Near-field Monitors - Suggestions???, Looking to buy in $1000-$1500 range Options

[mixfisto]

Hi folks, I will be buying a pair of studio monitors in the next few weeks and am requesting some advise. I know that I must spend some time doing some critical listening, etc... but wanted a good place to start. I will be using them primarily for mixing, but will also be tracking/writing/arranging as well. I plan on keeping these for a few years while the rest of my studio grows around them.
Can you please let me hear some of your praises... and also some of your warnings???
Any help will be appreciated
Thanks!!!

[Franck Pasquotti]

hye,

For a nearfield monitor at first price with acceptable quality you've got yamaha msp5 (they are really good for the medium and high ferq) that you will can upgrade with a sub unit because the frequency response is not very low so you can combine them with a good headphone like sony mdr 7506 to controlling the bass and the sub. In the same class you can try the little dynaudio which are very good to. If you got more money let's take some mackie hr824 they are the best for quality/price/ performance and options(i've got a pair combined with ns10 yam). And because there are some nice french brand in audio pro industry try to hear the focal sm serie. Oh don't forget the genelec they are very precise but not very neutral in the high frequency.

A bientot.
Franck

[m0no]

Hi,

if i were u i would go for powerd monitores. I'm a big fan of genelec i own the 1030 am. love them. Or if you make more rock [i do electronic ] try dyn audio.

but the main thing is listen for your self and when you listen take some of your own music or songs you really know well. So you know what you arte hearing.

hope this helps....

[DANO10]

Hello Mixfisto,

I'm a retired recording engineer and have listened to a lot of speakers while working here in the Los Angeles area. In my private project studio, I use and recommend Dynaudio BM15 nearfield monitors. SWEET! Try to go listen to a pair that have been broken in. Yes, it takes about a month for the drivers to get broken in. From then on - Wow! BM15's ,the non-powered version, are about $1,200. here in the US. The BM15A's, the powered version, are about $2,600. The 15A's are above your budget range but would be worth the extra.

Before all you forum guys jump in with your favorite speakers, I'd like to say that your are all right. There are many very good near field monitors out there. The above is only my opinion.

DANO10

[mixfisto]

thanks guys... I've spent hours on the net "researching" monitors before going out to have a listening party in order to better inform myself of what to expect, people's reviews vs. what the manufacturers says, etc... I work mostly with rock and pop. From what I gather, the Dynaudio's seem to be a favorite. I have a question though: what is the difference between the bm5a and the bm6a??? Besides double the wattage, there doesn't seem to be much difference (in the specs) and the bm6a's cost almost double. Can someone please tell me why. Unfortunatly, I really cant afford the bm15a's...maybe later.
Thanks again

[eaks]

Hi, in your price range, you should consider buying used hr824. I often saw them end at around 700-800$ on ebay...

I have some questions for DANO10:

what power amp would you recommand with the bm15? and what would be the price?
Am I better off with bm15a's or well amplified bm15's?

thank you

[DANO10]

Hello eaks,

I like Hafler amps. I have a Hafler Transnova P4000 (200W+ per side), so I bought a pair of BM15's to use with the Hafler. I have never heard the BM15A's. The speakers are identical, so I expect the "A's" to be very good, but I don't know which would be better.

The BM15's cost me about $1,200 at Sweetwater and the Hafler about $600. The BM15A's are $2,550. at Sweetwater.

One more thing. They no longer make Hafler amps. (Drag) However, you can find factory refurbished models at http://stores.ebay.com/High-Desert-Audio-Store


DANO10

[lepetitmartien]

BM15 are a bit too big for nearfield I think. BM6A are excellent, I'm not fan of Genelecs but it's not the case of everyone so check them too. And ADAM makes sweet things (but they can be disturbing for some hears). In that range you can sure find the Mackie 824 too.

Note the monitoring subject is a recursive one, check old threads

[mixfisto]

thanks all... time to shut up, go listen, buy, and start mixing!