Affordable Reference Monitors (KRK VXT4 vs. Adam A3X vs. Yamaha MSP5 Studio, etc.)

[Jomox]

The A3X have far far less lower end than the other two you are considering. Personally I think the MSP5 would be the better out of those three.

[Synth Buddha]

Hmm. For those kins of music I'd definitely save up a little more money and buy speakers that were a little bit bigger, unless you're also planning to go with a sub - or have a tiny, tiny room. If not, I'd go with the VXTs because they have a pretty decent bass response for the size. I also like the sound and look of them. The yams aren't too pleasant to listen to, but should be good for mixing though - perhaps the most translatable monitors of the bunch.. The Adams... I'd go for the A5X or preferably the A7X. I think the 3 is too tiny.

[kasmira]

Hey man,

For dance music you're probably best off with the VXTs, but I'd recommend grabbing the 6s. I was deciding between A7X and VXTs for awhile, and after reading and posting on hre, it was obvious that the VXTs would suit me better. Someone on the board even said they bought A7X's to REPLACE their VXTs - and then took them back the next day. Couldn't deal with the lack of bass compared to the VXTs

[Jomox]

The lack of low end on the A7X could of been due to the room. They have enough low end for their price range, more so then VXT6. VXT8 is of course a bass monster.

But you get more detail, better mid range and high end with the AX's. Also the MPS5 has better mid and higher range over the VXT4, and general detail. So you go for a bass heavy boom box that lacks detail or a more detailed accurate monitor the way I seen and saw this when choosing monitors (I was considering VXT6 or 8 also but not enough mid or general detail)

[ATG]

Cheers for the prompt responses. I can't really afford to up my price range, as much as I'd like to. The A7Xs would be my ideal purchase, but unfortunately I don't have the currency.

Does anyone know any problems with any of these models (like common defects)?

Also i was recently told about the Yamaha SW10 Studio monitors that might be better for Electronic music? Anyone have any experience with those?

In response to some of the earlier comments above, I'm less concerned about the sound of the monitors, what I'm looking for is a monitor that's as flat as possible. Something that displays highs, mids and lows as equally as possible.

Thanks again for everyone's help

[darkbuddha]

I assume you've considered the usual suspects in the sub-$500/pair range. Have you listened to the Tannoy 601a (Reveal)? Not quite in the league of Adam AX7s but you get a 6.5" driver with bass response down to 63Hz. They really are quite a good monitor for the money ($250/each or less) and I personally preferred them over the KRK Rokit6 and Mackie MR5s.

Just a thought.

[darkroomrobot]

For those type of sounds you will definitely need to get yourself a sub with those speakers.

I find KRK speakers quite coloured in way increase bass. Adam as nice from what heard. For clarity of sounds, I love Machie speakers the HR8 would be a good investment.

Though I'd agree with other if possible save up and get some bigger speakers and a sub

[kasmira]

Originally Posted by Jomox

The lack of low end on the A7X could of been due to the room.

The room would have affected both speakers the same way, no?

edit: wooooooah. Just typed a large paragraph and realized what the OP was asking for. Reference monitors that are as close to accurate as possible in the price range. Definitely not the VXTs. IMO, get the Adams.

If you're producing dance music and looking for speakers to produce on, I would suggest the VXTs all the way. Adams are great for reference monitors, though. Much more than VXTs

[kasmira]

But do realize that you may stick to mixing in headphones if you don't treat your room. While flatter monitors fluctuate 2db around the frequency spectrum, rooms can vary MUCH, MUCH more. A room that is within 10db fluctuation is usually noted as good. If you look around on the acoustics forum and look at people's measurements of their room, though, you'll notice some rooms fluctuate by a good 25db. Accuracy of the monitors won't mean squat if your room isn't treated.

[Cegor]

I have the hs50m's and I'll mix my bass in ath-m50's and beyer dynamic dt770's. Low end is always tricky so your best bet will be just taking it out into the real world and fine tune it. At the end of the day you need to learn how your speakers translate into the real world.

Cegor

[godface9]

Well I recently had the chance to get some vxt's on the cheap but found some yamaha msp5 for even cheaper: ) before these I owned krk V8 series 2's which were very nice but to big for my space. Its only been a couple weeks but I couldnt be happier! there seems to more focus in the mids on these then the V8's also I dont mind the highs not harsh and seem very revealing, bass is kinda missing but with the front port still not bad at all and actually I prefer this bass for my size room, the V8's bass was to low and in my room would get lost and muddy. Im going to be keeping these pups! best build quality ive ever seen and the more I hear them the more Im sittin back kickin myself in the butt thinking about the great mixes Im gonna be makin with these. I used to help a friend that owned the HS 80 and I never never liked them, I used to tell him that too,lol . . the harsh highs just killed me! he had a krk sub but it all sounded whack to me. MSP5 fan hear: ) but I sure would love to hear the vxt 4's and see what people say about them that have had experience with the msp5's.

