Equator Audio announced D5 Coax Monitors with DSP = 300$/pair

[musicman09]

ok, been reading the reviews on the d5's.

most are positive,

but i've read a few which are saying they have had problems with things popping, hissing and other rattling noises.

who's had these since they came out and are they working perfectly?

Im considering buying these as soon as they are out in the UK, but they are costing £350 which isn't too bad, but a bit more than the $300 that they cost originally. I guess its the greedy customs and tax people to thank for the price increase.

The only problem is the chances of something going wrong with these, do you think it would be better to simply spend more and go for Adam a7x's?

The temptation to go for a cheaper monitor set seems very attractive, given the great reviews, but the negative reviews are putting me off now.

Anyone else from the UK who is buying these or already has them?

I would be interested to hear about what these are like.

I'm considering getting some ATH M50s to help with the mixing on low end if the low end on these D5's is considered weak.

[Amber]

£350 is pretty crazy considering they're $300. Surely shipping/tax/customs wouldn't be that much when they're bought and brought over in bulk?

[musicman09]

Yeah, that is what i was thinking. £350 comes out at about $589.

import duty is 4.5% and vat is 20%.

I think someone said it came out to about £320 if you bought one direct from Equator with all tax, vat, shipping put in. Not sure how accurate that is.

Now though, I think you can only buy them from the distributors in the UK if you are in the UK.

Either they are slapping on a big markup or maybe the tax and vat is that much.

Still, £350 doesn't sound too bad for these, especially if they are as good as reviews say they are.

[neon]

Guys do you think they sound VERY bright and later with time they became VERY heavy in the Low End???

[Ernest Buckley]

Originally Posted by neon

Guys do you think they sound VERY bright and later with time they became VERY heavy in the Low End???

No. I have had mine now for a good 6 months. The low end is not any bigger than the first day. The top end mellowed out though. What I really appreciate about the D5s is their accuracy. Perhaps due to their small size, the room is not affecting what I`m hearing so tunes are playing nicely across various systems.

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by musicman09

who's had these since they came out and are they working perfectly?

[Open Mind]

Originally Posted by neon

Guys do you think they sound VERY bright and later with time they became VERY heavy in the Low End???

I think, no. But, currently, I have 6 d5's and they all sound different to each other!
Some of them are really bright and some are very bass heavy (even heavier then my VXT8's.)
I called to tech support to ask for replacement, but no results. (They told me that they are willing to replace only one monitor, because only it didn't pass the factory tests.)
:thumbdown:
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[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Open Mind

I think, no. But, currently, I have 6 d5's and they all sound different to each other!
Some of them are really bright and some are very bass heavy (even heavier then my VXT8's.)
I called to tech support to ask for replacement, but no results. (They told me that they are willing to replace only one monitor, because only it didn't pass the factory tests.)
:thumbdown:
Sent from my LG-P690 using Gearslutz App

Did you break them all in yet?

Because if not that would explain the high end discrepancies.

[zak7]

Originally Posted by neon

Guys do you think they sound VERY bright and later with time they became VERY heavy in the Low End???

Originally Posted by Open Mind

I think, no. But, currently, I have 6 d5's and they all sound different to each other!
Some of them are really bright and some are very bass heavy (even heavier then my VXT8's.)
I called to tech support to ask for replacement, but no results. (They told me that they are willing to replace only one monitor, because only it didn't pass the factory tests.)
:thumbdown:
Sent from my LG-P690 using Gearslutz App

seems that neon is right..
you answered him ..some are very bright others very bass heavy, I have 6 d5's and they all sound different to each other!

what a bad QC!!!! scary!!!

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

Did you break them all in yet?

Because if not that would explain the high end discrepancies.

I think LimpyLoo might be on to something.

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

Did you break them all in yet?

Because if not that would explain the high end discrepancies.

I broke mine in and they are doing just fine.

[Open Mind]

How long and on what loudness did you break them in?
Will it eliminate 10db difference on the high end?

[Vocalvoodoo]

I've had mine since they came out and I've not noticed the high end diminishing like that, or the low's becoming larger. I didn't set out to break them in, but they have been used daily since I got them so they are broken in I suppose.

I do get a rattle every now and then with certain bass frequencies, but it's just a matter of taking them apart and repositioning some wires that lay on the port (known issue with early batches), which is where the rattle is coming from. (They offered to replace my pair but I opted to fix it myself rather than send them in)

Also, both of mine sound the same for the most part, meaning I've not measured the frequency response of both in the same position, but I don't hear any glaring differences. FWIW, mine don't have consecutive serial #'s. They are 083 and 230.

[musikmaschine]

Originally Posted by musicman09

Yeah, that is what i was thinking. £350 comes out at about $589.

import duty is 4.5% and vat is 20%.

