PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Off-Topic Studio Reference Monitors

It has been a long time since I listened to current home stereo speakers or the newest crop of studio monitors. I used EV Sentry 100A nearfields for 20 years and about a decade ago when the surrounds finally rotted out sent em in to EV for rework. I didn't know how long EV would take to do the rework, though it only took about a week and they came back sounding brand-new, and they did not charge very much. Though the speakers were 'relatively expensive' new and they are still relatively expensive for a 2 way 8" nearfield.

Anyway, not knowing how long it would take, I bought a set of JBL 2 way nearfield studio monitors as spares.

Strange thing-- in a moderately sound-treated room, the JBL 2 way nearfields, designed and manufactured almost 20 years after the EV Sentry 100A's-- Both sets of speakers sounded so nearly identical that it might be difficult reliably identifying one from the other in a blindfold listening test. The JBL's were very slightly brighter, but I'm not certain it would be a definite enough cue for a successful blindfold test.

I listened to several then-current studio monitors that decade ago before getting the JBL 2-ways. There seemed quite a bit of variability of the tone of various inexpensive nearfield monitors from 'new kids on the block' manufacturers. You could easily tell a difference even wearing a blindfold.

So it leads to a provisional theory that some of the long-established monitor manufacturers might have a very definite long-established ideal of what these thangs ought to sound like. Either that, or it was sheer coincidence that the old EV sounded so nearly identical to the new JBL.

I'm not saying folks should make it a point to buy EV, JBL, Genelec or whatever. Only relating a tale. Tone is somewhat a matter of taste and you can get accustomed to about anything.

Long ago have listened to fairly expensive Polk bookshelf home stereo speakers in stereo stores, which seemed to sound very similar to nearfield studio monitors, but dunno what Polks sound like nowadays.

The mid-price home-stereo 12" three way speakers I tried to use many years ago for home studio monitoring for awhile before getting the EV monitors-- Those old home stereo speakers actually made music sound 'better' than the studio monitors, but it was just impossible to mix on them. I wanted something that would sound really bad if the mix sounds really bad.

B&H Photo/Video had a good deal on the JBL LSR 2328P 8s ($319 each). Went to Guitar Center, listened to them and they matched B&H's price. So I brought them home.

I also listened to the M-audio BX8a Studiophiles and the KRK RokitG2 8. It was a tough decision between the M-audio and the JBLs. They were very close. But I finally decided on the JBLs.

I've listened for a little while here at home and the quality is better than what I had but I wouldn't go as far as saying there's 100% difference. The thing that I notice most is that I can tell where each instrument is coming from in the stereo field. Before I couldn't tell at all and relied on my headphones for that. I listened to the last song I posted here and I would make some slight changes but not all that much. I'm not one for going back and reworking things so I will go forward with mixing the lastest song that I am writing.

As far as acoustically doing my room, I was thinking about that and don't really think I need it that much because I use a lot of loops lately and they are already prepared professionally. I also use a lot of midi and that basically is going into the computer from my keyboard. My guitar uses a Vox Tonelab modeling amp. So my vocal is the only thing that really needs the room treatment. So if it ever comes to that point I could always buy a vocal booth.

I have 14 days to decide if I like them so I'm going to be listening. Thanks to all of you for the feedback. This is the first place I come when need advice.

Hi Charlie

Been awhile since shopping monitors. That is a smokin low price for JBL powered monitors, compared to what they used to cost.

When people here are talking about treating your room, they were talking about doing so to make the monitors sound as clean as they can in that room. Even though most of your recording is line in, you still listen to those speakers in that room. You are hearing a difference already; that ability to hear the separate instruments and their placement says a lot. I think your mixes will be improving as a result. I doubt you will be wanting to return to the old speakers..
Grow with the flow.

(Hey! I like the way that sounds. That may become a song .. grow with the flow)

Charlie,

Congratulations with your new monitors. I have heard great things about the JBL's. And your statement that you can actually hear where each and every instrument is located on the virtual stage is an example of what monitors allow you to hear.

Using virtual instruments and/or loops or RealTracks for that matter are no reasons for not paying attention to the acoustic profile of your room. Whenever you make sound in a room, that room acts like the body of an acoustic guitar. Some frequencies will be absorbed, others will be amplified.

You could check audiominds.com to get a starting point.

I've had good luck with Event Tune Reference 8 monitor speakers. Sold the JBLs.

Congrats on the JBL's Charlie. The thing I like about them is their fantastic bass and clean highs, even at lower volumes. Crown designs great amps and JBL designs great speakers. Hard to beat. With the amount of tone control you have, you should be able to dial in a good stereo sound just for listening also. Then set them back relatively flat for mixing. My bet is that you're well set for a good long while.

Later
Jim

I just purchased M-Audio Av-40. They are great.