sub-$1000.00 Monitors - suggestions please

[Toe Jam]

Hey everyone,
I am looking to pick up a set of monitors for my LE system that I am building at home. I am trying to stay under $1000.00 for the set. I am used to listening on Genelec 8050A's with a sub at work.

Does anybody have any suggestions for a small at home set-up that will be used mainly for my own music projects and some occasional post work. I am looking for active monitors. The spare room that I am setting these up in is a square 15x15 bedroom that will eventually have some absorbative treatment added to the walls. Since I am in a small room, should I look at smaller speakers (6" as opposed to 8" woofers)? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[minister]

Adam A7's (they are a bit bass lighter than the others...but, if you have a good room....)

Event Studio Precision 8's

Blue Sky Media desk

JBL 4326

Genelec 8030's



...in that order....

[mbauer1]

I'll give a vote to the Adam A7's.

I purchased them a few months ago and LOVE them.
Have worked on various models of JBLs (Dolby theatre mix rooms), tannoy, yamaha, mackie, KEF and dynaudios.

I'd choose the adams over all of the above. In my opinion.
Payed approx $1600 (Australian) for them.

[tonepad]

Consider Dynaudio BM5...6" biamped and right at $1000. I'm very happy with mine for everything I listen to. I do have a small M-Audio sub working with them, but you get by without as well since the bass tracks very well. It's just that with almost all systems that are in the under 8" woofer class benefit from a sub.

Wilson Dyer mpse

[smsjr]

Interesting. I have had my eyes on a Blue Sky System One for a while now, but the Adam A7s have peaked my interest. Currently, I have a Tannoy Reveal Active system alongside some Avantones. The reviews I have seen for the A7s have been overwhelmingly positive. Seems like quite a deal for $1K. The System One has more power but I'm not in a huge room, 17x13x8.5. Wondering now if I should give these A7s a try in my room. Anyone know the Tannoys and the A7s who could give me a comparison?

Steve

[mbauer1]

Hi Steve,

One studio i work in has Tannoy System 1000's (hate them),
and my other studio is a 5.1 room with Tannoy Reveal 6Ds.
Without sounding like a sales person for ADAM, here's my thoughts.


Adam A7's leave the tannoy's for dead in every way possible.

I purchased the A7's for doing a bit of work from home on my LE system, and when I purchased them I sat in a listening room switching between Tannoy Reveal 6D, Dynaudio BM5A, Mackie (can't remember Model), KRK, Yamaha & Adam A7s.

I went in with the intention of buying the Reveals, but it was suggested to take a listen to the A7s. It only took about 30 seconds to see the A7's were clear winners.

Obviously it's all opinion, and personal preference, so you need to compare for yourself,
but I took in a variety of music: Rock, jazz, dance, musical theatre, and every time I preferred the A7's.

I do love the Tannoy Reveal 6Ds, cause I work on them every day, but the A7's in comparison, make the Tannoys sound like cheap crap.

When listening at loud levels, the A7s are not harsh in any way.
The bass repsonse was far superior, and so was the stereo imaging.
As you already have Tannoy Reveals you'd know they're a pretty deep cabinet. The a7's are a smaller box so it also helps if space is an issue for you.

I generally don't work at a very loud level (cause I don't wanna be deaf when I'm 40)
When you crank them up (as you do in a store to see how far they go) evey time the tannoy's started to distort, the A7s had plenty more to give.


Find a store that has both, and compare for yourself, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you hear them side by side.

Good Luck, Matt.
P.S. Havn't heard the Blue Sky System One so can't comment on those.

[minister]

i have a friend who has the Tannoys........I could not work on those.

I was suprised at how much i disliked the Dyn BM5's. i had them for 2 weeks. I am interested in hearing the BM6's and Air.

[Brandonx1]

Take a listen to KRK V6's and V8's. Great for the money.

[philper]

i have a friend who has the Tannoys........I could not work on those.

I was suprised at how much i disliked the Dyn BM5's. i had them for 2 weeks. I am interested in hearing the BM6's and Air.

Have the BM6As, they won the shootout I did (did not include the Adams though, too bad). The real deal, however, for Dynaudios are the BM15s. Maybe next time.... (Not in the price range for the OP or me.)

Philip Perkins

[Phil Jeffers]

SLS have some more Hi-If range speakers that still feature their amazingly transparent ribbon planter driver. There is almost no distortion in these tweeters, which is almost impossible for compression drivers. I purchased their HT 400 5.1 system, which retails for $7,000 AUD here. They have stereo + sub packages that could come in under $1,000 USD. They are extremely bright, a bit of a bump around 10k, but apart from that, crystal clear transparent speakers. They look absolutely superb also. Best of all... made in the US! Not PRC!