I think someone said it came out to about £320 if you bought one direct from Equator with all tax, vat, shipping put in. Not sure how accurate that is.

Now though, I think you can only buy them from the distributors in the UK if you are in the UK.

Either they are slapping on a big markup or maybe the tax and vat is that much.

Still, £350 doesn't sound too bad for these, especially if they are as good as reviews say they are.

You can use the tax and duty calculator (google equator d5 duties and should come up) but yeah it's around that. If you got doubts email hand in hand. I'm curious about this difference in sound so might point them towards this thread.

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[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Open Mind

How long and on what loudness did you break them in?
Will it eliminate 10db difference on the high end?

I just mean have you used them all a reasonable amount? Because if not then yeah, that could account for the difference.

If I recall correctly, mine were pretty bright until after about two weeks of normal use then they mellowed out.

[Ernest Buckley]

Originally Posted by zak7

seems that neon is right..
you answered him ..some are very bright others very bass heavy, I have 6 d5's and they all sound different to each other!

what a bad QC!!!! scary!!!

You`re generalizing about a product from your experience and one other person, so thats out of 2 on this thread. Many others are happy with their D5s. You`re also not sure if you gave them time to break in, another no no.

Question for you: Why do you own 3 pairs? I would think after not liking the first pair, you would have returned them for a refund and moved on?

[tele27]

I have had mine since they first shipped 51-52. They are on oh 24 hours a day
and I have none of the issues others have been reporting. I use them for editing and do some mixes on them and they translate well. When I want to hear what's going on below 60hz I have a small sub I use. Actually the combination is pretty darn good.Very satisfied with them for the price of a boutique stomp box they are great. Are they ATC's no if that is what you are expecting for $300 you might want to look elsewhere.

[musikmaschine]

^I'd expect something on a par with Adams, Focals or Genelecs from everything i've read about them.

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[Open Mind]

Originally Posted by Ernest Buckley

You`re generalizing about a product from your experience and one other person, so thats out of 2 on this thread. Many others are happy with their D5s. You`re also not sure if you gave them time to break in, another no no.

Question for you: Why do you own 3 pairs? I would think after not liking the first pair, you would have returned them for a refund and moved on?

Ok. I prefer to do conclusions about a
product, being based on my personal
experience. Is it wrong?

I'm glad, that many people are happy with their d5's.

But!
100-150 hours of loud playback isn't enough for braking in?
And, why tech support didn't tell me that I should brake them in?

I own three pairs, because I ordered three pairs at once. (Stupid idea, isn't it?)


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[Ernest Buckley]

Originally Posted by Open Mind

Ok. I prefer to do conclusions about a
product, being based on my personal
experience. Is it wrong?

I'm glad, that many people are happy with their d5's.

But!
100-150 hours of loud playback isn't enough for braking in?
And, why tech support didn't tell me that I should brake them in?

I own three pairs, because I ordered three pairs at once. (Stupid idea, isn't it?)


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Open Mind,

Are you zak7 too?

I don`t understand why anyone would buy more than 1 of something w/o first trying it out first. If you didn`t like the D5s after 2-3 weeks, you could have returned them.

Did you?

EB

[Open Mind]

Originally Posted by Ernest Buckley

Open Mind,

Are you zak7 too?

I don`t understand why anyone would buy more than 1 of something w/o first trying it out first. If you didn`t like the D5s after 2-3 weeks, you could have returned them.

Did you?

EB

No, I'm not zak7.
Do you work for Equator, don't you?

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[John57]

I wonder how these sppeakers compared to the Tannoy Reveal 501A's or even Kef Q100 of course the Kef will neeed an amp.

[chrizzle]

so, after reading all posts here i'm completely confused.

at first, i definetively wanted to try the D5s, then after reading some negative reviews, i didn't and now i'm just wondering - is anyone here who's somewhere around in germany/austria/switzerland who has these or wants to try - because i think shipping will get much cheaper by sharing.. and trying out would be best

and has anyone listened to D5s vs Neumann KH120?!?
i know its a big price difference - but any opinion would be great - and still confusing..

[dzo]

Originally Posted by chrizzle

so, after reading all posts here i'm completely confused.

at first, i definetively wanted to try the D5s, then after reading some negative reviews, i didn't and now i'm just wondering

[Ernest Buckley]

This is what I don`t understand...

The D5s cost $299 and they have a 60 day money back guarantee and there are a handful of people on here who are still confused?

1) Go to Equator site
2) Pull out Credit Card
3) Make Purchase
4) Decide for yourself

Simple enough. eh?

[Matti]

If in Europe things change a bit but still I guess you could try ones and decide

Matti

[daleandtheguitar]

Hello, all. I live in Atlantic Canada and ordered My D5's in the $349.99 package that includes carry bag, foam isolating pads, and xlr-to-trs cables. Thought I'd give a heads up on the process to here.

