2000-3000$ Budget for new studio monitors

[xxcholo]

Hey!

I produce Soul/Pop, EDM, hiphop, Trap, lofi

I'm looking for a new pair of nearfield monitors that can get me pretty low (Would prefer not to use a sub)

I guess what's most important to me is translation, preferably a speakers that handles mid's and mid-high's very well without being too excited or scooped


Budget: 2000-3000$ for a pair

Here are some monitors i looked at (Please share your thoughts about these, or any others that i havent mentioned)

Neumann KH 120 II (Dark?)
Dynaudio LYD-48
Focal Shape Twin
Genelec 8040
Barefoot Footprint 03 (self-noise levels?)
PMC Result 6 (excited highs?)


Any suggestions?

 

[Ron Texas]

Neumann

 

[mjgraves]

JBL 705P or 708P.

 

[Great Sun Jester]

If you are somewhat good at woodworking, these were around 3,000 last time I checked. Exceptional speakers.

https://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=583:seas-kingro4y-mk-iii&catid=66&Itemid=345

Edit: Large, come in around 50 lbs.

 

[DVDdoug]

I guess what's most important to me is translation, preferably a speakers that handles mid's and mid-high's very well without being too excited or scooped

You can always EQ (as long as your monitors aren't "terrible").

Then you'll "learn your monitors" (in your room) over-time.

Keep a known-good reference recording to "keep your ears calibrated". Or multiple references for different genres.

 

[N9R]

Either Neumann or Genelec

They are very similar in the important specs

One thing that may influence your decision - the crossover and speaker management functions in the Neumann are digital, whereas in this model of Genelec they are analog

While this gives you extra possibilities in the Neumann (such as room correction EQ), there is also a tradeoff - the Neumann will add extra latency (2.6ms) whereas the Genelec is entirely latency-free

If you are sensitive to this extra latency during studio work you may prefer the Genelec (I use 8030C because of this, and use latency-free room correction EQ inside the DAW)

 

[Ron Texas]

Either Neumann or Genelec

They are very similar in the important specs

One thing that may influence your decision - the crossover and speaker management functions in the Neumann are digital, whereas in this model of Genelec they are analog

While this gives you extra possibilities in the Neumann (such as room correction EQ), there is also a tradeoff - the Neumann will add extra latency (2.6ms) whereas the Genelec is entirely latency-free

If you are sensitive to this extra latency during studio work you may prefer the Genelec (I use 8030C because of this, and use latency-free room correction EQ inside the DAW)

Latency data is very useful if adding a subwoofer.

 

[xxcholo]

Really...?
I got 3000$ to spare for a pair of monitors and Neumann KH 120 II is the best i can get?

 

[Kishore]

+1 to JBL 708p/705p mentioned above..

 

[bodhi]

Really...?
I got 3000$ to spare for a pair of monitors and Neumann KH 120 II is the best i can get?

It doesn't matter if you had 30k to spare. Look at the measurements of KH120II, what else do you need for near field?

Maybe you think there is some magic, that cannot be measured, to be found when spending more? Not uncommon belief as such, but not that well supported here.

 

[xxcholo]

+1 to JBL 708p/705p mentioned above..

708 is above my price range, and 705 seems like it won't be enough without a sub?

 

[MarsianC#]

I got 3000$ to spare

Acoustics excluded? Invest in proper room tuning. Check DSP possibilities build in (Neumann, Genelec) or in DAW/computer/external if need be (bass traps are huge).
If KH120 can handle your desired SPL, get them. Genelec Ones are nice, but too prizey.

 

[xxcholo]

Acoustics excluded? Invest in proper room tuning. Check DSP possibilities build in (Neumann, Genelec) or in DAW/computer/external if need be (bass traps are huge).
If KH120 can handle your desired SPL, get them. Genelec Ones are nice, but too prizey.

Yeah, the new KH 120 II now has internal DSP (Old KH 120 did not without sub) so i could get their calibration tool aswell

 

[FrantzM]

Really...?
I got 3000$ to spare for a pair of monitors and Neumann KH 120 II is the best i can get?

Hi

You could go one step up their line-up: KH150, slightly ($3500/pair) over your budget. By all measures and evaluation an excellent and capable speaker: ASR Review KH 150 Click Here

Or the too often forgotten JBL 705. Another good speaker ASR JBL 705p Review Click Here

Or the Genelec .. again slighly over $3000/pair

I believe, the 705 offer the best bang for the buck, the Neuman the best performance...

Peace.

 

[Count Arthur]

I was going to suggest the Genelec 8050, or the Neumann KH 150, as they would just about be in with budget in the EU/UK, but it seems they are a bit more expensive in the US.

Might be worth looking out for some demo deals though: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...owered-studio-monitor-anthracite?cond=KH150d1

 

[xxcholo]

I was going to suggest the Genelec 8050, or the Neumann KH 150, as they would just about be in with budget in the EU/UK, but it seems they are a bit more expensive in the US.

Might be worth looking out for some demo deals though: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...owered-studio-monitor-anthracite?cond=KH150d1

I live in EU
The KH150 looks interesting, and they seem to go pretty low, could i do with the 150's without a sub you think?

 

[Matias]

Neumann KH 150 and stretch the budget if necessary. Room EQ for modes and you should be fine.

 

[mj30250]

If you're not using a sub, I agree that stretching (or waiting for a sale if needed) for the KH 150s would be the direction I'd go given the genres of music you're producing. You might also be able to find a vendor to bundle MA 1 at a discounted price, which would provide you with excellent room correction.

 

[Count Arthur]

I live in EU
The KH150 looks interesting, and they seem to go pretty low, could i do with the 150's without a sub you think?

I have a pair of KH 150s with a sub, a Dynaudio 18s, which I can bypass and how much the sub adds, really depends on the music/track. With music that has a lot of really low bass rumble, the sub makes a significant difference, however, there's a surprising amount of music that really doesn't have all that much going on below about ~40Hz.

Regardless of what I play, it doesn't sound bad without the sub, but with some tracks, it can add something, which you probably wouldn't know you're missing, until you add a sub, or by some massive speakers/monitors that can get down to ~20Hz without one.

Two tracks.

With this track, there's a significant difference between sub being on and off.

With this track, there is a difference, but it's pretty subtle.

 

[holdingpants01]

Neumann KH150 with MA1