Accurate, Small Monitors for Documentary Sound...on a budget.

[MttDvs]

hey everyone,

I new post job is coming my way doing sound design, sound editing and rough mixing for a documentary.
I have limited room, and a petite budget, plus as it's doc work and not music I'm looking for very transparent and accurate studio monitors.
I have a gigantic pair of M-Audio Bx8a Deluxe's, but I don't trust there sound on client based work...plus they're huge, I don't have a the space for them in my setup currently (I may just sell them).

I definitely want to stay well under $1500, actually more like under $1k if possible.
I've been looking at (but haven't heard) the new Focal CMS 40's, the Genelec 6010 2.1 Pak, the ADAM A5/7s and to a lesser extent the Blue Sky eXo 2 system. I've read mixed reviews, and haven't been able to find anything concise about their use on Post Production work. Any recommendations are appreciated!

As it may help, I'm running ProTools 8 LE (possible going to Logic, not sure) and an MBox 2 Pro...like I said, tight budget.

Thanks,

Matt

[Jesse Peterson]

I love my jbl lsr4326 set.

[MttDvs]

Thanks Jesse, those JBL's look awesome! They're still a touch big though...larger than the Bx8a's actually. But great none the less.

[soundfx]

IMO, you just can't go wrong with Genelec.

[mikevarela]

not to hamper,

but it sounds like you're doing yourself a disservice by trying to go with a smaller woofer. YES, it can be done, but it sounds like many problems are gonna rear their head down the line. For sound design I can understand, Dx editing as well... but effects and pre-dub..???

The final mixer's gonna think you barely wrangled the material.

That being said, Blue Sky, the JBL LSR and Genelecs have always been popular with post houses. But moreover, it's how comfortable you are with your speakers that makes the difference.

[Fajita]

Quested...

[D'Animation]

Genelec 8020's...

[MttDvs]

Yeah Mike, I do agree about future use...I'm early in my career, so I'm essentially pulling in jobs so that I can afford the larger stuff and have a decent studio space down the road.

Fajita, I'd never heard of Quested, and now I understand the "" face, they are PRICEY. Appreciate it though!

D'Animation, Thanks for suggesting the 8020's they've worked their way to the top of the list! It seems like the majority of post studios use Genelecs, so that's good indication. I'm trying to find out what equipment the mixing house has that's going to be doing the final mix for this doc. It would probably make sense to invest in some Genelec's if that's the case.

I've also been looking at the AKG k702 Headphones as a headphone substitute. But it's not practical when showing someone work. Any experience with them?
I've been using Sony's MDR-7506 headphones, because half of the work I do is as a sound recordist for film/video work...but they are brutal on the ears very quickly, very fatiguing for post work.

thanks everyone

[eoats]

+1 for the Genelec line. I've got 3 (LCR) of the older 1031a model.

As for headphones I'm a fan of my Beyer DT770. In listening I found the Sonys to be very bright & as you've found exhausting for very long (I too use them of field recording).

[Fajita]

MttDvs,
I have been mixing on VS2205's (now discontinued) for the last 6 years. They translate great. No hype and especially, no fatigue. I rock them 9AM to 6PM M-F and I love them. We have them in all our rooms. They have been replaced by Quested with the 2108. There is a set of those in one of the Master Control suites, from my perspective, they sound almost the same, but I like the dual 5" drivers of the 2205's.

Good luck.