What are your favorite mastering speakers?

[lowland]

Originally Posted by Jerry Tubb

Still diggin' my monitoring path:
Benchmark DAC1 - sounds transparent, flexible outputs

Glad you're still happy with the Benchmark, Jerry. I think mine (one for speakers, one for headphones) have been a good investment and at the moment I see no need to change. One of them doesn't do 192, but that's not a practical impediment.

I'm liking the Goldpoint as a possible move: there are Goldpoints in the Foote compressor which have a nice feel to them and work well.

[Twerk]

Tyler Acoustic D1's
Hypex UcD400HG+HxR Monoblock's
Benchmark DAC1

[San01]

Originally Posted by ORC

Sure, the ML-10's use a tannoy sgm 10, or srm 10 driver. The cabinet is custom built by Manley. It weighs in at a hefty 55 lbs without the driver installed. The crossover is designed by The Mastering Lab (Doug Sax), optimzed and buit by Manley. They are amazingly accurate monitors, with a detail and soundscape that is in a word, astonishing. The Ml10's are 3 db down at about 50hz, so you'll want to use a sub, or pair of subs. With a pair of good subs, you'll have a system that will fill a good sized mastering facility with plenty of sound. The last time i spoke with Evanna Manley, she was charging $4k for a pair. The price has probably gone up since then. Keep in mind you will need a great amp, or amps, and a pair of great subs too, so this will be a substantial investment. I've tried lots of monitors for mastering: B&W, Dynaudio, Duntech, Focal, Triangle acoustics, Ariel, KEF, Theile, Tannoy...... and I've never been happier than with my ml-10 setup. Hope this helps.

Interesting, so you can buy a pair from Manley ?

Would you also recommend them for mixing purpose (without subs) for electronic music ?

[acorneau]

Originally Posted by San01

Interesting, so you can buy a pair from Manley ?

I'm pretty sure that you have to provide the drivers. (No, I'm not kidding.)

[dietrich10]

question on the Manley's- two way for mastering?

[parisminzer]

Ol' Reliable:

PMC Ib1's with the PMC Bryston 4b SST

if it ain't broke don't fix it

[bendermastering]

I'm a Focal guy, I like the sound of these speakers.

The SM9 is a great speaker for mastering (and everything else) but if I could choose a pair of speakers no matter the price it would be the Grand Utopia. I'm jealous of the mastering studios who have them...

[DSD_Mastering]

Mostly Wilson Audio and now EA MM3's

Pass XA-160.5 amps

[ORC]

Originally Posted by dietrich10

question on the Manley's- two way for mastering?

Yes, they are perfect for mastering. I don't think Doug Sax would have had his techs design the custom crossovers, Unless he thought the SGM/SRM 10 was an exceptional speaker. All I can say is: listen to them once, and you will understand. I run mine in a 3 way setup with a pair of subs for mastering. Without the subs, they are still outstanding for mixing, and just a sheer joy to listen to. When I first got mine, I was floored by how detailed they sounded. One of those rare speakers that is exceptionally accurate, revealing, and just a blast to listen to. They actually make my job more fun!
These are VERY different from your average Tannoy speaker. Something about the driver, the custom cabs, and the amazing crossover all combined together is just magical. In the sweet spot, which is rather large, its as if the speakers aren't even there, just the music. Love 'em!

[Weezyanna]

Any More?

[elpillo]

Dunlavy SC-lV/A with Bryston 4BST. The second set are Lipinksi, in Studio A
In the future Studio B (under construction) Dunlavy SC-lll, 4BST, Velodyne Sub.
Clearly, I love Dunlavy's.

[Weiss]

IB2 with bryston amps, meaby i will add a pair of subs in the near future, but rightnow i am happy with it.

My converter is a Mytek 8x192, i use for monitoring, tape to/from and analog loop.

[shmasterer]

Originally Posted by ORC

Yes, they are perfect for mastering. I don't think Doug Sax would have had his techs design the custom crossovers, Unless he thought the SGM/SRM 10 was an exceptional speaker. All I can say is: listen to them once, and you will understand. I run mine in a 3 way setup with a pair of subs for mastering. Without the subs, they are still outstanding for mixing, and just a sheer joy to listen to. When I first got mine, I was floored by how detailed they sounded. One of those rare speakers that is exceptionally accurate, revealing, and just a blast to listen to. They actually make my job more fun!
These are VERY different from your average Tannoy speaker. Something about the driver, the custom cabs, and the amazing crossover all combined together is just magical. In the sweet spot, which is rather large, its as if the speakers aren't even there, just the music. Love 'em!

we are ML-10 here too, Al Schmitt uses em too (well actually TML ML-10, the Manley box is slightly different, both have the same internal volume, I believe 35 liters, as the original Tannoy box, speaking personally with Al about em once, his preference is for the original TML box, claiming better bass, its possible the Manley box is slightly less resonant due to different internal bracing, perhaps Evanna will jump in here to confirm) but x/o and driver same

note to anyone considering, the drivers you buy are now 20 years old and should require re-coning, don't know if Manley includes this in the price when you send for install, but OEM Tannoy components still available.

