Adam A7+Sub8 vs Blue Sky Prodesk

[Hotstuff]

Hi all, looking into buying new monitors and have narrowed it down to these 2 setups which are both in my budget, can´t find any better options in this price range. Or educate me if you will.
Unfortunatly I can´t demo the monitors no dealers carry them where I live.
I currantly have Alesis Monitor 1 MK2 and NS10m´s. Going to keep the NS10m´s.
I do mostly rock and metal, which of these two setups is going to be more apropriate?

[Hotstuff]

All opinions would be very apreciated!

[trustyjim]

I have the ProDesk 2.1 system. I think they color the sound strongly. The color is kind of pleasant, and never fatiguing, but I can never, ever figure out what is going on in the bass department. One 8" sub is just not a good way to get any info on the low bass of a mix. If you mix rock, I would pass on these.

I haven't had any experience with the Adams, so I can't comment there.

FYI, if you do decide on the Blue Sky's, I am upgrading to something better and would let mine go for cheap.

[minus-sounds.com]

I use the Prodesk 2.1 at a place that I do some work now and then.
I had high hopes the first time after all that I have heard about them, but I never liked them. So I can't understand all that hype. It may be just me though, so just listen to them yourself, as always, and YOU make your mind.

[cubivore]

i was in the exact same spot as OP with the same equipment and everything. I was looking at the bluesky stuff for post work since they seem tailored to recreating exaggerated home stereo/tv systems. i had a little extra cash and decided to get the adams with no sub. honestly, for rock i think these are the best monitors for the job (i like them for post too!). if you are doing rap or bass heavy music you might want to look at a few other things or add the sub, but i think for midrangey guitar music they are great! lots of bite and crunch. i never got that out of my M1.

[Hotstuff]

Thanks for the offer trustyjim but im in Portugal and you are in utah
You know, I got to demo the System 1 here in Lisbon by chance and it sounded fantastic, different styles of music all sounded good the dealer here in Portugal had a CD for demoing the system with a variety of styles radio hit type of selection: seal, aerosmith, coldplay etc and it sounded very good to listen to, a lot of detail in the highs and mids and a very revealing botom. They were very well calbrated for the room.
He didn´t have the Prodesk in stock but he did say that there was no comparison between the system 1 and these.
After all I`ve read here and on other forums the Adam´s are a great buy for the money.
I would really love to try them out first, but I will be buying from Germany and no chance. I cant go wrong, im upgrading from Alesis

[elmolemon]

The Adams are SO much better in the high-/midrange.. I would definitively go for the Adams. You should at least listen to the Adams before you buy the Blue Sky..
They are OK, but the Adams are much much exacter and clearer!




But hey.. it's just my 0,02$.. Don't listen to the people in the forums. Most of them recommend the stuff they use/sell their own..

I don't own the Adams and don't sell them, but in this pricerange i would go for them. You should also think about to skip the sub (more room-problems) and go for larger monitors at all. But i have to warn you. In this case, Adams without a sub might be too weak in the bassrange.

[Hotstuff]

That´s what I meant, im going to go for the Adam´s even though I can´t demo them.
For rock and metal I think I will be better of with the good mid high detail for guitars, snare vocals.
The Blue Sky seems like a good system for film or tv post preductionor even to listen to music in general, maybe 5.1home theater type of setup(I could be wrong).
The Adam´s will probably be better for tracking and mixing.
I´ve decided Im going to go with the Adam A7 and if needed later add the sub.
Thanks all for the advice.

[elmolemon]

I think that's a good decision. The A7 are amazing and if you lack bass, save some more $$$ and buy the sub later.

beste regards

[James Lehmann]

For my money the ProDesks are superb in the bass department.

If they have a weakness it's probably more the smoothness of the high-mids (which can't compete with my more expensive PMC TB2's for example), although I understand BlueSky has upgraded their tweeter recently.

But in the struggle to hear anything reliable below 60Hz on a budget nearfield the ProDesks are far and away the most efficient monitors I've heard at resolving that perennial problem.

None of which is to say that the Adams might not be as good or better but then you're into the question of budget, and at $1697 the Adam A7+S8 combo is somewhat more expensive than the $1195 BlueSky ProDesk (prices checked at Sweetwater today).

Anyway, you can read much more in the very detailed review of the ProDesks I wrote here.

[studiogeek]

HS,
I am not sure why you chose the Prodesk line. Blue Sky System One 2.1 system compares more favorably to the Adam A7 with the sub. They both are around 1700$US. The prodesk are around 1100$US I think. I happen to have the Bluesky System one and the Adams P22A in my studio right now. I Love Jamming through my Bluesky System and otherwise enjoying them but I feel more comfortable mixing on the Adams. I have not transported many mixes from either as I am not a mix engineer per se so don't go by my opinion there. Either way, look at the bigger Bluesky system in comparison to the A7's.

SG

[Hotstuff]

Adam A7 803.28€ sub8 523.66€ =1326.94€ Bluesky Prodesk 1129.67€ Prices from Musicstore Germany.200€ differance, not much and the benifit is I can get the Adams first and if needed add the sub.
Blue Sky System One 1788.56. Not in my budget

[studiogeek]

You found much better prices than we see for Adams in the USA. Looks like a GREAT deal for Adams and similar prices as here for Bluesky. I think the Adams are in a class with the System one but blow away the Prodesk and Mediadesk lines in most ways. Also you have the option to add the sub later if you must. Bluesky needs the sub.
I must admit, I really loved the Blue Sky till I used Focal twin 6 for 2 months and now the Adams P22 (I still like the focal twin 6 best of all so far). Unless you consider the bigger Blue Sky system, I think Adams are more revealing, but your mileage may vary.
Do you do final mixes and/or mastering at your place? Or does it get sent out for one or both?
Good Luck**


SG

[Hotstuff]

Hey Studiogeek, thanks for the input.
I do tracking and mixing, mastering goes out to mastering facility.
Im going to go for the Adam´s.
The Dealer here in Portugal sells them 830€ a pair, I save even more on delivery charges

[studiogeek]

OOps,
My bad. I did not notice the pound sign on the Adams price.....
Now I get the pricing....... Sleep typing.....
The Adams are a great choice.
Best of luck with them.


SG