Any opinions on these near-field monitors?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Edirol MA-20D
Behringer TRUTH B2030P
Alesis Monitor One Mk2
Samson Resolv 65
Tannoy Reveal

I'm trying to choose one of the above, since they all fall within my
budget. I need them for monitoring mixes on my PC DAW in a small home
studio, using a Terratec Phase-22 soundcard and N-Track Studio
software. The music I'm recording is mostly folk, using mostly
acoustic instruments, but I may occasionally need to use some
elecronic keyboard, etc and possibly some electric bass guitar.

I'd use a hi-fi amp to power them, except for the Eridol one, which is
active. It's possible that I may want to use the speakers with a hi-fi
system too. Does that preclude the active Eridol option?

Any advice on which would serve me best would be much appreciated.


Many thanks,

Alan

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Of those you listed, I would prefer to use the Reveals. A hi-fi amp should
work fine with them. Be aware, though, that whatever you buy, you'll have to
get used to their sound.

--
Dave Martin
Java Jive Studio
Nashville, TN
www.javajivestudio.com

"AlanW1, UK" <provitamin123@aol.com> wrote in message
news:41346983.2983800@news.individual.net...
>
> Edirol MA-20D
> Behringer TRUTH B2030P
> Alesis Monitor One Mk2
> Samson Resolv 65
> Tannoy Reveal
>
> I'm trying to choose one of the above, since they all fall within my
> budget. I need them for monitoring mixes on my PC DAW in a small home
> studio, using a Terratec Phase-22 soundcard and N-Track Studio
> software. The music I'm recording is mostly folk, using mostly
> acoustic instruments, but I may occasionally need to use some
> elecronic keyboard, etc and possibly some electric bass guitar.
>
> I'd use a hi-fi amp to power them, except for the Eridol one, which is
> active. It's possible that I may want to use the speakers with a hi-fi
> system too. Does that preclude the active Eridol option?
>
> Any advice on which would serve me best would be much appreciated.
>
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Alan
>

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"AlanW1, UK" <provitamin123@aol.com> wrote in message
news:41346983.2983800@news.individual.net

> Edirol MA-20D
> Behringer TRUTH B2030P
> Alesis Monitor One Mk2
> Samson Resolv 65
> Tannoy Reveal
>
> I'm trying to choose one of the above, since they all fall within my
> budget. I need them for monitoring mixes on my PC DAW in a small home
> studio, using a Terratec Phase-22 soundcard and N-Track Studio
> software. The music I'm recording is mostly folk, using mostly
> acoustic instruments, but I may occasionally need to use some
> elecronic keyboard, etc and possibly some electric bass guitar.
>
> I'd use a hi-fi amp to power them, except for the Eridol one, which is
> active. It's possible that I may want to use the speakers with a hi-fi
> system too. Does that preclude the active Eridol option?
>
> Any advice on which would serve me best would be much appreciated.

FWIW I spent a little time last week listening to the larger Behringer B2031
active monitors, and was favorably impressed. I also saw the guts of one
torn down for a mounting socket, and that looked pretty good as well.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

I recently listened to all of these monitors with the exception of the
Edirols and the Alesis Monitor Ones.
I also checked out the KRK V4s, and was most impressed with them. I
found the Samsons and the Behringers just nasty! I was dissapointed in
the Tannoy Reveals. I found that they weren't as clear and defined as
their big brothers, edgy in the uppermids and unnatural in the mid bass
range. I found it difficult to pick out individual sounds and the
vocals didn't 'pop' as much as I'd like.

Although the V4s are reasonably inexpensive, they were out of my price
range at the time, so I ended up buying a used pair of Alesis Point
Sevens. They had the nicest mid defintion and smoothest highs (second
to the KRKs). Vocals were smooth and nicely present. (I listened to
all of these speakers in the same room)

The $180 I paid for them was a plus when it came to making my decision,
but I would have coughed up the extra dollars if I'd heard anything
that was dramatically better. The KRKs had a nice somewhat deep bass
sound but for the small room I was going to put them in, I figured the
Alesis Point sevens would probably do just fine. (and were $600 cdn
less)

I must have fluked out when I treated my control room because I was
very pleasantly suprised to find that they sounded really great and had
more bass than I'd originally heard in the store. My recent recordings
are remarkably better than previous ones, much of which I attribute to
the new monitors. Granted there are numerous other things I recently
improved upon in my studio, but of the things I'd like to upgrade, my
Point Sevens are low on the priority list. I'm very pleased with them.

