Home Accurate Monitors

[MikeChan_]

Been looking around for a pair of monitors for mixing purposes for home studio use. Have 2 models in mind as listed below for consideration:

http://www.behringer.com/B2030A/index.cfm?lang=ENG

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=c89fb7c8339b56ad8e64e509a317579a

Having heard the bigger Truths, i must say that it has great resemberence compaired to the mackies if tuned properly. What i noticed from the bigger 2031 was that the sound was a bit colored. But it was a pair of clear speakers and the mids are really sweet to mix. Bass extension is a bit too much and needs to be rolled-off.

Now it's coming out with a smaller active brother, i wonder if this pair is a good buy for a price range of $500-600. Any comments?

The M-audio is retailing at below $500 and though it's a good buy. Have not heard it yet but would expect the lower frequency to be gone, just like my Alesis point 7's i'm using now.

Anyone has other recommendations?

Regards.

mike

 

[majestic]

I've been looking at the 2030A's too, but since they were only just released at the Musikmesse a few days ago I'm worried about how long they'll take to actually arrive here (e.g. maybe 2-3 months?).

Heard any rumours about an ETA in Singapore?

 

[stalefish]

Having heard the bigger Truths, i must say that it has great resemberence compaired to the mackies if tuned properly. What i noticed from the bigger 2031 was that the sound was a bit colored. But it was a pair of clear speakers and the mids are really sweet to mix. Bass extension is a bit too much and needs to be rolled-off.

haha here's what i've learnt - you can't compare speakers that way simply because of the different environments they were in when you heard them.

your 'too much bass extension' issue could probably be due to placement of the monitors in the room.


....but then again, they are behringers


i'd say the tannoys are your best bet in the price range slightly higher then your budget.

 

[MikeChan_]

majestic,

Hope that the new 2030A sounds as sweet as the bigger 2031. I am seriously considering the M-Audio too because of the price....but need to listen to it again to see the bass extension....

stalefish,

Tannoys are too ex for me for home use..... thanks!

 

[majestic]

Haven't heard the BX5's but the bass cut at 56Hz seems a little high. The Event 6's cut at 45Hz which isn't too bad really for a 6.5" woofer. Anyway, only way to know is to dig out some reference CDs and actually go and listen to 'em I guess. Where do you listen to M-Audio stuff in Singapore?

One thing I'll say about M-Audio though, I love my FW410 interface!

 

[MikeChan_]

majestic,

Sinamex is carrying the BX5 and can be auditioned there. It's really a small monitors even compared to my point 7's.

Reason i am changing is that my amp lost a channel so rather that get a new amp to drive the point 7's, would rather get a new set of small actives.

Actually loved the point 7's for it's sound. It's so irritatingly flat and i can make a really good accurate mix if it sounds good on the point 7's, except for the bass part which is lacking.

I hope the beringers (2030A) can make up for that. the BX5 seems to lack bass as well. Need to hear again first.

Regards.

 

[joel68]

I have used Behringers B2031 and Alesis...

Behringer just solved the purpose...you would never get a perfect mix on it.....workmanship wise....aesthetics good and technicality lacks...

Alesis Monitor 1 Mk2...sounds nice but miss out a lot on LF..

Another budget monitors which are considerable: KRK V4 and Yamaha MSP5...

----

 

[MikeChan_]

Yo Joel68,

No offence but i personally dislike the yamahas MSP5 due to it's sharp tweeters and it's over extended artificial bass. Have not tried the KRK thought... looks kinda small but it's well reviewed in magazines....

 

[joel68]

Mike,

I tried HR824's too..Pretty nice..Now I have a pair of ROLAND DS-90A (24bit Digital Monitors)..Very crystal clear sound quality....Great Stuff..

MSP5's are more suited if you want to have a budget 5.1 system for DVD mixing..

KRK's are as same as MSP5 in price and the sound is decent...

IMO, If you are on budget, better buy a pair of KRK or Alesis M1 MKII...

