Mastering monitors (that can handle rock and heavier genres)

[Proggm]

Hey fellow slutz, I hope you can help me in my quest for high end monitors.

Since I’m moving to a new acoustically controlled space that’s been designed for accurate mastering (and occasional mixing), I’ve been thinking of changing to a new pair of speakers.

Until now I’ve been using BM5A’s. Good monitors indeed, but I’m looking for something more defined and detailed, with a sharper transient response.

First of all, I’m on a tight budget, and can spend up to 4500$ (so... no barefoots :(). Then comes the music genre issue: I mainly work with rock bands, more specifically in the heavier subgenres. In short, I’m looking for a monitor that will be able to handle the intensity and speed of heavy metal bands with total accuracy, while being absolutely revealing. On another note, I’m focused on active monitors, so no passives please.

My main choices for now are:
Focal Twin 6 Be
PMC TB2S-A
Quested S8R
Dynaudio Air 20
Klein + Hummel O 300


Keep in mind that there are no ways in my country to demo the monitors, so I’ll be forced to choose by researching. I hope some of you can give me the right advice

[Proggm]

Any insight on this, guys?

[Virtalahde]

I'm using Quested VS2108's at the moment.

VS2108

They definately fall into your budget. They are not the last speakers I will ever have, but I've been using them for three years now and my work translates well. I'm very often in the heavier side of music, but I do a lot indie rock and acoustic stuff, too.

The midrange is very revealing in them. They have a slightly "hard" mids to some (around 1kHz-2kHz), but the other side is the transient response of the midrange. I think this is due to the fact that the Morel tweeter is crossed very low and the woofer doesn't beam too much at the crossover point. The off-axis response is great.

VS2108's don't have the most sturdy speaker cabinet and I have a feeling they might do some coloring on the lower midrange, but as long as my work translates and I know what I'm hearing.. I'm OK.

That being said, I do have a 85% built extremely sturdy 100L speaker cabinet, some ATC 10" woofers, the ATC dome mid and a Morel MDT33 tweeter.. I need to continue with that project!

[dcollins]

Originally Posted by Virtalahde

I'm using Quested VS2108's at the moment.

I've used Quested's of various models for years and always been happy with the results.

As always, I would advise against any system that "really" needs a sub. If you want to support <40Hz, fine, but anything more is a recipe for poor translation, imo.

There isn't really such thing as a rock speaker, per se, although they are certainly some audiophile designs I have heard that wont reproduce a rhythm section convincingly at all........

Also a fan of the K&H 300, fwiw.


DC

[lerone]

I think I'm gonna be changing over from 805's to Focal Twin6's. I really think there they're very brutal. I think the 805's are great, I've had more than my fair usage out of them, its quite a contrast in sound moving over to the focals, but I really think its worth doing. TB2sas sound excellent too. thumbsupthumbsup

[StephenMarsh]

No experience with the TB2S - I pound the h*ll out of my IB-1 PMC's with rap and rock all day long FWIW--S

[dave-G]

Of the ones on your list, I'd also suggest the K+H O300. Very good monitors; great translation and very low distortion, which really helps when working on music that's rich in distortion. I used them here for some years before moving up to my Geithains.

I also think an an advantage of the O300 over the others in your list is that they're a very well-done 3-way, which helps keep down distortion in the rock-critical upper midrange. You'll definitely know what you're working with and what you're doing to it with them.

-dave

[bbuyuk]

Originally Posted by Proggm

My main choices for now are:
Focal Twin 6 Be
PMC TB2S-A
Quested S8R
Dynaudio Air 20
Klein + Hummel O 300

I have not heard of Quested.

For the rest; I would definitely go for PMC TB2 (the passive version + a high-end amp will be better). But if you have the extra, go for AML-1 active and in the future, you can get a TLE1 sub which will sound very nice as a complete system.

I also like the sound of K+H O300, but prefer PMC.

BB

[Proggm]

The O 300's seem like one the best options out there, but there’s an issue with them that’s left me in doubt: I've read that their built-in limiters kick in at around 85 dB SPL. That’s barely above my listening levels. Has anyone been bothered by this or is it not perceptible?

[kjg]

out of this list, I would go for the O300s.
PMC TB2i + Hypex based amp might be a very nice alternative though.

but you should really audition some speakers yourself!
if you are going to buy blind, you might want to take into consideration how easy your choice could be sold again... you have to be realistic.

[kjg]

Originally Posted by Proggm

The O 300's seem like one the best options out there, but there’s an issue with them that’s left me in doubt: I've read that their built-in limiters kick in at around 85 dB SPL. That’s barely above my listening levels. Has anyone been bothered by this or is it not perceptible?

that would really depend on how close you are going to be to the speakers. I guess it could easily be an issue in larger rooms. for nearfield use, probably not so much.

[anguswoodhead]

Not on the list but a very serious monitor that is perfect for mastering.
JLM Active Monitors
A few mastering guys are using them around here.
I have had them for about 6 months (mixing & mastering) and by far the best set of speakers I have ever owned.
Be warned though - they are brutal on your room.
If there are any problems in your room you will hear it with the BAM's (especially in the Low-end).
You don't need a sub - these things go all the way down to 30Hz.
And did I mention that they are loud - man these monitors rock - they are really a mid-field.
I have even heard of guys soffitt mounting them as mains.
Most guys use them as a near / mid field monitor.

[DominicWyeth]

Angus is right the bams are very nice - id go the dyn's as well.

Have heard a few pmc's now and I must admit they are great as well.

[Proggm]

Originally Posted by kjg

that would really depend on how close you are going to be to the speakers. I guess it could easily be an issue in larger rooms. for nearfield use, probably not so much.

I'm going to be in a small room, and the distance between me and the monitors will be around (this is just a very raw guess) 1,5 to 2,5 mts (5 to 7 ft.). I guess that around that distance it won't be much of a problem... what do you think?

[Obitheincredible]

subscribing for more opinions on these monitors as well.

[kjg]

Originally Posted by Proggm

I'm going to be in a small room, and the distance between me and the monitors will be around (this is just a very raw guess) 1,5 to 2,5 mts (5 to 7 ft.). I guess that around that distance it won't be much of a problem... what do you think?

at such a close range they should be able to pretty adequately damage your hearing and quickly too. seriously though, if you monitor at 85-ish they should still have decent headroom at that distance.

[Proggm]

I’m seriously considering buying the PMC’s over the K+H’s. The PMC’s are 2-way though, but I don’t think that’s gonna be a minus here... right?

[gregor z]

O300.....I have them in a small studio......they are GREAT!

And the limiter is just fine....if you put them to the max in small room it will be enough for mix/mastering duties.....you can still buy O800 later.....

Gregor

[minister]

Originally Posted by dave-G

in the rock-critical upper midrange.

Rock-critical?

[dave-G]

Originally Posted by minister

Rock-critical?

...

[minister]

Originally Posted by dave-G

...

Ha ha ha!!!

[NoisyNarrowBand]

k&h o300D with a sub. perfect match and plenty loud.

pcm

geithain if you can get them. even better than k&h but expensive! check the 944k or the 933k. amazing!

[Alécio Costa]

Why not add Lipinskis 707 to your list?

[Proggm]

Those lipinski's are way out of my budget, and are not powered.