The time has come for me to get some monitors to mix on, as I only have a small set up and recently moved home and to a new room.
The room is untreated, but currently use Headphones which isn't always ideal.
Previously I did have a pair of original ADAM A7's and thought these were superb but had to sell quite a bit as i downsized and moved, hoping to get something similar later.
I produce dance music and occasiinally TV / Orchestral Music so would need a bit of everything really.
How do the newer ADAM T5v monitors work out? These look perfect to me, as I loved my last ADAM's, but see these are being marketed as DJ monitors? so would these be as good for Orchestral style mock ups etc?
Thanks for any advice!
You are here
Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
Moderator: Moderators
43 posts
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
What's the budget?
On a tight budget my "go to" monitors would be the Neumann KH 120.
On a tight budget my "go to" monitors would be the Neumann KH 120.
-
John Willett - Jedi Poster
- Posts: 7250
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2000 1:00 am
- Location: Oxfordshire UK
John
Sound-Link ProAudio
Circle Sound Services
Sound-Link are UK Distributors for: Microtech Gefell, ME-Geithain, AETA, HUM, Håkan, Meyer Turtle
Sound-Link ProAudio
Circle Sound Services
Sound-Link are UK Distributors for: Microtech Gefell, ME-Geithain, AETA, HUM, Håkan, Meyer Turtle
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
John Willett wrote:What's the budget?
On a tight budget my "go to" monitors would be the Neumann KH 120.
Interesting John? On another forum I was rather castigated for suggesting that accurate monitors really only start at $/£ 1000 the pair.
I now feel somewhat vindicated.
Dave.
- ef37a
- Jedi Poster
- Posts: 12440
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: northampton uk
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
And you'll probably need so room treatment as soon as you move to speakers.
-
Sam Spoons - Jedi Poster
- Posts: 14535
- Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2003 1:00 am
- Location: Manchester UK
Still taking this recording lark seriously (and trying to record my Gypsy Jazz CD)........
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
At that price point they're definitely worth a listen, probably worth looking at the Kali audio stuff as well.
-
blinddrew - Jedi Poster
- Posts: 12868
- Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:00 am
- Location: York
Ignore the post count, I have no idea what I'm doing...
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
The Adams mentioned are £250 for a pair so the Neumanns are probably way out of the budget. On that kind of budget I'd be looking for something used - there are bargains out there if you look carefully.
-
James Perrett - Moderator
- Posts: 10125
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2001 12:00 am
- Location: The wilds of Hampshire
JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration. JRP Music Facebook Page
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
With the caveat that I’ve never heard them (but use KH120 regularly) - is the Neumann KH80 worth a look?
A fair chunker cheaper (and a bit smaller) than the KH120.
When/if I ever replace my ae22 I’d be looking at them.
A fair chunker cheaper (and a bit smaller) than the KH120.
When/if I ever replace my ae22 I’d be looking at them.
- Ramirez
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 1197
- Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: Pwllheli, Cymru
www.stiwdiosain.cymru
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
ef37a wrote:On another forum I was rather castigated for suggesting that accurate monitors really only start at $/£ 1000 the pair.
Maybe a little lower these days... there's some pretty decent stuff around now at the £750 mark, actually -- including the KH80s I think... and yes, they are definitely worth a listen if the budget can reach them. Slightly different presentation to the KH120s because of the linear-phase DSP malarky, but definitely on a par quality-wise.
But if we're talking genuine, well-made, accurate, professional standard 'monitors' worthy of the name then the serious stuff starts at around £1k, and by £3k it's really very good indeed.
-
Hugh Robjohns - Moderator
- Posts: 29508
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 12:00 am
- Location: Worcestershire, UK
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
I hope I never reach that place. The AE22s are easily the best speakers I've owned.Ramirez wrote:When/if I ever replace my ae22 I’d be looking at them.
If you could pick up a decent secondhand pair of those you'd be doing yourself a favour.
-
The Elf - Jedi Poster
- Posts: 15715
- Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2001 12:00 am
- Location: Sheffield, UK
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
+1 for the AE22s - extremely happy with mine, following recommendations here. Paid comfortably under £250 for the pair, too.
