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It's been years since I've posted here. I am looking for opinions on whether to switch to studio monitors or not.
My current setup for audio is:
Proac Tablette Reference 8 Signature
Ayre AX-7e
Cambridge Audio DacMagic
Arcam CD73T CD player
MacBook Air
I'm looking at possibly downsizing the system. I don't know why, but I've been looking at studio monitors lately. Most of what I read says that studio monitors are very accurate. I'm thinking this may be the route to take considering my room is not optimal neither...no room treatments, big TV, glass table, etc.
Has anyone here switched from "hi-fi" speakers to studio monitors and if so, what are your thoughts? Good choice? Would you say it was an upgrade/downgrade? The speakers I'm considering are the Genelec 8040 or 8050. Thanks.
Follow Ups:
Yes, I went from a big box danish-made speaker down to LS3/5A and Audio Note (UK) AN-K/Spe, bot of which worked well on a 300B (9W) and a 12W class A PP amp. Then I went down in power to 2A3 and 45 tubes and went back to a high efficiency full-sized speaker for greater efficiency. However, I can use the AN-K with both, too.I would suggest you take a look at Stirling Broadcast's website for the new BBC speakers, LS3/6 and SB88 and Graham Audio for the LS5/9. All have US distributors. All are very balanced (neutral) and natural sounding, but are more engaging than similar Harbeth models, for example.
The LS3/5A is a wonderful little speaker that presents a very flat/high impedance load, but lacks the bass that most Americans love. The others might fit, unless you like warmth in your speaker presentation.
Observe, before you think. Think before you open your yap. Act on the basis of experience.
Edits: 04/06/14
Sorry that I haven't posted the room pic...was out of town all weekend. Will post it tonight for everyone's input.
Here's a shot of where the speakers are and a shot of the whole room from the door entrace...again, it is a tiny room. What I was thinking of was switching to studio monitors and have them on the computer desk. I am at my computer so much that it kind of makes sense plus it removes a lot from the TV area.
Would moving the Proacs to the computer table be a good idea? I guess I can test this but are Proacs good for nearfield listening?
Pro Acs have a bit of a studio monitor presentation.
Yes, the range of Studio Monitors serve up all the things acoustically that we like. Plus give you all the benefits of an active system.
Besides the other suggestions so far.
MK2150 http://mkloudspeakers.com/products-info.asp?id=169&type=Product
ATC SCM25A http://www.atcloudspeakers.co.uk/professional/loudspeakers/scm25a-pro/
Three most important things in Audio reproduction: Keep the noise levels low, the power high and the room diffuse.
Thanks everyone for the comments.
There isn't anything really that I dislike or want to change with the sound...though a new and better DAC would be nice.
The main reason I'm thinking a change is required is because my room is TINY and over-crowded. The room is my audio/console gaming/PC gaming/computing room. I'm thinking if I go to studio monitors, I can remove the amp, speakers and stands, and DAC. Doesn't sound like much but that would free up a lot of space and make the room feel/look less crowded. I think studio monitors should sound better too given they're meant for nearfield listening. It's either this or cleanup the computing stuff.
I'll try to get a picture of the whole room so you guys can see and suggest. Won't be able to do that till later tonight though. Thanks again.
Given that you already use ProAcs I think you might be pleasantly surprised by active studio monitors. ProAcs are one of the very few passive speakers which still find themselves in studios fairly regularly.
On the whole Genelecs tend to be slightly forward in their presentation, user comments range from 'highly analytical' to 'trebly & harsh'. May be look for something with a silk dome if that might bother you. There is a huge choice of monitors available, see the link for a small snapshot.
For your particular situation I would recommend checking out ME Geithain.
They do monitors with a cardioid response in the bass which gives a lot more freedom when it comes to positioning and less likely to excite room nodes. Sound quality wise they are easily on par with ATC who are pretty much the benchmark for all others. The problem is that they are very difficult to get hold of stateside.
Hi and sorry i am not an expert but i am curious
what do you mean for that ?
