standard, not the best. Everyone knows what they sound like. That's the reason everyone has them.

If you have a room for rent, you need to up NS-10s up because noone wants to guess at their mixes.

NS-10s are far from perfect. But then again, nothing in that list was much better.

Seriously, a good amp will run you 1-2k. A good set of monitors then won't be more than a few hundred.

Spend on the amp, skimp on the speaker.

[Electronique]

Originally Posted by donsolo

Seriously, a good amp will run you 1-2k. A good set of monitors then won't be more than a few hundred.

Spend on the amp, skimp on the speaker.

Can you please re-answer my question then?? Pleeease?
Low/Mid Studio Amplifier for passive monitors?

[donsolo]

Yeah,

Go big or go home with amps (luckily, the good ones don't lose value)

Check out some of the Anthem stuff, vintage JBL lab spec amps I've seen go for about $2k.

Otherwise just use that cheapo samson power amp.

Mid range is a joke. Minimal improvements for large sums of money.

But with those Alesis, just use a home stereo for now and save up for a really nice amp and save a few extra hundred for a good set of speakers (B&W 601s are like $300-$400 on ebay, the 603 floor speakers are around 600, and this is high end stuff.)

There are really outrageously expensive speakers but the budget B&Ws are the best bang for your buck. A lot of cats do mastering on 604s.

[donsolo]

And actually, go ask the mastering cats about amplifiers, they'll have options that I can't think of.

[Electronique]

Originally Posted by donsolo

...and save up for a really nice amp and save a few extra hundred for a good set of speakers (B&W 601s are like $300-$400 on ebay, the 603 floor speakers are around 600, and this is high end stuff.)

There are really outrageously expensive speakers but the budget B&Ws are the best bang for your buck. A lot of cats do mastering on 604s.

So you can mix on B&Ws?? I thought they were just home Pro "Home" audio??

[donsolo]

Originally Posted by Electronique

I thought they were just home Pro "Home" audio??

Sorry, I had to get back into my chair, I fell out laughing.

OF COURSE YOU CAN MIX ON AUDIOPHILE SPEAKERS

Isn't this all about accurate reproduction?

Just because it's not from Mackie doesn't mean it's not for music.

[Electronique]

Originally Posted by donsolo

Sorry, I had to get back into my chair, I fell out laughing.

OF COURSE YOU CAN MIX ON AUDIOPHILE SPEAKERS

Isn't this all about accurate reproduction?

Just because it's not from Mackie doesn't mean it's not for music.

I thought the whole thing (or so I was told) about "Studio Monitors" was that they have a *flat response* - Where as "HiFi Speakers" tend to colour the sound a bit??

No?

[donsolo]

The best, most accurate audiophile speakers will be very flat responce.

And very few prosumer monitors are anywhere near flat responce (NS-10s being my example in the mids)

Also, good audiophile speakers (the floor standing ones) will have a deeper bass responce where it's hard to find prosumer "monitors" that go much below 45hz. The 603s don't need a subwoofer.

Really, it's about quality reproduction of sound more than anything. That means good dynamic range, even frequency responce, good crossover that don't alter phase.

[Heartfelt]

The HS80's aren't bad. They are very detailed and the low end is present enough to judge and doesn't get boomy. (you don't usually need anything under 45hz. Most people would mix without a sub with speakers that drop about there for clarity sake.)

If you can't afford to buy a pair of $2K monitors, the yam's will do you better than the alesis with a stereo amp... no question about it. They are referred to the most as the best under $700.

The best @ $1K or under are the Adam A7's and the Dynaudio BM5A. People are split over the two. These are midrange monitors and 75% of the people here would oppose the notion that midrange is a joke.

If you want to spend less than $500, the Tascam VLX series is getting decent opions. Warren with Frontend Audio likes them for that range and he has a good rep here.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot thinking that you cannot make a difference for less than a couple grand.

[thegobstopper]

Originally Posted by donsolo

That just makes me wonder what your experience is with high end monitors.

Anything self-powered is just a bad idea. Those amps in those speakers are rarely any good and with passive, at least you can upgrade your amp later.

Auratones are great with the right amp as well.

And calling NS-10s the most accurate is a gross misinterpretation. The NS-10 is the standard, not the best. Everyone knows what they sound like. That's the reason everyone has them.



Spend on the amp, skimp on the speaker.

you're right; I have no experience with high-end monitors. But I don't need them because I have an accurate mixing environment utilizing bass traps and broadband absorption panels that are strategically placed -- all based on my budget and purposes.

And why is it a bad idea to use something that's self-powered? They are amps made specifically for the speakers in which they are mounted -- and if you are unsure of setting crossovers or wattages, they are ideal.

I didn't "call" the NS10s the most accurate. The "most" in my quotes was meant to be a subjective term, which is what everything in audio, music, and opinions is anyway - including yours.

Bottom line is, if you want to be able to buy new shoes because you need them and use mid-level equipment, buy what you can afford. If you want to eat Ramen-noodles for a year and not have a life outside of your project studio, spend the most you can on something that someone says is great.

Good luck!

[Susceptor]

Thank you all for your answers. Due to the fact that money is a problem and I cannot afford buying a decent amp + passive monitors, I think I'll go for Adam A7 (which are about $1200 here in Romania) and if I cannot manage to obtain the full some I'll settle for Yamaha (which are about $870).

Theo.

[mamm7215]

HS80M or Adam A7 will get you where you need to be for your budget. Don't get lost in the specs or details. If your music/mixes are "awful" it won't be because of the monitors. That said, how's your room?

[donsolo]

I think you missed my point

You can find a good set of say Paradigms on Ebay for $200-300 and a good amp will run you 1000.

It's better to buy a good amp. Upgrading speakers isn't TOO expensive.