 

[stalefish]

if you can , get a pair of Quested VS2108s


anyone here has a pair of bluesky monitors? i would like to come over have a nice long listen :roll:

 

[joel68]

Quested Stuff is expensive and unaffordable..

IMHO...KRK will do the job...DO NOT BUY FCUKI'N BEHRINGER'S.....

Shit for money....

this debate never ends...

 

[heclak]

I have heard that the behringers are quite badly shielded.Sometimes they might pick up radio frequencies.Behringer products aren't that bad.They are good for starting out.

Their mixers are pretty noisy and don't last very long.But the outboard gear are quite good.You can't expect great quality from something that is cheap.Save up if you want quality.

 

[veganbleu]

I've got an 1832fx pro. The behringer's definitely offer great value for money. Monitor wise, the truths really were too coloured. The thing about noisy mixers. I've discovered that for the 1832 it really comes from the onboard fx. With a setting at large reverbs, the hiss generated is quite considerable, depending on what is sitting on the other channels. turn it off from feeding into any of mix/submix and it's virtually silent.

 

[stalefish]

Quested Stuff is expensive and unaffordable..

so is proper acoustic treatment for a control room..... :?

 

[EddieQ]

I'm also actively on the lookout for S$ 500 - 600 range Active monitors.

Anyone tried the Wharfedale Pro Diamond 8.2 Pro. ( S$640 )
I think they sound pretty good.

Let me know what you guys think.
You can ask for a demo at City Music at Peace Centre.

Also tried other monitors.

Didn't like M-Audio BX5 though it is the cheapest of them all. ( S$495 )
Lacks bass. I think it is meant to go with a their Sub. Was told that it was targeted at people using the M-Audio Sound card. Yes M-Audio is known for their computer sound card, not studio speakers.

The Alessis Proactive 2 ( about $500 plus )is only slightly better than the M-Audio. I do not recommend both of them after hearing them.

Despite what some say, the MSP-5 actually tops my list. Unfortunately Yamaha had a change in Management and the price went up from about $700 to about 800. Some say that the speaker rattles on low frequency, which I did not experience when trying out. Can anyone confirm that?

The KRK 8 is also very good but very expensive.. S$ 1.8K
Not sure about KRK 4 that some are talking about.
At almost $1K and with only 4 inch LF driver, I think they are very expensive.

About the yet to be released Behringer 2030A, some actually take it that it's gonna sound like the 2031. I was told that they sound different by someone in Behringer Singapore. My reservation is Service & Support.
I heard that there's not service office in Singapore. i.e. you may have to ship your speakers back to Germany. For the price of the speaker, you may as well condemn it. Unlike the Wharfedale Pro, City Music handles the Servicing. I think that is important when chosing a pair of speakers.

It's a difficult decision. For those looking around will know what I mean.
Hope more people will talk about this topic.

Edd

 

[Colarndo]

Actualy you can "make up" for the lacks for the lows by rea djusting your monitors so the bass resonates the room.

 

[KMA]

I'm also actively on the lookout for S$ 500 - 600 range Active monitors.

Anyone tried the Wharfedale Pro Diamond 8.2 Pro. ( S$640 )
I think they sound pretty good.

Edd

Hi,

What did you choose finally? Do they need to have a 8 inch LF Driver to listen to lows

Have you listen to Event SP8 /TR8?


thanks

 

[ovid]

The imaging from the Behringhers are not as good as a Mackie, or Yamaha NS10. They are good value though my experience with Behringher products of various description over the years will conclude that whatever you buy, you won't reclaim much as the lifespan is never good.

If you have, and I suspect you do, passive monitors of decent repute, you can invest in an alternative set up for the same outlay.

1. buy an active crossover, even Behringer and use your passives with power amps you already have.

2. buy some coaxials, even car speakers or cheap eminence and use that to compare for monitoring.

 

[mixcubed]

good monitor is not always pricey

you may check out ESI NEAR05..it's cheap and it's GOOD..
i used it for 5.1 setup in my studio and another set for my video production
it's 299USD
mixcubed