Any recent opinions regarding M Audio DSM Monitors?

[foamboy]

I was just wondering if ANYBODY is using the DSM1 or DSM2 monitors and can actually give some insight as to how they like them. I have found very few actual reviews anywhere on the net including GS and I am considering taking advantage of this deal......

M-Audio DSM Monitors


I will admit that the lack of reviews has me a bit concerned.

Thanks for any tips.

fb

[Peevy2000]

There are a few very favourable reviews & comments online but I'm a bit surprised at the lack of info/opinions about the DSM series here at Gearslutz.

SoundonSound Review

Audiofanzine Review

Music Radar Review

I'd actually like to here a few more opinions about these myself because there's a few places doing a bit of a deal on them here in the UK also. Maybe its something to do with some of M-Audios previous offerings in the Monitor department, namely the BX5/8A's, which weren't really that good.

[lovemonkey3833]

Bump....
In the market for new Monitors. $1500 price range.
Uping from KRK Rokit 5's.
Anyword on these?

[KJandKT]

If you are interested in the DSM line, they are on closeout. Audiomidi.com has them for these prices (per pair):

DSM - 1 - $399
DSM - 2 - $499
DSM - 3 - $599
put FBSUMMER in the coupon section at checkout and you get 5% more off. Also you will get a free set of Mopads.

It really is an amazing deal if you want those monitors. I personally was interested in them because of the amazing closeout prices, but have not been able to hear a pair so I am not jumping at buying them. But if you know that you want something in the $1500 price range you have a chance to get that range of speaker for under $600 for the pair...pretty cheap! I just wanted to pass it on.

If anyone has a take on these I would be interested in hearing it as well. I was thinking about these or the JBL 4300 series monitors.

God bless!

KJ

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by KJandKT

If you are interested in the DSM line, they are on closeout. Audiomidi.com has them for these prices (per pair):

DSM - 1 - $399
DSM - 2 - $499
DSM - 3 - $599
put FBSUMMER in the coupon section at checkout and you get 5% more off. Also you will get a free set of Mopads.

It really is an amazing deal if you want those monitors. I personally was interested in them because of the amazing closeout prices, but have not been able to hear a pair so I am not jumping at buying them. But if you know that you want something in the $1500 price range you have a chance to get that range of speaker for under $600 for the pair...pretty cheap! I just wanted to pass it on.

If anyone has a take on these I would be interested in hearing it as well. I was thinking about these or the JBL 4300 series monitors.

God bless!

KJ

Zonkers... that's a whole lot of cheap!

[fastlanestoner]

I avoid maudio like the plague, and my studio thanks mr

[blacklion]

I'm curious about the DSM3 at this price. There are almost no reviews/shootouts which is usually not a good sign.

Has anyone compared them to the Yamaha MSP5 or 7? I have a pair of MSP5s and was thinking of getting a pair of 7's later this year. If these are on par or better, they would be a bargain.

[blacklion]

Audiomidi is just up the freeway so I might risk the 10% restocking fee and give them a try. It would be nice to have some feedback before.

[Trailmix]

I went to a monitor shootout when they first came out. They competed against the Yamaha HS series and the Adams. They easily had the best overall sound in both the smaller and 8 inch woofer size. They in fact sounded so good I was a little afraid that they weren't true. I saw Audiomidi deal and have been seriously tempted again, but really don't need another set of monitors right now. I would love to hear them next to Focal's!



Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[NEWTON IN ORBIT]

TRAILMIX....Killer screen name man!
Love that sh*t

Sorry...Off Topic.

john

[blacklion]

I used to own HS80s and replaced them with the MSP5s because I needed the smaller footprint and the midrange was more manageable and sounded cleaner. Till the end of the year, Musicians Friend is having a $100 rebate on a pair of MSP7s, which won't be in stock for them until November so my plan was to wait on those.

Don't really mind waiting and I've become familiar with the Yamaha sound, but if these are better or similar performers, then I'm heading up the road and grabbing them this week.

[BudgetMC]

Doh!!!

Couldn't resist in the end... it just seemed like too good a deal. Pulled the trigger on the DSM 3's. Passing my KRK RP5's on to my wife for use in her home gym. They sound great to listen to, but never really got much use as mixing monitors. The M-Audios will now take a turn with my Blue Skys and Tannoys. I'll try them both in near and mid-field positions. I'll let you fine folks know what I think of them.

[Heartfelt]

Ordered DSM2's.

Original pricing $1500-ish. Present price $500. Stupid low price.

They should be better than my Yammies and if not, I will pay the 10% for eval and a lesson. I suspect I won't have a problem, though.

Discontinued but that doesn't really mean anything if they work well.

[blacklion]

I've never tried dual woofer design monitors before. What are the benefits (besides more bass response?) of that design and what are things to look out for?

Heartfelt, what yamaha monitors are you using now?

[MadGuitrst]

I own Adam A7s and JBL LSR2325P, and am VERY familiar with the Dynaudio BM5a (and have listened to a LOT of speakers - KRK, Yamaha, Mackie, the usual suspects).

