Just Monitors

  • Thread starter Thread starter Howdy
  • Start date Start date
Well, I agree with you on the "price difference thing"..... higher cost does not necessarily mean better. I checked the Yorkville website and have written down a few dealers that are within 4 to 5 hours driving distance from me.... gonna make a few calls... maybe, I can haggle the price a bit (hey, it's worth a try!).

I hate to buy the active system cuz I already have a couple hundred invested in the Hafler amp, but I am not ruling out what you said being true (later wishing I had just gone ahead and purchased actives). Does this BB allow folks to offer equipment for sale? <g>

You mentioned the actives have technical advantages over the combo passive/out-board amp setup. Can you explain a little of that to me? I did some searching on the BB and a couple of other folks asked that question, but no one answered it.... it was like watching a movie and missing the last 15 minutes. <g>

I appreciate you input.... gonna make those calls now.

Howdy
 
I don't know if you can sell here, but there's nothing like ebay. I'm trying to get myself a Roland A37 controller and they go for near their retail value, even significantly used ones. So I think you can get a very good deal there.

Here: This is my own list of advantages of an actively crossed system. I made it because once in a while this keeps coming up and I rather not keep rewriting the same thing over and over. Which is a surprise that you didn't find anything because I think I've mentioned this here at least twice.

- Greatly Reduced differential (the variance between both speakers). Main advantage is improved sound stage, but transients will also show benefits. Approximately 5 times better matching over passive speakers at peak differential. (typ. crossover point)

- Much Higher damping factor. (The ability for the amplifier to control the movement of the cone). Which in turn will provide more detail and faster transients, the audible improvement of a high DF can be very significant, particularly in the bass region.

- Bi-amped drivers. This has many little benefits. Most significant is the issue of a dedicated amplifier per unit. Typically, on a passive speaker, if you have a lot information around the spectrum (bass, mids, highs), the upper frequencies will lose out on all available headroom and generally lose their 'dynamics' so to speak. Which can cause muffled voices, blurred hats, etc.
It may appear to sound fine in itself, but it won't be when compared to an active system which will effortlessly reproduce the entire spectrum. Look at it this way, an amp must drive an entire passive speaker, whereas an amp in an active speaker only needs to worry about half of the spectrum with absolutely no passive components in it's line.

- No possibility of inductor saturation, simply because there are no passive filtering inductors.

- The ability to integrate onboard modules, such as EQ presets, clip warnings, various protection mechanisms such as over-excursion and over-power.

- Increased efficiency. (requires less power to reach the same amplitude)

Perhaps the best thing is the cost efficiency. An active crossover will outperform a passive crossover at any price range.

- Lower IM and harmonic distortion

- Reduced 'driver influence'. In otherwords how a driver's properties (ex, FS) will affect the sound. The amplifier has much more control over the driver, therefore it can resist the tendency for the driver to resonate ambiently. The outcome is simply put a closer representation of the incoming signal to the driver.

Now usually there are two sides to every story, but if there are any technical advantages in regard to passives, I wouldn't know.
 
Okay, you make a very good argument for an active system... you did fail to mention one other very important advantage of the active system.... if you blow one monitor, you still have one left! (kidding). Perhaps, the greatest technical advantage of a passive system is the extra piece of equipment mounted in the rack. (kidding, again).

I am heading over to Guitar Center to at least give a listen to all the monitor possibilities... my fear is that I will get hasty and purchase something that I will regret later.... better leave the Visa Card at home today. <g>
 
My visit to Guitar Center was less than I had hoped for... I did not know it, but they don't stock the Tannoy Reveals... I did, however, get to listen to the Mackie HR824's.... nice! very nice!

The salesman there told me that one of our local stores did have a set of Reveals set up, so I went there and took a listen. They were okay... but, no where near the Mackies. The Mackies seemed brighter, if that is the right term. Are the Yorkies brighter than the Reveals?

I found a pair of active Reveals on the internet for $619.00 today (yup, I am still shopping) with free shipping and no tax. But, I am still undecided. If the Yorkies are brighter than the Reveals, then I think my decision is made.

