Genelec 1031A vs. ADAM P11-A

Sugarman · 29th November 2006

First, sorry for my bad english - I'm danish.... Hope you understand.
I have these two sets of monitors in my home studio for A/B testing and I'm having a really hard time deciding wich one should be the upgrade from my tiny Yamaha MSP5 monitors. The 1031A's are a used pair but looks new, perfect condition. As everyone knows some years ago they were very expensive and high end Genelec - before the 80XX series.
The ADAM P11-A's are a newer model based on newer technology, I guess, with the ribbon tweeters etc. But they are also one of the cheapest ADAMs you can get. Like a poor mans ADAMs for those who can't afford the S-series....
I can get the 1031A's for around 200$ less the price of the P11's, they are a lot bigger, goes deeper than the P11-A's and they are a standard in many great studios.
But on the other hand I must say I also REALLY like the ADAM's as it seems they are more revealing in the mids and NS10-like I think, and maybe would make me work harder. But they also sound more "doll" than the 1031A's and not as clear in the high frequencies. And they are alot smaller... And not a "classic".... Do you think they are in the same "league"? What do you guys think? It seems like alot hates Genelecs in here, but I'm really confused and can't decide between the two. The old dinosaur or the little newcomer - the old dinosaur being the cheapest... I like both in different ways. Any thougts or advice would be very helpful. Thanks
The music I record and mix is mostly alternative pop, indie, soul, folk/accoustic
I know there are many threads on this subject, but not specificly these two models. Don't get mad at me....

Sugarman · 30th November 2006

Anyone?

AMIEL · 30th November 2006

the Adams are much better !

Sugarman · 30th November 2006

hey. I've heard great things about Focal too, but no-one sell them in Denmark

I am pretty sure I will go with either the ADAMs or the Genelecs cause I really like both (even though they are very different!) But thanks for the advice anyway

Takesix · 30th November 2006

You can find Focals in Denmark here:

http://www.pss.dk

http://www.pss.dk/www/attachments/1123/Focal2006s.pdf

Im currently waiting for a pair of twin6's to demo. I have heard (only shortly in a store, though) ADAM A7, p11, p33, Genelec 8000 series, NHT pro m-20, Dynaudio BM5A, BM6A, Yamaha HS80M...

I prefered the sound of NHT and Adam p11/p33. Im looking forward to testing the Focals, Ive heard good things about them

Takesix

AMIEL · 30th November 2006

You will like the Focals too.

Takesix · 30th November 2006

Another happy focal-owner?

I allways search for reviews/opinions/articles ect to find any information I can before buying stuf. But in the end it all comes down to listening and find out for yourself. Some people just love the Adam tweeter, some say its to harsh, some love genelecs, som say the play to "nice" or to bright etc. The good thing about searhing though, is, that you get to know a lot of different options. I found the Focals that way. (Hard to find any reviews or info about the focals...).

I think all the monitors i've heard are pretty good. Even though Genelecs are not right for me I think the 8020A is exelent for the money. Adams are great I think, but as it is now, I would go for NHT pro M-20 and a sub.

Takesix

Ollie · 30th November 2006

Everyone hear is going to tell you to get this or get that. There are many good monitors out there. What works for you.

* Get a pair in from a dealer that will let you try them out.
* Do a mix of some tunes you have and know
* Do you like the way the speakers sound in your space?
* Listen to your mix outside of your room on speakers you like
* Do you still like what you hear.

Lots of good speakers out there: Everything from Adams, to Barefoots, to Gens, to Focals, etc, etc, etc.

What works for you. I have a pair of Adam S3a's that I am happy with and work for me. What works for you?

AMIEL · 30th November 2006

Yeah the S3A are great I friend of mine have them.

Takesix · 1st December 2006

Sounds great. Im looking forward to try them and hear what they are cable of.

True... lots of great monitors in that pricerange. Makes it hard to make a choice!

AMIEL · 1st December 2006

Anybody tried the biggest series? must be great

Sugarman · 1st December 2006

Thanks for sharing your thougts with me and thank you Takesix for the link to danish Focal dealer. I already spoke to them and I will pick up two pairs of Focals to test: Solo6 Be and Twin6 Be - looks very interesting! And how beatiful they are too!

I'd love to hear more about the Focals. How are the mids on this speaker. I like the mids to be clear and apparent - like NS10's but with a better bass response and a finer treble. Don't want them to sound "too nice" if you know what I mean. They must reveal all the "ugly" freq and make me work hard! Is that your experience with the Focals??

AMIEL · 1st December 2006

NS10 are great. classics!

Sugarman · 1st December 2006

Denmark prices
Solo6 Be is around 2300$
Twin6 Be is around 3300$

think the twins are probably too expensive for me. I would rather put the extra 1000$ in a new pre-amp budget.
Do you (AMIEL) think they are REALLY worth that extra 1000$ or are the Solo6 almost just as good. Is there a huge difference in low freq response?
Can't wait to actually hear and "feel" these greatlooking beasts

!

firby · 1st December 2006

I really really love the genelecs esp that model. I have not heard the focals not even the adams.

