Suggest please: low fatigue monitors

Rex Reason · Post by **Rex Reason** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:22 am

To complete my very rudimentary home studio setup (cubase le) I need monitors. I have been playing loud rock & roll for the past 25 years, however, and I have pretty bad tinnitus. I have heard that B&W speakers are a good low fatigue choice but have no idea what model would be good for a home situation. Anyone using them here?

Any other options would be nice too. I consider the fact that the B&W's are non powered to be a drawback.

Also, I am not a millionaire.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks all.

dubh dubh dubh · Post by **dubh dubh dubh** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 3:40 am

Hey Rex~
Lots of possibilities in a wiiiiiiide price range. I'm pretty happy with these Wharfedale 8.2 monitors, ?$300/pair new. 6 1/2" woven fiber woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter with a titanium driver behind it. ( random link http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-WHA-DP82A-LIST )
Powered, so just plug up and go. I've found them to be very low-fatigue.

At home I usually use these with a pair of M-Audio AV-30's for the 'boombox' type comparison. These have a 3" woof and a bass boost in/out switch, pretty flexible and about $130/pr: http://www.pssl.com/!ixex9llzeGUZQ5TUT0 ... ors-Pair-s
Easy on the ears too, I think. I'm sure there're loads more recommendations coming your way too!

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:51 am

Any monitor that sounds pretty open without being cranked could be considered "low fatigue.
I use a pair of ADAM's with the matching sub, and NS10's.
If they are hurting you, turn them down.

rhythm ranch · Post by **rhythm ranch** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:03 pm

You might look for a pair of used Hafler TRM8s.

ddorman · Post by **ddorman** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:15 pm

Samson Rubicons... I have the 5" ones. They work better with a sub I feel, but even without I can't say I've ever had them make my ears hurt. Behringer Truths do that to me pretty quickly.

rty5150 · Post by **rty5150** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:05 am

i recently upgraded from krk rp-8 g1's to adam a7's and find them way less fatiguing and my stereo imaging has vastly improved. i don't think i will have to upgrade until i get a pair of opals or twins. monetarily, will be WAY down the road.

rich

Rex Reason · Post by **Rex Reason** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:14 am

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be checking these out for certain.

Neil Weir · Post by **Neil Weir** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:24 pm

It's funny how subjective this all can be... I had some A7s and I thought they were very fatiguing with a bizarre / almost distorted / overly-forward upper midrange. My ears have been thanking me since I picked up some Focals and mixes are translating much better...

weatherbox · Post by **weatherbox** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:44 pm

A7s were weird for me as well. Haven't heard their higher end stuff. Using ProAc 100s as my primary monitors now and I really like them. Lots of clarity and detail but not unpleasant - more "listenable" than NS10s but revealing of weird shit going on. Don't skimp on an amp for them though.

Warhead · Post by **Warhead** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:55 pm

I would snag the FOCAL Solo 6 Be if possible, or check out the Event Opal. Neither are "cheap" by many budget standards, but both are smooooth yet revealing speakers that shine in their own right.

War

nortstudio · Post by **nortstudio** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:46 am

If you are looking for inexpensive, and smaller monitors (for a home setup), I have had some good luck with the yamaha HS-50s.

I did a review of some monitors for the freqControl site (link below).

As stated earlier, it's all very subjective. Best bet is to narrow it down to a few pairs, and take a listen for yourself.

Good luck.

rwc · Post by **rwc** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:12 am

Axiom Audio M2v2 is the bestest

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:53 am

rwc wrote:Axiom Audio M2v2 is the bestest

I have the M3 V2s and they are great as well. Why do you like the M2s more than the M3s?

rwc · Post by **rwc** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:28 pm

No mid bass bump and no midrange recession.

It is acknowledged by Axiom staff on their forums. The M3 is considered a superior standalone speaker due to higher output capability and slightly superior bass extension, however the M2v2 has a more even low end and a more neutral midrange.

The M2V2 uses a standard axiom tweeter and the midrange driver from their floorstanders as a woofer. The M3V2 uses the same standard axiom tweeter and the bass driver of their floorstanders, so the results aren't overly surprising.

Producer/Engineer · Post by **Producer/Engineer** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:53 pm

joel hamilton wrote:Any monitor that sounds pretty open without being cranked could be considered "low fatigue.
I use a pair of ADAM's with the matching sub, and NS10's.
If they are hurting you, turn them down.

+1 same same same here

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Suggest please: low fatigue monitors

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