Pulling the trigger on some studio monitors. Help!

[Nevs]

I've decided to put some investing into my studio. I've been producing for about 2 years, you can see some of the examples of my work in my signature. Currently I've just been doing some heavy melodic remixes of some game songs that I really like, but I'm working on original content with the same vibe. Style aside, I'm looking to upgrade my monitors from my current setup. My setup consists of a pair of M-Audio AV40s which I've had since I first started, not knowing what I wanted or needed in a set of monitors. I produce on the av 40s, check my sub on my sennheiser PC 360s, then reference in my car stereo since I know what it sounds like. I've been researching for about 2-3 months now, because, I've set aside a good chunk if cash for this upgrade but don't want to take it lightly. Buying monitors is the hardest purchasing decision I've ever made because it is so subjective, one person will tell me a particular model is awesome while someone else will say it sucks. My main request is that it sound relatively flat no matter what room I'm in. The problem is that I will most likely be moving to 3+ new locations over the next few years, and it's hard to tell if a monitor is going to work until you have tested it in your specific room. This is why I have been looking at reputable brands and models that people seem to really like all around.

The speakers I have narrowed down to are the Adam F7 and Adam A7X. I was also looking at the Focal CMS 65 but they are a bit more expensive than what I'd like to spend. However, with enough support I'll try them out. I have considered the yamaha HS8 as well, however, it's too large for my current desk. The Adams will fit however and seem to have a great reputation. The reviews I have read on the F7 say its comparable to the A7X and it's really not worth the extra cost unless your extremely picky. I'm leaning more towards that and spending the extra cash on some acoustic treatment for my small apartment bedroom that I produce from.

I've tried models out at guitar center but I find this to not be that helpful either because it's not MY listening space, the monitors may sound completely different when I get it set up in my own room.

Do you think the Adam line is good for bass heavy electronic music? They seem to be more popular with acoustic recorded music, but I've also heard they can be great for electronica.

I'm eager to finally pull the trigger and buy a set of good monitors, but I'm also terrified of wasting my money, and with music being as subjective as it is I'm finding it near impossible to make up my mind

Help!

I look forward to your responses

[forbidden]

what i would do in your situation is get away from the M-Audio's and go for something about twice the price. i'm probably going to get called out on being a sales rep for these people (i'm not) but equator audio here in CA makes an excellent 5'' monitor for 350 refurbished or 400 new. i haven't sampled a ton of brands so i can't tell you it's the best out there, but from what i've read i'm pretty sure this is the best thing in the price range. one of the staff here, fragments, owns a pair and seems to stand by them so take that as you will.

if you were planning on spending more, don't because you're not going to be in the same room. use the leftover money on room treatment, assuming you don't have any. there are easy DIY methods to attach foam around you without stripping the paint off your walls with adhesive or drilling a ton of holes so you can take it with you when you move. maybe look into some soundproof curtains as well. also look into stands for your monitors so they aren't making sound waves shoot off your desk. i use isoacoustic xlr8r, the medium size which is basically a universal fit for 5'' monitors. they reduced the vibrations in my desk by about 80%, this was an issue for me because i have an ikea desk which is one big, relatively thin board so it had a lot of resonance. with the adjustable legs it's also easy to get your speakers exactly ear level, straight on which is soooo much better than having them sitting on your desk, even sitting on isolation foam..the isoacoustics destroy. improving your listening s

good luck with your purchase! i'm starting to feel like a resident in these damn threads, being as i just built a bedroom studio myself.

[Crimsonghost]

TL;DR

See;

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3483155

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3483148

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3477666

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3475693

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3472660

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3465461

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... s#p3465092

...

ect.

...

[Tom_Autobot]

I'd go for Adam F7's all day long on a modest budget, especially for a bedroom setup. The only real difference to A7X is that they wont go as loud, the actual sonic difference between the two models is pretty minimal. There are plenty of electronic prodcers who use them and the bass response is good and even.

Try pairing them with some iso-acoustics l8r-155 stands and some full range acoustic panels at the first reflection points.

http://www.acoustic.ua/forms/calculator4.en.html

[AxeD]

The Adams are a fine choice, just stick with them.

[mekha]

Equator D8, thank me later.