[shmasterer]

Originally Posted by bendermastering

I'm a Focal guy, I like the sound of these speakers.

The SM9 is a great speaker for mastering (and everything else) but if I could choose a pair of speakers no matter the price it would be the Grand Utopia. I'm jealous of the mastering studios who have them...

I reaaaaally like the Focals, they may get on the want list

_sh

[bslobodian]

Klein & Hummel O410 + O870 sub; Mytek DSD DAC 192.

[Weezyanna]

Interesting, interesting

[garryrobson]

Originally Posted by shmasterer

I reaaaaally like the Focals, they may get on the want list

_sh

Get yourself a demo of the SM9s asap!

[George Necola]

Originally Posted by garryrobson

Get yourself a demo of the SM9s asap!

No offense, but the Focals sm9 are not mastering speakers.

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[soundgeezer]

Very happy with the myro whisky and the audionet amp I V2:

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by George Necola

No offense, but the Focals sm9 are not mastering speakers.

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No offense taken but following your thoughts there are literally no mastering speakers in the world!

People just use whatever sounds good to them, most of the times it's hi-fi speakers they use and like, as you can see by this thread.

I see no point in your comment...

(Yes, I just bought a pair of SM9 for mastering)

[Razik]

I am using the Focal CMS 65's and some times I double check the low frequencies on the HS 80M's and EAW FR153e.

Razik Mastering

[Neil Pickles]

Originally Posted by bendermastering

No offense taken but following your thoughts there are literally no mastering speakers in the world!

People just use whatever sounds good to them, most of the times it's hi-fi speakers they use and like, as you can see by this thread.

I see no point in your comment...

(Yes, I just bought a pair of SM9 for mastering)

Hi Bender Mastering, I'm interested in hearing your opinions on them once you've had a chance to do a few albums. From what I've heard so far they are definitely on my short list. I think you're one of the first to actually own a pair though and by extension of that had a proper "go" on them.

By the way feel free to PM me if you don't think this thread is the place for that.

Cheers

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickles

Hi Bender Mastering, I'm interested in hearing your opinions on them once you've had a chance to do a few albums. From what I've heard so far they are definitely on my short list. I think you're one of the first to actually own a pair though and by extension of that had a proper "go" on them.

By the way feel free to PM me if you don't think this thread is the place for that.

Cheers

They haven't arrived yet, though they should arrive in the next couple weeks. I've had the chance to demo them a couple of times though but I'll share my impressions when they arrive.

[George Necola]

Originally Posted by bendermastering

They haven't arrived yet, though they should arrive in the next couple weeks. I've had the chance to demo them a couple of times though but I'll share my impressions when they arrive.

Easy. I heard them once and while you can argue about the quality of speakers, they sound far from a mastering grade "hear the truth" speaker.

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[Bob Weston]

SLS PS8R with a pair of Bag End Infra-Sub 18-Pro's. Made in the Ozarks!

SLS Audio PS8R Powered Studio Monitor

The resolution and detail are astonishing.

I don't hear the monitors, I just hear the music.

Maybe someday I'll have a pair of the SLS S1266's.

bob weston
chicago mastering

[Matt R]

Originally Posted by George Necola

Easy. I heard them once and while you can argue about the quality of speakers, they sound far from a mastering grade "hear the truth" speaker.

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I'm just wondering, where would you put the Adam A7X's as compared to a set of mastering speakers? What is it you personally use or have used? So far, the only speakers I've had extensive studio work with are older Genelecs, Adam A7X's, and the Yamaha HS50's (which I don't like at all). I'm interested in where you feel the A7X's stand.

[Greg Reierson]

Originally Posted by Bob Weston

I don't hear the monitors, I just hear the music.

The sign of a good monitor.

GR

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by George Necola

Easy. I heard them once and while you can argue about the quality of speakers, they sound far from a mastering grade "hear the truth" speaker.

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You're definitely entitled to your opinion and no point in arguing with it.

[Neil Pickles]

Originally Posted by bendermastering

You're definitely entitled to your opinion and no point in arguing with it.

and I'm still very much interested in yours once you've had a chance to get to know your new speakers, please let me know how you get on.

Cheers

[Petrus]

Originally Posted by noodle650

pmc ib2s

Same here, beefed up by Genelec 7071A sub. NAD208 amp for the PMCs, control with Avocet.