Yamaha HS80M or MSP7 Monitors? Discuss here!

[BlackMoo]

Hey guys.

I've listened to both these studio monitors. Planning to upgrade to one of these next for my recording/mixing work. But both are equally good and have their pros and cons. I just can't come to a decision. Both are almost evenly priced too. So, would any users share their experiences and recommendations?

 

[Joel C]

Yamaha HS80 vs MSP7

The new range of Mackie HR and MR series looks pretty cool too.
Krks Rockit V2 look good as well... choices choices choices

 

[l0u5y]

Hey. For me i would really stay away from the hs80ms. They really sound dam bad imo. put a rp5 beside them and u would noe why already. i havent tried the msp7 but ive heard some good stuff bout them. as joel said, the recent mackie mr series are getting a lot of hype but i tink the krk has changed from the v series to the vxt series already. if its me ill probably go for a rp8 or a mr8. go to the shops and try for urself.

 

[BlackMoo]

I've read that gearslutz thread but I really don't get it. Some praise the HS80Ms and some otherwise. I'm looking at a monitor roughly in the price range of these 2 here. Basically don't know what to choose still.

 

[Joel C]

"i got the MSP7 and HS50m, both translates pretty good to other sound system although the MSP7 is more flat while the HS50m is bright on the top and its got a very pronounced mid range some would call it hyped but it seems pretty useful when mixing. I prefer the msp7 as i can mix with it longer and its got a more acurate low end makin it easier to hear eq changes with the kick and bass. I also prefer its front port design over the HS50m's rear port. all i can say is try both then decide"

That seems like a useful post don't you think?

 

[BlackMoo]

Not at all, its comparing to the HS50M not the HS80M, I'm looking for some credible reviews to decide which monitor is best for mixing and mastering at this budget. Anyone with first hand experience of using either monitors? I've listened to both of them but I really can't tell from 1 experience alone.

 

[Joel C]

The most credible reviewer are your own ears.

Best case scenario is to loan each pair out for a couple of days at least to see which one you favor.
Otherwise ask if the dealer has a return policy where you can bring the speakers back to swap for the other.

 

[l0u5y]

bring a cd, something that u listen to a lot, probably a commercial cd will be better. then play in the shop. hear for urself how they sound. If u hear a lot of things that u nvr realised, thats probably the monitor for u, but also observe the flatness of the monitor.

They always say, the better ur monitors are, the easier it is to mix.

Btw im selling a pair of jbl control 5 for real cheap, contact me at 91286951 if you're interested.

 

[kongwee]

I got MSP 7. Buy without audition. Pretty like the sound actually. Good for mixing and entertainment. Smooth highs and tight bottom. Not much bloom in mid bass. Very limited in bottom end. If you need bass, then a very good sub is needed. You can go pretty much without it.

 

[BlackMoo]

Thanks l0u5y and kongwee. I think I shall do just that. Any other recommendations on similar priced products I should check out before I commit a purchase?

 

[sj2six]

Here, you might wanna read this thread to get to know more about the HS-series. Though it's stated HS50m, but I talked about HS-80m in it.

http://soft.com.sg/forum/gear-sound/120979-need-some-opinion-hs50m.html

Personally, I love monitors from Genelec and Dynaudio. They sound really nice and silky IMO. But I still stick to my Yammies because I'm a ex-NS-10m user. I'm more familar with their sound. Secondly, I feel that whether a monitor sounds nice or not is not the most important. What's most important is it can give you a accurate mix, reveal problems, and translate things well to other systems. And my ex NS-10m and now HS-series are able to achieve all these objectives. Hence, I stick with them. Yamaha stuffs are either you hate it or you love it kinda thing. Hence some might feel that they sux in terms of sound. But others love it not bcoz they sound nice, but bcoz they are able to achieve all those objectives as mentioned above.

I would say, go for something you are familar with. But you are new to all these stuffs, then you should go check them out, listen to them at retailers, your ear is the best judge as you will be the one using them, and then ask yourself if you want something that sounds nice or something that translate well to other system.

P.S. do take note that your room acoustic is even more important than the price-tag or brands of your monitors.

 

[l0u5y]

i believe the genelecs and dynaudio probably out of his range. i do agree that the acoustics is important is probably like the 2nd most important thing after music imo. but i guess most budget home rigs dun have the luxury to go for that.

if u have bad acoustics u probably have the tendency to crank up more volume so that u can drown out the reflections to hear more clearly. U might wanna keep in mind of that just in case ur neighbours complain.

 

[kongwee]

Thanks l0u5y and kongwee. I think I shall do just that. Any other recommendations on similar priced products I should check out before I commit a purchase?

Adam audio that price a bit higher than MSP7. I like the soundstaging.

 

[BlackMoo]

Very valid points indeed. Shall indeed think it through before I make a choice. Thanks for the valuable inputs guys!

 

[coldestream]

Hey go to Resolution at Sunshine Plaza, check out the smaller pair of Sonodynes. It's totally in your price range and similar to Genelecs, its enclosure is made of die-cast aluminum. Sound wise, really reliable, and easy to mix with.

http://www.sonodyne.com/Studio SM-50A.html

If you look at the freq. response diagram, its rather flat. Oh, and its Indian =)

 

[Enjaykayb]

I think monitoring is all up-to individual preferences and choices. All of us hear different things in different ways. I personally prefer the ATC SCM20As or the ADAM Audio stuff. But this maybe way out of your budget. The best thing to do therefore, as Joel has recommended is to get the dealer to let you sample the monitors at your studio (in your listening environment) or make sure the dealer has a damn good return policy...

Listening to a CD at the dealer's shop is also not the most ideal way to audition monitors. Ideally, you should audition them in the position and within the acoustical environment that you would listen to them on a day to day basis.

Happy testing!

 

[coldestream]

Agreed. Different monitors can be useful for different genres of music. For example, if you're doing hip-hop, rock and bass-heavy stuff, don't think you'd wanna go with Yamaha for a start. Then if you're doing jazz, blues, classical stuff, I don't think any Rockits or MRs would reveal as much as Yamaha or Adam. I guess it's almost impossible to find an all-rounder that can tell you everything you want.

For me, I'm actually planning to get at least two different monitors with totally different characteristics. Then while mixing, work towards getting a sound that results as a mean-average of the two monitors..

 

[chad batchelor]

Thanks l0u5y and kongwee. I think I shall do just that. Any other recommendations on similar priced products I should check out before I commit a purchase?

try the mackies or the adams at woodworkz... nothing to lose than to have a listen to somthing different....

 

[zacmat]

I agree with Coldestream, you should not only listen to CDs as demo, why not bring your project that you are familiar with to the dealer shop and ask for the demo. At least you should be listening the demo from a DAW.

 

[Betaphats]

In my opinion, it comes down to the purpose of what you want to do with the speakers. I feel the HS10 would be suitable for people who aspire to be a producer while the Rokits to people who aspire to be a DJ.

The Rokits for sure sounds better as it provides a strong bass and they provide more punch to the mids and highs which is totally awesome if you wanna produce music that will eventually be played in a club it simulates pretty well.

The Yamahas HS80s on the other hand sounds fantastic in terms of replicating the exact same sound and pretty much what you hear is what you get without manipulating anything and because its an 8" woofer, the bass provided is pretty adequate for me. Probably good for producing radio songs, or songs to be played on tv and media if ya know what i mean.

If i am not gonna do any mixing or production just wanna listen to MP3's I would go for KRKs cause it sounds fantastic and awesome. But if i wanna produce and mix my tracks, chances are i will go for the Yamahas cause if it sounds good there, chances are it will sound good in most places!

Hope it helps !