Monitor Comparison: Mackie hr824s vs Event Studio Precision 8

[MadMouth]

i'm in some need of some assistance. i've heard both of these monitors but am unable to come to a conclusion on which set i want to buy.

i've heard and used the Event's and they sound GREAT, especially for rap. Tight and punchy. Clear high end. Mids are not too forward like some speakers i've heard. but i've been reading and hearing a lot about the Mackie hr824s being a "cornerstone" for one's studio. is this true?

and if i'm not being mistaken, it's the older hr824s that are the best, right? or do the new Mackie hr824 mkIIs sound better?

i'm trying to make a decision over the next 3 days. i've been eyeing new monitors for over a year now. just need to know which direction i should go in.

thanks,

MadMouth

[MadMouth]

bump please

[BeatMatters]

I'm a big fan of the 824s. You can't really go wrong with them.

[Capzs]

Eh personally I think the 824's lows are too warm and cozy, the mids are kind of heavy, raunchy and snazzy sounding and the highs are a little too crispy and zesty and creamy for my tastes. Also too crunchy. But that's just my opinion. I like the woofer on them though. The woofer behind the radiation symbol on my logo is from the 824

[AlexK]

Not a fan of the HR824 here - I actually find them kinda low-res at the top end in an un-funky way, but far too bright (!!!). The low-end is also very slow and sloppy due to the passive radiator on the back of the speaker...

[remote337]

It's all personal preference, I've had both but hated the events so swapped them out for the 824s (MK1) which I love but others here obviously don't!!

[RealSon]

I have been using my 824´s for nearly a decade now. Great speakers!
At the end, it all comes down to which speakers you KNOW.

With any new set of monitors, you will have to get to know them first, so don´t depend on what someone tells you, but rather try them all out by yourself.

[DrFord]

I own the Event Precision 8's and they are in fact rather woofy in the low mids. I also find that bass response is less than adequate... They do not reproduce the required low end "sub" needed for properly mixing 808 kics and fundamental sine wave basslines. The problem I have found in my room, is that the vocals tend to sound a bit too full, so naturally you eq them, and then when you hit the car they sound too thin.

I have had experience with the Mackies and if memory serves they provide more acceptable low end response, and do not have the "mids" issue.

I understand that the "Mids" issue could also be my room, and I have treated it thoroughly...

[PettyCash]

If you have a poorly treated room= Events
Fairly treated room= HR824s

Most people that have problems with the Mackie's sound are not using them under the best conditions. The bass they give off can become a big problem fast if you don't have adequate bass trapping or if you set them up too close to a wall or corner. They also don't flatter the sound of your audio, so if you want something more hi-fi sounding and less neutral, look else where. Their sound really isn't for everyone. The Event's are known for having a sound that's very suitable for hip hop.

[jrides]

Originally Posted by Capzs

Eh personally I think the 824's lows are too warm and cozy, the mids are kind of heavy, raunchy and snazzy sounding and the highs are a little too crispy and zesty and creamy for my tastes. Also too crunchy. But that's just my opinion. I like the woofer on them though. The woofer behind the radiation symbol on my logo is from the 824

Funny as hell. Do you work for the Food Network? Were you hungry? Sounds like a Resturaunt review.

[Capzs]

Originally Posted by jrides

Funny as hell. Do you work for the Food Network? Were you hungry? Sounds like a Resturaunt review.

Nah bro you just need to have the ear for it.

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by Capzs

Nah bro you just need to have the ear for it.

Exactly. The Mackie Hr824 are some of the worse monitor ever from mixing music. They sound muddy and just isn't worth the money. They are on par with the Behringer Truths and this is a fact. The Truths might sound a little better.

[jjboogie]

I don't have experience with the Mackie's but those Events I really don't like at all. Not even sure I can explain it.

I just know I don't like them.

There are many other speakers out there that you can try besides the two mentioned.

Tannoys are nice.

[Capzs]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Exactly. The Mackie Hr824 are some of the worse monitor ever from mixing music. They sound muddy and just isn't worth the money. They are on par with the Behringer Truths and this is a fact. The Truths might sound a little better.

That's what I've been trying to tell em dude! Couldn't have said it better myself. Honestly all I ate yesterday was cottage cheese and the dump I took this morning wasn't even half as muddy as the LF response on those speakers. I'm considering quitting music altogether because of them.

[6th_World]

I have experience with mackies for 6 or 7 yrs... They require a good room definetly.. Lows and mids can go wild in poorly or untreated rooms.

I think I like the 624's more because of the smaller and faster woofers (it equals smooter mids)..

Not bad at all, but it's NOT a speaker for everyone! I needed some time to get along with them, and never fall in love with them in full sense.. Also I would not recomend them as the only pair in the studio, but I worked well on them with 624's + ns 10's in one room, and 824's + genelec 8030 in other.. They appear to be a 'more than a life' boxes which flatters the sound, but only 'till you know them... Overall : Don't expect the miracle, (as you can not in that price range) but I think they are good value for the money.. Good in details, little less in balance...

