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Monitors, again and again...

Hello guys and sorry for bothering you with this question...

I've searched a lot here and @ other sites and found many information...I know the best would be to go to a store and listen to all the monitors to see which one I would like the best, but unfortunately, that's not possible

I'ev also read that it doesn't really matter which monitors you use, you just need to know them very well, and that's all that matters.
...but, still, I would like to know your opinion, if you had a budget like mine.

I don't know which online shops have the best price's range, I know it may vary from monitor to monitor, some shops may have X more expensive than Y and some vice-versa, but that's unlikely, I guess(?).
So first, which online shops do you suggest me to check? I'm sure many of you bought monitors through web etc, so I guess you're well informed about which ones are usually more cheaper. From what I've been searching, www.thomann.de, seem to have some nice prices, compared to another famous online stores, and also seem to have lots of models, therefore I will use it as a guide throughout this post.

I only have around... 300�... so please don't tell me to buy XXX monitors that are completely out of my range.

KRK RP8
I've read a lot about these, and they seem to be really fine, but I've also read that they are not as good as Yamaha HS80M.
One thing I've found weird was the price difference, as you can see here, http://www.thomann.de/gb/krk_rp8.htm, one pair costs 470�, while here, http://www.zzounds.com/item--KRKRP8, about 320�. That's a big difference, how come? Also, how do you rate these monitors? Are they that good, or they're just a waste of money for those who can afford Yamaha HS80M?

KRK RP5
I guess this is just the light version of the monitors above, right?
What's the big difference between them? Also, how do you rate these monitors comparing them to Yamaha HS50M? Their price is around 280�(pair), here's the link, http://www.thomann.de/gb/krk_rp5.htm. Are they a good purchase, considering their value? Or, as I said about their old brother, they're just a waste of money considering we can also buy the Yamaha HS50M for about the same price?

Yamaha HS80M
I've heard only good things about these monitors, they seems to be fantastic and very detailed (at least, thats what I've read).
They cost around 470� (pair), just like the KRK RP8 (which is also above my budget)...but I found this link, http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/...product_id/8356, which seems to be 70� cheaper. Though it's still above my budget What do you think about them?

YAMAHA HS50M
Well, every model has a young brother...these are no exception.
They cost around 300�(pair), http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_hs50m.htm, about 20� more than the KRK RP5, but, as I've read, also much better. Is it correct? What's your opinion?

ALESIS M1 ACTIVE 620
These monitors cost around 280�(pair), http://www.thomann.de/gb/alesis_m1_active_620.htm. What's your opinion about them? I've read they have too much bass, but well, it also depends on our room (I've also read information about that).
How do you rate them, comparing with Yamaha HS50M and KRK RP5?

ALESIS M1 AKTIV MK2
What's the difference between these monitors and the others ( M1 ACTIVE, HS50 & RP5)?
They cost exactly the same as the M1 ACTIVE, about 280� (pair).
Here's the link, http://www.thomann.de/gb/alesis_m1_...nitor_mk_ii.htm.

EVENT TR6
These monitors cost about 377�,http://www.thomann.de/gb/event_tr6_...nitor_aktiv.htm, and I've no idea how they are, comparing to the others...anyone?

EVENT ALP 5
These monitors seem to be the less expensive ones. They cost around 235� (pair), http://www.thomann.de/gb/event_alp_5.htm, but again, just like the TR6 I've no idea how good they are, comparing to HS50, RP5 and M1 AKTIV MK2.

Is there any other monitor, in my range's price, that you would like to suggest? If yes, which and why?

Just another question, the monitors should not be near the wall, right? I heard it has some kind of conflit regarding bass resonating or something like that, an explanation would be appreciated, because currently, my PC is near a wall and if needed, I will have to change it to another position.

Thanks a lot for reading my post and I sincerely hope you understand my situation and help me

Cheers and thanks for your time.

My advice - save your money and buy the Yamaha HS80Ms. I bought mine last year after comparing virtually everything in the $300-1200 price range, including the KRKs, Alesis, Events, Mackies, JBLs, Behringers, M-Audios, Nadys, Adams, Dynaudios and even some of the cheaper Genelecs. I was originally planning on buying the JBL LSR4328s, but after hearing them, I wasn't that impressed. The HS80Ms and Mackies (HR824mkII) were the most detailed monitors that I listened to. But, the Mackies were about $600 more than the Yamahas (almost twice the price) , so that sealed the deal for me.

In my opinion, and no offense to people who own the other speakers on your list, but the Alesis and (esp) KRKs sounded like crap in comparison - they had no detail and were very mushy sounding. I wouldn't waste your time or money on them. Actually, in that price range, I would consider the Behringer Truth 2031As or M-Audio BX5As over the KRK or Alesis monitors. The Event TR8s and TR8XLs also sounded pretty good for the money, but unfortunately I don't think that I listened to the TR6s since I was primarily interested in 8-in 2-way speakers.

Now that I've had my Yamahas for about six months, I can say that they were very easy to get acclimated to and sound great at pretty much all output levels. I especially like how clear and present everything sounds at relatively low levels, which is important to me because I sometimes mix at night when my 10-month old son is asleep. When he is awake or when my wife takes him out of the house, I go back and crank up my mixes to test them at higher volumes and I'm usually very surprised at how little tweaking I need to do (mostly balancing the low frequencies, of course).

HTH

its probably best you spend your money on some preowned monitors. or look at the specs with a pinch of salt and make a choice out of all you are considering. most of the specs on these monitors are far from accurate. unless its got a thx certificate the manufacturers can bullshit anything. and its not like the end user will have the equipment to check if the specs are correct. whatever you get, your ears will learn them and once that happens they will be perfect for you until you realise you need something better to mix on.

it must be a reason why all pro studios have one pair of yamaha HS as closefields and dynaudio as big speakers in the back. im going to see how the smaller HS sounds like in some time when i saved some money.

quote:

Originally posted by palm it must be a reason why all pro studios have one pair of yamaha HS as closefields and dynaudio as big speakers in the back. im going to see how the smaller HS sounds like in some time when i saved some money.

