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  4. Please help me finding the perfect monitors for my setup ...

  • Please help me finding the perfect monitors for my setup ...

    M
    M
    Hi,

    After a short period of time using the M-Audio SP-5B studiomonitors, I came to the conclusion that they are not suited for any serious work with orchestral material.
    Therefor I plan to buy a pair of "Mackie HR824" or "Mackie HR624". Unfortunately I've never heard one of these monitors, although checking the stocks of all austrian music stores. [8-)]
    So I wonder what are the main differences between the "HR824" and the "HR624" - except technical specifications.
    Are both of them suited for serious work?
    Can anyone tell me what kind of "frequency behaviour" I can expect on both Mackie monitors? If not, does anybody know another pair of monitors in that price-class, which ensure to be "orchestral compatible"?
    I posted some demos of my work to give you an impression of what kind of monitors I'm currently using.

    Here is the link: http://homepage.mac.com/the_maestro2k/FileSharing2.html

    Thank you!

    Best wishes,
    Hans-Peter
  • N
    N
    The HR824s are bigger and therefore will provide deeper bass.

    They're modeled on Genelec's design, in fact the 824s sound a lot like 1030s with more low end. I haven't heard the 626s, but I personally find the 824s to be rather hyped, meaning that the top and bottom are exaggerated, and that makes them hard for me to work with.

    But most people really like them, so it's all subjective. And they are nice to listen to.
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD
    Last week, I recorded the band-project of a friend in a cellar-studio using the small Mackies. I have to admit that I wasn't overly impressed.

    BTW: we had several monitor-threads on our forum already:

    -> http://community.vsl.co.at/viewtopic.php?t=3131
    -> http://community.vsl.co.at/viewtopic.php?t=3192
    -> http://community.vsl.co.at/viewtopic.php?t=2134
    -> http://community.vsl.co.at/viewtopic.php?t=208

    Maybe you find some interesting information there, too, Hans-Peter.

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • G
    G
    These discussions come up over and over, but anyway, here is my recent experience: with a little listening and research the mackie 824 seemed to be a minimum quality for my needs, but wasn't really satisfactory.

    So .. I bought Passive Monitors, saving about $1000 in amplifier costs. Am very happy with my Dynaudio Bm6 Passives, for I think $800 a pair: getting imo a better monitor than the mackie 824 for about half the cost.

    I use them with a good, flat, pretty powerful home stereo amplifier that was 'free' since it was sitting here underused, plus I have another underused power amp if I ever want more.
  • E
    E
    It should be noted that the Amplifier electronics can significantly affect the sound of the material.

    It typically costs about $150 per stereo channel to do good DA as well, so any stereo device with more than left and right voume control for less than $200 is probably not suitable for critical environments.

    Evan Evans
  • G
    G
    If you are working in a bedroom, like I am, and can afford it, GENELEC 1031As. If in a larger room, get the 1032As.

    You want transparency for orchestral work? We got it!! [H]
  • N
    N
    There's no difference between a good home power amp amp and a studio one, as far as I can tell. But a good amp sure does make a difference.

    I was using a Hafler 9650 (or is it 9550?) with my previous monitors, and I highly recommend it if anyone's looking for a power amp. They sell on ebay for about 1/3 of the list price.

    While passive crossovers aren't ideal, there's some question whether a good amp and a passive crossover isn't still better than mediocre built-in amps and an electronic crossover in an active monitor. I know that my old passive monitors sounded 5000x better with the Hafler than their similar powered version.
  • M
    M
    That's great - I didn't expect as much replies.
    Thank you!
    I think I will take a look into the Dynaudio and Blue Sky direction ...

    All the best,
    Hans-Peter
  • N
    N
    But I should add that I'm very happy with the Blue Sky monitors (which have their own amps).