Mackies will be my choice over the events which I don't like.

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by 6th_World

I have experience with mackies for 6 or 7 yrs... They require a good room definetly.. Lows and mids can go wild in poorly or untreated rooms.

I think I like the 624's more because of the smaller and faster woofers (it equals smooter mids)..

Not bad at all, but it's NOT a speaker for everyone! I needed some time to get along with them, and never fall in love with them in full sense.. Also I would not recomend them as the only pair in the studio, but I worked well on them with 624's + ns 10's in one room, and 824's + genelec 8030 in other.. They appear to be a 'more than a life' boxes which flatters the sound, but only 'till you know them... Overall : Don't expect the miracle, (as you can not in that price range) but I think they are good value for the money.. Good in details, little less in balance...

Mackies will be my choice over the events which I don't like.

Well then, if the Mackies are better than the Events and the Behringer Truths better than the Mackies, save yourself a bundle and get the Truths. The Mackies are like mixing through a sponge. They make everything sound good and it's very hard to percieve levels due to the mud and inconsistent imaging.

[MadMouth]

I'm basically upgrading from a Fostex 2.1 system. I just want an honest pair of monitors that reproduces the "closest to neutral" sound as possible. It's up in the air as far as these are concerned: Mackie hr624s, hr824s, Event Studio Precision 8s, Adam A7s, JBL LSR4328s, and Tannoy Reveals (the green ones).

I'll more than likely invest in 2 of these choices.

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by MadMouth

I'm basically upgrading from a Fostex 2.1 system. I just want an honest pair of monitors that reproduces the "closest to neutral" sound as possible. It's up in the air as far as these are concerned: Mackie hr624s, hr824s, Event Studio Precision 8s, Adam A7s, JBL LSR4328s, and Tannoy Reveals (the green ones).

I'll more than likely invest in 2 of these choices.

Out of those I would pick the JBLs without thinking twice. They make hella good monitors.

[radic]

I've had my events for around 4 years and they're just fantastic monitors once you acoustically treat your room. Any monitor with an 8 inch driver would require the appropriate room treatment really. I've had my events in 3 different houses and they sounded different every time which taught me a good lesson on how different rooms sound so different to one another. Now whenever i hear someone's dislike for the events i think twice that it's probably something wrong with their room acoustics that they don't know about and not the actual speaker. Once again this could be said for a lot of monitors really. Great speaker the sp8's

[6th_World]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Well then, if the Mackies are better than the Events and the Behringer Truths better than the Mackies, save yourself a bundle and get the Truths. The Mackies are like mixing through a sponge. They make everything sound good and it's very hard to percieve levels due to the mud and inconsistent imaging.

I can see U hate the mackies and that's cool with me! But behringer truths? You're overreacting and you know it. Just compare them to maudio bx8 and be fully sarcastic .... Events flatters the sound as well... But it's not that mackies make everything sounds good.. Maybe it is at the first listen (I had the feeling too)..

I'm not defending them, I don't work for mackie and I'm not tryin to convince you (or anyone) that mackies are GREAT speakers because they are not! I just wanted to say that they got my vote over the precision 8!

I just assume U're a lover of the closed cabinets sound. Right? Peace!

[jrides]

Originally Posted by Capzs

Nah bro you just need to have the ear for it.

I didn't necessarily disagree with your opini. You missed the point of my post.

[MadMouth]

alright. so, I've nailed it down to these 4: Event Studio Precision 8s, JBL LSR4328s, Adam a7s, and Tannoy Reveal Actives (I'm buying used here, not new).

Price wise, the Events come in around $575/pair, the LSR4328s at $750/pair, the Adam a7s at $800/pair, and the Tannoy Reveal Actives (a 5.1 system for only $1000!).

i'm making a final decision on Monday.

I AM buying 2 sets. that's right, 2 sets. eventually i will pair them with a subwoofer (i'm thinking price range $500 -$1000).

I'm keeping the Fostex 2.1 as reference monitors.

these new monitors will be for mixing and mastering.

P.S. these monitors will be going into a garage with uneven walls. there is NO treatment. i have concrete flooring with a 1/16" thick carpeting (no padding underneath). control desk is setup in the middle of the garage. 3 sides drywall, 1 side garage door (garage door is to the right of me). I will be updating the acoustics in the garage over the next year, so I want to get monitors for the long haul.

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by 6th_World

I can see U hate the mackies and that's cool with me! But behringer truths? You're overreacting and you know it. Just compare them to maudio bx8 and be fully sarcastic .... Events flatters the sound as well... But it's not that mackies make everything sounds good.. Maybe it is at the first listen (I had the feeling too)..

I'm not defending them, I don't work for mackie and I'm not tryin to convince you (or anyone) that mackies are GREAT speakers because they are not! I just wanted to say that they got my vote over the precision 8!

I just assume U're a lover of the closed cabinets sound. Right? Peace!

