Comments on: Reference Monitors http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors Kent Sandvik Info Center. About Music. Or, Anything Anytime Any place for No Reason At All. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:58:25 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kent Sandvik http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1947 Kent Sandvik Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:59:32 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1947 There are different schools of thought. Experiment and see if there's a difference -- somehow I doubt it makes a difference unless the manufacturer explicitly tells to keep them standing. I think the more important part is to keep the monitors at ear height so there's a direct flow of air from the monitors into your ears (i.e. near-field monitors.) There are different schools of thought. Experiment and see if there’s a difference — somehow I doubt it makes a difference unless the manufacturer explicitly tells to keep them standing. I think the more important part is to keep the monitors at ear height so there’s a direct flow of air from the monitors into your ears (i.e. near-field monitors.)

]]> By: Are http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1946 Are Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:12:04 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1946 Hi Kent ! Just wondering : I have a pair of KRK V8s (Mk II). They are positioned approx 1.1 m (approx 4 ft) from my head. Should they be standing when this close to mye head (ears) or should they be horizontal ? And should the tweeters be outer or inner ? Any suggestions ? Hi Kent ! Just wondering : I have a pair of KRK V8s (Mk II). They are positioned approx 1.1 m (approx 4 ft) from my head. Should they be standing when this close to mye head (ears) or should they be horizontal ? And should the tweeters be outer or inner ? Any suggestions ?

]]> By: Kent Sandvik http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1826 Kent Sandvik Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:32:12 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1826 I think that custom molded ear buds are good for stage use, for studio purposes I would recommend getting any good closed headphones as you want to take them on/off quite a lot. Not that M-Audio has a nice suite of in-ear monitoring ear-plugs, too. You get very good bass response with a closed in-ear buds, that's for sure. I think that custom molded ear buds are good for stage use, for studio purposes I would recommend getting any good closed headphones as you want to take them on/off quite a lot. Not that M-Audio has a nice suite of in-ear monitoring ear-plugs, too. You get very good bass response with a closed in-ear buds, that’s for sure.

]]> By: Tiffany http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1823 Tiffany Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:14:04 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1823 Thanks for your article...clear and verifiling for me. I am curious about the testing on the i-pod like ear buds....or custom earphone molds? I am currently in school for audio. My neighbor often decides randomly (in the middle of the day even!) that my music is to loud, calls the landlord and bangs on the floor. I have been considering purchasing custom earphone molds for mixing live shows, but would they be an appropiate substitue for home studio mixing? Thanks for your article…clear and verifiling for me.

I am curious about the testing on the i-pod like ear buds….or custom earphone molds?

I am currently in school for audio. My neighbor often decides randomly (in the middle of the day even!) that my music is to loud, calls the landlord and bangs on the floor. I have been considering purchasing custom earphone molds for mixing live shows, but would they be an appropiate substitue for home studio mixing?

]]> By: Condra http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1375 Condra Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:49:05 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1375 Another great article. Another great article.

]]> By: Monotek http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1343 Monotek Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:36:56 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1343 Nice work man! Nice work man!

]]> By: osgaldo http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1340 osgaldo Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:06:50 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1340 Nice article.! Thumps Up! I totally agree, you must go out and listen yourself what you are going to buy. Nearfield monitors are like your shoes, your bed or your Sofa you are going to spend a lot of time, and I mean A LOT of time listening to them, so its also a bit of taste( and budget!). I remeber reading almost every possible review I could found about nearfield monitors on the net before I bought mine. I was even close to buy a pair based purely on reviews, Thank God I did not!. I was almost convinced to buy a pair of Events TR8XL which fitted my budget, but after listening to them live in a Shop,with CDs I took with me (I totally recomend taking one of your own productions and music you really know to the store) I was not that convinced anymore, not that they sound bad, they are brilliant speakers as well the ASP,but I dont know... something was missing, they were not really my taste of Sound, My friend who was with me freaked out with the Events and bought them straight away, he is very happy with the purchase. I decided to take a shot on ADAMS A7 and felt absolutly in Love inmediatly. No fatiguing, extremly clear sound, a bit short on the Low end (6.5 " Cone) I agree on the other hand with Kent, choose an 8" cone for dance or hip hop, or you will have problems mixing your Low Ends. Its a bit more complicated with a smaller cone but not impossible. And remember do not always trust your ears after many hours listening, a spectrum analyzer is a good companion ;) //Osgaldo Nice article.! Thumps Up!

I totally agree, you must go out and listen yourself what you are going to buy.
Nearfield monitors are like your shoes, your bed or your Sofa you are going to spend a lot of time, and I mean A LOT of time listening to them, so its also a bit of taste( and budget!).
I remeber reading almost every possible review I could found about nearfield monitors on the net before I bought mine. I was even close to buy a pair based purely on reviews, Thank God I did not!.
I was almost convinced to buy a pair of Events TR8XL which fitted my budget, but after listening to them live in a Shop,with CDs I took with me (I totally recomend taking one of your own productions and music you really know to the store) I was not that convinced anymore, not that they sound bad, they are brilliant speakers as well the ASP,but I dont know… something was missing, they were not really my taste of Sound, My friend who was with me freaked out with the Events and bought them straight away, he is very happy with the purchase. I decided to take a shot on ADAMS A7 and felt absolutly in Love inmediatly. No fatiguing, extremly clear sound, a bit short on the Low end (6.5 ” Cone) I agree on the other hand with Kent, choose an 8″ cone for dance or hip hop, or you will have problems mixing your Low Ends. Its a bit more complicated with a smaller cone but not impossible. And remember do not always trust your ears after many hours listening, a spectrum analyzer is a good companion ;) //Osgaldo

