Small Studio Monitors=-Any Recommendations?

Astral Fridge Magnet · Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:48 pm

As the thread title says, Small Studio Monitors=-Any Recommendations?

I am looking at something quite small in the vein of Yamaha MSP3, small Alesis ones (can't remember the model number), Genelec 8020a, etc...
Something small, doesn't take up a lot of space, not too heavy to lug around and sound very good.

I already have Mackie 824, but I would like a secondary pair for my second "studio" based around my laptop. Plus they would be useful to compare mixes with my Mackies. Quality though is important.

Thanks for your input.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:58 pm

If you want small & high quality, (IE- really high quality) go for the genelecs.

I'm personally very impressed with the sound of genelec monitors considering their size.

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:10 pm

I second the genelcs. They'd be my next pair if I had the money.

Astral Fridge Magnet · Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:36 pm

Thanks for the responses so far. I have been doing some reading and see that the tiny genelec 8020A are very highly rated. The only criticism I read was that they use male XLR connections and not phono jacks. That could be a problem, though I am not sure yet. They will be connected to my Novation X-Station 25 (which I just bought) and I am not sure if it has XLR connections yet (I haven't fully explored it). If it only has 1/4 inch phono jacks is there an cable that has XLR one end and Phono the other (I hope that wasn't too dumb a question)?

Thanks

PS. Just noticed that the outputs connection of the X-Station is 1/4 inch jacks, the genelecs only have XLR inputs.

husker · Post by **husker** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:26 pm

1/4 inch to XLR cable is no problem

erminardi · Post by **erminardi** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:58 am

Look also PMC monitors http://www.pmcloudspeaker.com/ they are very small & amazing!

Counterparts · Post by **Counterparts** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:07 am

Astral Fridge Magnet wrote: PS. Just noticed that the outputs connection of the X-Station is 1/4 inch jacks, the genelecs only have XLR inputs.

Probably balanced jack sockets (taking a 'stereo' jack). That's how my mixer outputs to my monitors; balanced jack to XLR.

I made up my own cables, I've got a wiring diagram at home which shows how to make up these cables if that's of any use to you.

Royston

Post by **hubird** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:00 pm

best two in a large test in German studio magazin for nearfields a few years ago: Genelec and A.D.A.M. (http://www.adam-audio.de/professional/).
I love my ADAMs

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:39 pm

I've been fooled by these 'Tests' a couple of times now and revoke all I've ever written based on quotes from such prints and their respective audio examples.
There's a proverb that 'paper is patient with what's printed on it...', ok, but the 'examples' provided are close to fraud.
They are miles away from supposed objectivity

At least my 'personal' damage is restricted to just make a fool out of myself and not a monetary loss, so I can get over it...

cheers, Tom

Counterparts · Post by **Counterparts** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:18 am

astroman wrote: There's a proverb that 'paper is patient with what's printed on it...',

I rather like that one

There's a Japanese proverb, which is:

"If you believe everything you read, better not to read."

...which reminds me a little of the saying, "Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see."

katano · Post by **katano** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:32 am

hi

how about the Event ASP6 or ASP8? they seems to be a really good
alternative to the genelecs and way cheaper. some say they are even
better, cause of smoother and less fatiguing highs and flat and well
designed mids... just a thought...

I used the Event PS8 for 3 years now and are just awaiting the ASP8. I
got them for a very low price, Eur 890.-/Pair (because of some scratches
on one of them). I was always very confortable with the Events, as they
translate fantastic to the outer studio world

http://emusician.com/monitors/emusic_ev ... index.html

cheers
roman

Post by **garyb** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:24 pm

depends on the budget....
got money?
adam, genelec, pmc, etc.

don't got money?

if you want an inexpensive, straight forward, honest 6/12" the yorkville ysm1p is great, but i get the idea that you want smaller, so, the krk krocks are plenty decent.

if you want a system with better bass response(has a sub), blue sky makes a nice small system.

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:42 pm

You need to go listen to these monitors.. but then, what store has the right enviroment to check out the monitors right? I've never been to the shop where things were right. Without listening, you might as well buy a pair of bricks.

I had a chance to actually do a mix on the 8020, and 10 minutes into working with them, I was sure they were going to be my next pair.

bassdude · Post by **bassdude** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:45 pm

My vote for the PMC's too. Check these out http://www.pmcloudspeaker.com/tb2sa.html
Smaller than HR824 but extended bass without being wooly. PMC put all of their research into ONE design - transmission line. They don't do infinte baffle, ported, bass reflex etc. Very nearly bought HR824's (but was a bit wary of the passive radiator concept). Heard the TB2's and was sold even though they were smaller and more expensive

This is just my opinion of course. Just giving you an alternative that's worthy of consideration.

BingoTheClowno · Post by **BingoTheClowno** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:27 pm

How does one determine how good a monitor is? By its frequency response range, noise level,...?

Are amplified monitors better than the non-amplified ones? I mean, what kind of amp crammed inside a speaker cabinet, next to a big speaker magnet, performs better than a dedicated speaker powered by a dedicated amp?

Post by **garyb** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:43 pm

what kind of amp crammed inside a speaker cabinet, next to a big speaker magnet, performs better than a dedicated speaker powered by a dedicated amp?

a digital one.

no, but seriously, all of the speaks listed here are more than useable. whichever you choose, you'll have to learn it's strengths and weaknesses. there is no "best" choice. certainly, a custom speaker for a specific room and dedicated amp(s) would be the best way to go, and for most of us, an impracticality. then, there is still the debate about what is the "best" speaker and response to get the best mixes. i don't think a 100% linear response, totally neutral driver or box exists. everything is a compromise.

BingoTheClowno · Post by **BingoTheClowno** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:57 pm

What's a digital amp?

Post by **garyb** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:27 am

1. a joke by me
2. a class D amp. single chip designs are pretty small....http://www.edn.com/contents/images/152804.pdf
3. http://www.tbk.co.kr/eng/rnd/digi%20vs%20D-class.pdf
4. http://www.puredigitalaudio.org/digital ... ndex.shtml

you're right of course, bingo. a powered speaker likely isn't optimum where the amp is concerned. there are tradeoffs as always(shielding, heat dissipation, power loss through cable resistance) but many of the current powered speakers are very good.

Nestor · Post by **Nestor** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:55 am

Read this, it may help. I second the Event one, because of the price:

http://emusician.com/mag/emusic_event_e ... precision/

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:57 pm

regarding the emusician review above - however famous a producer the author may be...
that's what he wrote about the NI B4

... B4 We Go The B4 organ is absolutely stunning. The tonewheels sound just like the real thing. The rotating speaker, amp overdrive, percussion, and vibrato also sound completely convincing. The B4's ability to move virtual microphones around a simulated speaker cabinet puts the icing on the cake.

You can't beat the B4's sound quality, great presets, price, ease of use, and efficiency. I would put B4 up against any of the new organs and organ modules on the market - maybe even a real Hammond B-3. ...

the quote is a bit aged, but he's actually someone who does (or should...) know the real thing....

Anyway - without treating the room appropriately first, you can monitor with whatever you like and what fits your taste.
The room response will color more than the variation in speaker specs.

cheers, Tom