No incompatibilities, but very often commerically available studio monitors probably are not the best (as in "most natural") speakers for high quality music reproduction in the home. Never made much sense to me that this was the case, but the needs of a studio are very different than our needs in a listening room environment. I'd recommend you listen critically before making a commitment. |
Studio monitors are thought to be ruthlessly revealing and not possessed of the common dips and roll-offs which make home speakers enjoyable. Due to inevitable imperfections, good speaker systems are "voiced" by their designers to achieve desired goals. So before you decide which speakers suit you best, consider your own goals: the unadorned electronic truth? the emotional content? the gee-whiz factor? the foot tapping? Then find some software that displays those qualities and take it with you to your speaker audition. |
Rockvirgo, my only add to your comments is that they imply that studio monitors are "accurate". Often they are not accurate but have tipped frequency extremes and/or upper midranges to exaggerate certain portions of the sound spectrum - those inaccuracies make them "ruthlessly revealing." And ruthlessly amusical. |
It all depends on what type of "studio monitor" you're talking about. Some are very accurate and musical (e.g., LS3/5A, Harbeths) and well-suited to home use; others aren't good for much of anything except getting stupid-loud (this camp would include the classic JBLs, Tannoys, Westlakes, and anything else using horn drivers). |
Karls is exactly right -- some of the monitor speakers that grew out of the BBC legacy have excellent reputations for accuracy. Also, there are some others such as the original Wilson Watt and the specially modified Avalon Acoustic speakers used by Keith Johnson. Unfortunately, there are many, many more that fail to match, or even come close to, those standards. |
Very interesting post. I have actually been using two loudspeaker designs, one for 20 years and the other for 2 years, which are used as studio monitors; Yamaha NS1000M and B&W Nautilus 801s. I believe the Yamaha's were originally designed for the Swedish Broadcasting Company and the 801s (in various forms) have had extensive use as studio monitors over the years (the N801s are used as studio monitors at Abbey Road Studios).
Both designs are, as a monitor should be, extremely revealing and will play very loud. I have been extremely happy with the Yamaha's over the years. The N801's are, in my opinion, the best loudspeakers I have ever heard. Unlike conventional studio speakers, both designs look excellent in a domestic situation.
Regards,
Marcus |
Thanks for the comments. While doing research for buying pair of monitors for my bedroom listening, I found that Dynaudio has monitors for hi-fi consumer market (e.g., Audience and Contour series); it also has a line of pro-studio monitors (e.g., BM5, BM6, BM15, etc). Similarly, Tannoy has a line for consumer and a line for pro-studio. I am just wondering whether I can use a pair of studio monitors like the BM6's for my bedroom listening.
It seems that people think that the pro-studio monitors are more revealing than similar consumer monitors. I would think that "more revealing" is a good attribute, thus stodio monitors are a better deal (they seem to cost less).
If you have used pro-studio monitors for home listening, please share your experience with me. Thanks! |
I would be more concerned with finding a speaker u like...regardless of what it was intended for...that being said...hi-end "commercial" brands are easier to find...and you can a/b them at your local hi-end shop...and if you are lucky enough to have a good shop in your area...there is no need to to listen to every speaker under the sun...my local has Vandersteen,Spendor,Magnepan,JM Lab,Sonus Faber,etc....if one of these wont do the trick...mise well stay at best buy... |
If you are looking for monitors that does not subject you to listening fatigue, then nearfield studio monitors are worth considering. Studio engineers spend many hours each day listening to these boxes. |
The feedback had been on target. But, the real qustion is -- What are you seeking to accomplish? Answer this and then decide what to do about speakers. If you want to go pro, then maybe you also want to do the same with your electronics. |
HI,
I am a happy owner of a Tannoy professional studio monitor, System 10 DTM. Personally, I prefer the lack of technicolor sound quality coming from the professional Tannoys compared to most speakers I've owned or auditioned.
Also, I can play the Tannoys at very low volumes yet get comparable amounts of detail and pace as when it is played at higher volumes. This is perfect for an apartment dweller such as myself. |
Thanks for the comments.
I have a modest budget, so I cannot afford to buy a pair of new Dynaudio monitors. Then, I found that I can buy a new pair of Dynaudio nearfield monitor MB6's for about $700 plus shipping. The BM6's seem to have a better spec than the similar Audience 52 and costs less. In fact, the MB6's fequence response (43 ~ 20K +/- 3db) seem to be similar the Contour 1.3. The Contour 1.3 is bigger and costs a lot more than the BM6.
If I have more money, then life is probably easier for me in this area, just buy the Contour 1.3 or better. :) |
