best studio monitor options?...

[Sayat Nova]

Hello everyone,

In a couple of months I will be upgrading my studio's monitors to the best that I can afford, and am looking to pay roughly 2, ooo$/2,500$ for a pair. I have narrowed it down to tha ADAM p-11 or p-22, and the Dynaudio BM6A, or the BM15A. I was originally looking at the Mackie HR824's, but I am a little weary on account of the "slightly too smooth mid-range" issue that has come up in much of the higher-priced monitor comparison reviews.

I generally have heard good things about the ADAM p-11's, but in all that I have read the Dynaudio's seem to be very well reviewed. The only slight I could find on the BM6a's was that they did not have a lot of power in the very low end and maybe a sub would be needed...with this in mind, I am currently thinking of getting the BM15's (the next size up) because is has a beefy-er amp and slightly lower freq. response, and hopefully this would eliminate the need for a sub.

So, has anyone actually used the Dynaudio stuff, and in particular the BM6A or the BM15A? Or, for that matter, what are your experiences with the ADAMS P-11 or P-22?


Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hope all is well with everyone,

Shea A.J. Comfort
Sayat Novak Productions

[SteveFortner]

I was one of the first ADAM customers in the US... even before SW carried them. I can say that you will hear every penny of where your money went if you go with ADAMs. I own the S2-A, but the P-22 are an excellent value. They have the same folded-ribbon tweeter as the more expensive S series. If you've never heard it, prepare to be amazed. Among the things I like about the ADAMs is that they all but ignore rooms, even bad ones, they translate like nothing else I've ever tried, and you can listen to them for hours on end without ear fatigue.

Dynaudio is a fine speaker, a good friend has a pair of BM-15A. I'd have no problem if I had a project due and that was the only monitor in the room, but having listened to both, I chose the ADAMs.

IMHO, the Mackie's made a huge splash by offering a "pro" listening experience at an unprecedented price point. They're fun speakers, but in terms of accuracy both the ADAM and Dynaudio are in a completely different league.

[Kryogh]

You must, at least, bring a few of your favorites CDs, and listen to them in a BlueSky System One.

I was shopping for new monitors recently, and I ended up with those, and they were cheaper then I tought.

I own them for about a month now, and wow!!! I'm still impressed by the clarity and precision of this setup.

http://www.abluesky.com/p/p3s1.html

[Sayat Nova]

Hello Kryogh and Stevefortner,

Thank you both for your responses, that does help me a bit. I am leaning towards the ADAMS at the moment and with other bits of advice from other forums, this would seem to be the best way to go for me.

Thank you for your time,

Shea A.J. Comfort
(Sayat Novak Productions)

[David Klausner]

I agree with Steve on the ADAMs. There are a lot of great monitors out there, several that are even more "accurate" than the ADAMs, but mixes on the ADAMs just really seem to translate better to any kind of system than just about anything I've heard.

And Steve, why does it not surprise me that you and David Bryce would know each other?

[jamstudios]

studio monitors are not in fact about what you believe are the best. they are about what is the best you hear. first step in finding out which are the best for your application is to have an audiologist check you out to calibrate your ears. second step is to calibarte youe room. you may be spending $2500 in a pair of monitors that won't help at all your cause.

[David Klausner]

Great point about room treatment. You can have the best monitors in the world, and if your room has problems, you will still be making mixing errors. Even a little thing like putting some Auralex MoPads under your speakers can make a big difference.

[Audio Servant]

I've heard the Adams and they sounded wonderful but I've never actually mixed on them.

On the other hand, I did a session recently with the BM6a's and was very impressed with them. They are extremely natural sounding and easy to listen to, without sounding 'too good' like the Mackies or Genelecs. The only complaint I had with the BM6a is that they weren't very loud. If you are working at home, they are perfect. But we seemed to push them to clipping pretty easily when we were cutting drums and bass. (clip lights on every kick drum hit.) I am also thinking about buying a pair of them myself for my home studio, but if you need to fill a larger control room you may need to spring for the bigger ones.