anyone still using the ex-66 monitors?

[rxfit06]

I just purchased a pair of the M-Audio Ex-66 monitors, but haven't received them yet. I read all of the posts here, but most comments were from one or two years ago.

Anyone still using them, and if so, what are your thoughts? I also read some reviews (after I had purchased) that stated their was way too much audible "hiss". Is this still an issue?

I did get a VERY good deal on them, as I work in the industry,... and was basically just trying to upgrade from my older Tannoy PBM 8's. So if I'm dissapointed I could, I suppose, easily sell them.

Basically I am just curious to see what any "real world" comments would be on these speakers.

Thanks

[Jonboy79]

I guess you'll just have to let us know what you think when you get them. Hopefully you won't have to sell them. I don't see a lot of people talking about them so there might not be a big demand on the used market. Can you not return them if you don't like them?

[rxfit06]

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

I guess you'll just have to let us know what you think when you get them. Hopefully you won't have to sell them. I don't see a lot of people talking about them so there might not be a big demand on the used market. Can you not return them if you don't like them?

Nope, I want be able to return them due to the extremely low price I paid. I do find it strange though, that not one person on here is using this monitor. I've read many favorable comments, as well as reviews about them when they were first released, and now,.. nothing?

[warhead]

I at least got to test the EX66 against 19 others in our recent 20 monitor shootout.

The EX-66 I definitely preferred with the top end attenuated. There is a somewhat metallic sound to the tweeter and this greatly calmed down this artifact. The low mids were somewhat scooped back, the midrange was fairly smooth. Since it was only a shootout I cannot attest to how fatiguing they could or could not be during long listening sessions.

Our testing was a compilation of mixes that we had all done, and had all found flaws outside of our rooms with. We were listening to find which speakers showed us issues easily, and which ones masked issues etc. We started each speaker out at 85dB from 4' out, but also experimented with lower and higher volumes after we settled in on them.

One of the mixes had a low level 808 drop (60hZ) that we wanted to see how each monitor would fare with (it was buried in the mix). The EX-66 distorted badly when the drop hit, it kind of exaggerated it by bringing it closer to the surface than the original mix had intended, but could not handle it either without distortion. This was at low, medium and higher volumes.

All speakers are flawed so don't take this as anything but pointing out the one serious flaw this one showed in our tests (ie they all had their own weaknesses!). On the pair they sent us for testing, this is what we experienced.

War

[mikeka]

I believe they had a serious design or manufacturing problem. I went through 5 individual units trying to get one pair that worked properly and ultimately returned them all. A friend across town bought a pair (from
a different retailer) and had the same problem I had. He returned his as well. Here's the problem we both had: a high pitched fairly low level whine (much like a dentist's drill) would manifest itself every time after 20-30 minutes of use . The whine would then be present even with the input cable pulled from the speaker and the volume control on the speaker set to zero. (3 of the 5 cabs I had exhibited this behavior. 1 of 2 for my friend.) No other monitors at both our locations had this problem at the same or any other time.

Yes, they're a bit hissy on standby.

Above problems notwithstanding, I did like the way they sounded.

I ended up with a pair of LSR 4328s and am very happy with them .... zero problems.

Hope this helps.

[rxfit06]

Originally Posted by warhead

I at least got to test the EX66 against 19 others in our recent 20 monitor shootout.

The EX-66 I definitely preferred with the top end attenuated. There is a somewhat metallic sound to the tweeter and this greatly calmed down this artifact. The low mids were somewhat scooped back, the midrange was fairly smooth. Since it was only a shootout I cannot attest to how fatiguing they could or could not be during long listening sessions.

Our testing was a compilation of mixes that we had all done, and had all found flaws outside of our rooms with. We were listening to find which speakers showed us issues easily, and which ones masked issues etc. We started each speaker out at 85dB from 4' out, but also experimented with lower and higher volumes after we settled in on them.

One of the mixes had a low level 808 drop (60hZ) that we wanted to see how each monitor would fare with (it was buried in the mix). The EX-66 distorted badly when the drop hit, it kind of exaggerated it by bringing it closer to the surface than the original mix had intended, but could not handle it either without distortion. This was at low, medium and higher volumes.

All speakers are flawed so don't take this as anything but pointing out the one serious flaw this one showed in our tests (ie they all had their own weaknesses!). On the pair they sent us for testing, this is what we experienced.

War

Hey War,

Sorry to keep harping on this, ... I guess since my EX66's are already in processing, and will probably ship on Monday, I'm just trying to know what to expect/look for when I listen to them.

What exactly do you mean in your paragraph regarding the "low level 808 drop" ?

Thanks

[warhead]

What industry do you work in that (A) manufacturers are offering you a huge discount yet (B) you don't know what an 808 is?



It's an old school bass drop from Roland.

War

[rxfit06]

Originally Posted by warhead

What industry do you work in that (A) manufacturers are offering you a huge discount yet (B) you don't know what an 808 is?



It's an old school bass drop from Roland.

War

LOL,... (A) I work in a retail music store. (B) I kinda thought you were referring to the old 808 kik. I just hadn't heard it mentioned in a while,.. probably because I'm a drummer, and track all my drums live, with perhaps a little drumagog to sweeten things up a bit.