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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 6, 2017 12:14:27 GMT -6
I had to sell my lovely Avantone Abbey monitors. I need a cheap replacement to use until I can get something good again. A friend has some beat up NS10's that work he's offered to me for free. I'm buying a power amp today, the guy selling them also has a pair of Event 2020's for sale, (the original ones) for $120.
Which sounds better?
I know the NS10's well, but have never heard Event speakers
Background: I previously had KRK's, Yamaha 5" actives, Adam A7X's, then the Abbey. The Abbey was great, the rest sucked IMO. I just auditioned a bunch of small monitors and they sucked too, Presonus, Sony, JBL, the little IK Multimedia Micro-Monitors were fun, but not quite resolved enough, only the Genelec's were good, but they were $1,000.
I need to know before the guy comes today with the power amp if I should bother asking him to bring the Event's along for me to try.
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 6, 2017 12:36:02 GMT -6
Its been a long time since I heard them but I remember the Events being good when they were released. That being said, if you like NS10's, and you're getting them for free, why not just go with that? Its a sound that works once you get used to them. Monitors are so personal, however, its hard to say what will suit you better.
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Post by ragan on Aug 6, 2017 13:30:25 GMT -6
I liked the Event 2020s when I heard them years ago, that said, I didn't really know what I was doing then.
Free NS10s sound awesome. You can always use those as a reference even after you get something you like more down the road.
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Post by ChaseUTB on Aug 6, 2017 13:56:48 GMT -6
Buy an amp n be done I want free ns 10's. ... Also the Yamaha HS series is one of the best monitors for its price, far from absolutely sucking.. Martin please chill with that.. Just cuz you don't get along or like something doesn't mean it sucks kr is absolute crap lol 😂
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Post by M57 on Aug 6, 2017 14:08:56 GMT -6
I finally gave up on my NS-10's and sold them for good money last year. The irony is if they weren't worth anything I would have happily given them away.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 6, 2017 15:53:07 GMT -6
Chase, I can't help it with the NS-10's ;-) I used them every day for a decade, and that was only because they were a standard I needed for work then. To me, they were nasty sounding little things. I know them so well though, I'd be OK with them again for a while. You have the Barefoot's now right? I'm going to guess that once you get used to them, most of the under $1,600 monitors will fall into the "kind of sucks" category for you as well :-). People raved about the Adam A7X, I bought them, since they were better than most others in their class, but they were smeared in the highs and difficult to mix accurately with. I think I'll be grateful my friend will give me his scratched up NS-10's and leave the Event's alone. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions guys. The guy selling the amp to me lives around an hour and a half drive away. He started to drive in today but turned around because the weekend traffic was too heavy. I'll probably hook up with him tomorrow or the next day. He's selling an Alesis RA 500 Amplifier for $150. It should do what I want without my having to invest much. Back when I used power amps I liked Adcom and was very happy with them. The Alesis looks nice because it should be quiet enough and stay cool enough to be in the rack underneath my desk. Attachments:
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Post by Vincent R. on Aug 6, 2017 16:22:07 GMT -6
I have Event 20/20s. I've never really loved them, but they do the job. I often switch between them and a pair of cheap M-Audio AV40s. The Events can be a little muddy. The AV40s can be bright. Generally if the mix translates well one both I'm good. I don't have the greatest room though. So there's that.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Aug 6, 2017 16:30:12 GMT -6
Neither, on the Cheap Old HHB Circle series ( lowend Harbeth) Tannoy PBM6.5' s with a Modded Adcom. DIY Zaph SR71 ! All these will be different but far more honest in the mods. If they hadn't become fashionable again Genelec 1029.
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Post by jakeharris on Aug 6, 2017 19:38:06 GMT -6
You have the Barefoot's now right? I'm going to guess that once you get used to them, most of the under $1,600 monitors will fall into the "kind of sucks" category for you as well :-). Doesn't really work that way; I moved very easily from Focal Twin 6 to Adam A8X (they were about 4 times cheaper). Still using them 7-years later.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 6, 2017 19:58:02 GMT -6
I guess it all depends on what's happening when you're looking to buy something. When I bought my Abbey's, I literally tried every speaker possible under $1,500, and they all had flaws that basically put them out of contention. The Abbey's were in a different league. I know some people do well with the Adam's Jake, I was OK with them, but over time I couldn't hear past the glare in the highs and had to move up.