To me the genelec sound is all love though. Brilliant.

AMIEL · 1st December 2006

Genelec sounds to nice too!!

paddo · 1st December 2006

I have the genelec 8030s they are great to listen to but absolutely no help when you are mixing.Everything sounds far too sweet!When i mix in the studio on ns10s its so easy to get the balance right.Not so on the gens got better results with the msp5s,sadly they had to go too harsh on my already burnt ears.

Takesix · 2nd December 2006

Sugarman, you'r wellcome! I found them while looking for the K+H O300, which I had to give up, because its to expensive for me.

You will probably hear them before I do then. I would appreciate your view on the speakers! I will get them in a couple of weeks... In the meantime I will try some Adams, maybe S2A if thats possible.

jcc449 · 24th December 2009

um. maybe 8050a instead of 1031a since it's discotinue.

If you get a chance, always get 3 pairs from each major brands.
I never able make a good mix unless i A/B/C between speakers.
Everytime i switch i realized something new and interested.

29th November 2006	#1
Sugarman Gear addict Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 367 Thread Starter	Genelec 1031A vs. ADAM P11-A First, sorry for my bad english - I'm danish.... Hope you understand. I have these two sets of monitors in my home studio for A/B testing and I'm having a really hard time deciding wich one should be the upgrade from my tiny Yamaha MSP5 monitors. The 1031A's are a used pair but looks new, perfect condition. As everyone knows some years ago they were very expensive and high end Genelec - before the 80XX series. The ADAM P11-A's are a newer model based on newer technology, I guess, with the ribbon tweeters etc. But they are also one of the cheapest ADAMs you can get. Like a poor mans ADAMs for those who can't afford the S-series.... I can get the 1031A's for around 200$ less the price of the P11's, they are a lot bigger, goes deeper than the P11-A's and they are a standard in many great studios. But on the other hand I must say I also REALLY like the ADAM's as it seems they are more revealing in the mids and NS10-like I think, and maybe would make me work harder. But they also sound more "doll" than the 1031A's and not as clear in the high frequencies. And they are alot smaller... And not a "classic".... Do you think they are in the same "league"? What do you guys think? It seems like alot hates Genelecs in here, but I'm really confused and can't decide between the two. The old dinosaur or the little newcomer - the old dinosaur being the cheapest... I like both in different ways. Any thougts or advice would be very helpful. Thanks The music I record and mix is mostly alternative pop, indie, soul, folk/accoustic I know there are many threads on this subject, but not specificly these two models. Don't get mad at me....

1st December 2006	#17
paddo Gear Head Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 39	monitors I have the genelec 8030s they are great to listen to but absolutely no help when you are mixing.Everything sounds far too sweet!When i mix in the studio on ns10s its so easy to get the balance right.Not so on the gens got better results with the msp5s,sadly they had to go too harsh on my already burnt ears.

24th December 2009	#19
jcc449 Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Taipei/NewYork/Toronto Posts: 825	8050a maybe? um. maybe 8050a instead of 1031a since it's discotinue. If you get a chance, always get 3 pairs from each major brands. I never able make a good mix unless i A/B/C between speakers. Everytime i switch i realized something new and interested.

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30th November 2006	#2
Sugarman Gear addict Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 367 Thread Starter	Anyone?

30th November 2006	#3
AMIEL Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 3,615	the Adams are much better !

30th November 2006	#5
Takesix Gear interested Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Aarhus Posts: 7	You can find Focals in Denmark here: http://www.pss.dk http://www.pss.dk/www/attachments/1123/Focal2006s.pdf Im currently waiting for a pair of twin6's to demo. I have heard (only shortly in a store, though) ADAM A7, p11, p33, Genelec 8000 series, NHT pro m-20, Dynaudio BM5A, BM6A, Yamaha HS80M... I prefered the sound of NHT and Adam p11/p33. Im looking forward to testing the Focals, Ive heard good things about them Takesix

30th November 2006	#8
Ollie Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,010 1 Review written	Everyone hear is going to tell you to get this or get that. There are many good monitors out there. What works for you. * Get a pair in from a dealer that will let you try them out. * Do a mix of some tunes you have and know * Do you like the way the speakers sound in your space? * Listen to your mix outside of your room on speakers you like * Do you still like what you hear. Lots of good speakers out there: Everything from Adams, to Barefoots, to Gens, to Focals, etc, etc, etc. What works for you. I have a pair of Adam S3a's that I am happy with and work for me. What works for you?

1st December 2006	#15
firby Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,491	I really really love the genelecs esp that model. I have not heard the focals not even the adams. To me the genelec sound is all love though. Brilliant.

2nd December 2006	#18
Takesix Gear interested Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Aarhus Posts: 7	Sugarman, you'r wellcome! I found them while looking for the K+H O300, which I had to give up, because its to expensive for me. You will probably hear them before I do then. I would appreciate your view on the speakers! I will get them in a couple of weeks... In the meantime I will try some Adams, maybe S2A if thats possible.