Audiophile speakers for mixing

[Rea]

Hey-

im in the market for speakers.im thinking midfield to main thugh my room is not big(about 300sft).
i like to listen loud...

the first tendency is to go studio monitors such as ADAM 3A , PMC AL, etc.

i find some amazing deals on used high end audiophile speakers that normally sell for 15,000. for around 4,000.

i was wondering whether there is a reason that speakers are divided to Audiophile and Studio monitor, and whether anyone here uses Audiophile as his studio mix reference?

Thanks!

Rea.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by Rea

and whether anyone here uses Audiophile as his studio mix reference?

Thanks!

Rea.

Yes.

Dunlavy SM1 studio monitors.

The main difference is that you can buy audiophile speakers and have the company tailor the wood finish to match the decor of your living room.

Studio monitors come only in ugly colors and finishes(usually black).

Components wise they are the same. You'll here guys say that audiophile speakers are not as rugged, not built for the wear and tear...blah,blah,blah.grudge

Speakers are speakers.

I can tell you though that most modern audiophile designs are hyped from the begining. So finding a true monitor for mixing will be search.

But there are tons of candidates for consideration.

[Rea]

i suspected just that...
if you have a minute, or anyone else for that matter, caould you list some good candidates and their place in the ladder of quality or as VS. to specific studio monitors?(BTW i could pass on the vaneer any day...)

thanks all.

R.

[Rea]

aaa...
i think the dunlavy SM-1 stands for studio monitorstutt ...i was actually asking about audiphile models (such as Dunlavy SC-IV-A).
just to clarify

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by Rea
aaa...
i think the dunlavy SM-1 stands for studio monitorstutt ...i was actually asking about audiphile models (such as Dunlavy SC-IV-A).
just to clarify

Rea,

They are basically the same thing(i've taken them apart as well as the SC2,3,4).

Its a Dunalvy design that's all that matters.

What size speaker and price range are you considering?

Proacs,Spendor,ATC,Gibbons,Dynaudio,Sequerra,B&W,Duntech,
Apogee, the list goes on and on.

[DrFrankencopter]

Sure, its no problem to use some audiophile speakers for mixing, as long as they have flat(ish) response, and great imaging. Personally, I use a pair of ATC SCM-50A active triamps, and can't imagine mixing on anything else (right now). These speakers image better than anything else I've heard, and have nice broad dispersion (you can even mix well off axis). The ATC's are somewhat flat sounding with a tight and fast bass though (a brittish sound), and if you're used to aggressive bass sounds you may not like them.

Magneplanars or Sonus Fabers would be cool too in my books.

Like thethrillfactor said, you just need to find the right audiophile speaker. The same rules apply for auditioning 'pro' monitors...bring in some mixes you know, and evaluate them.

Good luck, and cheers,

Kris

[Marshall Simmons]

I know they aren't the most expensive audiophile speakers, but i love my Paradigm Studio Refrence 40's. I auditioned them agains the b&w nautalises (the bookshelf model) and i found the b&w's a bit too etched in the high end. The paradigms made me feel an emotional connection as well as having good frequency response and excellent imaging. i paid about 800 dollars for my pair and i'm extremely happy. I plan on upgrading my amplifier soon, and that will make a big difference in the sound quaity (using a 90wpc Rotel now)

Just make sure you get good stands, they make a huge difference in the tightness of the low end

Marshy marsh

[Rea]

since so much "non audio" stuff is being put into the Audiophile speakers, such as vaneer types. golden this and golden that ,
from your experience, would the Audiophile usually be more expensive then the studio model of the same quality/ specs (even within the same manufacturer)?
or would they be cheaper as they are not marketed toward users who make their living off them and who cannot afford to compromise?

at the same time, since there are many more audiophiles then studios, the used market is much bigger, therefor ther are more bargains on the audiophile models.