]]> By: Max http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1339 Max Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:50:19 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1339 I went thru a good deal of mid/near field monitors last year when i set out to buy my "final" monitor. I eventally ended up buying EVENT ASP8 and im very happy with my choice. Smooth and warm is how would describe them, and very easy on the ears, never gets me tierd (unless i mix with to much trebel) and the bass goes way down to the basement, i mean really low but still defined. They are quite big tough, so if space is a dilemma, theres smaller version ASP6. And also, they play VERY loud, louder then you would ever need, but for a short test if youre kick is really gettin thru this is vital. even if you play loud they still sound clear and defined. i recommend these monitors // Max I went thru a good deal of mid/near field monitors last year when i set out to buy my “final” monitor. I eventally ended up buying EVENT ASP8 and im very happy with my choice. Smooth and warm is how would describe them, and very easy on the ears, never gets me tierd (unless i mix with to much trebel) and the bass goes way down to the basement, i mean really low but still defined. They are quite big tough, so if space is a dilemma, theres smaller version ASP6. And also, they play VERY loud, louder then you would ever need, but for a short test if youre kick is really gettin thru this is vital. even if you play loud they still sound clear and defined. i recommend these monitors // Max

]]> By: Oliver Chesler http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1338 Oliver Chesler Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:10:44 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1338 I've been using Yamaha NS10Ms since 1996. A few times I've tried switching to something Active but I end up feeling lost. However I would not recommend anyone buying them to start off with. I'm just personal so used to them but a new guy should check something nicer on the ears like Dynaudio. Usually more expensive monitors cost more because they have more powerful amps in them. You want that power... it's vital. Also I'd suggest even for dance music work at a low volume and only turn it up every now and then. I get better mixes that way. Good post... I like the lake! I wish I was there now! I’ve been using Yamaha NS10Ms since 1996. A few times I’ve tried switching to something Active but I end up feeling lost. However I would not recommend anyone buying them to start off with. I’m just personal so used to them but a new guy should check something nicer on the ears like Dynaudio.

Usually more expensive monitors cost more because they have more powerful amps in them. You want that power… it’s vital.

Also I’d suggest even for dance music work at a low volume and only turn it up every now and then. I get better mixes that way.

Good post… I like the lake! I wish I was there now!

]]> By: Vinkalmann http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1337 Vinkalmann Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:08:19 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1337 Nice write-up! Nice write-up!

]]> By: Kent Sandvik http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1336 Kent Sandvik Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:51:42 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1336 I've heard a lot of good things about Behringer Truths. Anyway, what I did was to move both the monitors, as well as my head placement, and I found this really cool sweet spot in one place where I could immerse into the sound arriving directly to both ears at the same time, very close. This all might also be very personal, so it's best to check out various positions. Anyway, for very critical listening, it's important to really hear as much nuances as possible. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Behringer Truths.

Anyway, what I did was to move both the monitors, as well as my head placement, and I found this really cool sweet spot in one place where I could immerse into the sound arriving directly to both ears at the same time, very close. This all might also be very personal, so it’s best to check out various positions. Anyway, for very critical listening, it’s important to really hear as much nuances as possible.

]]> By: Sean Johnston http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1335 Sean Johnston Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:19:34 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1335 Nice post. Up until recently I would have agreed with your comments regarding Sub Units however a recent need for new monitoring lead to the purchase of a set of Blue Sky Media Desks and associated sub. I can't recommend this product highly enough. Great true sound and not at all tiring on the ear. Sorry didn't maen for this to be a commercial for Blue Sky but the quality of their product merits it. Thanks for an excellent blog. Nice post. Up until recently I would have agreed with your comments regarding Sub Units however a recent need for new monitoring lead to the purchase of a set of Blue Sky Media Desks and associated sub. I can’t recommend this product highly enough. Great true sound and not at all tiring on the ear. Sorry didn’t maen for this to be a commercial for Blue Sky but the quality of their product merits it. Thanks for an excellent blog.

]]> By: Loopy http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1334 Loopy Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:49:28 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1334 This post came in just the right time. I just bought myself a pair of Behringer Truth B2031A's. Now I just have to buy a pair of cables and re-think the placing of the monitors. The tweeter should bw at the level of producers ear - right? This post came in just the right time. I just bought myself a pair of Behringer Truth B2031A’s. Now I just have to buy a pair of cables and re-think the placing of the monitors. The tweeter should bw at the level of producers ear – right?

]]> By: Rui Guerreiro http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/comment-page-1#comment-1330 Rui Guerreiro Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:34:23 +0000 http://www.kentsandvik.com/2007/10/28/reference-monitors/#comment-1330 Nice one Kent. Nice one indeed! Keep'em comin'. Have a great week... Nice one Kent. Nice one indeed!

Keep’em comin’.

Have a great week…

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