Going from Behringer Truths -> Adam A7s (no sub)

[coyotekells]

I'm looking to make an monitoring upgrade in my project studio..

Been using the first generation Behringer Truth B2031s for many years.

I want something that will comfortably integrate with a sub from the same maker.. although I won't be springing for a sub right away.

Will the Adam A7s be an all around improvement (even without the sub) to the Truths? People often mention that the bass is tight, but doesn't go very low.. Do you have experience with this, and see it likely to be an issue mixing rap and RnB?

What about the Dynaudio BM6a? Opinions on that option, especially regarding improvement over my Truths?

Thanks for the input.. I'll be able to check the Adams at the music store, probably not the Dynaudios.. and still, it's not really like listening in one's own environment.

Thanks for the input!

[coyotekells]

Forgot to mention, since this is relevant in all these threads:

My room is treated!

I have superchunk style traps in the corners, bass traps heavy on back wall, couple on the front wall, deep broadband absorbers on side wall, mix cloud, and some more treatment on rear ceiling and ceiling/rearwall straddled.

[beanface]

Hi,

I've actually used the A7's with subs alot, and a friend of mine had the truths which I've heard a fair bit of too. Trust me - you are going to have a grin from ear to ear when you make that switch over, especially as your room is sorted. Even without the sub, they're great little loudspeakers for mixing, and set up properly in a treated room with the subs, I wouldn't mind mastering on them either.

[Mr.Amokk]

I use the a7 since a few month and I swear by them.
These monitors are crystal clear, very detailed and will show you mixes from a whole different view.
Also they are very cheap for that quality level.

I went from Alesis MKII to AdamA7.
You can compare that pretty close to what you gon' do with the Behringer.

The first time I played music on them, I literally heard instruments/reverb that I never heard before on some of my fav songs.
You most def gon have a big grin bro

On the sub-topic, check this one out:
Got the a7 and need a sub - sub7 or sub8 ??

Hope I could help...


Ah...I almost forgot...
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT !!!!!!

[T. Gundersen]

Not sure what the price difference is, but try and listen to both ADAM, Focal, KRK and Dynaudio if you can. I'd prefer Focal, then ADAMs. Not sure if you can get subs for the Dynaudios of the same brand.

[Kayo]

I would stick to the Adam A7..
The difference is gonna be like night and day. And it's the ribbon technology, that gets me excited! Mixing on them was great, but hearing things like keyboards and guitars etc.. was a serious revelation to me.

Great guns those A7's.. imagine the MP1 mastering version... ouch

KAyo

[3rd Degree]

You will be happy for sure. The A7's have enough low end to let you know what is going on, you may have a little bit of a "guessing game" at first but you will over come it, it is accurate enough to know what is going on, once you get used to the levels, without a sub.

I don't like subs for mixing anyway, just for reference so I think it is better to go that way. I would recommend a monitor with bigger drivers in a large room but I am guessing you probably don't need that.

On the flip side, I perfer Dynaudio. Maybe it they sound like my Tannoys I have had for years but more accurate and just better. I have the BM5a's. They sound more like a typical speaker than the a7's but still show flaws well. I find them easier to listen to personally. I would recommend Dynaudio but people will defineatly disagree, that is my preference.

[coyotekells]

Thank you everyone for the input!

I have a concern about the ADAMs not having a limiter to protect from overs... people talking about blowing the tweeters and stuff from turning them up or getting a volume spike due to (for example) audio interface malfunction.

Any thoughts on this?

[beanface]

Originally Posted by coyotekells

Thank you everyone for the input!

I have a concern about the ADAMs not having a limiter to protect from overs... people talking about blowing the tweeters and stuff from turning them up or getting a volume spike due to (for example) audio interface malfunction.

Any thoughts on this?

I know its a simple answer but, just dont turn them up that loud. Just stick to 85 (83) spl or 79 for a smaller room. I'd be glad they haven't got a limiter to be honest, less circuitry = less colouration :O) Get a passive volume attenuator, mark it up to your reference levels and turn it down when powering up / down etc.. I think the M-Patch is about £100, you could probably make one for £10/£20 though.

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by Azriel_7

The A7's are a good investment but if you sticking them at the end of a marginal signal path or even a room you treated yourself you will not get the full return of your investment.

I agree but still, it is a huge jump and a step in the right direction. I have an M-Audio Delta 1010lt going to a Yamaha MG12/4 to my BM5a's. Those were a huge step up from my Tannoy Reveals which are decently better than the truths to start with. I have a mildly treated room though. It wouldn't stop me from making the purchase unless I had like a stock soundcard.

[coyotekells]

Originally Posted by Azriel_7

Going from the Truths up to the A7's is a pretty dramatic migration.
I would have to ask what other aspects of your setup are at the same level as the Truths?
If you have other things at that level maybe a lesser monitor would be a better move if you put some of that funding toward bringing that aspect up as well.

The A7's are a good investment but if you sticking them at the end of a marginal signal path or even a room you treated yourself you will not get the full return of your investment.

Thanks, but I believe it's an appropriate step.

My LDCs are world class (ok, I don't have a U47 etc) but I'm good there.. track most stuff through A Designs Pacifica... my converters aren't the real deal, but I did get the Black Lion mod on my MOTU 828 and definitely perceived a difference (even on the truths).

Yes, I treated myself.. but I certainly didn't skimp on money or research. Further improvements on the room would really need to be made on the room itself, not professional advice on treatment.

[Malki]

a7s are allright but get the sub if you plan on doing a lot of music with frequencys under 50-60 heartz


i had a project i did mastered at this studio on a7s all the tracks were mastered with excess bass which makes the cd distort. this was inaudible in the studio.


if used by the right ears though you can get a good mix on the a7s just have something to check your mix on each time. especially for the low end.


I bought some JBL LSR4328P monitors about a month ago from someone on gearslutz. they suit me pretty well and imo are better than the adams. i can get my low end sounding pretty good. id go with a speaker like these before i get the adams.

the adams are popular though, just like the yellow cone KRK's. never been a fan of either

[coyotekells]

^^ thanks for the input.. and i'll look around at those JBLs too

[XAXAU]

My first " proper" monitors were Truth´s, but they were lying *****s

I´ve gone through Mackies, big and small Gennies, KRK´s and NS10´s.

Now I´ve got ONE A7 smack in the middle and it sounds great.

Even if you don´t have proper room treatment you can still get it to sound proper. Have a friend help you carry around the monitor while playing back reference tracks and you´ll find the sweet spot in 10 mins. Sit down in your chair while your buddy does all the work. Tilt it downwards slighly. Or just check GIK Acoustics guide.

The bass is not overhyped like MANY other monitors and it´s sick tight.

I do techno and the bastard´s got plenty of punch and subs.

I DO check on phones though and I always take my projects to a big club and play it out before opening. 9 times out of 10 I nail the bass.

Buy it blind, it´s that good. Seriously