Behringer TRUTH's LOL

[bitman]

I've got a replacement B2031a woofer in cherry condition if anyone wants it PM me, otherwise it's going to end up as a woofer microphone.

[jcatena]

I don't think the blame on Behringher is fair.
Of course the Truths are not the best monitors! But they compare amazingly well with a lot of higher priced products, so in the entry or home studio level, they have big value.
Now I have K&H O410 + O870, Adam P22, and definitely they are much better, at a lot higher prices. Then, I also had Even 20/20 bas, Yams NS-10, and some others, that were comparable when not worse than the B2031. I earned two international production awards mixing with Truths, winning over entries from BBC, Universal, Sony, etc.
If you can afford better monitors, after your room acoustics, competence and everything are good enough, definitely you don't want Behringer. But many people can't afford a real pro studio, and there Behringer have very competitive products that allow to get the job done well, in many cases better than more expensive products in the low end range.

[Skywalker]

I have the Alesis active M1´s.

Although I don´t like their sound that much I do know some people that get professional results with them. I don´t find them very revealing and the bass is not very defined. I hear alot better on my Sennheiser hd 25 headphones. Actually the headphones reveal to me noise in recordings that the monitors don´t.

They were cheap and are good for the price imo, now I´m getting something else and am not sure whether to keep them or not.

[JoaT]

Originally Posted by steelyfan

well why not use stereo speakers to mix on to begin with...... no guess work. You want your stuff to sound good on average consumer speakers???? Why not use them to mix?!

Ear fatigue is one reason, and having a flat response really does help hear what's up. I mixed on a pair of $100 computer speakers for 2 years, the mixes sounded good on everything I played them on.....go figure.

It's mainly because if your monitors can't produce a sound in certain frequency range (think bass with computer speakers), you will still try to make it work or need to consciously avoid doing it. I once mixed a track with desktop speakers too. It needed to be done again because the low end, though working with those speakers, was out of control on better ones.

Taught me a lesson. Have not done the same mistake again. Now when mixing with inferior speakers (if I absolutely have to) I use spectrum analyzer a lot.

Of course, none of this applies if you are perfect on what you do. I am not.

[pee.gee]

Hi guys. New to the forum, but have been peekin in from time to time.
I'd been mixing on 824's up until the shit hit the fan and my wife ended up with the studio and the rest of the house lol. I'm now in a rented , untreated space that's far from ideal. I bought a pair of truths, due to a studio i work in had a pair alongside the genelecs. I'm noticing a big change in detail whenever i raise or lower the monitoring levels. I recently did a session in another studio with Adam A7's. I came home and the truths sounded like pure mud after that. I compared some old mixes from the 824's to recent ones on the truths. My suspicions were confirmed.
Being in a rebuilding phase of one's life, i have certain budget considerations, so i'm stuck with the truths for a while.
I'm hoping some of you guys might have found some magic tricks you can pass on, making the truths bearable again. I noticed jcatena, youve had some success using them. I'd say your'e in a more proper mixing environment than me. None the less, i'd love to know if you have any set methods for using them. Cheers.

[eplesor]

It seems like either there is a placebo effect going on where people automatically begin to dislike these monitors because they're Behringers, or perhaps there is a variance in the quality of these monitors!

I've personally had them for a while and just recently upgraded to Dynaudio BM12a's... I haven't worked with a lot of other studio monitors before, so I was expecting to have a night/day comparison with the Behringers. Though the Dyn's are definitely cleaner and have a flatter response.. the Behringers definitely don't deserve the hate which I've been reading in this post (IMO!). The Low Mids are muddier on the Behringers, and it is sometimes hard to tell what's going on.. but for just $350 for a brand new pair of these bad boys... It would be a no brainer for me to get them again if I was on that kind of a budget.

Eplesor

[Caramel]

The BEST monitors in the world are the ones you`ve spent the most time with and come to know very well. The behringers should serve you well if you`ve really come to know them. They are no better or worse than NS10`s.

If I gave you a set of big Genelecs or Focals right now, you`de probably do a better mix on the Behringers. Cause you know them better.