I thought most studios used Yamaha NS's? Could be mistaken, but I thought that was the standard Yamaha I always see for nearfield monitors.

To the poster: I would recommend the Yamaha's, but I would highly recommend not getting anything less than 6" in woofers - I'd recommend 8" if you can for low frequency accuracy. Like cyrophonik said, HS80m's would be my best bet. Maybe grab a set used for your budget. I've owned my KRK's for about a year and they're good... sturdy, reliable, etc. Not bad quality of speaker, but I just tend to hear something completely different when I burn it and throw it on several other systems. It may be that I'm not acclimated yet/haven't done enough tracks to get it down... friends of mine prefer the KRK's (not the RP's though); but that said, I'm going to end up getting a second set of nearfield monitors (probably the Yamaha's) to reference along with the KRK's.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray_Chappell I thought most studios used Yamaha NS's?

maybe 10 years ago. :P
if anyone is still using them now, they aren't using them as their MAIN monitors.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray_Chappell I'd recommend 8" if you can for low frequency accuracy.

While you will get more low end, you will also get the obligatory scoop in the mids from ANY cheap (anything less than mackies) 8" monitor. Transient response is also usually sacrificed. It's a double edged sword, this is why many much more expensive monitors (BM5A, A7s) are not 8".

Beyond 6", you start to need a 3-way design, or use really expensive 8" woofers. Obviously the 8" Genelecs and Dynaudios have the price tag to work with a 2-way design.

In my oppinion, if you are getting cheap monitors, like all those listed there, you are better off getting 6" monitors and a sub. This way you don't sacrifice the accuracy of the monitors themselves to get extra bass.

I vote Event TR6, but if I had to chose any others, I would go HS80M.
KRK RP8s are not good at all in my oppinion. I wouldn't even consider them. If you A/B them with some high end monitors, you will notice straight away how hyped they are.

Adam A7
The stereo imaging is fantastic and the ribbon tweeters just sound amazingly detailed. Bass is very tight, but not that low. Using a sub is a plus, but not a necessity.

/EDIT
Oops, I just saw that your budget is 300�. I'd go for the Event TR6 then. But don't do the mistake I made to buy cheap monitors if you're really serious about producing. It's worth it to spend atleast 800� on monitors in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm maybe 10 years ago. :P if anyone is still using them now, they aren't using them as their MAIN monitors. While you will get more low end, you will also get the obligatory scoop in the mids from ANY cheap (anything less than mackies) 8" monitor. Transient response is also usually sacrificed. It's a double edged sword, this is why many much more expensive monitors (BM5A, A7s) are not 8". Beyond 6", you start to need a 3-way design, or use really expensive 8" woofers. Obviously the 8" Genelecs and Dynaudios have the price tag to work with a 2-way design. In my oppinion, if you are getting cheap monitors, like all those listed there, you are better off getting 6" monitors and a sub. This way you don't sacrifice the accuracy of the monitors themselves to get extra bass. I vote Event TR6, but if I had to chose any others, I would go HS80M. KRK RP8s are not good at all in my oppinion. I wouldn't even consider them. If you A/B them with some high end monitors, you will notice straight away how hyped they are.

I stand corrected. For some reason I thought this was still a common staple in studios... Good info on the 8" monitors by the way. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray_Chappell I stand corrected. For some reason I thought this was still a common staple in studios... Good info on the 8" monitors by the way. Thanks.

One reason why they're so popular is that Yamaha were giving them away to recording studios as a marketing campaign.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray_Chappell For some reason I thought this was still a common staple in studios...

Don't get me wrong, a lot of studios still have them, but it is not because they are good speakers. Infact, they're quite horrible by today's standards (otherwise everyone would be buying them).

NS-10s were only ever popular because everyone had them. Think of them as the Technics 1200 of speakers. If people still have them, it is to use them for checking translation, not actual monitoring.

You will notice more and more that most big studios have custom made 3 ways.

Eg. Here is the Rank1 studio...


You can see there two custom made 3-way monitors and two subs.

Thanks a lot for your answers guys, I will have to think what's the best option and then I'll tell you which one did I buy.

one little question about pads. can I use smth like these
?

quote:

Originally posted by Damnuok2 Thanks a lot for your answers guys, I will have to think what's the best option and then I'll tell you which one did I buy. one little question about pads. can I use smth like these ?

LOL

or maybe



as foan

jk, I think I can get some foan fromsome UNBELIEVABLE-BIG-HUGE-OMG hdtv that my dad bought.
will it work?

any foam will work fine for isolating your monitors. the easiest way to tell if it's working well enough is to turn your monitors up and see if you feel any vibrations in the surface they are on. use more/different foam until it goes away.

I'll throw my hat in and rate the ALP5s

I find they have a large flat stereo image - really weird when I heard it first!!! I find them very easy to listen to over long periods too.

As for accuracy these are my first monitors so have nothing to judge by but the detail compared to my last hi-fi Eltax speakers is huge. The bass response is good when you consider the fact most club speakers have the bass tuned for 100hz (as per Darren Tate interview) so 52hz is plenty good.

They used by Airbase so if you rate his stuff / engineering then they should be fine

Love my HS80m's. Very detailed mid. I put the midrange boost on +2db just so that I can hear every last crackle, and so that I compensate the bass level enough. I do wish these went a hair lower, but that's what a sub is for

KRK RP 8 are quite god one's imo, never had any problems with them sounding good.

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