Monitor dilemma

Recording Techniques, People Skills, Gear, Recording Spaces, Computers, and DIY

Moderators: drumsound, tomb

randrohe
takin' a dinner break
Posts: 156
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 12:01 pm

Monitor dilemma

Post by randrohe » Fri May 03, 2019 9:48 pm

I have a pair of M-audio bx5, the original model with the movable tweeter, (whack), and I have a pair of Behringer 2031 passive w/Adcom power amp.
The 2 different models sound very different from one another, which may be a good thing?
My room is small, 11 x 9 and is pretty well treated with a cloud and 8” corner traps, and some 703 at the reflection points.
After having the above monitors for a lot of years, I’m pretty sure I hate both of them equally.
I’m finally starting to try and focus on mixing, and have some projects by others I’m working on, instead of just self wanking.
I am interested in getting a single pair of monitors that I won’t outgrow, price range, up to $800 a pair.
The NS10’s/ Avantone CLA clone seem interesting, but having never heard NS10’s.
I also have a pair of Dayton Audio 6” w/ the AIR tweeter that I like for the el cheapo reality check.
Jim Williams recommended these, and they are like $50...
I live in the middle of nowhere, so it will be mail order, check out, and return if necessary.
Music I would likely be working with is straight ahead rock, folk, singer songwriter types.
Any opions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

User avatar
Nick Sevilla
on a wing and a prayer
Posts: 5555
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:34 pm
Location: Lake Arrowhead California USA
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by Nick Sevilla » Fri May 03, 2019 10:06 pm

The NS10s are "the standard" for near field monitors.
Well worth getting it you can.

As to the other two that you already have... keep them.
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

MoreSpaceEcho
zen recordist
Posts: 6671
Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 11:15 am

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by MoreSpaceEcho » Fri May 03, 2019 11:22 pm

If you'd consider used, I'd look for a pair of old b+w 805s, you can definitely find them for your budget and I think they'd make you (or anyone) happier than ns10s would.

User avatar
Recycled_Brains
resurrected
Posts: 2346
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:58 pm
Location: Albany, NY
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by Recycled_Brains » Sat May 04, 2019 6:27 am

You could find a used pair of Dynaudio BM5A's for less than that probably. I used them for years. They're solid. Upgraded since, but I still have them.
Ryan Slowey
Albany, NY

http://maggotbrainny.bandcamp.com

kslight
mixes from purgatory
Posts: 2968
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:40 pm

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by kslight » Sat May 04, 2019 10:31 am

Its been ~14 years since I've mixed on NS10s, and at least for the me, I'm not into them. I get why they would be good to have in a commercial studio for sure (versus some places I go to that have abstract monitors I know fuck all what I'm hearing), but for my own personal studio, I wouldn't want them as my mains. I kind of think the CLA10s are for people that already know and like (? is that possible?) NS10s and just want a modern pair..

User avatar
vvv
zen recordist
Posts: 10139
Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 8:08 am
Location: Chi
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by vvv » Sat May 04, 2019 10:50 am

FWIW, I mainly use Tannoy 6.5 PBMII's, and standard Auratones.

The first go about US$150 and the second mebbe US$200* on the Ebog.

I feel no need, nor desire, for anything else.

*(No need to buy the Hannett's.)

On the cheap monitor tip (I know, OT), I can't speak highly enuff of the Monoprice 6" speakers without the crossover. I use 'em daily in my office and find them very listenable and non-fatiguing, which I somehow think is weirdly counter-intuitive, like howya spell "weird" with the "i" after the "e" ...
bandcamp;
blog.
I mix with olive juice.

drumsound
zen recordist
Posts: 7474
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:30 pm
Location: Bloomington IL
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by drumsound » Sat May 04, 2019 11:00 am

NS10 (and I assume the CLAs) are not good sounding speakers. They can give you certain information, and that can be good, but they are kinda rough to listen to. I had a pair for a few years, and even when I'd try to commit and do the bulk of a project using them, it was always really hard to follow through. When they got discontinued and the prices shot up I sold my pair here, in less than 8 hours.

If you haven't used them, they might not be the best choice. They probably are pretty different from what you're using now, so I guess that could be a plus for you.

User avatar
Recycled_Brains
resurrected
Posts: 2346
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:58 pm
Location: Albany, NY
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by Recycled_Brains » Sun May 05, 2019 10:25 am

Yea, I agree that the NS10 is not the best choice. I realize people do good mixes on them, but they sound like shit and if you're going to be sitting in front of a pair of speakers for hours, you should enjoy it a little.
Ryan Slowey
Albany, NY

http://maggotbrainny.bandcamp.com

randrohe
takin' a dinner break
Posts: 156
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 12:01 pm

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by randrohe » Sun May 05, 2019 8:36 pm

Appreciate your opinions.
I’m thinking Recycled Brains is on the right track for my thinking.
I don’t want to hate yet a third set of speakers, no matter how revealing they may be.
Has anyone been in front of the Presonus Sceptre, or possibly the Eris?
I believe the Eris received a pretty good write up in TAPE Op.
Presonus being an American company, dare I believe they are (gasp) even made here?

User avatar
I'm Painting Again
zen recordist
Posts: 7086
Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 2:15 am
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by I'm Painting Again » Wed May 08, 2019 8:20 am

everyone seems to love the Kalis and the price is right

the best speakers you can get for the budget you stated is what Scott recommended - they'd benefit from a better power amp but you can save up and add in the future

randrohe
takin' a dinner break
Posts: 156
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 12:01 pm

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by randrohe » Fri May 10, 2019 8:14 pm

What are “kalis”?
Which reply was posted by Scott?

randrohe
takin' a dinner break
Posts: 156
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 12:01 pm

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by randrohe » Fri May 10, 2019 8:14 pm

What are “kalis”?
Which reply was posted by Scott?

User avatar
I'm Painting Again
zen recordist
Posts: 7086
Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 2:15 am
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by I'm Painting Again » Sat May 11, 2019 12:35 pm

Kali Audio LP-8 Lone Pine 8-inch Studio Monitor

Scott recommended the old B&W 805

User avatar
I'm Painting Again
zen recordist
Posts: 7086
Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 2:15 am
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by I'm Painting Again » Sat May 11, 2019 12:39 pm

It would be hard to demo the B&Ws and they are a hi-fi passive speaker that really need a good power amp to shine

the Kalis have been the talk of the town recently and are designed amplified and adjustable to different placements and more easy to demo

so check em out !

randrohe
takin' a dinner break
Posts: 156
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 12:01 pm

Re: Monitor dilemma

Post by randrohe » Sat May 11, 2019 12:57 pm

Cool, Kalis..
Never heard of them, but thanks for heads up.
So, I’m painting again, any chance your a painting contractor?
I know I am!
Just a curious title, so I had to ask.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 70 guests