D1... MM27... focal twin

[Dpro]

ATC SCM25A they are just awesome, so much detail is revealed its shocking.
I heard them at RSPE on several sources and it was amazing. Seriously we were picking static and distortion out of songs that were already released. It was definitely a case of the mix engineer and mastering guy missed this stuff most likely because they did not hear on their monitors.
Oh and this was running through Antelope converters.

[t_d]

I've heard a lot of recommendations for the ATCs. I've been hesitant because they need a sub and that adds $2000 to an already expensive monitor.

what sub would you pair with it?

but, yes, I should highly consider these... I've heard nothing but glowing reviews.

[Huntley Miller]

Originally Posted by t_d

I've heard a lot of recommendations for the ATCs. I've been hesitant because they need a sub and that adds $2000 to an already expensive monitor.

what sub would you pair with it?

but, yes, I should highly consider these... I've heard nothing but glowing reviews.

I can't imagine that you'd need a sub with the larger ATC's, but the smaller ones may be more of a lateral move from what you have. I've heard that the 0300's beat the smaller ATC offerings.

[Dpro]

Originally Posted by t_d

I've heard a lot of recommendations for the ATCs. I've been hesitant because they need a sub and that adds $2000 to an already expensive monitor.

what sub would you pair with it?

but, yes, I should highly consider these... I've heard nothing but glowing reviews.

That is a good question. I would try to cross spec the sub ATC offers to a more affordable one.
Of course it is probably not going to be as nice. Their stuff is just amazing.

[teebaum]

check the guzauski-swist gs-3a. atc midrange dome, very nice morel tweeter & huge bass driver, endless power & a very high resolution, i was impressed.

[AlexK]

+1 again for ATCs. I've recently obtained a pair myself and the level of resolution and transparency is staggering. I've got the 20s, and have compared them to the Twins and O300s directly.

The ATCs were on a completely different level to the Twins. Bass light in comparison, but that's the only criticism.

The O300s definitely had a considerably larger low-end, but to be honest, it feels bloated and 'hifi' in comparison to the ATCs. In fact my criticism of K+H/Neumann monitors in general is that they're too flattering IMO. Listening on ATCs just feels honest.

Spectacular midrange transparency though - unlike any other monitors I've heard in the upper midband especially...

[t_d]

barefoot users? D1s as mixing/writing monitors?

i wonder how my focal sub would pair with the ATC 25...

[bleen]

Taylor, have you considered the Unity Boulders? I have the Rocks in my mix room and the translation of mixes has never been better; I can only imagine what the Boulders would be like in a mastering situation. No cheap, but impressive.

[Cinemascope]

The ATC SCM25As are very special indeed, and as others have said the midrange detail is unsurpassed.

Having said that the MM27s are just astounding at giving you a full freq range presentation from top to bottom that the small ATCs could only dream of.

[t_d]

yes, i've looked at the boulders, geithan.. just about everything in the $8k range... i think these are probably all great monitors and would come down to a personal preference and relationship to room more than one being "better" than another.

i haven't decided on anything yet, but more interested in what people think of mixing/composing on D1s (or dunlavy, or other "tower" speakers)... vs. mastering on stand-mounted full range speakers... be it MM27, SM9, ATC, etc..

it *seems* stand mounted monitors are more "multipurpose" where tower monitors are usually only used in mastering situations.

why isn't an accurate, flat, well-translating monitor good for both... why do we have "mastering monitors" and "mixing monitors" (and, yes, i've read the thread addressing this question here on GS, but it still baffles me)...

it i can get excellent translation and detail in a stand-mounted monitor.. well, i prefer that, aesthetically and ergonomically, to tower/floor standing monitors.

Originally Posted by bleen

Taylor, have you considered the Unity Boulders? I have the Rocks in my mix room and the translation of mixes has never been better; I can only imagine what the Boulders would be like in a mastering situation. No cheap, but impressive.

[polybonk]

Originally Posted by t_d

i haven't decided on anything yet, but more interested in what people think of mixing/composing on D1s (or dunlavy, or other "tower" speakers)... vs. mastering on stand-mounted full range speakers... be it MM27, SM9, ATC, etc..

it *seems* stand mounted monitors are more "multipurpose" where tower monitors are usually only used in mastering situations.
.

