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Good/best active monitor suggestions in the price range of $1300?

post #1 of 36
9/7/04 at 1:53am
Thread Starter 
Originally I was going to purchase Alesis M1 MKII active reference monitors to replace my Swan M-200 speakers... after listening to them at Guitar Center, I figured out it would have been more of a step down. They had similar character to the Swan's I have, except they were boomy! The Alesis seem to fake their low-end like Bose does (which doesn't surprise me, I had no idea they were that small from the published frequency response!) I am looking for active nearfields with tight/accurate visceral bass. I want to at least feel it a little in my chest, without my subwoofer. Out of all the speakers I heard at Guitar Center, I was most fond of the Mackie HR824 - but they didn't have any Event Studio Precision 8's there. Has anyone heard both monitors and can give me a comparison? Perhaps someone has a suggestion on a better active speaker in this price range? ($400 turned into $1300 pretty quick ... my poor wallet)
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post #2 of 36
9/7/04 at 2:59am
For your original budget, I'd put in a shameless plug for my NHT powered monitors with their 150 watt dual mono outboard amp, which originally retailed for around $1300 or so. The amp weighs a solid 50-60lbs by itself, so it's a pretty beefy package.

But for your revised budget, you can get the mackie hr824's off of ebay for considerably less, and they really do sound good and image well. High recommendation from me, for what it's worth (not much.) Iron_dreamer and Jasper liked the events better; I haven't heard them myself. Without the tweeter waveguide though, I doubt the imaging will be in the exact same class as the mackies, though other aspects may well be better. I have my own doubts about 8" two ways though, and will probably never buy a commercially designed one myself.
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post #3 of 36
9/7/04 at 3:06am
Well, the only monitors that have stayed on my computer desk more than a week are the Norh 6.1 loudspeakers. Something about that shape just makes these things disappear, and throw a great image at close range. With enough power the bass has impact, and is tight, but remember no monitor can move air like a good subwoofer can do.
I tried a lot of integrated amps, and ended up with a Krell KAV 400xi, but the one that I liked best at around your price range was the NAD C372 Stereo Integrated Amplifier.
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post #4 of 36
9/7/04 at 3:35am
go back to GC and look at the KRK and JBL monitors... i have the KRK's but the unpowered version, i personally prefer a seperate amp so that i can get a nice amp and replace the speakers whenever i need to
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post #5 of 36
9/7/04 at 4:48am
After hearing the 824, 20/20bas, and SP8 in guitar center, I thought the Studio Precision 8's were the clear winner, sounding extremely natural and full (moreso than the others), yet detailed and revealing. Plus that piano black finish, ooh sexy!
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post #6 of 36
9/8/04 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by flecom
go back to GC and look at the KRK and JBL monitors... i have the KRK's but the unpowered version, i personally prefer a seperate amp so that i can get a nice amp and replace the speakers whenever i need to
I had a listen to a few different KRK speakers yesterday. I focused on the V8 series 2, and RP8 or something (Rokit's). The highs seem a little bright for my taste, Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain made me grit my teeth a few times. I had a listen to JBL LSR... I have no idea Some 8" powered monitors by JBL. They looked like they could take a serious beating! No teeth gritting experience with the JBL, but not my cup of tea either. I am used to my Swans imaging the clatter in Concierto Da Aranjuez (Adagio) sort of behind me/off to the side, I could hear the music like it was coming from the speakers. I don't want that, I would prefer with this upgrade, that the speakers disappear completely.


Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyCougar
Well, the only monitors that have stayed on my computer desk more than a week are the Norh 6.1 loudspeakers. Something about that shape just makes these things disappear, and throw a great image at close range. With enough power the bass has impact, and is tight, but remember no monitor can move air like a good subwoofer can do.
I tried a lot of integrated amps, and ended up with a Krell KAV 400xi, but the one that I liked best at around your price range was the NAD C372 Stereo Integrated Amplifier.
Yeah I've been looking at those funky nOrh designs for a while now, they really intrigue me. I already have an amp if I decided to go that route.... I'd kind of like to stay with active speakers if possible, but for the curiousity in me... How far away from the wall do those have to be to image properly? What distance is your typical listening field for "great imaging" with them?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer
After hearing the 824, 20/20bas, and SP8 in guitar center, I thought the Studio Precision 8's were the clear winner, sounding extremely natural and full (moreso than the others), yet detailed and revealing. Plus that piano black finish, ooh sexy!
From the pictures of them I've seen on the web, yeah they do look absolutely stunning. However, the frequency response chart they have on Event1 disturbs me a little bit. Mackie's are almost totally linear, but Event's is kind of like my Swans - I hope it's not going to be a side step with more bass. I'm very big on measurements, because I know my ears aren't as reliable as I'd like to believe they are. I think a trip to a different Guitar Center is in order for my next day off! Pray for my wallet that I don't hear Genelec 1038's on my way. I already bought a LavryBlue this month, and I am kind of kicking myself in the butt over it because I can't hear much difference between it and the analog outs of my CardDeluxe on my Swans (yet there is a definate difference with Lynx L22 and CardDeluxe - the treble becomes more refined, but the sound stage closes in. It begins to sound very compressed in comparison, and clinical) I'm hoping to compliment my Lavry with a pair of speakers that might actually give me that extra little bit I need to justify my upgraditis. Maybe my L22 will sound better with a nice Talisman headamp/pre and some piano black pretties as well.
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post #7 of 36
9/8/04 at 12:54pm
Please completely disregard any frequency charts shown by manufacturers, especially Mackie's charts. I love Mackie's sound, but their charts are BS. For example, the 624 and 824's charts look almost identical, but boy do they sound different. Both good but definitely very different. Those charts are smoothed so much it's not funny.
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post #8 of 36
9/8/04 at 1:16pm
I can't compare, but I have had the HR 824's for my computer for maybe around a year. They do not getting fatiguing and stuff I mix or premaster on them translates very well to other systems. I'm satisfied and keeping them.

By the way, they are remarkably heavy for their size.
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post #9 of 36
9/8/04 at 1:33pm
I've been researching this question for some time now and am soon adding the Genelec 1029As together with the 1092 subwoofer. The Genelecs sell at around your budget, too.
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post #10 of 36
9/8/04 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ipodstudio
I've been researching this question for some time now and am soon adding the Genelec 1029As together with the 1092 subwoofer. The Genelecs sell at around your budget, too.
If I could get them together in a package like their triple play for $1300, I'd be all over that. Looks spendy for both though. I want to move away from subwoofers as well, I am always having to readjust the levels of my SVS to match my Swans, and it just gets annoying. Damn the recording industry and their LOUD mastering!
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post #11 of 36
9/9/04 at 6:45am
Yep, I hear you re. price. I'm probably going to pick up a used set off ebay or Audiogon.
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post #12 of 36
9/9/04 at 10:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ipodstudio
Yep, I hear you re. price. I'm probably going to pick up a used set off ebay or Audiogon.
Used, wouldn't you be better off going with Dynaudio BM6a or something? I can't believe it's 6am... I have work in three hours, I've spent my entire evening on GearSlutz and AudioAsylum trying to get some answers and now it seems like I should just deal with what I have until I can drop $5k on something sick.

This is a disease I tell you, a disease! (anyone recommend some good doctors to dope me up and keep my wallet away from me? )
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post #13 of 36
9/9/04 at 10:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by VitaminJosh
Used, wouldn't you be better off going with Dynaudio BM6a or something? I can't believe it's 6am... I have work in three hours, I've spent my entire evening on GearSlutz and AudioAsylum trying to get some answers and now it seems like I should just deal with what I have until I can drop $5k on something sick.
Haven't heard those or read much about them. I'll have a look, though...

Quote:
Originally Posted by VitaminJosh
This is a disease I tell you, a disease! (anyone recommend some good doctors to dope me up and keep my wallet away from me? )
Try one of the Olympic team Dr.s, they should be able to help.
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post #14 of 36
9/9/04 at 12:08pm
Hi,

If i were you (but i'm not!) i would stretch my budget to $1,500 and get the small Studer A1. This is IMO much better than all that has been mentioned so far.

I think you won't find them at Guitar Center. (this is real high-end )

BTW for really tight accurate and visceral bass a near field is a little short, i would go with a mid field like Studer A3 ($3,000).

Check with Studer USA for a local distributor.
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post #15 of 36
9/9/04 at 12:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastergill
Hi,

If i were you (but i'm not!) i would stretch my budget to $1,500 and get the small Studer A1. This is IMO much better than all that has been mentioned so far.

I think you won't find them at Guitar Center. (this is real high-end )

BTW for really tight accurate and visceral bass a near field is a little short, i would go with a mid field like Studer A3 ($3,000).

Check with Studer USA for a local distributor.
Mastergill, thanks for the info. Have you compared the Genelecs to these? What do you feel they do better?
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