Tried out the Studiophile SP5B active monitors

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chessparov

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FWIW, with all the buzz about these low cost powered monitors,
I went over to the local Guitar Center to hear what they were like.
IMHO, they sounded like when you overuse a sonic enhancer.
Quite harsh sounding, especially when compared to the KRK V4.
Not enough bass definition either even for non-dance type pop
material. Of course the V4's run about $500 a pair, compared to
$300 for the Studiophiles. There have been some very well meaning posters giving postive reviews for the SP5B's, however,
these monitors reminded me of when I was excited about my
Rode NT1 microphone purchase before my ears realized how harsh sounding they were (for vocals at least).

I haven't seen the (negative) review yet Sound On Sound magazine did on these in the April isssue, has anyone else seen
their review of the Studiophile SP5B monitors for any specifics?

Chris

P.S. I never cared for the sound of "Nasty 10's"-NS 10's if that
clues you into my taste for monitors!
 
As one of these "well meaning posters" who has said nice things about the SP-5Bs I must chime in here. First off, you say that another pair of monitors that costs 67% more sound better. Well, there's a shock!!!

The fact is that these monitors seem to fit into a niche that has really excited a lot of people. Here's what I think is great about them:

1. Price. Obviously there are better monitors available for more dollars, but find me another pair of decent powered monitors for $300!

2. Size. The smaller size does mean you'll lose some bass. However, many "home recorders" have very limited space in their studios (my "studio" is a desk in the guest room of my house) so the small footprint is key.

As for sound quality, I think most people posting about these have been very honest about that. They're usually upgrading from "computer speakers" and they're not comparing against high-end equipment. Trust me, these things sound a far cry better than even the best "multimedia" or "keyboard" speaker.

Now, of course you're entitled to your opinion, and if your budget and space constraints allow you to go for larger and more expensive monitors then go for it. Just don't act like you're so much smarter then the folks that have choosen to go this route. Personally, I'm quite happy with my decision.
 
I'd be willing to bet the Tannoy Reveals for $329 would KILL those, but thats just a guess.
 
xalien, sorry to see that my post seemed pretentious to you.

The testing of the Studiophiles was done with the fervent wish that they'd
sound really good to me. As you know, choosing the "right" (or eight enough!)
monitors is quite subjective. Someone else on a different bbs, who's much more
experienced recording-wise than yours truly, liked them too as you did.
It could very well be that you are also more advanced in recording than myself too.

My concern was that if purchased, history might repeat itself as when I bought
a Rode NT1 a while back...

Chris

P.S. Feel free to let me know, and the other bbs members how well the Studiophiles
are "translating" your mixes. Best of luck on your recordings.
 
Oops! Forgot to mention the other small active monitors I'm considering.
They're the NHTPRO M-00 ($300), and they have less bass extension than
the Studiophiles. They go from 98Khz to 20 Khz +-2db, with a -6db down to
80Khz. Hoping that by using my AKG 240DF headphones can help detect the
missing low bass range when used as a cross-check. The M-00's are sold
by www.musiciansfriend.com BTW.

Chris
 
Tubedude,

I'm sure those Tannoy's are nice monitor's but the Reveal's in that price range aren't powered. You'd need to include an amp in that comparison. The powered Tannoy Reveals are $800.

Chess,

No offense taken. I haven't seen the M-00 monitors. I'll have to check those out.
 
xalien, thanks for being understanding about all this.

So much of my listening is done in my car, and even though the car stereo system isn't audiophile level, it's pretty decent except
the treble needs about a 2db boost to sound good as otherwise
the bass response drowns it out. It's a Buick so the sound is geared to the "over 50" easy listening/classical consumer.
(getting close to that demographic BTW!)

Chris
 
I just got a pair of the Studiophile sp-5b... again main reason was for an active pair in that price range...

