Topic: Monitors vs speakers AND receiver suggestions needed

[Tim]

give me a few minutes to go back and actually read it. I scanned the thread, and when I saw ns-10's mentioned, just hit reply. I should really be more thorough and actually read before I type, but I think I have ADD...

I'm sure that I do

[BC]

One other thing about powered monitors is that it is virtually impossible to fry your speakers since the speaker and integral amps are designed to work together.

Also, it seems that most monitor-type speakers designed for use in the nearfield have more restricted lateral dispersion than similar "audiophile" designs. You can see this in the baffle design of numerous monitors where a waveguide is often implemented with the tweeter (genelec and mackie monitors come to mind) This could possibly lead to the speakers sounding dull if you have a large room or do not toe them in towards you. This may have been mentioned in Tim's post but I didn't have a chance to read it in detail. 

Happy shopping!
Ben

[Tim]

you said it much better than me Ben!

[JeffK]

I would stick with speakers/amps for your situation.  Like Ben said, monitors are better suited for nearfield use.

[heath]

One other thing about powered monitors is that it is virtually impossible to fry your speakers since the speaker and integral amps are designed to work together.

Also, it seems that most monitor-type speakers designed for use in the nearfield have more restricted lateral dispersion than similar "audiophile" designs. You can see this in the baffle design of numerous monitors where a waveguide is often implemented with the tweeter (genelec and mackie monitors come to mind) This could possibly lead to the speakers sounding dull if you have a large room or do not toe them in towards you. This may have been mentioned in Tim's post but I didn't have a chance to read it in detail. 

Happy shopping!
Ben

This is a good explanation of why nearfield monitors wouldn't be effective in a home theater environment.  For studio use, where I am 3 feet from my display and monitors, they rule, but for home use, I wouldn't reccommend.

I went by a new mastering facility in Pittsburgh recently and checked out their amazing monitoring setup.  Here is what they use (typically mastering suites use hi-fi speakers rather than studio monitors, as Garrett explains below:

For the most part, you won't find studio monitors in a dedicated mastering suite. The reason is simple: near-field monitors are a compromise. They are often a limited frequency unit that is designed to let engineers track and mix in a quick and efficient way. Conversely, mastering engineers use high end, full rage speakers in a tuned environment. What does this mean to you? It means we can hear things that the mix and tracking engineers didn't know were there. For example, bass build up or lack thereof are often problems uncovered during the mastering process.

At Treelady, we rely on a custom Dunlavy main monitoring system:

    Monitor System One: Dunlavy SC-V's (with matching custom Dunlavy Sub Towers) These seven foot tall beasts will transform any studio in to a veritable Stonehenge of sound. Known word-wide as some of the finest mastering speakers ever made, the "Duns" allow us to hear things you didn't know were in the mix.


FWIW, the Dunlavy's are AMAZING.  I wish I could own a pair

[eric.B]

I have read your inquiry and I think these will fit your needs....

[Nick in Edinboro]

Mark,

Definately consider that Sony amp, sounds like a dream machine.  Once i have some disposable income I might go for it as well or maybe some sorta tube amp--I dunno yet

As per speakers, I recommend what I just picked up, some Axiom M22ti's.. Man they SING!  Would need a sub to get to the lower octaves (but so would most monitor/bookshelf sized speaker).

Check out www.audioreview.com, search for the axiom's and others mentioned here and read over all the reviews, might help you make a decision.

If you have a local hi-fi shop (I don't) I'd recommend definately demo'ing some before buying.  Most reputable shops will let you take them home to listen before buying.

[Tim]

Heath - I was lucky enough to watch a very talented mastering engineer master an album that I had helped mix. Really impressive, it is truely an art form, those guys have ears beyond golden....

here's the guy we went too, just outside of Atlanta...
http://www.rodneymills.com

he's worked with an amazing client list... check it out sometime. He had gold records on the floor because he had run out of room on his walls... not quite as impressive as Xepa but pretty damn cool nonetheless

[heath]

Heath - I was lucky enough to watch a very talented mastering engineer master an album that I had helped mix. Really impressive, it is truely an art form, those guys have ears beyond golden....

here's the guy we went too, just outside of Atlanta...
http://www.rodneymills.com

he's worked with an amazing client list... check it out sometime. He had gold records on the floor because he had run out of room on his walls... not quite as impressive as Xepa but pretty damn cool nonetheless

that dude has worked with a lot of people!  thanks for the link!!!!

what album did you work on?  I would like to hear it.

[Tim]

I did *zero* engineering just went to Atlanta to help mix and master with the band. It was with a band I was doing live work for. I'll dig up a copy, nothing special as the engineer they hired was terrible... he was a friend and a student and worked cheap

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I recommend what I just picked up, some Axiom M22ti's.. Man they SING!  Would need a sub to get to the lower octaves

This set has been on my wish list since last summer...  Along with a Hsu subwoofer...

I'd run this behind my Sony EA-T1000ESD and B&K ST-140.  I'm sure it'll do better than the speakers I have now - sometimes its the Crap Shack hand-me-downs or the Infinity Micro set I have...

Terry

[silentmark]

I just wanted to thank y'all for the info , kudos to all ...

[BobW]

Currently, I like Dynaudio for room, Tannoy for studio.

BTW, don't ditch your Advents if the woofer surrounds are holding up.  They are warm, but formidable.
Keep 'em up on stands, use spilkes to isolate, keep 'em a few feet off the wall.
Little things like placement can make big differences.  Draperies can change everything sometimes.

FWIW, I don't like the B&Ws, tho'  I know alot of folks hear them differently that I do.

[Tim]

FWIW, I don't like the B&Ws, tho' I know alot of folks hear them differently that I do.

curious as to what you hear differently?

[heath]

Currently, I like Dynaudio for room, Tannoy for studio.

I just got a nice set of Tannoys for my home setup.  full on 5.1--absolutely loving them with my 3000es.   

h