I'd heard the DSMs and really liked them, almost pulled the trigger on a decent deal before I got the A7s, but.....j-u-s-t.....c-o-u-l-d-n-'-t.....d-o......i-t.....
I mean, they're M-Audio, right?

Well, I couldn't pass up this deal. I bought the DSM3s. Got them in two days ago. All I'll say is this: BUY THEM. Buy them right now, which ever model that you want, buy them.

They sound very, very good. Better overall than the A7s and BM5a, IMHO.
They have good balance, not fatiguing (BIG thing to me), and just sound good, period. For $600, the DSM3 are a killer bargain....almost a no-brainer deal (no brainer for me but everyone has different tastes, especially in monitors).

Gotta run......I'll write more later.

[Heartfelt]

Funny question to ask after ordering but does anyone here have any purchase history with Audiomidi?

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by MadGuitrst

All I'll say is this: BUY THEM. Buy them right now, which ever model that you want, buy them.

They sound very, very good. Better overall than the A7s and BM5a, IMHO.
They have good balance, not fatiguing (BIG thing to me), and just sound good, period. For $600, the DSM3 are a killer bargain....almost a no-brainer deal .

MadGuitarist,

Thanks for the validation, dude! Especially nice to hear from a member of the Cult of the 7... I'm looking forward to getting mine and trying them out even more, now.

[BudgetMC]

BTW... lots of happy chatter over on the KVRAudio Forum... they seemed to be quicker out of the gate than we slutz were, and several people already have their new monitors up and running.

KVR: DSM2 for $249.00 audiomidi.com with Free Mopads! Free Room Analysis!

[Heartfelt]

My order shipped within a day an dI have tracking numbers. I hope that is encouraging for any others ordering from Audiomidi for the first time. I actually spoke to someone on the phone as well. Nice people.

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

My order shipped within a day an dI have tracking numbers. I hope that is encouraging for any others ordering from Audiomidi for the first time. I actually spoke to someone on the phone as well. Nice people.

Oooh... cool! Mine shipped too.

[blacklion]

Ok so DSM3 first impressions (Compared the Yamaha MSP5 and A7s)

(1) About 60% larger than the MSP5s but weight is about even and might weigh less - the yamahas are more concentrated in weight/size ratio so they actually feel heavier. Kind of concerned a little at first at how light they were but in any case...as is the case with this design, to set them up vertically, one side must be setup upside down.

(2) Listened to some Massive Attack and Radiohead tracks to check out the stereo image. Really nice L/R image. A lot of RH and Massive Attack tracks are 100L/R and these monitors really bring that out without being too disorienting. The sweet spot is really large, compared the the MSPs but also compared to the A7s my friend brought over.

Sitting in front of the desk and swiveling the chair didn't change my perception of the sound as much as either the Adams or Yamahas did.

(3) Depth was actually quite rich and background sounds are picked out without seeming hyped to do so if that makes sense. I did notice that center vocals seemed a little further back in the mix on some tracks than I'm used to. However, this might be because I'm used the the more aggressive Yamaha sound.

(4) They sound really smooth, a little too smooth for me right now. At first, I didn't like it but I can definitely tell that these monitors are WAY LESS FATIGUING than either the A7s or MSP5s. Whether that translates, I can't say right now. I do know that they give a lot of detail in a smooth way. Somewhat punchy but not aggresive is how I'd describe them.

(5) Lastly, I was worried that I'd have a lot of bass in my face because I have a Studio RTA Producer desk and the 2nd 6.5" woofer is positioned almost at the top of my head. I was kind of surprised at the balance in the sound. The bass (like the midrange) has presence without being aggressive. It doesn't punch you in the face, but even after listening for 30 mins, I feel/hear enough of it to know what's going on.

That last part is most important. Over the last year, I moved from a house with a dedicated room to an apartment and it was tiring sometimes dealing with the midrange of the MSPs even though I know them well and if I can control the sound on those, everything is evened out on the other end. The DSM3s actually complement the MSPs very well and I'm now considering keeping both.

To sum up (compared to MSP5s and Adam A7s)
(1) "Better" is subjective, but seemingly MORE imaging L/R and F/B probably due to the wide sweet spot.

(2) Noticeably smoother midrange and highs - Some people might not like them at all for this reason. They sound relaxed and more natural than the MSPs/A7s. Whether that's good or bad I think depends on you. Some might hear that as "less clear" and others might see it as "less hyped". Not as 'tight' sounding as the others, but broader and smoother.

(3) Clearly less fatiguing even after just 30mins on each speaker. I might actually enjoy using these for hours now that I'm moving back into producing and not just tracking/mixing my band.

(4) Present, but not aggresive bass. Clear and not flabby, but slightly rounded bottom - I personally liked this and actually wouldn't have minded a bit more.