For the kind of music that you make. Full range mastering monitors are going to be great. Huge soundstage and deeply revealing on the details is great for making ambient. I personally find it massively inspiring creating this kind of music on "tower" speakers

[Formant]

Originally Posted by t_d

yes, i've looked at the boulders, geithan.. just about everything in the $8k range... i think these are probably all great monitors and would come down to a personal preference and relationship to room more than one being "better" than another.

i haven't decided on anything yet, but more interested in what people think of mixing/composing on D1s (or dunlavy, or other "tower" speakers)... vs. mastering on stand-mounted full range speakers... be it MM27, SM9, ATC, etc..

it *seems* stand mounted monitors are more "multipurpose" where tower monitors are usually only used in mastering situations.

why isn't an accurate, flat, well-translating monitor good for both... why do we have "mastering monitors" and "mixing monitors" (and, yes, i've read the thread addressing this question here on GS, but it still baffles me)...

it i can get excellent translation and detail in a stand-mounted monitor.. well, i prefer that, aesthetically and ergonomically, to tower/floor standing monitors.

Im on the same boat, i want to do both and pretty much had planned myself in for the mm27's but the concept behind the rl901k has taken my favor. I have yet to hear either though and i know specs aint everything but a 16" design like that, 25hz -3db...hmmm...

I dont want tower designs because i'd feel that anything in between me and the towers will be in the way which isnt going to be practical.

[t_d]

first.. yes, precisely on the towers.... my sterling desk and little mounted avantones will be in the way of the bottom of tower speakers.. and i don't want to have to spread them so wide that i'll bit sitting so far away from them. my room won't be that big.. or, at least, i need room for other things in there as well.

i've heard smaller geithans.. and, they are QUITE stunning... the only problem is.. the 901k, right from geithan, is 8400 euro... which translates to "out of my budget" here in new york. (and that's not including shipping)

if i could find a used pair or something i'd highly consider them over the barefoots.

Originally Posted by Formant

Im on the same boat, i want to do both and pretty much had planned myself in for the mm27's but the concept behind the rl901k has taken my favor. I have yet to hear either though and i know specs aint everything but a 16" design like that, 25hz -3db...hmmm...

I dont want tower designs because i'd feel that anything in between me and the towers will be in the way which isnt going to be practical.

[dietrich10]

I am not sure the ATC25s should be included here. The SCM50s yes.

D1
SM9
MM27
you can use without sub.

the SCM50s seem to depend on the room with the sub needed or not

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by t_d

it *seems* stand mounted monitors are more "multipurpose" where tower monitors are usually only used in mastering situations.

why isn't an accurate, flat, well-translating monitor good for both... why do we have "mastering monitors" and "mixing monitors" (and, yes, i've read the thread addressing this question here on GS, but it still baffles me)...

if i can get excellent translation and detail in a stand-mounted monitor.. well, i prefer that, aesthetically and ergonomically, to tower/floor standing monitors.

Seems it comes down to if the speakers are designed and accel as near, mid or far field.

You can find more full range speakers that are better suited for mastering to be far and mid design as opposed to near.

Then it comes down to room design. Many composing and mixing rooms do not have the 12 - 16 feet of space in front of the console needed to accommodate far field speakers.

Some mixing rooms like Abbey Roads mixing rooms have their 801's right up to the console.
So there's that.
There's no reason you couldn't both mix and master on a far field. Nears seem like they would present more of a challenge to master on.
Speakers are highly personal and people will usually defend their choice to the death ..as it should be because you need to trust what you hear coming out of them without question.

[Formant]

Originally Posted by t_d

first.. yes, precisely on the towers.... my sterling desk and little mounted avantones will be in the way of the bottom of tower speakers.. and i don't want to have to spread them so wide that i'll bit sitting so far away from them. my room won't be that big.. or, at least, i need room for other things in there as well.

i've heard smaller geithans.. and, they are QUITE stunning... the only problem is.. the 901k, right from geithan, is 8400 euro... which translates to "out of my budget" here in new york. (and that's not including shipping)

if i could find a used pair or something i'd highly consider them over the barefoots.

With the appropiate stands the difference would be 2k in euro for me which isnt that much considering the alternatives (10k excl for rl901k/8k excl. for mm27).

I think the key is phase correlation and granted the amount of speakers on the mm27 is impressive, i just dont think its a better.

The room im in is 35m2 with an 8m ceiling with currently o300 nearfields for mix/record.

