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Monitor recommendations for under $1000 - Page 2

post #16 of 91
5/14/09 at 1:17am
Thread Starter 
I am perfectly happy with my HotAudio, unless you think for any reason that I should get a new one.

What happened to the NHTs? Are they active and not passive?

The amp looks really old, so I doubt I'll be able to find one new. Is there anything else you can think of that's a bit more modern?
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post #17 of 91
5/14/09 at 1:50am
LOL. Trust me, Adcom amps are amazing. They rock on some of the hardest-to-power speakers around. AND for a great price. For modern amps to match the performance, you generally pay almost double the price (except maybe Rotels, but those aren't that modern).

Oh yeah, the NHT are great too. Lol. I am just partial to Def Tech and Polk.
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post #18 of 91
5/14/09 at 2:09am
Thread Starter 
Ok, I'll trust you on that one. Here is a modern remake of the one you suggested:

GFA-555SE - ADCOM
But it costs $1300

I could buy the amp used off ebay but that seems a bit risky, especially since the internal parts can burn out over time, can't they?

ADCOM GFA-555 II Power Amplifier - (eBay.ca item 260410191291 end time 18-May-09 20:54:28 EDT)

Do you have any reason to believe that either the Def Tech or Polk speakers are better than the NHTs? Or the other way around?

EDIT: I think I will post another thread in the amps forum about what amp to get. It's not that I don't trust your advice, Alai, but I think it's always better to get more opinions. Also, I was reading that the Adcom amp was only really good if you need to power power-hungry speakers, and I have a feeling the Classic Threes are not (they aren't very big).
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post #19 of 91
5/14/09 at 4:19am
Yeah, that's fine. And, the amp performance won't matter if it's power hungry speakers or not. The more correct statement would be that the amp wouldn't be used to the full potential unless the speakers require lots of power.

But, yeah, that's fine. It's your purchase so you need to do as much research as you care to do.

But anyhow, I don't have any particularly logical reason in preferring Polk or Def Tech. Well, the LSi9 I love for the Vifa ring radiator tweeters, but some people think it is TOO smooth which gives the perception of being underwhelming. Personally, I like it. Def Tech speakers just... in general... are nice. I just like the crisp sound signature. Just the way I like my headphones.

And yeah, there's absolutely no reason to purchase the modern remake. At least, not until the price lowers.
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post #20 of 91
5/16/09 at 7:27pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, I have gone and demoed the NHT Classic Three with and without a sub and determined that I'll need a subwoofer. Unfortunately this will definitely put me over budget. Ah well, such is life. Anyways, I have one final question before I leave you guys alone and go buy my system: I live on the top floor of a fairly old house with wooden floors. Would using a sub bother the people below me, and would it make a difference if it was a side-firing or downwards firing sub?
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post #21 of 91
5/17/09 at 1:28am
Auralex SubDude HD | Sweetwater.com

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MoPAD

Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 System | Sweetwater.com

Anything else you need?

edit: oh great, you are Canadian. Never mind. Good luck. Get some Paradigm Monitors and sub w/ a Denon 589 receiver with audyssey room calibration. It will sound tight.
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post #22 of 91
5/17/09 at 6:24pm
The sub will probably bother people, especially if it's more of an HT sub that focuses on output instead of smoothness.

Thing about subs is that they let out low frequency sound which tends to vibrate things. The vibrations are really really hard to stop.
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post #23 of 91
5/17/09 at 9:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alai View Post
The sub will probably bother people, especially if it's more of an HT sub that focuses on output instead of smoothness.

Thing about subs is that they let out low frequency sound which tends to vibrate things. The vibrations are really really hard to stop.
ahem. this will greatly reduce that issue and make the sub sound better.

Auralex SubDude HD | Sweetwater.com
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post #24 of 91
5/17/09 at 10:39pm
I have no doubt it will make the sub sound better, but will it really reduce noise to neighbors THAT much?
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post #25 of 91
5/17/09 at 11:01pm
Yeah. It takes out a lot of the vibrations to the floor. Near the epicenter, the bass is strongest. It dissipates over the distance of the room. If he has carpet, it will really reduce the sound levels. Besides, a small, nearfield setup subwoofer doesn't need to be loud at all.

I am working on my own nearfield atm. Selling my alo 780s for better speakers than what I am using. The sub took some tuning in for sure. I have it crossed at 60hz but wish I could get some speakers capable of 45-50hz so I can use the sub only for the deep bass.

Paradigm Titans or mini monitors are a good idea imo. They go down to 39hz, look great, and are Canadian made. You could live without a sub with those.
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post #26 of 91
5/18/09 at 2:11am
Look into Adam A7's...you may be able to find them for about a $1000 for a pair, maybe slightly more.
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post #27 of 91
5/18/09 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingFungus View Post
Look into Adam A7's...you may be able to find them for about a $1000 for a pair, maybe slightly more.
They have A5s too. The Adams are the best nearfield monitors for pro use under or around $1000. Made in Germany and have to be imported by individual order in the States. They have rca unbalanced and xlr balanced inputs btw.

The A5s are around $700.
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post #28 of 91
5/18/09 at 6:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spacemanspliff View Post
They have A5s too. The Adams are the best nearfield monitors for pro use under or around $1000. Made in Germany and have to be imported by individual order in the States. They have rca unbalanced and xlr balanced inputs btw.

The A5s are around $700.
Im actually interested in the A7's myself but its too much money for me haha. I mentioned A7's only because of the countless reviews that Ive read of how amazing they are. Im sure the A5's are just as amazing...just slightly less bass I'd imagine. The RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced inputs is definitely great.
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post #29 of 91
5/18/09 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spacemanspliff View Post
Auralex SubDude HD | Sweetwater.com

Auralex MoPAD | Sweetwater.com

Blue Sky MediaDesk 2.1 System | Sweetwater.com

Anything else you need?

edit: oh great, you are Canadian. Never mind. Good luck. Get some Paradigm Monitors and sub w/ a Denon 589 receiver with audyssey room calibration. It will sound tight.
Great! This will be really helpful with not disturbing people. Not sure about the monitors, will look into them, but I will definitely consider the Denon receiver.

The Adams sound really great for pro audio use, but these will be solely in my home for music listening purposes, as well as some movies. I will not be using this system for mixing at all. Are they still a good choice, or are they mainly only good for mixing?

EDIT: Looked into the Paradigms. The titans are a little below my price range, and I have heard some bad things about the minis, like the highs being bright and harsh. Anyways, I will definitely go try out some of these speakers tomorrow.

I also read about Ascend monitors, namely the CMT-340 SE. Has anyone heard these? They seemed to get good recommendations, but there are not a whole lot of reviews available. These are currently on blowout sale for $460 a pair down from $560. And they offer a 30-day unconditional return period.
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post #30 of 91
5/18/09 at 7:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aj_brown_99 View Post
Great! This will be really helpful with not disturbing people. Not sure about the monitors, will look into them, but I will definitely consider the Denon receiver.

The Adams sound really great for pro audio use, but these will be solely in my home for music listening purposes, as well as some movies. I will not be using this system for mixing at all. Are they still a good choice, or are they mainly only good for mixing?
You might very much enjoy the sound of the Adam's just for purely listening to music. They are geared towards mixing for sure, but thats not to say that you cant enjoy listening to music through them.

I mainly use my AKG K240 MKII's, which are definitely studio headphones, for just listening to music and I think they sound amazing!

I guess you'll have to try and demo them to see for yourself.
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