If you asked me to pay $1500-$1700 for these, it would be a tossup. At $600 a pair, they're an absolute steal. If you're like me and getting a little weary of that present, aggressive midrange monitor sound, I highly recommend them. Just like anything else, they'll need some getting used to, but the only reason they'd be going back is if I want to try the DSM2s.

I'd like to hear some opinions on the DSM2s when someone gets them. I'm now curious about the 8" woofer and how the more common design of those speakers performs.

[Heartfelt]

Thanks for this!

[BudgetMC]

blacklion,

Excellent! Thanks so much for the detailed appraisal. I'm especially pleased to hear about the wider "sweet spot", which is one of the main reasons I went with the MTM design of the DSM-3.

[Clonkified]

Anybody compared the DSM-3s to Dynaudios? I have the BM5As right now.

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by Clonkified

Anybody compared the DSM-3s to Dynaudios? I have the BM5As right now.

See the MadGuitrst's comments above...

[bruceferraudi]

Originally Posted by blacklion

Ok so DSM3 first impressions (Compared the Yamaha MSP5 and A7s)

(1) About 60% larger than the MSP5s but weight is about even and might weigh less - the yamahas are more concentrated in weight/size ratio so they actually feel heavier. Kind of concerned a little at first at how light they were but in any case...as is the case with this design, to set them up vertically, one side must be setup upside down.

(2) Listened to some Massive Attack and Radiohead tracks to check out the stereo image. Really nice L/R image. A lot of RH and Massive Attack tracks are 100L/R and these monitors really bring that out without being too disorienting. The sweet spot is really large, compared the the MSPs but also compared to the A7s my friend brought over.

Sitting in front of the desk and swiveling the chair didn't change my perception of the sound as much as either the Adams or Yamahas did.

(3) Depth was actually quite rich and background sounds are picked out without seeming hyped to do so if that makes sense. I did notice that center vocals seemed a little further back in the mix on some tracks than I'm used to. However, this might be because I'm used the the more aggressive Yamaha sound.

(4) They sound really smooth, a little too smooth for me right now. At first, I didn't like it but I can definitely tell that these monitors are WAY LESS FATIGUING than either the A7s or MSP5s. Whether that translates, I can't say right now. I do know that they give a lot of detail in a smooth way. Somewhat punchy but not aggresive is how I'd describe them.

(5) Lastly, I was worried that I'd have a lot of bass in my face because I have a Studio RTA Producer desk and the 2nd 6.5" woofer is positioned almost at the top of my head. I was kind of surprised at the balance in the sound. The bass (like the midrange) has presence without being aggressive. It doesn't punch you in the face, but even after listening for 30 mins, I feel/hear enough of it to know what's going on.

That last part is most important. Over the last year, I moved from a house with a dedicated room to an apartment and it was tiring sometimes dealing with the midrange of the MSPs even though I know them well and if I can control the sound on those, everything is evened out on the other end. The DSM3s actually complement the MSPs very well and I'm now considering keeping both.

To sum up (compared to MSP5s and Adam A7s)
(1) "Better" is subjective, but seemingly MORE imaging L/R and F/B probably due to the wide sweet spot.

(2) Noticeably smoother midrange and highs - Some people might not like them at all for this reason. They sound relaxed and more natural than the MSPs/A7s. Whether that's good or bad I think depends on you. Some might hear that as "less clear" and others might see it as "less hyped". Not as 'tight' sounding as the others, but broader and smoother.

(3) Clearly less fatiguing even after just 30mins on each speaker. I might actually enjoy using these for hours now that I'm moving back into producing and not just tracking/mixing my band.

(4) Present, but not aggresive bass. Clear and not flabby, but slightly rounded bottom - I personally liked this and actually wouldn't have minded a bit more.

If you asked me to pay $1500-$1700 for these, it would be a tossup. At $600 a pair, they're an absolute steal. If you're like me and getting a little weary of that present, aggressive midrange monitor sound, I highly recommend them. Just like anything else, they'll need some getting used to, but the only reason they'd be going back is if I want to try the DSM2s.

I'd like to hear some opinions on the DSM2s when someone gets them. I'm now curious about the 8" woofer and how the more common design of those speakers performs.

The primary reason for them being relatively lightwieght for the size is because they use class D amplifiers which are considerably less heavy than A-B designs

[MadGuitrst]

Originally Posted by bruceferraudi

The primary reason for them being relatively lightwieght for the size is because they use class D amplifiers which are considerably less heavy than A-B designs

and, because class D amplifiers are more efficient and waste much less power, which results in heat, they don't have heat sinks on the back that also contribute to weight, of course.

Overall, the construction feels solid (and smooth), IMO.

[aman74]

Can anyone compare the DSM2 to the 3?

I did see one post where someone was asking why their mix sounded way off after using these, but it sounded like possible user error.

[stevens119]

Originally Posted by MadGuitrst

but.....j-u-s-t.....c-o-u-l-d-n-'-t.....d-o......i-t.....
I mean, they're M-Audio, right?

It's not like M-Audio is Behringer or even Samson. They do make some cool stuff

[BudgetMC]

Oh hot diggity... mine are here.