Are studio monitors a better buy than passive hifi speakers?

[Chanur]

One last question. I've never owned a neutral metal dome speaker, that is why I am asking this. My wife seems to be sensitive to metal on metal domes. So cymbals and brass etc from at least bad metal domes. So KLH/Older Klipsch (don't know about current models). I noticed the Genelecs use a metal dome, are we likely to have the same issue? If so I might need to look at other active speakers with soft domes or something, which would be kind of a bummer as I'm attracted to Genelecs apparent build quality. I'd have to take out a mortgage to buy those gorgeous Saranna's unfortunately!

 

[Karmacoma]

One last question. I've never owned a neutral metal dome speaker, that is why I am asking this. My wife seems to be sensitive to metal on metal domes. So cymbals and brass etc from at least bad metal domes. So KLH/Older Klipsch (don't know about current models). I noticed the Genelecs use a metal dome, are we likely to have the same issue? If so I might need to look at other active speakers with soft domes or something, which would be kind of a bummer as I'm attracted to Genelecs apparent build quality. I'd have to take out a mortgage to buy those gorgeous Saranna's unfortunately!

In short the tweeter material doesn't make a difference for the listener, only for the engineer that design the speaker, metal domes are fine.

 

[kyuu]

In short the tweeter material doesn't make a difference for the listener, only for the engineer that design the speaker, metal domes are fine.

Right. It seems more likely his wife may just be sensitive to boosted treble, which Klipsch is notorious for. A neutral speaker should be fine, regardless of tweeter material. Worst case, if she has an issue a simple treble shelf should address it.

 

[Mort]

@Chanur are you using any DSP now? Genelec will be a little bright out of the box, because they are designed to be used with DSP which will easily correct any hot treble.

They are significantly narrower in directivity than the Philharmonic audio BMR towers. This is most likely going to result in a clearer but somewhat smaller soundstage.

 

[Chanur]

@Chanur are you using any DSP now? Genelec will be a little bright out of the box, because they are designed to be used with DSP which will easily correct any hot treble.

They are significantly narrower in directivity than the Philharmonic audio BMR towers. This is most likely going to result in a clearer but somewhat smaller soundstage.

This is going to be for the bedroom so it likely would not have any DSP for a while. Was thinking about powered speakers to avoid having to put an amp back there but it might be worth it.

 

[Ultrasonic]

The idea of active studio monitors being a cheaper route to good quality sound at home appealed to me and I've tried both Hedd Type 07 Mk 2 and Kali IN-8 v2 as main speakers in my HiFi setup as a result. Ultimately I returned both though. The HEDDs in particular somehow sounded boring (for want of a better word) vs my (passive) Meadowlark Shearwater 'HiFi' speakers as comparison. The Kalis were better but still ultimately a step back in performance terms. I was using both the actives in combination with a powered sub as well, so it wasn't a question of limited bass extension vs floorstanding passives (which I crossed over to my sub too). There are of course many more expensive and better performing active studio options but then we're getting into less cost-saving territory.

I do have a pair if Kali LP6 v2 speakers I very happily use as rear-surrounds for movies in a 5.1 setup. I'd also very happily recommend these as very competent main speakers in a budget stereo setup too. Similarly I've previously owned a pair of active Edifier S3000 pro speakers which my GF now uses, which are decent for the money and have the advantage of Bluetooth connection.

I happily swap my recently purchased ATC SCM40s for their active version though, and may in time when I can justify the cost. These are not a studio model though.

 

[Chanur]

Some updates. The room is 12x11 feet and 8 foot high ceiling. The bed is 2 feet tall. I'm thinking of about a 2k budget for the fronts. I will be using a Wiim streamer and probably move my Sony AVR in there.

Will add a small subwoofer later if needed or if the front speakers come in cheap enough.

Also no KEF. She didn't care for their sound.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right thread for my question, so please let me know if I should move it somewhere else.
I use a pair of Elac Vela Floorstanders as front speakers and I wonder if the Adam Monitors (T8V) would work fine as rear speakers - the choice based on the fact that both use AMT tweeters.
Is it doomed to fail?
Anyone tried sth similar?