[Gurner]

Hi Guys,

I'm in a kind of similar position, small brick control room (was a dining room) - 10' X 9 1/2' - 8' ceiling.

For the last 6 yrs I've been using Tannoy Reveal 6Ds with an M-Audio SBX sub -
to produce and mix Reggae and Deep House as well as Grover Washington Jr. style funky jazzy stuff.

Now I've decided the time has come for a change, I'm tired of bass heavy mixes that need loads of comparing in the car etc. to correct. I've also had excessive presence from time to time. And sore ears!

I've thought about treatment, (for the room!) but the place is so cluttered with a double bass, conga drum, guitars, basses, plastic drawer cabinets, a (dining room) table covered in pedals and leads and junk, music stand etc. Also an oil painting, armchair - It's almost like where do I fit the treatment in?

So my new plan is to change out the monitors and SBX sub, for a pair of VXT4s, as well as maybe a pair of Avantone small comparison monitors and a pair of Sennheiser HD 650s
for full range reference.

My Tascam FW-1884 desk's monitor level control is ridiculously small and sensitive, so I'm also looking at getting an SM Pro M-Patch 2 Passive Volume Attenuator to help solve that problem.

Then I'll maybe grab a few foam tiles for the reflection points.

Well guys, I'd be very grateful for any comments or suggestions for alternatives.

[Gurner]

I do techno space metal as well...

[allawishus]

hs50m is really hard to beat at the budget end.

[GIK Acoustics]

Originally Posted by Gurner

I've thought about treatment, (for the room!) but the place is so cluttered with a double bass, conga drum, guitars, basses, plastic drawer cabinets, a (dining room) table covered in pedals and leads and junk, music stand etc. Also an oil painting, armchair - It's almost like where do I fit the treatment in?

I understand that it might sound impossible to treat, but I would really suggest it for the room, especially if you are doing mixing and tracking in there. Even though there are so many obstructions treatment will make a very large difference.

If wall and floor space are limited, perhaps you can focus a bit more on absorption on the ceiling, or higher up the walls. Out of the way, but still very able to make a difference in the room.

I'm sure a monitor change will give a difference as well, but the frequency response of rooms vary much much much more than that of a speaker!

[Gurner]

Hi there,

Thanks for the tips. I've just sold my M-Audio SBX sub to my drumming pal.
The sound with just the Tannoy Reveal 6Ds is without much bass, I have to
admit.
I still think it's better though, in this 3.1 X 2.9 metre space.

Those long freqs down in the sub range just cancel out and you end up with nulls,
and non-translating mixes with way too much low bass and kick.

I've heard the basic KRK rockit 6s and they sounded cool. Enough bass with the front port.

In reply to allawishus, would the HS50m be better than the Tannoys I already have?

I must admit seeing David Isaac and a bunch of other guys using the VXT4 kinda makes me think it must be cool.

I can just about afford the VXT4s this round - Im thinking being front ported they will have more bass than the reveals, which go up to 53khZ by the way.

And yes, I want to do the right thing when it comes to room treatment, I'm still chewing it over. My good landlady is not keen though! I'm hoping I can get away with a few tiles, and maybe long curtains for my outside double glazed window.

Another question, do the KRKs wear in at all? I mean sound smoother after 100 hours use or something? My tannoys are very bright and detailed, but a touch metallic sounding to me. And a tad boxy without the sub.

Cheers!

[Gurner]

By the way I just spoke to a salesman from from DV247 who reckoned VXT6s to be my best bet. They look bigger than I wanted, but should have plenty bass.

Against that one reviewer said VXT4s are the best monitor for a small room? (And cheaper)

Anyway maybe if I deal with DV they might let me try both when it comes to it.
I think that's the way it's leaning.

MSP5s might be a little bright, like my Reveal 6Ds, which are great to really hear detail,
but tend to lead to me mixing dull.

Cheers!

[Gurner]

What did ATG get in the end?

[antony]

If you can't get the a7x the a3 are great for the price. I have both 3 and 7 and its amazing the bottom end the a3 give for such a small box. Can't recommend them enough. I'm not a fan of krk the middle is to muddy for me but that's taste. As mentioned the Tannoy reveal are a great speaker for the price (i have a passive pair) but there better on your hifi, the A3x blows them away. If you want a really great detailed monitor which you can trust your mix with the a3x are great they wont let you down. But it won't take long before you start thinking you should have put that £350 to a pair of a7x.
So for that money you wont be dissapointed, they are well worth it,

Antony

[Gurner]

Looks like I may end up with the Neumann KH 120 As

Bit more than I wanted to spend, but they are small enough

and should do the job well I hope!

(I recently sold a Martin acoustic so currently feeling flush)

Then it'll be on with the room treatment I guess.

[Gurner]

Wow,

save up, sell something, get Neumann KH 120 A's.

Still the same setup, which is a bit rough really, but due for a change next week...

Anyway it's another world now -

KH 120 A's all the way

Total game change - monitoring begins here for me