blue sky monitors

[squizz]

any one here try the blue sky monitors? how do they compare to other monitors in the same price range? i was considering either buying them or the dynaudio's, any opinions?

[PlugHead]

Originally posted by squizz
any one here try the blue sky monitors? how do they compare to other monitors in the same price range? i was considering either buying them or the dynaudio's, any opinions?

I've been using the 2.1 system about 5 months now. Seems solid after my room was tuned a bit better, correct spkr placement, and sub dialed in properly. Took a bit of work, but am pretty pleased now. I can't speak on the Dynaudio's, but they are a good change from what I had (20/20 bas/ NS10's, and Gen 1031's in the A room)

I thought there'd be more power to them, but sufficient for my little CR: see if you can audition them - I find them to be quite revealing, and tho there was a problem with a LF driver in one sattelite spkr., it was replaced promptly by the vendor, and I'm enjoying the bass detail I previously missed, esp, when doing post on film/video projects. Pretty happy overall tho - a good step towards a full 5.1 system, expanding when you can...

YMMV,

[kwow]

I've been using Sky System One for about 8 months. I got them because I used to work at a gear dealer and I really liked them after comparing them to a bunch of other systems.

To me, the low end is there when there's actually low end in the material: In other words, the low end isn't hyped but the 12" sub is definetely capable of reproducing low frequencies.

Unlike some of the other monitors that are popular, the sound of the Blue Sky's might not be "striking" at first, but more I use them the more I like them.

I think it's the best value around in this price range. Even if I had money to get ADAMs or Dynaudio, I'd still keep these. I love them. (Sorry, I haven't compared them side by side with Dynaudio so no comment on that issue)

Keith

[Jules]

I was impressed by them at a trade show.

[Tim L]

The Sky System One 2.1 does look interesting... I wonder how the "sub" thing would behave in my humble little subterranean studio...

[dtobocman]

I love my 2.1 system. The sub is very well integrated, not hyped. I call the speakers very "informational." When I first heard them, I immediately wanted to make changes to my old mixes -- I did remix some of them and now they translate mcuh, much better.

I heard the speakers compared to Genelec 1031s and some passive Questeds and a $5k power amp. The Questeds were gorgeous, no doubt. I thought the Skies were, by far, the most informational. They immediately made me say "well, I've GOT to remix that."

I'm not experiencing a lot of fatigue; I seem to be able to make decisions on the speakers over quite a long session. Most of these choices are quite obvious, whereas before, they were head-scratchers.

BTW, there's very little you can do in terms of dialing in the sub. There's no frequency control anywhere, only level.

Monitors are a very personal choice. I can't advise you other than to say that I'm happy.

[littledog]

Anyone happen to notice how much Plughead looks like Miles?

[Drumsound]

Has anyone heard Bly Sky's smaller set. The website claims they sound like the bigger ones but not as loud. I's kinda like to try a set for my "project mastering" room here at the house.

[Tim L]

Originally posted by dtobocman
I love my 2.1 system. The sub is very well integrated, not hyped. I call the speakers very "informational." When I first heard them, I immediately wanted to make changes to my old mixes -- I did remix some of them and now they translate mcuh, much better.

What size room are you mixing in?

BTW, there's very little you can do in terms of dialing in the sub. There's no frequency control anywhere, only level.

Did you find "sweet spot" sub placement tuning much of a hassle?

[kwow]

Drumsound,

I've heard the smaller set (Pro Desk) and they sound nice, but a bit 2 dimentional compared to the Sky System to my ears.

I'm using mine at my home studio: master bedroom which is about 11'x8' with 11' angled ceiling. I initially had the same concern as you (the room being too small for the larger set) but according to one of the main guys at Blue Sky, my room isn't too small.

and Tim L. (I realize your question wasn't targeted to me but ...)

I found it pretty easy to set the sub up, personally. Unlike other systems with sub that I've dealt with which could be a nightmare when it comes to setting up the sub, this thing pretty much sounds decent almost where ever you put it. I tried a few different spots and picked the spot that sounded the best.

The Blue Sky guy that I mentioned came by my house (because they accidentaly sent me an extra sub, so he came by to pick it up) and he thought that the spot I picked was a good one.

As dtobocman wrote, "the sub is well integrated" and even if your sub is behind the desk off to one side, it blends well with the other speakers well.

Keith

[dtobocman]

Originally posted by Tim L
What size room are you mixing in?

Did you find "sweet spot" sub placement tuning much of a hassle?

I'm mixing in a converted 2 car garage with a raised pyramidal structured ceiling. 18x20'

No problem finding a good spot for the sub. The first one I tried (directly behind the workstation in the center) sounded good, so I left it there. I was so blown away by the system in my room that I wasn't very critical about this.

[Tim L]

Thanks David and kwow,

I very much appreciate your responses.