I don`t own them, I use Genelec 8050`s Genelec 1030`s and NS10`s I`ve tried the Behringers out and like them more than NS10`s .

There is enough information coming out of the Truths to give anyone who knows them the power to make mix decisions.

I think my impression of the truths were that they sounded like big NS10. (hyped hi mids) i`ve mixed a couple of projects on Alesis mk11. And I think I`d trust the low end of the truths more. The Alesis may leave your mix bass light. It has some bass harmonics that`s cool to listen to but deceives you when mixing.

[Caramel]

Originally Posted by steelyfan

So glad to hear someone else think that. Thought I was crazy. People saying, "if you get the mix sounding good on these, you'll freak out when you hear it on real stereo speakers, these are for MIXING".... well why not use stereo speakers to mix on to begin with...... no guess work. You want your stuff to sound good on average consumer speakers???? Why not use them to mix?!

Ear fatigue is one reason, and having a flat response really does help hear what's up. I mixed on a pair of $100 computer speakers for 2 years, the mixes sounded good on everything I played them on.....go figure.

Yep , remember Yamaha NS10`s were HI FI speakers.

[aclarson]

Until you have a well-treated room, I think the differences between monitors is a bunch of mental masturbation. I always get a kick out of these people who spend $1500 or more on monitors and do little to no room treatment, and then they tell me that MY monitoring isn't flat. Flatter then yours. The freq response of your average room is much more wild than any set of monitors.

Upgrading monitors with an un or under-treated room is like upgrading mics when you can't sing. Doesn't make a bit of difference.

The price to improvement ratio is much better for treatment than for monitor upgrades, so I think until you have taken your treatment to it's absolute extreme, then there is no point to upgrade.

[drbam]

Not an ideal solution by any means, but you could insert a 1/3rd octave eq before the Truths. Use an analyzer to hone in on the most offending frequencies and try to get some of the mud out. Do NOT boost any frequencies - just cut some of worst of it. Of course this will only effect your mix position and probably makes things sound worse in other parts of the room. But, if its just you, then this can be a solution. Back in the 60's & 70's, every control room I worked in (dozens of them) had their systems tuned with outboard eq.

[Chris Lago]

You can always get some used NS10s for 400 bucks.

By the way, the NS10s aren't neutral either. If something sounds like crap in the mix, the NS10s are more likely to show the problem. Also, they translate well on many systems.

[Lifted]

Originally Posted by killersoundz

So I've been mixing on Behringer Truth B2031A's for a couple of years now...I got very used to them and how music should sound through them so I never really thought much about it. I just picked up another cheap pair of monitors (yeah I know I should just go for broke but whatever!) Alesis M1 Mark II Actives....

My first impression was WTF is this?! The first day I took them out of the box I put the Alesis's up for sale on craigslist. No joke. I was initially not a fan of the silk dome tweeter, very dull and undetailed compared to what I have been listening to and I thought they were too bass hyped.

Now I've come around to realize the Behringers have a huge mid range boost and not very much low end extension. The Alesis monitors put out more accurate low end with a 6.5" woofer than the Behringers with a 8.75" woofer. I also now see that the Alesis monitors are quite "flat" and the Behringers which I have gotten so used to are rather honky sounding in comparison.

The stereo imaging on the Alesis monitors is something surprising to my ears. I do kiind of miss the sweet sizzle of the tweeter on the Behringers though.

I think at this point I'm putting more trust in the Alesis speakers but it's nice to have multiple sets of monitors regardless...

Based on this info can anyone think of a more high end set of monitors I might like a lot?



By the way I've tried having both mointors set up vertically next to each other but for some reason the inside pair always sounded better then the outside pair even when I switched them around. It was some weird phase issue with the outside pair. This works the best.

All the Alesis speakers I have heard had a High Frequency emphasis, thus a feeling of extra detail.

Never heard Behringer speakers.

[thebaron]

Originally Posted by chrislago

You can always get some used NS10s for 400 bucks.