[t_d]

reviving this thread... as i just got back from dietrich's studio and heard/saw the D1 for the first time. i was initially impressed by the size... they're SMALLER than i thought.. which is good (to me).. they weren't so towering, didn't take over the room so much.

they sounded quite nice.. didn't blow me out of the water.. comparing them to dietrich's previous setup of Adam S3A and sub.. not like it was a night and day difference, but they did sound great and had a very wide sweet spot (at least in dietrich's room).

i might have to put these back on the table as possibilities... if i can get myself past the stigma of "mixing on mastering monitors"...

these.... MM27... SM9.... or, if i could afford it, geithain 901K would probably win out over those 3.

[spencerc]

What did you end up with? I'm in the same boat but have a great deal on a pair of the D1's and wondering if I should bite...

Thanks!

Spencer

[t_d]

i ended up getting a pair of MM27s locally and could not be happier. compared to the twins they are in a different league of revealing. bad mixes sound pretty bad. they're unflattering monitors, but sound seriously good with good mixes.

i'm set for a while with monitoring!

Originally Posted by spencerc

What did you end up with? I'm in the same boat but have a great deal on a pair of the D1's and wondering if I should bite...

Thanks!

Spencer

[spencerc]

Originally Posted by t_d

i ended up getting a pair of MM27s locally and could not be happier. compared to the twins they are in a different league of revealing. bad mixes sound pretty bad. they're unflattering monitors, but sound seriously good with good mixes.

i'm set for a while with monitoring!

Ha, thats funny cause I just sold some MM27's! I wonder if the D1's are going to be a side step rather than an upgrade.....?

Anyway, thanks for the info!

[t_d]

all i know is that when dietrich (a D1 owner) came into my studio and heard the barefoots..... he briefly questioned his D1 ownership!

i'm sure it's a sidestep thing... or, at least, at these levels, totally what you feel comfortable with. they're both great monitors.

Originally Posted by spencerc

Ha, thats funny cause I just sold some MM27's! I wonder if the D1's are going to be a side step rather than an upgrade.....?

Anyway, thanks for the info!

[Twerk]

Taylor, glad to hear you've settled your speaker woes!

[spencerc]

Ah interesting...

I'm definitely looking for an upgrade to the Barefoots...so maybe the D1's aren't for me.

I'm actually going to VKLA tomorrow, so I'll let you know what I end up with ...

Originally Posted by t_d

all i know is that when dietrich (a D1 owner) came into my studio and heard the barefoots..... he briefly questioned his D1 ownership!

i'm sure it's a sidestep thing... or, at least, at these levels, totally what you feel comfortable with. they're both great monitors.

[dietrich10]

Originally Posted by spencerc

Ah interesting...

I'm definitely looking for an upgrade to the Barefoots...so maybe the D1's aren't for me.

I'm actually going to VKLA tomorrow, so I'll let you know what I end up with ...

I only heard the MM27 for 30 minutes and in Taylor's size room I was amazed how full the sound was compared to his past Focal Twins

I have no complaints with the D1!

[Twerk]

Also glad to hear you're happy with your D1's, Dietrich. Because obviously I'm biased!

This much I do know, switching speakers can really mess with your head for a little while, even if they're significantly better than what you had prior.

[dietrich10]

The difference in Taylor's room from my experience there with both his Focal Twin and a pair of PMC AML1 I brought over compared the MM27 was monumental.

Similar experience when I went from S3A+sub10 to the D1

[spencerc]

So wait, are you saying the MM27's we're a big step up from the AML1's? I'm also considering the AML2's....

[dietrich10]

Originally Posted by spencerc

So wait, are you saying the MM27's we're a big step up from the AML1's? I'm also considering the AML2's....

Yes did shootout with Focal Twin/AML1 one room and S3A/AML1 my old room.
S3A-AML1 was close-no reason from me to switch at the time.

The one thing about the AML1 was how detailed they stayed at any volume. That was impressive

I believe you can use aml1, focal twin, s3a to get similar results.
Never heard the AML2.

MM27 huge leap from AML1 imho

[MASSIVE Master]

Originally Posted by Twerk

Also glad to hear you're happy with your D1's, Dietrich. Because obviously I'm biased!

This much I do know, switching speakers can really mess with your head for a little while, even if they're significantly better than what you had prior.

Biased here too -- But I had to mix a project last summer (it happens occasionally) -- First time mixing on the D1's. Far and away the most "effortless" mixing session ever.