I'm working on getting a demo 2.1 system over here to check out... very interested in hearing them in my environment.

[Mastersonics]

just ordered mine on friday (System One 2.1)
can't hardly wait

will chime in later....

[Tim L]

...

[RKrizman]

Originally posted by dtobocman
[B]
I heard the speakers compared to Genelec 1031s and some passive Questeds and a $5k power amp. The Questeds were gorgeous, no doubt. I thought the Skies were, by far, the most informational. They immediately made me say "well, I've GOT to remix that."

I had them for a couple of weeks and experienced the same thing. I felt like I had to remix everything. Then I found that I didn't like the way any of my CD's sounded on them, including my personal benchmark, Beck's "Mutations", that sounds great on everything (to my ears). Finally I concluded that I just didn't like them, despite what a great tool they might prove to be. (That's what I have NS-10's for.)

Of course, for breakfast this morning I had huevos rancheros, instead of the yogurt and blueberries I should have had, so gauge my opinion accordingly.

-R

[tenton]

About a year and a half ago we compared the dynaudio bm6a's, the larger blue sky system and a few others and chose the dynaudios. Still happy with the choice FWIW. The Dyn's had a better bass transient response, though the Blue Sky's had a deeper low end.

[Tim L]

What were some of the other monitors you compared them with?

[tenton]

Originally posted by Tim L
What were some of the other monitors you compared them with?

We also listened to KRK V8's and Mackie 824's.

Check out this thread for more info:

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultim...3;t=003128;p=2

[Tim L]

Thanks for the link... interesting read.

[Tim L]

After listening to and doing several mixes on the Blue Sky System 2.1, SAT 6.5's, I decided to grab them!

Set up was relatively easy. I dropped the sub below and behind my console between the two sat's. I cali'd up the system using the test tones from the website (according to their instructions) but found the low end tone (40-80Hz pink) aligned the sub a bit on the exaggerated side for me (more than likely room related). With the help of some familiar cd's I just zero'd the sub in by ear. Once I got the system dialed in for my room I was really impressed with the sound of them.

I find the low's to be nicely extended (lower not louder) and really well defined compared to other "Sub" systems I've listened to in passing. Not that I'm an expert on them or anything it's just that I seem to remember other systems being on the flabby side.

The mids are much smoother than the Reveals I've been using... none of the 'hash' the Tannoy's seem to put out . I also feel the top has a very nice sheen and really enjoy the sense of "air" they give.

The whole sound stage seems to open up in a 3 dimensional sorta way and really allows me to hear a lot more oxygen between the separate elements in a mix. Setting up and balancing reverb's (shorter, more discrete tails especially), subtle effects, and "back of the mix" coincidental sounds are a pleasure on these things!

I also found the Blue Sky's to be way less fatiguing than the Reveals (no surprise there). I can mix a lot longer on these and, as someone else mentioned earlier in the thread, still feel I can make trustworthy mix decisions on them. This was supported by the fact the next day my mix's still sounded like I remembered while actualy mixing them... allways a good thing!

Someone back there mentioned the fact they just plain didn't like the sound of the BS's. That's cool, beauty's in the ears of the beholder and all. For me though, it was exactly the opposite. The minute I had them dialed in and was listening to some favorite cd's... well, they had me at "Hello".

In short, I'm real happy with this system and they won't be going anywhere anytime soon! tutt .... thumbsup

[steveH]

I talked with an engineer today who owned the Blue Sky's (as well as S3A's and S4A's) an he said he wouldn't use the Blue's to mix on. As an arranger/composer he preferred them to compose with but not mix.

I got a chance to listent o them in his studio and they definitely felt kind to the ears. Not harsh or sharp at all and bass was beautifully shaped.

So, I just wonder of all the owners of the Blues in this thread who say they mix on them. Do your mixes REALLY translate well on other systems or are you getting flattered by the monitor's 'color'?

[AlphaDingo]

I've got them and the mixes always sound the same on other systems to me. I think they're great.

[arimaka]

These monitors are great! They perform very well and for the price are one of the best in the market


I have had mine for about 2 years!
I am selling them because I am switching to a pair of ADAMS (would love to keep them both but one of them has to go)

If you are interested e-mail me : manuel@arimaka.com

They are a Skky System One 2.1

$1000 or best offer
buyer pays shipping from Boston

Thanks

[squizz]

mixes translate well on them, especially in the lower register. the mids are very honest and pretty revealing in my opinion. but i can see how someone would say they wouldnt mix on them. they are very pleasent to listen to, but so are genelecs. if i had to compare them to anything it would be the larger genelecs (1031, etc.).

[Tim L]

Originally posted by steveH
... I just wonder of all the owners of the Blues in this thread who say they mix on them. Do your mixes REALLY translate well on other systems ...

My experience continues to be that they do.