[LUNCHPADDLE]

can only personally put my stamp of approval on the KRK rokit range of monitors.. i have a pair of the 8" ones and i love them regardless of the rooms ive lived in.

ive HEARD that the unique design in the tweeters that adam have in their monitors can cause issues in producing electronic music.. look into this further before buying them..

[AxeD]

I explained the pros and cons of ribbon tweeters in some other thread about
monitors, but we came to the conclusion that the low-mid is pretty well covered in Adam speakers.

[rockonin]

Have you considered trying the new Yamaha HS series.

[fragments]

Have you considered trying the new Yamaha HS series.

I have considered the yamaha HS8 as well, however, it's too large for my current desk.

OP: I recommend looking at the Equator D series (5inch and 8inch) or stick with the Adams F7.

[Nevs]

can only personally put my stamp of approval on the KRK rokit range of monitors.. i have a pair of the 8" ones and i love them regardless of the rooms ive lived in.

ive HEARD that the unique design in the tweeters that adam have in their monitors can cause issues in producing electronic music.. look into this further before buying them..

I've heard the rokit line is pretty bad from the studying I've been doing on monitors. Apparently they aren't all that accurate and there are much better options for the price. I never considered them, but thanks for the input!

Have you considered trying the new Yamaha HS series.

I've given them a listen, and I did like them, but the HS8's are too big for my desk unfortunately.

Decided to go with the Equator D8's, I'm about to order them and if I don't like them I'll send them back and replace them with the Adam F7 speakers. Thanks for the suggestion of Equator, I'd never heard of them before but the information I can find on the D series is nothing short of perfection. Excited to try them out!

[forbidden]

the stereo image is so good you'll want to reach out and touch it enjoy and post your thoughts, i have the d5's and want to upgrade to 8's when i can afford some more room treatment

[fragments]

can only personally put my stamp of approval on the KRK rokit range of monitors.. i have a pair of the 8" ones and i love them regardless of the rooms ive lived in.

ive HEARD that the unique design in the tweeters that adam have in their monitors can cause issues in producing electronic music.. look into this further before buying them..

I've heard the rokit line is pretty bad from the studying I've been doing on monitors. Apparently they aren't all that accurate and there are much better options for the price. I never considered them, but thanks for the input!

Have you considered trying the new Yamaha HS series.

I've given them a listen, and I did like them, but the HS8's are too big for my desk unfortunately.

Decided to go with the Equator D8's, I'm about to order them and if I don't like them I'll send them back and replace them with the Adam F7 speakers. Thanks for the suggestion of Equator, I'd never heard of them before but the information I can find on the D series is nothing short of perfection. Excited to try them out!

Just a note--when I got my D5s I'd read that the highs take about 12 hours of serious use to before they soften up a bit. I highly recommend "burning" in the monitors before making any judgements. I highly doubt you'll want to return them. I can only imagine the D8s are as amazing as the 5s. I "cross-graded" price wise from Rokit 6 G2s and I it was night and day for me. I don't prefer to enjoy listening to music for pleasure on the D5s as they are very clinical, but that's the point I isn't it? The D5s are the first pair of monitors that I've worked extensively on that made me understand what studio monitors are actually supposed to be.

[LUNCHPADDLE]

can only personally put my stamp of approval on the KRK rokit range of monitors.. i have a pair of the 8" ones and i love them regardless of the rooms ive lived in.

ive HEARD that the unique design in the tweeters that adam have in their monitors can cause issues in producing electronic music.. look into this further before buying them..

I've heard the rokit line is pretty bad from the studying I've been doing on monitors. Apparently they aren't all that accurate and there are much better options for the price. I never considered them, but thanks for the input!

youre the second person this week to say that to me, but when i asked for an output frequency response chart or some sort definitive proof of this aspect/accusation of the performance of the KRK's, there was nothing else to be said..?

its all well and good to regurgitate what the wankers in your audio engineering class are saying, but without anything beyond the fact that its just an opinion of a wealthy audiophile im comfortable with them beyond belief.

i got my pair of KRK's brand new for $700AUD with stands.
pretty damn good if you do tech spec comparisons with other 'higher end' units, look at the performance, dont pay attention to what 'mainstream hating hipsters' are saying.

go review the tech specs of a product before you dig too deep of a hole by dissing it hahah

xox

[Nevs]

the stereo image is so good you'll want to reach out and touch it enjoy and post your thoughts, i have the d5's and want to upgrade to 8's when i can afford some more room treatment

I may do a YouTube review for them. Hardly many reviews out there for the D8's, I assume it's because they are quite new.