This sounds like spending more money for a lateral move.
If NS10's aren't neutral and are as harsh and crappy as everyone says, why not use Truth's as your crappy reference pair for half the price? Of course I'm talking more in terms of secondary monitors. I think there's a cool factor that "all the studios have NS10's so I'll be cool if I have some" plus the lynch mob mentality against Behringer (of which I'm occasionally guilty myself). But really, for the price, why do people avoid the truths at least for second "crap" monitors?

I don't have enough experience to give any kind of reviews. All I can say is Truths were one of my first purchase for my home studio before my gearslutage really kicked in and I don't feel hindered by them. I got a great deal on ebay then they showed up with some dented corners. The seller took off a ton of money and I ended up with a pair of Truths, along with nice stands, for 65 bucks. I'm definitely in full-force lust for better monitors now, but they will certainly stick around to be my second pair. Until then, I've done ok with them. Besides, I'll always be running to the car to monitor...it's sort of my ritual and fun time.

[hgen]

I love the Alesis M1 Actives too! The bottom end is little woolly but as long as you know that, they are perfectly fine. Very easy to get a mix happening and translate perfectly.

[Chrislpp]

Originally Posted by killersoundz

Haha yes the very first day I got them I did because I was like WTF. But them I gave them a couple days to grow on me and now I'm like wow go Alesis.

Errrr....the idea is to have a flat frequency response for more accurate mixing....it doesn't matter if your monitors sound good, as long as they don't fool you to think you need to make unnecessary adjustments.

[soul&folk]

I've got a pair of older Yorkville passive monitors. Just like this pair. Nothing flashy but they're the right price and, I have been told, put out honest sound information.

[My Tiny Circus]

I replaced my Truths with Adam A7s and am a better person for it. Crystal clear mids and highs. Everytime I review a mix I tell the mixer to take the percussion levels down, particularly shakers.

I recently added the Adam sub8 as the A7s don't perform well down low.

I A/Bd them against the Mackie HR824s and the Mackies made everything sound like a rock band. Big bottom and flattering but not very truthful.

The A7s deserve the Truth name far more so than the Behringer who should rename them the "More than slightly misleading"

[joshy]

I have had Behringer Truths for a few years now as i can't afford better ones (yet). I'm presuming the boost in the mid range everyone is talking about is in the low-mid, which is the most annoying bit. the low bass is almost non-existant i think, unless you really boost the low-end on your mixer (about 90Hz ish). They were cheap and have lasted quite well, i don't regret buying them!!!

I'm gonna go for for Focal CMS's next, they're the way to go for me. Genelec are over-rated.
dfegad

[RTR]

Originally Posted by killersoundz

Haha yes the very first day I got them I did because I was like WTF. But them I gave them a couple days to grow on me and now I'm like wow go Alesis.

I have had my Alesis mk2's (Passive) for years and know them very well, I like them, I run them with the old Alesis ra-100 amp

[mattw]

supposedly the Truth passives are much better than the actives when paired with a decent amp. I have it on reliance from a respected audio engineer who has done a lot of speaker testing on a wide variety of speakers. the boxes are solid, the drivers are decent, the cross over is made well.

It would be interesting to hear someone do a comparison between the Truth passives and other passive monitors, like the NS-10m or Dynaudios. I'm pretty sure they would hold up well.

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by joshy

I have had Behringer Truths for a few years now as i can't afford better ones (yet). They were cheap and have lasted quite well, i don't regret buying them!!!

I like hearing stuff like that. That's what it's all about. Getting whatever you can afford and using it to the best of your abilities. I spent years using cheap gear, mixing on my home stereo monitors, etc. And I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.
What buggs me is when people who use low-end stuff bash other people's low-end gear just because it costs less than theirs. It's like a high-school game. Reminds me of the guys who all bough Honda Civics a few years ago and added all that crap to them, thinking they were badass. Cheap is cheap so don't fake the funk.

[Dread]

I own a pair of Truth B2030A's and a pair of Genelec 8020's

How do people rate the Genelecs I definitely think that my mixes have improved since buying them I dont know if its because I have 2 sets of monitors now or if the Gen's are just superior..

