Recommendations for monitors?

[Justus Johnston]

OK, that makes some sense. But if I wanted to produce an album with edge, wouldn't I want monitors WITHOUT edge, forcing me to put it into the mix? Or is it a matter of "the speakers demonstrate the edge you want accurately and clearly so that you know when you've achieved it"?

You seem to be saying that the JBLs are more flat overall and the Genelecs are good as a specialty speaker. That would make me want to lean towards JBLs, since I want to mix ANYTHING, from rock to fusion, jazz to metal, comedy albums to even foley.

 

[xstatic]

I have never really found Genelecs to be very flat. They have always had a wierd sound to me. They definately start to get better though once you hit the 1032 line and up. The new JBL stuff is actually pretty cool. They really have made some ground in their studio monitors in the last few years. However, I still prefer Dynaudio, Quested etc.... If you get a chance though, you should check into a set of Meyer monitors. Or maybe some Barefoots (big $ though).

 

[Middleman]

OK, that makes some sense. But if I wanted to produce an album with edge, wouldn't I want monitors WITHOUT edge, forcing me to put it into the mix? Or is it a matter of "the speakers demonstrate the edge you want accurately and clearly so that you know when you've achieved it"?

You seem to be saying that the JBLs are more flat overall and the Genelecs are good as a specialty speaker. That would make me want to lean towards JBLs, since I want to mix ANYTHING, from rock to fusion, jazz to metal, comedy albums to even foley.

Flat is not the only measure of monitors. The Genelecs are flat in their focused range but the JBLs have a wider range and are also flat. Wider range is what I prefer which is why, if you have the money, the JBLs fill the bill.

Monitors are so subjective however, one mans inspiration is another mans string and can. Words do not convey so you need to go out and listen to monitors in various rooms. When I was ready for a step up in monitors I auditioned the same 4 sets of speakers in 3 different size rooms.

 

[mixsit]

This looks like a good place to ask you folks that have had opportunities to work with and compare lots of different speakers a question about monitor 'accuracy' vs. how some are said to 'reveal mix details better'. It seems there might be two ways to get 'more detail' from 'flat' systems; low distortion and tight and coherent, or a bit of broad bump in the mid to high end. ...maybe similar to how 'clear' sometimes means brighter.
This comes up in comparisons between Adams and other brands as an example.
Wayne

 

[LemonTree]

seems obvious that the problem is your room. I'd get some high mid slot resonators up and cure the source rather than put a band aid on the problem by changing your monitors

Alec

 

[mixsit]

... When I was ready for a step up in monitors I auditioned the same 4 sets of speakers in 3 different size rooms.

Damn. How do you go about setting something like this up? I can't even seem to find say, an Adam, an LRS 6328 and a 6332 in the same city let alone the same room within 100 klicks' of central Cal.
Wayne

 

[Middleman]

Damn. How do you go about setting something like this up? I can't even seem to find say, an Adam, an LRS 6328 and a 6332 in the same city let alone the same room within 100 klicks' of central Cal.
Wayne

That's funny but sadly true. Fortunately I live in Los Angeles where this is possible. But the ADAMs are a problem, however these were not in my budget. The JBLs can be found lots of places here as well as the Dynaudios, Events, Genelecs etc.

 

[Justus Johnston]

seems obvious that the problem is your room. I'd get some high mid slot resonators up and cure the source rather than put a band aid on the problem by changing your monitors

Alec

Interesting point. Once the speakers come in, we'll see. That being said, would you recommend any particular said resonators, or a vender through which to purchase such?

 

[Llarion]

OK, that makes some sense. But if I wanted to produce an album with edge, wouldn't I want monitors WITHOUT edge, forcing me to put it into the mix? Or is it a matter of "the speakers demonstrate the edge you want accurately and clearly so that you know when you've achieved it"?

You seem to be saying that the JBLs are more flat overall and the Genelecs are good as a specialty speaker. That would make me want to lean towards JBLs, since I want to mix ANYTHING, from rock to fusion, jazz to metal, comedy albums to even foley.

In general, you should go for a mixing environment that is as close to acoustically flat as possible. You want it to sound like it really *is*, so that the mix and master you subsequently produce is correct and uncolored by any potentially avoidable bias in the speakers or room. You want more edge on a production? Put more edge in, but don't deliberately alter the tone color of the monitoring to artificially induce a sonic state of needing it. If your monitors are accurate, you'll know what it needs.

That said, you can certainly "get used to" the way a certain monitor sounds, and somehow have a mental reference for making it sound right on many sources. Everyone does it. But ideally, I wouldn't pick monitors that are deliberately inaccurate or "emphasized" in any way, if I could avoid it...