I have noticed that some harder types of rock music do sound harsh (but this could be just the recording as well) but have also noticed that all my Pink Floyd CD's, Radiohead, and the sort sound great on them and not harsh to my ears at all... this is good for me since most of the music I record for myself is along the mellow/psychedelic rock genre. we will have to see how they translate and the bass response seems just where it needs to be for the type of music I do. can hear the bass but its not shaking the house down. I have mine set on those MoPad isolation monitor pads which are also very nice.

for the price they are very nice and just what I was looking for...

also I played different sine wav frequencies through them and could hear from about 16Hz to 22kHz... I couldn't hear 24kHz (didn't try 23)... they may not produce frequencies that high or I just can't hear it but damn the 22kHz was ear piercing... the lowest frequency I did was 10Hz and could see the speaker responing and producing but I couldn't hear it unless I really cranked it up.
 
Hmm...

Maybe next time at the dealer I'll give the Studiophiles another
listen-maybe I(!) was too harsh rather than they were.
My listening CD was the "Byrds Greatest Hits" BTW.

Another factor was that even though I haven't seen the SOS
review, it was in the back of my mind while testing them so it must have made me a bit hypersensitive as a result.
They're definitely on the bright side, and that could be an advantage for many of us that have small rooms to mix in that
are not acoustically treated.

Chris

P.S. The MoPad's seem like a great idea to improve the accuracy-
will have to check into them. Thanks!
 
you could get a pair of Tannoy Proto J's for $179 and power it with a stereo reciever or get a small power amp (<$150) and come out alot better than those Studiophiles for not much more.....
 
hmm

Can you use a Home theatre stereo amp for moniters? like the one you would use for your home entertainment setup, or your stereo? Or do you need a special amp?
 
hmmm

gidge, this is very true, but you're not gonna pick up a very good power amp for $150... at least not one thats very good for nearfield monitors... plus you don't get biamped that way... I prefer biamped systems when it comes to my PA setup and feel the same here... rather have a semi decent biamped active monitor than a decent passive run with a single alright power amp... its all very subjective though
 
Amp tip from a cheapskate!

Have a look through your local thrift stores or garage sales for an early to mid 70's Marantz reciever. These suckers are built like a tank, are very underrated as far as output and sound great. They often can be found in good condition for under $100.
 
The coolest thing about active small monitors are that they are so portable,
and that they help deal with less than ideal home recording acoustics IMHO.

After considerable reflection, the plan now is to go for it and get the KRK V4's.
My ears are conditioned to analog sources ala vinyl LP and cassette,
and all my speakers/headphones are of the "warm" variety rather than
digital crispness (like the Mackie 824's).

Chris
 
Ive seen some of the smaller Samson Servo amps for under $150...they arent the best of amps, but they are as good an amp as the Studiophile is a monitor;)

I got my Hafler TA1100 for $150 but that took some finigling.....

anyway, if you are happy thats the end of the story......
 
I'm thinking of purchasing monitors in the summer, but jeez, I can't see the forest from the trees. SO many choices and so many different opions....
 
Chess,

Be sure to let us know how those V4s work out. I'm curious to see how you like them after you've had them home a little while. Hopefully they work out really well for you.
 
Thanks xalien, and everyone else who's contributed to this thread!

Will let you guys know how they work out in about
2 weeks or less as the purchase will be timed to fall within
the dealers 30 day "price protection" period with July 4th sales
weekend coming up and all that.

Chris

P.S. Due to wifey, they'll surely do double duty as TV speakers!
 
The thing with the Studiophiles is that you have to be in the sweet spot i.e. within 2-3 feet and right between the speakers to appreciate the sound. If you listen out around 6 feet you are not hearing them the way the manufacturer intended.

I did the A/B thing against Event 20/20s, KRK V4 and Tannoy around 5-6 feet out in front of a mixing console and the Studiophiles sounded terrible up against a wall of these other moniters. I was reading the manual however and there is a diagram for optimal listening. I had the Guitar Center Guy Set them up like the manual and suddenly they popped. Better than the Events and KRK but not as good as the Tannoy's. For $300 bucks they were the optimal buy.

I would not put them on a large console in a professional studio but for my 8x10 mixing room on either side of the monitor they sound great.

One man's experience.
 
Gidge said:
you could get a pair of Tannoy Proto J's for $179 and power it with a stereo reciever or get a small power amp (<$150) and come out alot better than those Studiophiles for not much more.....
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that the Proto Js are not magnetically shielded.
 
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