What would people recommend as "the next step up" (gear wise) from the Gen 8020's..?
What would give you that kind of professional control..?

[joshy]

Thanks BOWIE, much appreciated. I also agree with what your saying .... people diss other peoples gear coz they want to think they've bought the best shit...

As for Genelec (Dread), they are well over rated and not that accurate for the price. If i could afford it, i would go for the focal twins but the CMS65's will do just fine.

Whats this about the passive Truths being better than the actives, i have the passives (B2031) with the alesis RA500, am i doing ok?

[Caramel]

Originally Posted by joshy

Thanks BOWIE, much appreciated. I also agree with what your saying .... people diss other peoples gear coz they want to think they've bought the best shit...

As for Genelec (Dread), they are well over rated and not that accurate for the price. If i could afford it, i would go for the focal twins but the CMS65's will do just fine.

Whats this about the passive Truths being better than the actives, i have the passives (B2031) with the alesis RA500, am i doing ok?

I wouldn`t make negative comments on Genelecs. MANY well mixed records were made by good engineers on them .
I `ve heard Focal twins. They sound great. Are monitors supposed to sound great ? or are they supposed to help you make mix decisions by revealing details that "normal" speakers don`t. Genelecs have lots of detail.

As for being accurate, well how accurate is the room you`re listening in?
I myself have a Hi-mid dip in my hearing. So Genelecs are probably better for me as its a bit mid forward.
How`s your hearing?

[djanthonyw]

I'm really surprised that Ian Carey still uses the Truth's... it's not like he can't afford nicer monitors. For example, he's running an SSL Alpha 4 VHD pre after passive summing... and talking about getting a Neve.

[cplusdaskoolboy]

to be honest with ya, if you think the B2031a's are terrible then what you use actually? because if your in the low end forums you don't even ****ing belong in here, or you just have shitty equipment to where you can"t mix for shit from the beginning...i have the truths right now, with: digi 003 rack, rme adi-2, art mpa gold w/mullard & tung sol tubes, plus a Neumann tlm49 (which may cost more than ya whole set up) and i know you'll never have a mixed track sounding better than mine....so don't bash equipment you never used in your studio, paid for, or cant afford) people are on this website to get info how to do better, and learn something not to be persuaded by a dumb ass like you, and buy something that ****s up their situation even further...so speak for ya sell at ya crib on the phone, facebook, or myspace.....lol about that

[aclarson]

Originally Posted by cplusdaskoolboy

to be honest with ya, if you think the B2031a's are terrible then what you use actually? because if your in the low end forums you don't even ****ing belong in here, or you just have shitty equipment to where you can"t mix for shit from the beginning...i have the truths right now, with: digi 003 rack, rme adi-2, art mpa gold w/mullard & tung sol tubes, plus a Neumann tlm49 (which may cost more than ya whole set up) and i know you'll never have a mixed track sounding better than mine....so don't bash equipment you never used in your studio, paid for, or cant afford) people are on this website to get info how to do better, and learn something not to be persuaded by a dumb ass like you, and buy something that ****s up their situation even further...so speak for ya sell at ya crib on the phone, facebook, or myspace.....lol about that

Neumann TLM49!!!!! That's a high-end mic!!!! You don't even ****ing belong in here!

[cplusdaskoolboy]

my friend told me that someone was bashing the TRUTHS so i had to defend them buuuuuuuuuuttttttttt...as far as the TLM49 i just got the mic last week by the way, so i'm just getting into the ball game

[Hardtoe]

Well dont you just have your own set or rules to play by....

BTW - I found the Truths to sound very harsh, but I was always a silk dome kind of guy

[Boo Razz]

tutt I believe their is a misunderstanding about the Behringer Truths. People, their is a difference between the Original B2031 and the B2031a's that are on the market today. They quit making the original B2031's quite some time ago because of the close simularities to the Genelecs and the Mackie hr824's and didn't want any legal issues so, they changed the design and model number to B2031a.