A local studio that I've done some work in, uses the Mackie monitors.
In the control room, the mix sounded great, nicely present, but
everywhere else I played it, the mix sounded dull and flat.

I've owned quite a few pieces of Behringer gear and have had
reliability issue with nearly all of them.

I'd give the Alesis Monitor ones a serious listen. I haven't heard
them, but I also own a pair of Alesis Monitor Twos, which I use in a
larger room. No I'm not an Alesis dealer, so I don't have a vested
interest, I just like they way they sound (espescially the highs).
Both of my Alesis purchases were a matter of the best that I could
afford at the time. I bought the Monitor Twos used as well. Again, if
I had more money I would have bought something better, but it wouldn't
have been anything on the list you posted, and ALOT more money than I
spent.

If you can, try your favorite 2 or 3 monitors in your control room
before buying. It will likely make your choice easier.

Ultimately, buy the ones that sound best to you. If you like they way
your speakers sound, you will find it easier to get a mix that
translates well on other systems.

Norm!!




In article <41346983.2983800@news.individual.net>, AlanW1, UK
<provitamin123@aol.com> wrote:

> Edirol MA-20D
> Behringer TRUTH B2030P
> Alesis Monitor One Mk2
> Samson Resolv 65
> Tannoy Reveal
>
> I'm trying to choose one of the above, since they all fall within my
> budget. I need them for monitoring mixes on my PC DAW in a small home
> studio, using a Terratec Phase-22 soundcard and N-Track Studio
> software. The music I'm recording is mostly folk, using mostly
> acoustic instruments, but I may occasionally need to use some
> elecronic keyboard, etc and possibly some electric bass guitar.
>
> I'd use a hi-fi amp to power them, except for the Eridol one, which is
> active. It's possible that I may want to use the speakers with a hi-fi
> system too. Does that preclude the active Eridol option?
>
> Any advice on which would serve me best would be much appreciated.
>
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Alan
>

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <20040907194743.18077.00003120@mb-m03.aol.com>, Blind Joni
<blindjoni@aol.com> wrote:

> >Although the V4s are reasonably inexpensive, they were out of my price
> >range at the time
>
> All the small KRK's have too much hyped low end for my uses. I got a paqir of
> the 5's and had to tape over the ports!!.took them back.
> John A. Chiara
> SOS Recording Studio
> Live Sound Inc.
> Albany, NY
> www.sosrecording.net
> 518-449-1637

I had the same concern about them in the room I listened to them in. I
would like to give them a spin in my rooms to develope a clearer idea
of what they do. I've spoke to many people that love the V4s,
although I'm not sure if any of them really know what they are talking
about. For a less experienced engineer the extra bass might be easier
to deal with than a monitor that rolls off sharply at 100hz, resulting
in over mixing the bass.

Do you know if the extended bass comes from some form of trickery in
the amplifier/crossover or just through speaker/box design?

Norm!!

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<< "Norm!!" Thebigonion@plunger.adj >>
<< I was dissapointed in
the Tannoy Reveals. I found that they weren't as clear and defined as
their big brothers, edgy in the uppermids and unnatural in the mid bass
range. I found it difficult to pick out individual sounds and the
vocals didn't 'pop' as much as I'd like. >>

Presumably the "Big Brother" Tannoys would be System 8's or 10's,
something like that? If so, they aren't exactly what I would call "clear and
defined", they're decent monitors and all but are a bit notched at the
crossover point and I think sound raspier than the Reveals.

<< A local studio that I've done some work in, uses the Mackie monitors.
In the control room, the mix sounded great, nicely present, but
everywhere else I played it, the mix sounded dull and flat. >>

If the mix doesn't translate well and actually sounds dull on other
speakers, that's usually a sign that the speakers are too bright. Environment
contributes.


Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Just in case anyone's interested (and I don't blame you if you
aren't), I ended up buying the passive Tannoy Reveals. I can't give
you a report of my opinion of them, because I'm in a position of
blissful ignorance! (They are the only near field monitors I've ever
listened to, so I don;t have anything to compare them to). As a
beginner in the home recording field, I reckon they'll do fine as my
entry-level gear.

Thanks again for all the nice input.

AlanW