soundglutton
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- Apr 4, 2023
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Hey everyone! Newbie here so if this belongs in a different section, please let me know.
I've been reading the forums here for awhile, trying to find some info on hiss levels/self noise on several studio monitors. The only thing that was helpful was the graph showing the Brand vs Average self noise but it only shows the brand and not the specific model. Most of the other answers were vague or 'you have to do this, change that cable, etc.' which didn't help.
The only companies that even mention self noise from my research are Neumann (KH 80dsp with <20db (A) SPL) and Genelec (8010A, with <5db SPL). I've never heard these speakers in person so I have no reference as to how quiet (or noisy) that is, in relation to my current monitors, JBL LSR305P mk2. While I love the sound of my JBLs, the hiss gets in the way when working at low volumes, which is most of the time since I live in an apartment. And if you have super sensitive hearing like I do, you know what a nightmare that is.
The only places near me with studio monitors set up is Guitar Center. It was kind of hard to tell with all the other monitors powered on but I was able to get a general idea on a few. The monitors I checked out were: JBL LSR306P, Kali Audio LP6 V2, Adam T5V, Yamaha HS8, Mackie MR824, M-Audio (can't remember model), Genelec 8010A and a couple I haven't heard before. According to my ears, this was the order of noisiest to quietest: JBL, Adam, Kali, Genelec, Mackie, Yamaha and M-Audio. I can't really count the Genelecs because I think the speakers were blown.
Since I have the JBLs, it wasn't surprising to hear the JBL LSR306 being the noisiest. What was surprising was that the M-Audio was the quietest of them all, even quieter than the Yamahas and Mackies. I wasn't able to find any self noise specs on M-Audio's website on their studio monitors but their media reference monitor showed a signal to noise ratio of > 90 db (typical A-weighted). I was however able to find some spec on an older model M-Audio BX5 monitor that showed a 100 db (typical A-weighted) SNR. The JBLs have a 75dBA so I'm assuming that's why it's the noisiest.
At the moment, I'm considering the Mackie MR524, iLoud MTM and the Neumann KH 80dsp (though still not sure if I can afford this one). The Kalis were quieter than the JBL but not by much. The Yamahas are quieter than the Mackies but their highs kill my ears. The M-Audio just didn't sound neutral at all.
My question: does anyone know which of those three monitors I mentioned are the quietest? Are there other monitors that are considered very quiet that I haven't heard of before?
I'm assuming the Neumann is the quietest but I'd like to hear from actual owners of these monitors.
Thanks for reading!
I've been reading the forums here for awhile, trying to find some info on hiss levels/self noise on several studio monitors. The only thing that was helpful was the graph showing the Brand vs Average self noise but it only shows the brand and not the specific model. Most of the other answers were vague or 'you have to do this, change that cable, etc.' which didn't help.
The only companies that even mention self noise from my research are Neumann (KH 80dsp with <20db (A) SPL) and Genelec (8010A, with <5db SPL). I've never heard these speakers in person so I have no reference as to how quiet (or noisy) that is, in relation to my current monitors, JBL LSR305P mk2. While I love the sound of my JBLs, the hiss gets in the way when working at low volumes, which is most of the time since I live in an apartment. And if you have super sensitive hearing like I do, you know what a nightmare that is.
The only places near me with studio monitors set up is Guitar Center. It was kind of hard to tell with all the other monitors powered on but I was able to get a general idea on a few. The monitors I checked out were: JBL LSR306P, Kali Audio LP6 V2, Adam T5V, Yamaha HS8, Mackie MR824, M-Audio (can't remember model), Genelec 8010A and a couple I haven't heard before. According to my ears, this was the order of noisiest to quietest: JBL, Adam, Kali, Genelec, Mackie, Yamaha and M-Audio. I can't really count the Genelecs because I think the speakers were blown.
Since I have the JBLs, it wasn't surprising to hear the JBL LSR306 being the noisiest. What was surprising was that the M-Audio was the quietest of them all, even quieter than the Yamahas and Mackies. I wasn't able to find any self noise specs on M-Audio's website on their studio monitors but their media reference monitor showed a signal to noise ratio of > 90 db (typical A-weighted). I was however able to find some spec on an older model M-Audio BX5 monitor that showed a 100 db (typical A-weighted) SNR. The JBLs have a 75dBA so I'm assuming that's why it's the noisiest.
At the moment, I'm considering the Mackie MR524, iLoud MTM and the Neumann KH 80dsp (though still not sure if I can afford this one). The Kalis were quieter than the JBL but not by much. The Yamahas are quieter than the Mackies but their highs kill my ears. The M-Audio just didn't sound neutral at all.
My question: does anyone know which of those three monitors I mentioned are the quietest? Are there other monitors that are considered very quiet that I haven't heard of before?
I'm assuming the Neumann is the quietest but I'd like to hear from actual owners of these monitors.
Thanks for reading!