Uhh no, I'm dead serious. The Mackies are no better than the Truths. Period. I should know, I've used them both. You worrying about name, I talking about actually listening to them both.

[Branmong]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Uhh no, I'm dead serious. The Mackies are no better than the Truths. Period. I should know, I've used them both. You worrying about name, I talking about actually listening to them both.

Thousand of great albums have been mixed on them.

Perhaps your ears deceive you...

[MadMouth]

back 2 the OP please

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by Branmong

Thousand of great albums have been mixed on them.

Perhaps your ears deceive you...

You can mix on anything once your ears learn the monitors. Nothing new there, especially in a well treated room. The reason why I know the Mackie suck as a monitor is quite obvious. I use to intentionally play mixes that I knew had big level and frequency problems through them and guess what, the Mackies always made the bad mixes sound like heaven. The Mackies just don't give you a realistic view of the music you're mixing. Anyways, start listing some great sounding albums that have been mixed using them. Can't wait to see them. Since you say thousands, let's see you name some.

[6th_World]

Originally Posted by MadMouth

alright. so, I've nailed it down to these 4: Event Studio Precision 8s, JBL LSR4328s, Adam a7s, and Tannoy Reveal Actives (I'm buying used here, not new).

Price wise, the Events come in around $575/pair, the LSR4328s at $750/pair, the Adam a7s at $800/pair, and the Tannoy Reveal Actives (a 5.1 system for only $1000!).

i'm making a final decision on Monday.

I AM buying 2 sets. that's right, 2 sets. eventually i will pair them with a subwoofer (i'm thinking price range $500 -$1000).

I'm keeping the Fostex 2.1 as reference monitors.

these new monitors will be for mixing and mastering.

P.S. these monitors will be going into a garage with uneven walls. there is NO treatment. i have concrete flooring with a 1/16" thick carpeting (no padding underneath). control desk is setup in the middle of the garage. 3 sides drywall, 1 side garage door (garage door is to the right of me). I will be updating the acoustics in the garage over the next year, so I want to get monitors for the long haul.

In my opinion you can't go wrong with adam a7. Preety tight low end, smooth mids and expressive highs. it's a cool speaker with good balance. Good value for the money and beyond. I wouldn't go for events, neither the reveals. (but that's just me)... Never heard those jbl's though... Maybe you can try to listen some genelecs 80xx series, or dynaudio bm6 passives rather than actives, but you gotta find a 'suitable' amp then...

Remember, it is a personal thing.. There is no thing like 'flat' monitors or so... Just listen to them on a/b/c/d/ test if possible and grab the one you like.

[Capzs]

Originally Posted by jrides

I didn't necessarily disagree with your opini. You missed the point of my post.

Lmao I know dude I'm just joking around.. Basically mocking all these "artistic" types. Monitors are monitors, you can make a good mix on anything, just make sure you have proper room acoustics, that's the most important thing. A lot of people like to compensate for their lack of musical creativity by spending tons of money on equipment... Don't listen to these folk. It all boils down to you in the end, not so much the equipment.

[MadMouth]

Originally posted by Azriel_7

FWIW it looks like you are asking for trouble:
-2 new pairs of monitors to learn at the same time
-an unfinished garage
-NO treatment
-3 sides drywall, 1 side garage door (garage door is to the right of me)
-buying used monitors

While moving from the Fostex 2.1 will make almost anything sound better, you still should FIX THE ROOM FIRST!!!!!!!
At least change to doing the acoustics and adding 1 pair of monitors.
Can't see what you hope to gain with 3 pairs of monitors in a nightmare room.
Also what are your plans for dealing with the garage door and does the garage have a finished ceiling?




The garage door doesn't bug me as much as people think it should. i can put moving blankets on it. As far as the ceiling, no, it's not a finished ceiling. What I plan on doing is filling in certain spaces above my mixing position with "floaters". next, I'm going to add soundproof padding underneath the carpet to help minimize the bass response I get. as far as the walls behind me and in front of me, those will get treated with a little bit of Auralex padding. Overall, the sound I hear in my garage is not that far off from the sound I get from my producer who's mixing room is treated with bass traps and Auralex.

As for the monitor count, the Fostex won't be used for mixing anymore, just tracking. The 2 new sets of monitors will be used for mixing and eventually mastering. Ideally, I'd like to purchase one set of Active monitors and one set of Passive monitors, but I am unsure of which amp to get.

The Adam a7s would be ideal, the Tannoy Reveals can go either way, I've tuned out the Mackie hr624 and hr824, and I keep getting mixed reviews on the Event ASP8s. No one has experience with the JBL 4328s?

[MadMouth]

So, I found this great deal on some PIONEER ELITE TZ-7LTD STUDIO MONITORS and from what I've read about these puppies is they really put you "in the mix". I'm still looking for Active monitors as well, but I'm going to put that on the back burner for now and focus on these. Does anyone know if they make auralex pads for 40" tall monitors?