Dang, this is harder than shopping for lamps with the wife!.... but, that is another story. <g>
 
Well, the search is over.... whew! I have chosen to go with the Yorkies. My decision was primarily based upon the positive reports from folks here. I realize I am buying something "sight unseen"..... or, "hearing unheard".... but, for the price and all the positive reports on them I figure $460.00 USD delivered is not too much for the risk.

NuTT98.... thanks for patiently answering my questions and for your input. I will let you know how I like them once they are here and plugged in.

Hoping for the best,

Howdy
 
Howdy,

for less than 200 each you can get the EVENT TR6.....best value for money on the market. they're tuned and essentially true to your mixes. take a listen in your local music store and see.
brando
 
Nice, do let us know ASAP. Check that the limiter is enabled, the EQ is set accordingly and trim is not above 0. Also check that they are parallel to eachother, that can either make or break the soundstage. And give them maybe an hour total or so of low frequency workout to get them going. Also note that they will sound different in your room than the store's.
 
Hey Brando0.... where have you been all this time! <g> I ordered the Yorkies before I saw your post. Thanks for your input, though..... after a week or so of reading reviews, both here and elsewhere on the internet, and checking specs on various active and passive monitors, I elected to go with the YSM1p's. Now, all I gotta do is find a buyer for my Hafler TA1100. <g>

NuTT98...

I copied and pasted your suggestions to my Word program... don't go too far away... if I have problems getting the sound right, I will be looking your help. I am gonna have to rearrange my work station a bit, and maybe build some sort of speaker stands.

I checked the order status and they are supposed to be here on Nov 11th... looks like I will taking a day off, next week. <g>

Ya know, a thought ran across my mind today... how come out of all the websites I looked at that offered the Yorkies, none of them were based out of Canada? Just wondering.

Howdy
 
Not a lot of things are based out of Canada :), can't really explain it any other way.
 
Ella....

I found the best deal at: http://www.soundexchange2.com

Actually, Earthshakingmusic.com had the best deal at $219.99 per monitor, but for some reason when I tried to purchase them, it told me my Visa was not valid.... tried it about 5 times and finally gave up in frustration. The total cost (including shipping) would have been $451.98 USD. Funny thing is, my Visa card went right on through with no problem at Soundexchange. Go figger. Gear1music came in third at $464.90 (including shipping).

I think I did my homework on finding the best deal... if there was a better deal out there for those Yorkies, it eluded me. <g>

I am really looking forward to getting them set up and tuned in.... wanna see how some of my mixes hold up once I have decent monitors running.... then again, maybe I don't. <g>
 
Howdy,
sorry man i rerad the post late you should take a listen to the EVENT if anything just for personal knowledge. good luck with those Yorkies anyway i hope they'll be what you need to and more!!
peace
Brando
 
Tis okay.... I think the toughest part is still ahead... tuning the monitors to the room... since this is my first real pair of monitors, I have no experience in this area.

I have read some favorable remarks about the Event 20/20... they did not have them at Guitar Center. It was amazing at just how little they did have... somewhat disappointing. And most of what they did have was not set up for listening.

My wife told me that next Tuesday is a holiday... my monitors are supposed to be delivered on that day by UPS. I don't know if they observe Veteran's Day or not. I am chomping at the bit... trying to be patient, but.... I Want My Monitors!! <g>
 
UPS should be delivering 24/7 regardless.....i think.
that's strange that guitar center had little....down here in florida it has a lot....the 20/20 are basically an old model the TR (tuned reference) ones are the new series.
good luck.
Brando
 
Yup, I called UPS this morning and was informed they will. indeed, be working on Vet's day.... looks like I will definately be taking that day off. <g>

The salesman at GC told me they actually don't have much demand for studio equipment here, so they don't set up for it or carry all that much. I went to a local store where they did have a pair of Tannoy Reveals set up and when I asked for a price on them, he got on the internet and quoted Musician's Friend price. I can't remember where, but I found them elsewhere on the internet for $620.00/pair delivered... MF lists them for $800.00 and of course I would have to pay tax at 7.25% (California sales tax).

That is a real bonus when buying on the internet... most stuff I buy is without sales tax and it does save a few bucks!
 
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