Personally i think you should focus on what you do not like in your current set-up
Your present system looks excellent to me
Maybe I should try a different dac ... it is a fundamental piece
I read nothing but excellent reviews of Schiit dacs, even the smallest one.
I have a Cambridge Audio DacMagic myself.
The sound is clean and solid but i miss something in the midrange and in the 3D effect
If instead you feel a lack of bass try other more full range speakers.
I was listening to nice and cute bookshelf speakers.
Then i tried some bigger speakers and the sound now is more realistic.
Why not add a sub maybe ?
Kind regards,
bg
Edits: 04/04/14 04/04/14
About the time Gordon Holt stopped doing much writing for Stereophile he had gotten interested in studio monitors and was going to look into them for reviewing. He didn't get to do that but he did hear a set of ATC50 studio monitors at a studio and fell in love with them. He eventually bought a pair for himself. They were his last personal speaker and he thought very highly of them.
(nt)
I agree with John that monitors are a great value, especially if you're on a budget like I am. I guess I wonder what you're hoping to change, because on paper you have a very nice system there. I'm thinking you might wind up doing some kind of lateral move unless you spend quite a bit.
Edits: 04/03/14
I used active studio monitors for 10-years very successfully. I think active monitors with a subwoofer provide an exceptionally cost effective way to assemble an excellent sounding full-range speaker system. I started with Paradigm Active 20's and finally upgraded to Dynaudio BM6A Mk2 speakers. I used a 12" acoustic suspension powered subwoofer from Cambridge Soundworks. In fact, I still use the same subwoofer with my present system, but I switched back to regular speakers with a separate amplifier. The difference in cost between my present system and my previous active monitor systems is about fifteen thousand dollars, so my present system sounds better. However, in terms of bang-for-the-buck, you can't beat active monitors. My Dynaudio BM6A Mk2 active monitors sounded very high-end to me and they cost only $1500 a pair, which included the power amplifiers -- two in each speaker.
A BM 6a MKIII was recently announced. Unlike its predecessor – a true bargain and fine speaker by any standard – it uses a wave guide on the tweeter. I'm sure there are other differences – perhaps even improvements – but thus far, information has been scanty.
The 8000-series Genelecs have gotten great reviews. There is much discussion on the pro sites about the "Genelec house sound," about which is is often said that "It's a love-it or hate-it thing." I must be in the former group, because every Genelec monitor I have heard in the studio has sounded great.
In any case, the 8050B is much, much more expensive than the BM 6a – indeed, it is good deal dearer than Dynaudio's largest 2-way active monitor, the BM 15a. Both the 8050B and BM 15a have ten-inch woofers that for most people would obviate the expense and bother of a sub.
From the venerable house of Klein and Hummel is the KH-120. Similar in price to the BM 6a, the praise it has been eliciting suggests you may do well to audition them before making a decision, especially if you will be using a subwoofer. The larger and commensurately costlier KH-O300 has gotten fanatical raves from the professional community, and is about the same price as the 8050B.
This is a niche where it seems hard to go seriously wrong. Here is the accuracy that audiophiles claim to desire, along with reliability of operation under conditions that would cause most high-end audiophile speakers and their attendant electronics to melt down.
When you factor value into the equation, home audiophile speakers come off as rather unserious. When the time comes, this is certainly the direction that this veteran audiophile will be going, and I don't expect to look back.
I enjoyed my BM6a Mk2's while I had them. I finally upgraded to some 3-way floorstanding speakers and I am quite happy. This is the best sounding speaker system I've ever owned.
Do you think that your system (amp + speakers) is now substantially better than a pair of ATC SCM150ASL Pro which you could have got for the same money?
With regards to the Klein&Hummel Chef Henry suggested: They are no more, they are now part of Neumann albeit hardly changed otherwise.
Yeah, I think the speakers I have now are the best speakers I could have gotten for the price. That was the reason I bought them.
Thanks,
John Elison
Fair enough. ;-)
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