Looking for Monitor Upgrade Advice (Modern Metal / Ambient Player)

[EricSabag]

Hey all,

I’m in the market for new studio monitors and would love some input from people here who work with similar gear and styles.
I’ve been on the Kali IN-5s for a while and honestly like them a lot, especially for the price. Unfortunately, one of mine developed a resonance/vibration issue. Instead of just replacing it, I’m thinking this might be a good excuse to upgrade.

My setup / usage:

• Mainly electric guitar through modelers (Quad Cortex, Axe-FX III).
• Play mostly djent and modern metal, but also a lot of ambient with big reverbs and delays.
• Do some mixing/production — guitar-focused but not exclusively.
• Main use is playing, not mixing full productions.
• No room treatment yet (moving soon, will take care of it then). Current large room + bed actually worked okay with the IN-5s.
• Prefer to avoid monitors with built-in DSP: I don’t really need room correction, and would rather skip the extra latency, potential points of failure, and higher cost.

Monitors I’m considering:

• HEDD 07 A-Core (new, within my budget, internet seems to love them — but no local dealer so I don’t know much).
• Adam A7X (classic, a lot of players use them, and I could get a used pair for much less than the HEDD).
• Focal Shape Twin (used, about the same price as the HEDD).
• Neumann KH 150 (used, just within reach).
• Genelec (something like 8030/8050 or whatever I might find used).

Budget-wise, the HEDD 07 A-Core is around my upper limit, though I could stretch a bit if it’s truly worth it.

Other option: just grab another IN-5. They’re the cheapest by far, and honestly worked well for me — but I’m not familiar enough with how much of a step up higher-end monitors would be when using modelers, so I don’t know if I’d be missing out.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s played similar styles through these monitors (or compared them) — especially if you use modelers like QC or Axe-FX for djent/ambient tones.

 

[dfuller]

The 07 A-core or 8040 would be my pick.

 

[Eric Natural]

using my strat > modeler > LIVE12 daily up in here
monitors - originally had Wharfedale 6"s quickly went to Focal Alpha5 when they came out and loved them, they worked well in two different smaller studio spaces. When I moved this last time; larger room and I wanted 8" woofers or had to use sub(s) to get any bottom end. I went to ARC calibration with these Fluids and they sound great.
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/fluid-audio-fx8
best of luck

 

[Ktacos]

If one can afford Nuemann or Genelec, go with those. They're kind of a totally different league to anything else and have one major benefit, the drivers are protected.

I don’t really need room correction

Yeah you do.

 

[Waxx]

If you need it mainly to play guitar trough a modeller, you need a speaker with no issues in the midrange because there is where most of the sound is from a guitar. Genelec or Neumann are both no brainers on neutrality and will probally work very well. But others could do the same. A Neumann KH120 II would be what i would get, but it has dsp build in (if that is a dealbreaker, it shouldn't).

 

[EricSabag]

If one can afford Nuemann or Genelec, go with those. They're kind of a totally different league to anything else and have one major benefit, the drivers are protected.



Yeah you do.

About the room correction - this is obviously important for mixing, but isn't that just would make "less exciting" to play through?

If you need it mainly to play guitar trough a modeller, you need a speaker with no issues in the midrange because there is where most of the sound is from a guitar. Genelec or Neumann are both no brainers on neutrality and will probally work very well. But others could do the same. A Neumann KH120 II would be what i would get, but it has dsp build in (if that is a dealbreaker, it shouldn't).

I hear mixing reviews about Genelec. I heard that they seems to be very accurate but to not as "enjoyable" unless I go with the more pricier options like the 8050.
The AMT twitter seems be fan favorite for metal players, and the HEDD are probably a step up from the Adam, what's why I considered it in the first place. How are they compared the the Nuemann?

 

[Waxx]

I never liked hedd, i think they are way overrated just like Adam and no competition to Neumann or even Genelec (that i don't like subjectivly, altough objectivly there is little wrong). Both Neumann and Genelec speakers are as neutral as non cardioid speakers can go, and some think that is boring because they want distortion in their speakers or amps (but then you don't buy monitors, you buy coloured speakers).

The Hedd is a distortionbox to me when pushed (but it was an older model that i heared) and not that well build. Hedd is a spinoff of Adam audio if i'm right and has the same type of issues that Adam has. They are more alike than they differ. And AMT's have an ot so good dispertion like a dome or cd tweeter.

 

[EricSabag]

I never liked hedd, i think they are way overrated just like Adam and no competition to Neumann or even Genelec (that i don't like subjectivly, altough objectivly there is little wrong). Both Neumann and Genelec speakers are as neutral as non cardioid speakers can go, and some think that is boring because they want distortion in their speakers or amps (but then you don't buy monitors, you buy coloured speakers).

