Looking to finally upgrade my monitors!

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:25 pm

So feel free to giggle, I've been mixing on a pair of Design Acoustics (A former subsidiary of Audio-Technica) with 6 inch Radio Shack woofers and the original tweeters (though the left is poked in resulting in a loss of some high end, most notable in distorted guitars).

Anyway I'm looking at Yamaha's right now, either I'll go for the venerable NS-10m's or the younger cousins the HS80M or the HS50.

It would be nice to get rid of this hulking Fisher stereo receiver I have sitting in front of me, though if I purchased the NS-10's then it would stay.

The problem I see with the NS-10's is due to the fact original parts aren't being made anymore and say I need to replace a tweeter a few years down the line the chances of finding them will reduce year by year.

Which brings me to the HS series...

Anyone with hands on experience on either, OR both would be great! I've heard enough good reviews about them and would like to seriously look into them.

Thanks

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:20 pm

Hello Multoc!

I was "forced" to use NS-10s on a daily (and nightly) basis at my old job and I always found them pretty fatiguing. (Thank God for the Altecs in the walls.) They weren't originally designed as a studio monitor but were actually a consumer stereo speaker that caught on in nearfield use because they were damn sure better than the alternatives like those nasty little Auralex cubes. However, these days I think for the money you could do a lot better. --

Is your receiver a tube Fisher? I have a 500b that I play my Philips TT through into a nice old pair of JBL L-110s. I love my vinyl but I can certainly see why the Fisher would get in the way in the control room.

As for the Yamaha HS series, I haven't heard them, but I personally have a problem with the idea of using subwoofers in control room monitor systems. Where would you put it where it will be aligned with the satellites?? You think the Fisher is in the way!

I would suggest you give a listen to the Event stuff. they make a pretty good range ($350 - $1500 pair) of powered nearfields.

Event ASP8 Studio Precision 8 Active Studio Monitors Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20kHz, +/-3dB, ref. 500Hz, Amplifier Power: Biamplified, 280 Watts; 200W LF driver/80W HF driver; torroidal transformer, Crossover: 2.6kHz, active asymmetrical fourth-order, Controls: Continuously variable input sensitivity; continuously variable high frequency trim; continuously variable low frequency trim; switchable 80Hz second-order high pass filter, Inputs: Balanced XLR and 1/4 in., Indicators: Power-on/Clip LED $1298 pair.

Yamaha HS80m: 120 watts, not bi amped, frequency response not published, subwoofer power also 120 watts and other specs unpublished -- $1100 for the three pieces.

My guess is that even the lesser Events will out perform the HS80Ms.

There are really a plethora of affordable monitors on the market now. You should pack up your five most favorite CDs in all of the world (great recordings that you are very familiar with) and go music/stereo shop hopping!

Happy Listening!

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:37 am

I'm definitly planning a trip to guitar center or the like very soon, possibly tomorrow!
Anyway I've never opened up my Fisher, and since I'm replying at nearly 3am, i dont feel like moving my monitor off the top to check if it's tube based, but from some photos I've found online it is indeed tube based, it's the 203 model from 1973.

For my current monitors I leave everything flat then turn on the loudness button or else i get no accurate bass image from these Radio Shack woofers I had to install to replace the originals that were shredded from the side.

Anyway still looking for someone with hands on experience with the Yamaha's, I'll probably keep my Design Acoustics on hand however to A/B my mixes with.

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