[dingo]

IME, most speaker builders don't have a home version of their studio boxes. They either don't have a studio version, or else the studio version is a different design. Or the studio version is the home version is the studio version. Harbeth is one exception, though, with their Monitor 40's. The home version is the same as the studio version except for the veneer. I don't know what the difference in cost is.

As far as similar but not the same speaker.. that really depends on the builder. Spendor's studio boxes are a little more exacting than their home boxes, so they cost a little more. Harbeth's the same.

[jazzius II]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
Yes.


Components wise they are the same. You'll here guys say that audiophile speakers are not as rugged, not built for the wear and tear...blah,blah,blah.grudge

Speakers are speakers.

I.

I thought audiophile speakers like Dunlavy use low order filters (6db/oc) while studio speakers tend to use higher order to protect the drivers?.......or perhaps not!

[flexoffset]

My vote would be for Wilson Audio.

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/products/...ppy/index.html

Here's a review of the Watt Puppy 7:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/w...att_puppy7.htm

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/applicati...ons/index.html
Wilson Audio started out as studio monitors, according to my brother-in-law.

He has the Watt Puppy 6 and they are beautiful in appearance and in sound.

They use a 'Transparent' brand interconnect between the main speaker (watt) section and the tweeter (puppy) called a 'puppy tail'

The speakers are clear as a bell and the bass is very tight and quite deep. The watt puppy 6 has two or three 8 inch woofers....can't remember for sure....

Of course, you gotta buy badass monoblock amps for 'em.

[Rea]

i just put my house for sale so i can get the wilsons.
$25,000...sounds about right.

[flexoffset]

I think my brother in law was able to get each pair for a good deal.

It's those monoblocks that'll kick you ass on cost.

There's an audio store somehwere in Ohio that he uses mainly, I think. I'll try to find out if you want.

[Rea]

thats cool!tutt

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by flexoffset
My vote would be for Wilson Audio.

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/products/...ppy/index.html

Here's a review of the Watt Puppy 7:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/w...att_puppy7.htm

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/applicati...ons/index.html
Wilson Audio started out as studio monitors, according to my brother-in-law.

He has the Watt Puppy 6 and they are beautiful in appearance and in sound.

They use a 'Transparent' brand interconnect between the main speaker (watt) section and the tweeter (puppy) called a 'puppy tail'

The speakers are clear as a bell and the bass is very tight and quite deep. The watt puppy 6 has two or three 8 inch woofers....can't remember for sure....

Of course, you gotta buy badass monoblock amps for 'em.

I personally wouldn't recommend Wilsons for a mixing situation.

I have seen them at a mastering studio though here in town which does alot of jazz and classical.

They have a sound of their own that works better for some genres of music and less for others.

I like the ATC suggestion(although a pricey one).

[Bob Olhsson]

Originally posted by flexoffset
Wilson Audio started out as studio monitors,

Yes, in Wilson's own studio but not many others although I understand they still have a pair at Skywalker. While they sound impressive, I've never thought they translated all that well.

I think it's important to have some low res speakers, such as NS-10s, around in addition to the high res jobs. The good news about high res is that you can really hear problems with eq and unwanted sounds. The bad news is that they pass along so much information that it becomes easy to miss basic musical balance issues.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by Bob Olhsson
Yes, in Wilson's own studio but not many others although I understand they still have a pair at Skywalker. While they sound impressive, I've never thought they translated all that well.

Hi Bob,

Are those the Walcotts instead of the Wilsons at Skywalker?

[Marshall Simmons]

What i would really love is a pair of Magnepans that have been modded with a better crossover and a better stand, and accent that with a solid subwoofer... Mix in the far field. I heard a pair of those being driven by a Naim cd player and amplifier and was amazed by the transient response and the smoothness across the freq spectrum. But i do love my paradigms; they make me smile everytime i hear them. I can't wait to get a DAC1 for my DAC and monitor controller.


what would you all recommend for a good amp... I know about bryston and pass labs, but if i could afford them i would have my dream Maggie system.... anything worth anything in the sub-1000 dollar category?

Marsh