The Hedd is a distortionbox to me when pushed (but it was an older model that i heared) and not that well build. Hedd is a spinoff of Adam audio if i'm right and has the same type of issues that Adam has. They are more alike than they differ. And AMT's have an ot so good dispertion like a dome or cd tweeter.

Neumann seems like a good option indeed, there is an used pain of KH150 that just fit under my budget. I just a bit "worried" about the DSP and latency.
Obviously the latency is minimal, but adding another 1.5-2ms may add up to the already existing latency using a modeler, especially when using something like a pitch shifter(which can already be in a place where you "feel" the latency).
Of mixing was my main usage, the KH150 would be a no brainer obviously, but mixing is just ~10% of my usage.

 

[Ktacos]

but isn't that just would make "less exciting" to play through?

Not in my experience, if anything it makes it better because you're not playing against high amplitude room resonances. If you are using a desk for instance you usually end up with a huge peak at 150hz that can reach amplitudes of 12db or more, makes playing guitar pretty annoying. One tends to play better when a few frets on their guitar aren't double or triple in volume to the rest.

 

[EricSabag]

I will take care of the room treatment once I move from here, for now I'll probably get a Sonarworks to get some fixes hopefully.

Checked my options and the Neumann available for me are used Neumann KH 120A, not 120 II. What are he differences?
There might be an option for the KH 150.

Still not settled on the DSP route, adding ~2ms latency seems like no issue but with the added latency of the chain, it might be not ideal.
Do you have other options for non-DSP monitors that would perform better than the HEDD 07 A-Core?

 

[Multicore]

About the room correction - this is obviously important for mixing, but isn't that just would make "less exciting" to play through?

I find room modes very annoying to play through. The A2 honk in my room is yuck. Headphones is a simple solution. Or your modeler likely has EQ that won't add appreciable latency.

If you can manage it, KH150 will satisfy for many years.

 

[EricSabag]

I find room modes very annoying to play through. The A2 honk in my room is yuck. Headphones is a simple solution. Or your modeler likely has EQ that won't add appreciable latency.

If you can manage it, KH150 will satisfy for many years.

The KH150 are with DSP built in I guess, right?

How are the KH120 II? Still better than the none Neumann monitors?

 

[Multicore]

How are the KH120 II?

Less loud, less bass extension.

Still better than the none Neumann monitors?

Not necessarily. For example if you sometimes want a bit of EDM low synthetic boom then they may disappoint.

The KH150 are with DSP built in I guess, right?

Yes. And negligible latency. Easier to use than the modeler.

 

[EricSabag]

Not necessarily. For example if you sometimes want a bit of EDM low synthetic boom then they may disappoint.

So what monitors would you recommend under the budget of the HEDD 07 A-Core? That's around my upper limit.

I may get the KH150 used, but need to check if that would be available.

 

[Multicore]

So what monitors would you recommend under the budget of the HEDD 07 A-Core? That's around my upper limit.

I may get the KH150 used, but need to check if that would be available.

if you want thumping bass from the L+R then maybe JBL 308P. Adding a sub to KH120 might work too but it would be insulting if it were not a KH750 and that would bust the budget again.

I get by with Genelec 1029A in my music room (i.e. without much below about 70 Hz) but I recall a thread in which someone "upgraded" from 8" Yamaha to 5 or 6" Neumann and complained of port chuffing. Neumann confirmed in a helpful email that it is expected as the low frequency and SPL of the signal the user was playing exceeded the design.

That person's experience is why I warned you. If you want thumping bass then you need speakers that are deigned to do that. Neumann and Genelec make speakers that do it but they cost a lot. If your budget is limited then you need to decide what's more important: thumping bass or accuracy. There's nothing wrong with wanting thumping bass more.

Remember, there's always headphones for when you need bass with hearing damage.

 

[EricSabag]

if you want thumping bass from the L+R then maybe JBL 308P. Adding a sub to KH120 might work too but it would be insulting if it were not a KH750 and that would bust the budget again.

I get by with Genelec 1029A in my music room (i.e. without much below about 70 Hz) but I recall a thread in which someone "upgraded" from 8" Yamaha to 5 or 6" Neumann and complained of port chuffing. Neumann confirmed in a helpful email that it is expected as the low frequency and SPL of the signal the user was playing exceeded the design.

That person's experience is why I warned you. If you want thumping bass then you need speakers that are deigned to do that. Neumann and Genelec make speakers that do it but they cost a lot. If your budget is limited then you need to decide what's more important: thumping bass or accuracy. There's nothing wrong with wanting thumping bass more.

