Reference monitors for mixing

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:46 am

It's time for me to upgrade my main monitor set-up (actually a pair of KRK RP8) in my control room.
I found my KRKs too much "plastic" and colored on certain frequencies (for example my solo piano recordings are very "unrealistic", hyped on treble and muffled on mid-low), even if they're very detailed.
I'm looking for something similar sounding to my Sennheiser HD-600 headphones, so very detailed and natural and balanced sounding and what I do is basically acoustic music, jazz, pop, classical (solo piano and chamber) and orchestral film scoring.
My budget is 1500-1800€ for a pair.
My room is decently treated acoustically, and measure 5m x 12m (2.80m height).
I'm considering K+H o110 (but they're a bit small), Adam A7 or P11A, Dynaudio BM6A and maybe some Genelec.....
I have no possibilities to audition them all, so if you guys have some experienced suggestions please help me choosing.

Thank you

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:24 pm

I know I won’t make your decision easier ... speaking about monitors is like speaking about women... who would know which one fits better to you or me... you need to take her home and spend some time. Seriously, it's tough.

Recently I've demoed Pro-Ac 100 + Bryston SST3 (used) at friend's place. I'm still shocked with this combination. Jaw drops and drool. They are sooooo natural and organic with amazing clarity and details.

Personally, I'm not impressed with active monitors, I'm old school here, but I heard a lot of good words about Focal Solo's.

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:43 am

what ever you do don't buy Mackie HR's unless you want your control room to sound like a reggea club. I speak from experience

sq

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:09 am

Groff wrote: "speaking about monitors is like speaking about women... who would know which one fits better to you or me... you need to take her home and spend some time."

Your posts are fantastic. Laughing

Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:22 pm

song4gabriel wrote:

what ever you do don't buy Mackie HR's unless you want your control room to sound like a reggea club. I speak from experience

sq

Which ones, the 824s?

I have a pair of HR626s which have served me very well.

Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:50 pm

yeah- 824's. i find they need to be louder than most monitors to serve as an effective reference.

Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 8:50 pm

Since your budget is healthy, I'd try to find a shop that will work with you. See if you can audition a few in your price range in your control room. I've done this before and I need a few days with a monitor to get my ears around it.

Curious - with a room 2.8 x 5 x 12m, do you have many problems that your acoustic treatments have not been able to deal with effectively? I had the same size room in my previous house and ended up adding a wall with an archway to shorten the room to about 8m. I made two bass traps behind the arch that were 1 x 2.8 x 4m each with slat walls. Worked like a charm not only in the low end but up into the midrange.

Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 4:25 pm

dynaudio BM5A... get a pair of them.

or the HS80m from Yamaha are nice speakers too... very flat and uncolored

Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:17 pm

I use these:

Mixing: Adam A7's very nearfield ( desk )
Mixing: JBL4328Ps with sub ( slightly midfield for very loud )
CD testing: M-Audio BX5a ( also midfield believe it or not )
MP3 testing: Zune and ipod

They all sound very different. VERY different. Each one reveals something the others do not.

If the mix passes those tests, it will 99.9% of the time sound good in my wife's car. ( the acid test )

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:30 am

Focal Twin 6be's....

You'll listen to the music... NOT your speakers.

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:02 pm

I used to have the BM5A's and they always sounded great. The issue was mix translation. I got used to them but it was always something of a struggle. Having said that, tuning your room, or at least knowing the issues in your room has a huge impact on how you perceive your monitors. I had some low end issues in my room and spent some time tuning the room. This made a little difference but I was still struggling a bit. I decided to try the Focal's (Twin 6 BE) and have never looked back. They are amazing to my ears. I hear depth and detail that was missing from the BM5A's and my mixes translated very well to the car, the iPod the home stereo, etc. I absolutely love my Focal's! Cheap they are not, but to my ears they are worth every penny. YMMV and always, always use your own ears.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:46 pm

Get the Mackie HR 824 Mk 2's. theres a reason why the HR line has been around for so long, and it isn't cuz they suck. Many albums have been mixed on them. The 824 MK2's (which i own) are extremely clear and accurate. the bass response will take some time to adjust to but this is the case with all monitors and rooms. at a modest price point you can't find any other thx certified speakers. i prerviously owned the yamaha hsm 8's and found them too mid rangey.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:22 pm

adam P11A is very good.
i have tannoy,habeth,yamaha,KRK,spender and JBL.
i think P11A is very good if U want only near field.
i felt BM5a is very good too.

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