Adam Audio explicitly describes that monitor as "nearfield", so whether a pair would do well in your application would very likely depend on whether the listening position is within "nearfield" distance and, of course, the listening level.

 

[Krit]

The idea of active studio monitors being a cheaper route to good quality sound at home appealed to me and I've tried both Hedd Type 07 Mk 2 and Kali IN-8 v2 as main speakers in my HiFi setup as a result. Ultimately I returned both though. The HEDDs in particular somehow sounded boring (for want of a better word) vs my (passive) Meadowlark Shearwater 'HiFi' speakers as comparison. The Kalis were better but still ultimately a step back in performance terms. I was using both the actives in combination with a powered sub as well, so it wasn't a question of limited bass extension vs floorstanding passives (which I crossed over to my sub too). There are of course many more expensive and better performing active studio options but then we're getting into less cost-saving territory.

I do have a pair if Kali LP6 v2 speakers I very happily use as rear-surrounds for movies in a 5.1 setup. I'd also very happily recommend these as very competent main speakers in a budget stereo setup too. Similarly I've previously owned a pair of active Edifier S3000 pro speakers which my GF now uses, which are decent for the money and have the advantage of Bluetooth connection.

I happily swap my recently purchased ATC SCM40s for their active version though, and may in time when I can justify the cost. These are not a studio model though.

Nowadays all in one active hi-fi speakers are very good value for the money. The issue with studio monitors is that they need a seperate audio interface, cables, isolation pads cost is adding up and at the end hi-fi is giving out more performance for the same amount of money.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Nowadays all in one active hi-fi speakers are very good value for the money. The issue with studio monitors is that they need a seperate audio interface, cables, isolation pads cost is adding up and at the end hi-fi is giving out more performance for the same amount of money.

How are these requirements different to any active speakers more obviously targeted at the domestic market? Or indeed worse than for any passive speakers?

 

[Krit]

How are these requirements different to any active speakers more obviously targeted at the domestic market? Or indeed worse than for any passive speakers?

Not sure what do you mean by that, but usually for domestic usage studio monitors are not the best way to go price to performance ratio is poor most of the time.

 

[Mort]

Not sure what do you mean by that, but usually for domestic usage studio monitors are not the best way to go price to performance ratio is poor.

Not sure that's true.

 

[Krit]

Not sure that's true.

How many active hi-fi speakers and studio monitors do you have owned for domestic usage ?

 

[Mort]

How many active hi-fi speakers and studio monitors do you have owned for domestic usage ?

Oh now it's a bragging contest. You earned an ignore.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Oh now it's a bragging contest. You earned an ignore.

I was trying to understand the "issue" you were referring to with your original post? Specifically this:

The issue with studio monitors is that they need a seperate audio interface, cables, isolation pads cost is adding up and at the end hi-fi is giving out more performance for the same amount of money.

 

[Krit]

I was trying to understand the "issue" you were referring to with your original post? Specifically this:

Interface, cables, isolation pads are costing extra money where's active all in one hi-fi already has it all and even more.

 

[Sal1950]

Interface, cables, isolation pads are costing extra money where's active all in one hi-fi already has it all and even more.

You still need all that with actives, only difference is instead of a speaker cable you have a power cord.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Interface, cables, isolation pads are costing extra money where's active all in one hi-fi already has it all and even more.

If you compare active studio monitors with active hifi speakers, they require the same things? What do you mean by "interface" and "isolation pads"?

EDIT: Is your point that things like streaming etc isn't built-in with a studio monitor?

 

[Krit]

This is the first time I've heard anyone argue that you need more stuff with active speakers.

Try to connect a studio monitors dirrectly to the mainboards realtek audio (without audio interface or separate sound card)
And now try to use studio monitors without isolation pads on hard surface like desk or stands

Studio monitors require usually XLR/TRS cables separately and no one is giving them for free.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Interface, cables, isolation pads are costing extra money where's active all in one hi-fi already has it all and even more.

I still don't see any difference. I've connected the output of my DAC to three different pairs of active studio monitors in exactly the same way I would with 'HiFi' active speakers, or indeed a power amp feeding passive speakers.