Don't see many of them for sale but there are a couple of sets of the active version on eBay at the moment, although possibly with rather optimistic asking prices ;)
Don't see many of them for sale but there are a couple of sets of the active version on eBay at the moment, although possibly with rather optimistic asking prices ;)
- Logarhythm
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 1032
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:00 am
- Location: On an intergalactic voyage to collect fresh electrons
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
ef37a wrote:John Willett wrote:What's the budget?
On a tight budget my "go to" monitors would be the Neumann KH 120.
Interesting John? On another forum I was rather castigated for suggesting that accurate monitors really only start at $/£ 1000 the pair.
I now feel somewhat vindicated.
Dave.
You are right - the same feeling as me.
You can get reasonable loudspeakers cheaper, but good monitors do cost money and are well worth the investment.
My first decent monitors were the Harbeth Monitor 30 Actives (now for sale if anyone is interested) and a pair of K+H O110D for location work (also now for sale). I was very happy with these - I think the O110D were just under £2k and the Harbeths about £2.5k.
I did compare the O110D with the KH120 and found them very close and pretty equal.
But I then upgraded to the MEG RL906 for location and now (in the last few days) have the RL934K for the main set - all nearfields as I don't sit that far away.
-
John Willett - Jedi Poster
- Posts: 7250
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2000 1:00 am
- Location: Oxfordshire UK
John
Sound-Link ProAudio
Circle Sound Services
Sound-Link are UK Distributors for: Microtech Gefell, ME-Geithain, AETA, HUM, Håkan, Meyer Turtle
Sound-Link ProAudio
Circle Sound Services
Sound-Link are UK Distributors for: Microtech Gefell, ME-Geithain, AETA, HUM, Håkan, Meyer Turtle
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
For what it's worth I've recently got a pair of KH80s and they are a clear step up from the previous HiFi speaker and amp combo I was using. They were (well, still are) good speakers, Dynaudios, and it was a decent Musical Fidelity amp, but going to a proper set of monitors was a huge improvement.
None of which helps the OP of course. :)
Second hand is good if you can find something and know enough about what to look for, but if you do go for new the Adams are certainly going to be in the ball park for that price range.
None of which helps the OP of course. :)
Second hand is good if you can find something and know enough about what to look for, but if you do go for new the Adams are certainly going to be in the ball park for that price range.
-
blinddrew - Jedi Poster
- Posts: 12868
- Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:00 am
- Location: York
Ignore the post count, I have no idea what I'm doing...
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
My problem with budget (and to some extent second hand) monitors is that if you have never had or heard really top end speakers you have no reference point?
I chose Tannoy Reveal 5As some years ago on the basis of a "shootout" (not SOS) my logic being that the reviewers had had vastly more experience than I and had access to far better sources and other, state of art, monitors to compare. The Tannoys came out well and in my then budget. I was also swayed by the fact that Tannoy had been making speakers longer than I had been alive and should know a thing or three AND they do not make every other electronic gimmcrack on the market.
My other reservation is QC? A review sample might be touted as a £199 "giant killer" but is that quality maintained sample to sample?
Dave.
I chose Tannoy Reveal 5As some years ago on the basis of a "shootout" (not SOS) my logic being that the reviewers had had vastly more experience than I and had access to far better sources and other, state of art, monitors to compare. The Tannoys came out well and in my then budget. I was also swayed by the fact that Tannoy had been making speakers longer than I had been alive and should know a thing or three AND they do not make every other electronic gimmcrack on the market.
My other reservation is QC? A review sample might be touted as a £199 "giant killer" but is that quality maintained sample to sample?
Dave.
- ef37a
- Jedi Poster
- Posts: 12440
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: northampton uk
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
James Perrett wrote:The Adams mentioned are £250 for a pair so the Neumanns are probably way out of the budget. On that kind of budget I'd be looking for something used - there are bargains out there if you look carefully.
I'm with James here, used will serve you better.
Have you considered using headphones and a cheap box for stereo imaging?
-
Zukan - Moderator
- Posts: 9077
- Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2003 12:00 am
Re: Best Budget monitors? ADAM?
Thanks for all your replies.
I've decided as a previous ADAM's user to go for the T7v's which look great, and lots of positive reviews. :)
I've decided as a previous ADAM's user to go for the T7v's which look great, and lots of positive reviews. :)
- james090
- Regular
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 8:15 am