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Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery.

199.106.103.58
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 13:14:48
pete1
Audiophile

Posts: 323
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Joined: August 8, 2008
 A coworker is selling a pair of Event 20/20 BAS biamped studio monitors and letting me audition them in my home. The setup comprises the Event, a Mackie mixer and a laptop for source. The laptop is connected to the mixer with a cheap stock RCA via its headphone out. A pair of off the shelf XLR runs between the Mackie and Event. My current "audiophile" 2 ch system consists of 3.6 Magnepan ribbon speakers driven by a pair of Odyssey Stratos Extreme monoblocks.

I am completely surprised of how good the Event monitors produce music. In fact, they outperform the Magnepan sytem in the transparency and image departments. All this for $400. I am seriously considering replacing the Maggie system with an active studio monitor rig. Any thought or recommendations?

 

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RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 4, 2013 at 03:04:55
b.l.zeebub
Audiophile

Posts: 9361
Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W
Joined: April 17, 2006
 I'm not surprised at all since I've noticed similar over 20 years ago.

But regarding active monitors what would your budget be?
They come in all sizes and price brackets, from little boxes with 4" woofers to big 4way beasts with four 15" woofers each.
If you go up in size at some point the electronics will not be in the box anymore but racked separately.

 

RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 4, 2013 at 05:26:03
pete1
Audiophile

Posts: 323
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Joined: August 8, 2008
 My budget is $1K for a pair of monitors, with 6 to 8 inch mid driver, and a subwoofer. But I'd stretch the budget range a bit more to get better sound quality.

 

RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 4, 2013 at 05:47:28
b.l.zeebub
Audiophile

Posts: 9361
Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W
Joined: April 17, 2006
 Assuming that you are in North America check out what Vintage King has.

From what I hear the little JBLs are very good for the money and would fit your budget.


Always listen before you buy!

Your local pro shop (if you got one) may have different makes and may also let you borrow a pair over the weekend or so.

 

RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 4, 2013 at 07:31:53
Pro Sound Guy


 
Do your homework and check into Adams studio monitors.

You can get a pair for 1200-1300

They will blow away many a monitor

 

RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 4, 2013 at 07:42:21
b.l.zeebub
Audiophile

Posts: 9361
Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W
Joined: April 17, 2006
 Some like them, some don't and some reported quality control issues with Adams cheaper ranges.

 

Websites for used equipments, posted on February 4, 2013 at 16:47:57
pete1
Audiophile

Posts: 323
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Joined: August 8, 2008
 Are there Audiogon-like market places for used pro audio?

 

RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 4, 2013 at 19:19:08
MichaelV8


 
I agree that powered pro monitors should be considered. I have a big rig with about 8K list price speaker/amps and my Dynaudio powered monitor rig in another room comes very close overall and surpasses in some ways at a much lower price.

 

Other equipment needed in "the system", posted on February 5, 2013 at 09:19:34
pete1
Audiophile

Posts: 323
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Joined: August 8, 2008
 Hey Michael. The Event demo was so compelling that I am planning to use active monitors in a new 2-ch system for music playback enjoyment, not to mix or record. As I am new to pro audio gears, I am not sure where to begin or how to assemble a system. In my limited knowledge on the subject matter, I am contemplating the following 2 options, but I am not sure if there are other alternatives that I want to consider. Also, which monitors and subwoofers blend well together?

Option 1:
Laptop for source.
A mixer.
A pair of biamped monitors.
A subwoofer.
Con: No remote control capability (that I know of).

Option 2:
CD player for source, "audiophile" grade.
Pre-amp, "audiophile" grade.
A pair of biamped monitors.
A subwoofer.
Pro: System can be remote controlled.

 

RE: Studio monitors: A Pleasant Discovery., posted on February 5, 2013 at 09:26:53
Inmate51
 Yes, they're a reasonably decent sounding speaker.

I think $400 is a bit steep, though.

 

RE: Other equipment needed in "the system", posted on February 5, 2013 at 09:27:37
b.l.zeebub
Audiophile

Posts: 9361
Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W
Joined: April 17, 2006
 Option 3:

Mac mini & remote

DAC

Pre-amp with XLR outputs

active monitors

subwoofer

 

RE: Websites for used equipments, posted on February 5, 2013 at 15:48:02
b.l.zeebub
Audiophile

Posts: 9361
Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W
Joined: April 17, 2006
 There are a few here in the UK like FunkyJunk (Proaudio Europe), Larkins List or LMC (mostly PA gear).

Not that much choice though as the turn over in pro audio is quite small, used gear mostly comes from studios which went bust.

Vintage King in the US also sell used equipment.

 

RE: Other equipment needed in "the system", posted on February 5, 2013 at 16:18:37
MichaelV8


 
I'm considering another option for my Dynaudio powered monitor system. I'd like to add a sub without the added expense of a "worthy" preamp. The Oppo 105 has a volume control on its remote. With outputs for main channels and sub, the 105 may be a cost effective solution to having a remote control AND a sub woofer channel neither of which are available with the preamp I'm using which is pretty bare bones.

 

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