Simple ordering, went online selected what I wanted from Equator website, total included $350 + $73.xx for the shipping (UPS ground). One week later they arrived with a COD of nearly $140.00. I was expecting 15% for sales tax and maybe $20 for duty, but I was surprised to see a brokerage fee and taxes on this fee, apparently charged by UPS (the invoices was headed "UPS Brokerage Services"). I refused shipment until I could straiten this out.

I contacted UPS, told them that I had paid my delivery charge at the time of ordering, having given them my address at the time, and considered my debt to UPS paid. If they intended to charge more, I would refuse delivery. Took one minute and they said they would negate the brokerage fee and the taxes it generated as a "Goodwill service". Done.

On a related note, I also got them to hold the package at their shipping depot for me to grab at my convenience, where I was assured they would accept Interac. I would be on the road and couldn't guarantee I'd be home for delivery. I set out four days later and tried to pick up the package, but at the desk, my debit card got a confused look. "No Interac/debit transactions here, sir". AAARRRGGGHHH!! I had made sure with the phone rep and it was my only method of payment, so I looked S.O.L. Not happy with that, I took my case to the UPS phone service. One hour and 3 supervisors later, they absorbed my sales tax and duty charges! When I went back to the counter attendant at UPS, she was shocked. UPS paid money out of their own coffers to pay my tax... she said she had NEVER seen UPS do that one! Tenacity and a pitiful story coupled with a large dose of their fault can work wonders!

As for the monitors, they sound fantastic. They are my first set of studio boxes, so my opinion is not exceptionally well-informed, but I appreciate what people mean by the stereo field or phantom imaging now. As well, the carry case and cables are excellent quality and to me worth the extra $50. The isolation pads are simple, dense, spongy-style foam, but are a welcome extra and, though I haven't used them yet, would certainly help decouple the speaker vibrations from the mounting surfaces. I have found a temporary home for them in my friend's basement studio and look forward to getting to know them better.


So far, happy with purchase.

D.

[theblueredpanda]

Hi there,

Just bought my D5s last month. I have noticed a severe buzzing coming from both speakers. They are playing nowhere near 100db, and the buzz is very noticeable from 80hz all the way down to 53hz (their lower limit).

In any case, this was really the only forum I could find where people were having similar problems. It isn't a problem with the cables; it sounds like a mechanical sound - like perhaps a wire buzzing against the back of the woofer, or perhaps the woofer surround itself.

Can anyone give me some help?? I'm really at my wit's end. This is my first pair of studio monitors and I'm relatively noobish to the whole scene - any help would be appreciated.

Peace!

[Vocalvoodoo]

Originally Posted by theblueredpanda

Hi there,

Just bought my D5s last month. I have noticed a severe buzzing coming from both speakers. They are playing nowhere near 100db, and the buzz is very noticeable from 80hz all the way down to 53hz (their lower limit).

In any case, this was really the only forum I could find where people were having similar problems. It isn't a problem with the cables; it sounds like a mechanical sound - like perhaps a wire buzzing against the back of the woofer, or perhaps the woofer surround itself.

Can anyone give me some help?? I'm really at my wit's end. This is my first pair of studio monitors and I'm relatively noobish to the whole scene - any help would be appreciated.

Peace!

3 things you can try that worked for me...

First: Cover the service port on the back. Equator actually sent me a couple caps for them, but tape should work.

Second: Open up the back of your monitors and tuck the speaker wires behind the insulation. PDF from Equator on doing this.

Third: Tighten the screws on the front, specifically the 4 near the port. Even though mine were pretty tight, a slight turn on each got rid of my existing buzzing/resonance.

[theblueredpanda]

Originally Posted by Vocalvoodoo

3 things you can try that worked for me...

First: Cover the service port on the back. Equator actually sent me a couple caps for them, but tape should work.

Second: Open up the back of your monitors and tuck the speaker wires behind the insulation. PDF from Equator on doing this.

Third: Tighten the screws on the front, specifically the 4 near the port. Even though mine were pretty tight, a slight turn on each got rid of my existing buzzing/resonance.

I tried all of these, but to no avail. The buzz is still there.

I've done some more experimenting and i'm 99% sure that this is my problem: The inside woofer cone edge seems to be vibrating against the tube edge causing a reverberating buzzing noise. It's extremely annoying.
This diagram explains it pretty well (found online, not my picture)


There seems to be some space between the inside edge of the woofer cone and the tube edge / tweeter waveguide. This causes vibration and a buzzing at lower frequencies (~53 - 90hz). The buzzing is extremely noticeable and loud.

Is this Equator's fault? Keeping in mind they were like this when I got them a couple of weeks ago. Shouldn't those pieces be flush with each other (tight to one another as it were)?

Thanks guys!