Remember, there's always headphones for when you need bass with hearing damage.

Appreciating you informative comment

What is more important to me is the enjoyment and "immediacy" response of the speaker. From thumping bass vs accuracy I guess it means accuracy wins.
From mixing perspective, I'm doing that just for a bit better YouTube covers. I'm mainly a guitar player.

That's why I initially thought about the Hedd. They seem to be better Adams which player like me tend to love(versus mixing engineers).

For accuracy, as long as it's at least as good as my current Kali IN-5, I'm good.

 

[just1n]

Hey all,

I’m in the market for new studio monitors and would love some input from people here who work with similar gear and styles.
I’ve been on the Kali IN-5s for a while and honestly like them a lot, especially for the price. Unfortunately, one of mine developed a resonance/vibration issue. Instead of just replacing it, I’m thinking this might be a good excuse to upgrade.

My setup / usage:

• Mainly electric guitar through modelers (Quad Cortex, Axe-FX III).
• Play mostly djent and modern metal, but also a lot of ambient with big reverbs and delays.
• Do some mixing/production — guitar-focused but not exclusively.
• Main use is playing, not mixing full productions.
• No room treatment yet (moving soon, will take care of it then). Current large room + bed actually worked okay with the IN-5s.
• Prefer to avoid monitors with built-in DSP: I don’t really need room correction, and would rather skip the extra latency, potential points of failure, and higher cost.

Monitors I’m considering:

• HEDD 07 A-Core (new, within my budget, internet seems to love them — but no local dealer so I don’t know much).
• Adam A7X (classic, a lot of players use them, and I could get a used pair for much less than the HEDD).
• Focal Shape Twin (used, about the same price as the HEDD).
• Neumann KH 150 (used, just within reach).
• Genelec (something like 8030/8050 or whatever I might find used).

Budget-wise, the HEDD 07 A-Core is around my upper limit, though I could stretch a bit if it’s truly worth it.

Other option: just grab another IN-5. They’re the cheapest by far, and honestly worked well for me — but I’m not familiar enough with how much of a step up higher-end monitors would be when using modelers, so I don’t know if I’d be missing out.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s played similar styles through these monitors (or compared them) — especially if you use modelers like QC or Axe-FX for djent/ambient tones.

Couple suggestions from someone who also has a Quad Cortex and active speakers:

1. Yes, you should be using room EQ. It really is that important for accuracy.
2. DSP adds no latency in my setup. Using a WiiM Pro on the other hand caused completely unusable latency.
3. Neumann or Genelec are good choices, but if splurging on them takes away money to a device for PEQ.
4. Get a decent pair of headphones for silent playing.

Here’s how I did it for my use case. No regrets whatsoever.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...h-a-few-words-and-or-links.56410/post-2288501

 

[Multicore]

Appreciating you informative comment

What is more important to me is the enjoyment and "immediacy" response of the speaker. From thumping bass vs accuracy I guess it means accuracy wins.
From mixing perspective, I'm doing that just for a bit better YouTube covers. I'm mainly a guitar player.

That's why I initially thought about the Hedd. They seem to be better Adams which player like me tend to love(versus mixing engineers).

For accuracy, as long as it's at least as good as my current Kali IN-5, I'm good.

For playing guitar you don't need the bottom two octaves.

 

[Ktacos]

Neumann or Genelec are good choices, but if splurging on them takes away money to a device for PEQ.

EQ is free for music production, one can just put a an EQ on their master out if no in-monitor DSP is available. If you need that same EQ for regular OS output, just load it up via EQ APO or whatever the mac alternative is. That's what I do.

 

[dreipass]

Monitors I’m considering:

• HEDD 07 A-Core (new, within my budget, internet seems to love them — but no local dealer so I don’t know much).
• Adam A7X (classic, a lot of players use them, and I could get a used pair for much less than the HEDD).
• Focal Shape Twin (used, about the same price as the HEDD).
• Neumann KH 150 (used, just within reach).
• Genelec (something like 8030/8050 or whatever I might find used).

Skip them all - except Focal Shapes maybe. If you're in guitar-music, there all to clincal and soundstage is dead artifical sounding. There god for electronic music but not organic midrange! Sure, Neumann and Geneles have nice FQ-curves - but this not mean they sound good!!!! For me, its ahorror recording with them, sold them both. Such an cold, steril, lifeless sound...
Shapes are far the best here in this list for your needs.
And what others say: NEVER underestimate room correction! Better invest in accustic panels, bass traps and Room-EQ-Software FIRST!!!
And forget sonarworks. Use Dirac (also correct Phase and timing)!