I think that any "monitor" with a frequency peak of 7.5dB cannot honestly be called a monitor even if it has been used for such with good success. IMO I think that a speaker with a frequency response in variation of +/- 3dB or more is just not good at all. Most home speakers have variations 2,3, and even 4 times worse than this.
I think this is why the ns-10 translates so well to home speakers for alot of todays music. They seem to match up pretty well. If you have a 7.5dB peak at 1500 hz on your monitor, you will mix for that to sound good. When that recording is played on a home system with a 1.5 khz peak, it will sound very much the same. I have heard alot of discussions about monitors and speakers and what thier differences are.
I do not think that home speakers are unflat because it makes them sound better, i think they are non-flat because it costs to much to flatten them out and most people won't tell a difference anyway. How many BAD shows have you had at a bar cause you were sick or the equipment was having problems and the people come up and say" That sounded awesome!!, your great, I love you guys". You wanna say... "man, you don't know what the hell you are talking about, that sounded like shit!" But you say "thanks alot" and go on.
This is what I think it is. (GOOD home speakers ARE flat Btw).
I know cause I have some +/- 2 dB. The difference between good home speakers and good monitors is this. Home speakers come with the frills. They are designed with nice finishes, and some you can have made custom to fit the woodwork in your house. They fit the decor of your house, or they have a grille that will make your wife happy. They may sit on shelves out of the way. They look as good as a speaker can look. Many home systems are not only speakers but the amp, preamp, cd player and everything you need for a stereo. (although high end systems are usually modular rack equipment which contain hand chosen components).
Monitors on the other hand should only be concerned with being accurate. The engineer shouldn't be concerned with how they look. ( if only to impress clients, but maybe you should do that with your work). If a mix on an accurate monitor sounds bad, it is probably a bad mix. Nothing more. Are studios really concerned if the cabinet is walnut, cherry, or birds eye maple? Not most I would think, at home I would definately say yes.
But since most people have the consumer stereo systems from walmart and k-mart or whoever. Mixes done on the ns-10's translate very well to them. Because they are basically the same.The ns-10 may be able to take a lot more dynamic material though before the mix has gone through compression.
Realistically, if every one had a hi-fi system at home, the ns-10 would have died long ago. I would also say this, almost every rock mix on the market will sound like crap on your hi-fi system. There have been a few I have heard that are not so bad though. And I have heard a few that are excellent. But as far as a standard home stereo is concerned... they will rock away. That is what the ns-10 gets ya. If you want easily marketed translation for the masses use the ns-10. If you want accuracy, truth, or quality use the speakers like I have or something comparative.
Here is how i see todays chain of events.
cheap mics...cheap equipment. cheap monitors...cheap mixes, cheap marketing...cheap consumers, cheap house speakers...cheap music. Cheap Shit from the begining to the end.
Does anyone REALLY care about music or do they just like to shake their ass and bob thier heads?
Sometimes it is hard to pay the bills though I understand. I paid 2800 for my speakers. I paid 60 dollars for my car. Yes I said 60 dollars. I saved her from the junk yard. It took me 2 weeks to fix her up but she looks good and I have been driving her for 4 years now with 247,000 miles. Get whats important to ya I guess. Scrimp on the rest.
