Dear guys,

I'm having a big problem choosing the right monitoring speakers.
And the source of that is the fact that I can't really go listen to different monitors before I purchase them.
The stores here I live don't bother doing that for you at all!

The only model I have listened and worked on before was a pair of Alesis m1 mk II monitors and I thought they sounded great. But I think I need something that covers more bass for EDM? Even though never heard any monitors other than Alesis before.

I have came across different models: Presonus Eris 8 - Yamaha HS8 - KRK Rokit 8 G3 - Tannoy Reveal 802

What do you think? Which one do you recommend? I have heard good things also about Focal Alpha 80 but they are way more expensive, around $500 for each speaker.

Do you think I should wait and save up more for monitors? Like focals or Eve 2030 Or those above are good?


Best Regards,

 

Yamaha HS8

 

I have the focal alpha 80s. Im very happy with them so far, they are very accurate. Also they revealed a lack of low end on my production thanx to them going all the way down to 35hz. I can def recommend them.

 

Hello friend,

Well, I can talk about the ERIS 8 because I own a pair.

In my opinion, they are superior to the equivalent KRK in every way.

They are brutally honest and it may take a while to get used to them. They reveal every little annoying details of your mixes and may as well drive you crazy in the begining.

About bass response, well, you'd better stick to smaller speakers unless you've got a very good and well treated mixing environment. The room is the real enemy regarding bass, not the size of the speakers.

To be honest, if your room is bad, I'd even go with the 5s instead of the 8s. Put and 8" monitor in a bad room and you can screw your perception of the low frequencies pretty bad. A smaller speaker will naturally have a diminished bass response, but it will also be less subjected to negative environment interactions.

I can't speak for the other manufacturers you've mentioned because I've never tested them. But between the Rokit and the Eris, I'm fairly convinced that the second is a better choice.

Good luck and have fun.

Morgan.

 

Read it (1 and 2), I think it could help you.

 

very helpful, cheers.
concise and straight to the point

 

I too just bought a pair of Eris 8 and I am indeed very very happy.
My second pair is M-Audio BX 5a and there's no comparison at all.
I also check mixes and masters with much bigger monitor (hifi floorstanders and other studio) and I can say these Eris8 do indeed sound great. Big bold bass and detailed cristal clear top end.
Well worth the money, in my opinion.

 

Why?

I really read everything good about those, I thought the price is for a pair at first then saw it's for a single monitor and so now it's more than what I can afford. At that range Adam is also a candidate but that's what it makes it hard to choose. too many options! And can't test them and see if I like them before making a purchase.

Thanks for your comment buddy.

How long do you think personally that these can work for you? How long do you plan to have these?
Do you think these can handle your stuff for a couple of years?

Nice info thantrax
Cheers

Thank you for the vouch, I'm starting to think about going for these. Do you think they can handle a home studio for couple of years?
Like if I save more and wait, Do I get to have a very much better monitors with a couple of hundreds more? Or get the Eris and save more for bigger upgrades?

 

The Alesis M1 MK2 are still great and capable speakers, imho there's no reason for you to stop using them.
The way I use them is behind a good equalizer (30 band or better fully parametric).
In my room, I've cut the 85Hz range by about -7dB (the bass sounded just too "boomy", steep-cut all bass below 45Hz (24dB/Oct) but boosted it around 60Hz.
This way I have strong and tight bass without the need for a subwoofer and without driving the bass speaker to its limits.

I cannot stress enough how much of a difference a good EQ can make, and imho you need one anyway in most cases (i.e. rooms).

 

@ peghead

I own a pair of M-Audio BX5 (D2). I think that the monitors
are weak in mid-range frequencies. Do you agree?

 

Regarding the room size.

If I get a 5" Monitor, What can I do about the Lower frequencies that I won't be hearing well on those 5 inches?
Most of them respond from 45+ hz ...

 

I own the Yamms HS8, i also worked on the old HS80m and it sounds smoother in the top end than the older version, with more controlled low-end and non-fatiguing high-frequencies which the old HS80m had problems with.

You can read my post regarding HS8 from this similar topic: http://audiosex.pro/index.php?/topic/19671-help-choosing-8-studio-monitors/page__view__findpost__p__127139

Evo

 

The Neumann KH120A's hit a price/quality sweet spot.

While they are not cheap, they are also not expensive for what you get.

As Neumann are newcomers to the monitor market, they have to be sensitive to price in order to compete against the established big name players, although this model is based on the well respected Klein + Hummel O 110's which the company inherited in a takeover deal.

http://www.kh120.neumann.com/

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr12/articles/neumann-kh.htm

 

Last edited: Dec 18, 2015

Filter them away. Using a steep (at least 24dB/Oct) high pass filter.
Some active monitors already have them built-in to improve bass performance, but don't ask me for a list of models.

If you don't want to use a hardware EQ, you have other options:
- For just listening to music, use an audio player with good EQ capable of doing such corrections
- In your DAW, put a shelving HPF as Master Insert, probably combined with a parametric EQ band to boost around 55..70Hz
- On Mac, there are system-wide audio EQ solutions like Rogue Amoeba Audio Hijack Pro (commercial) or Soundflower plus AU Lab (free)
- On Windows, there's EQ Apo for Win 7 and above

 

NS-10 Studios. At least they keep their value.

 

I did try the HS8's based on reviews here .. (thanks @Evorax ) I can say they sound clear and clean...
maybe not the best.. but you can do much better than list price on ebay for them ( if that's an option for you )

I got my pair for around $400

 

There are many good recommendations here, for some reason, if you can find a good deal on them, I LOVE the KRK VXT8's (NOT the Rokits)... they have NEVER lied to me, and I work with them in many different rooms, treated and not. They may be too big for a smaller room, and yes, they have a little high mid flatter factor, but the reason I like them is: 1. They seem to translate to every other system I listen to my mixes on, which is obviously important and 2. You can work for 16 hours and they don't fatigue your ears. I work long hours, and when I have used other monitors, I find myself "losing" it more then with these.. and I monitor/mix at usually pretty low levels until the end when I am either checking the mix, or need the volume to bring it home for me in an excitement level...

 

Yamaha HS8, if you don't wanna buy subwoofer and you wanna clear sounds definitely they sound really great in my opinion.
I was looking for these monitor for longtime and finally I got them.
But if you want to spent more then maybe you look at Adam monitors.
Or new PreSonusR Series R80 AMT Monitor each 499 USD

 

Last edited: Oct 11, 2015

God i hate this posts because of subjective nature everybody has their favorite
please friend go to the music equipment shop and ask do you have monitors in price range of 500$, ask for test on the spot and sit and listen which one is the best for your ear respect
ps..
at least buy some 6inch or 8inch monitors for better bass, if you buy 5 you will need sub!

 

I´ve been with the same problem.. I too don`t have a way to listen to different monitors where i live.. And i want to buy a pair in the same price range. I`v Rokits 6 S3 and a pair of Yamhas HS50. But i still feel that i cannot have a clear image of my music, and a proper translation.
So stuff like what guys do at "Sonicsense", where you can listen to diferent monitor comparisons in a controled environment :

.

I know thats far from ideal, but it can help you guide in the right direction.

So far i have been thinking between Adam A7x, Neumann KH120, Dynaudio BM5mk III and Genelec 8030. But the Focal Alpha`s might be an option too.. I`ve been reading good things.. I wish i can test this models so i can decide myself! I feel your pain, i know that is not easy.. But i hope you find your fit!

And yeah this forum helps too! ;)