Just a note--when I got my D5s I'd read that the highs take about 12 hours of serious use to before they soften up a bit. I highly recommend "burning" in the monitors before making any judgements. I highly doubt you'll want to return them. I can only imagine the D8s are as amazing as the 5s. I "cross-graded" price wise from Rokit 6 G2s and I it was night and day for me. I don't prefer to enjoy listening to music for pleasure on the D5s as they are very clinical, but that's the point I isn't it? The D5s are the first pair of monitors that I've worked extensively on that made me understand what studio monitors are actually supposed to be.

Good to know, I'll play music on them for a while before doing a review on them. Hopefully they are great, and I hope my desk measurements were correct and they actually fit in my room

youre the second person this week to say that to me, but when i asked for an output frequency response chart or some sort definitive proof of this aspect/accusation of the performance of the KRK's, there was nothing else to be said..?

its all well and good to regurgitate what the wankers in your audio engineering class are saying, but without anything beyond the fact that its just an opinion of a wealthy audiophile im comfortable with them beyond belief.

i got my pair of KRK's brand new for $700AUD with stands.
pretty damn good if you do tech spec comparisons with other 'higher end' units, look at the performance, dont pay attention to what 'mainstream hating hipsters' are saying.

go review the tech specs of a product before you dig too deep of a hole by dissing it hahah
xox

Hey, if they work for your needs that's great. The problem with buying monitors is how subjective it is, and I don't find just testing them in a guitar center to be adequate, since it may sound totally different in my room. But I have been posting around various sites, here, Sound on Sound, Gearslutz, etc. and the overwhelming majority seem to say that they didn't care for the Rokit line. Having little experience with professional monitors, and with it's subjectivity, I just decided I needed to go with what was most popular among audiophiles that know more about monitors than I do. And the vast majority seem to like the Adam line or the Equator line for medium sized rooms and for the price (around $700-1000) which is within my price range. Also, tech specs can only tell you so much, just because the range is extended from X hz to Y khz doesn't make it a necessarily flat response. I'm not saying I know, without a doubt, that the Rokits are no good. I'm simply saying, that I am going with what is popular since I have no frame of reference (beyond my AV40's).

Didn't mean any offense by my statement.

Cheers!

[LUNCHPADDLE]

no offence taken bro, i just laugh at how easy it is for people to hate things that are popular and come up with reasons as to why these things are shit. haha!

eg, you were saying they rokits were shit based on what youve heard with zero experience with actually using the speakers.. same as everyone else who i find trashes them.
meh, to each his own..

branding is a gimmick in itself most of the time.
advertising is a polite way of saying "tricking the consumer" in all honesty.

[mekha]

no offence taken bro, i just laugh at how easy it is for people to hate things that are popular and come up with reasons as to why these things are shit. haha!

eg, you were saying they rokits were shit based on what youve heard with zero experience with actually using the speakers.. same as everyone else who i find trashes them.
meh, to each his own..

branding is a gimmick in itself most of the time.
advertising is a polite way of saying "tricking the consumer" in all honesty.

This was the kind of asshole attitude I had while I destroyed my ears with KRK.

Until I moved on and tried higher end monitors: Dynaudio, Adam, Focal, Genelec, Neumann. Then I realized how much of an smart ass I was and bought the D5 wich are the best monitors in the low end market at the moment. Just for the phase issues the coaxial design solve is well worth the money.

Rokits are pretty bad to be honest... You will never make precise/critical mixing with them, too many details aren't just there, sorry.. but your might find you way around them (if you really hate that much yourself) The VXT line are a tad better.. but for the price i'd choose anything else.

[LUNCHPADDLE]

^ so am i an arsehole then?

thats very kind of you. i wish you much luck in your endeavours.

[mekha]

Nope, you are not an asshole but you do have an asshole attitude.
If you don't really know about monitors you can just jump around and say that crappy speakers offer good value and throw the whole marketing thing as an argument.

But to be honest the only asshole around is myself, don't get me wrong.

[LUNCHPADDLE]

to each his own mate.

maybe when im rich i can go and buy some dynaudio M3XE's.

until then im happy as larry.