I heard some little Genelec's today that were great, very small, 3" I think, but incredibly clear and transparent. I could mix on those for sure. They were $600 though. Now if that quality was $300, I'd have bought them on the spot. I guess with speakers you really do get what you pay for. The Barefoot's I heard a few weeks ago in the studio that held the Soyuz shootout were excellent, very tight and full. I'd have to spend some time with them before being certain, but I think I prefer ATC's, but those Barefoot's were flawless.
I think Ragan's right, take the NS 10's, use them for now, keep them for use later as a second reference. I'll let you guys know how it plays out. The guy with the amp didn't come today as promised, I'm hoping I can get it tomorrow or Tuesday.
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Post by Ward on Aug 7, 2017 8:37:40 GMT -6
FEW THOUGHTS from experience, Martin John Butler 1. The best amp for NS10Ms (IMExp) is a Bryston 3B. But the Yammy amp works well too. The Alesis? Um, not so much 2. KRKs suck because they sound so good. Which is why they suck. 3. NS10Ms and Neumann 120s rock because they sound so ugly. Good sounding monitors, in general, suck for our work. If you get something to sound good on the ugly sounding monitors, it will sound good EVERYWHERE.
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Post by ericn on Aug 7, 2017 9:49:26 GMT -6
FEW THOUGHTS from experience, Martin John Butler 1. The best amp for NS10Ms (IMExp) is a Bryston 3B. But the Yammy amp works well too. The Alesis? Um, not so much 2. KRKs suck because they sound so good. Which is why they suck. 3. NS10Ms and Neumann 120s rock because they sound so ugly. Good sounding monitors, in general, suck for our work. If you get something to sound good on the ugly sounding monitors, it will sound good EVERYWHERE. Old KRK's sound good new post -000 series just suck! Freind just sent a message about finding a pair of B&W DM602's in a pawn shop for $225pr. My reply "I'll be out of the hospital by noon Monday, that means you have a day to grab them before I do!" As for the Alesis Amp, I have an old Sony receiver that will holds its own against the Alesis amp, its that unimpressive! Buy a GFA-535 next month send it to JW! It's the ultimate payment plan, it sounds good pay more it sounds better! I do love me some Bryston though 2Blp's often go cheap, if one isn't quite enough power but a second and bridge!
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 7, 2017 10:18:33 GMT -6
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Post by winetree on Aug 7, 2017 10:24:12 GMT -6
MK I - Yes MK II - No
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Post by ericn on Aug 7, 2017 10:34:58 GMT -6
As MR Wintree said, be patient tons of original 535 's out there!
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 7, 2017 10:47:39 GMT -6
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Post by ChaseUTB on Aug 7, 2017 11:29:59 GMT -6
I guess it all depends on what's happening when you're looking to buy something. When I bought my Abbey's, I literally tried every speaker possible under $1,500, and they all had flaws that basically put them out of contention. The Abbey's were in a different league. I know some people do well with the Adam's Jake, I was OK with them, but over time I couldn't hear past the glare in the highs and had to move up. I heard some little Genelec's today that were great, very small, 3" I think, but incredibly clear and transparent. I could mix on those for sure. They were $600 though. Now if that quality was $300, I'd have bought them on the spot. I guess with speakers you really do get what you pay for. The Barefoot's I heard a few weeks ago in the studio that held the Soyuz shootout were excellent, very tight and full. I'd have to spend some time with them before being certain, but I think I prefer ATC's, but those Barefoot's were flawless. I think Ragan's right, take the NS 10's, use them for now, keep them for use later as a second reference. I'll let you guys know how it plays out. The guy with the amp didn't come today as promised, I'm hoping I can get it tomorrow or Tuesday. Again just because you don't like something that doesn't make it Shit or suck 😀. I work on Adam a7x at my other studio downtown and they translate fine .. bottom end can be tubby with OUT ISO pads or decoupling but they are perfectly capable monitors.. in fact my hs8 which I am still using translate well however I see ppl bash them and say they suck too.. meanwhile I'm cranking out mixes and masters with ease.. Also Martin you have 0 Room treatment so you aren't even hearing the monitors perform their best in your room .. you may have had treatment previously but then I don't see why you would saying what you say.. a7x don't suck, you don't prefer or like them ... 😀 Barefoots are being put up today or Tom had to find a replacement for the coasters so they don't mess up the hardwood floors in the studio.. Have a great day man
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 7, 2017 11:38:42 GMT -6
Enjoy those Barefoot's Chase! We expect a full report once they're broken in.
Compared to many of the other brands in that general class and price range, no, the Adam's didn't really suck, that's why I bought them. The thing is, after a while, I found them edgy and smeared in the highs and just didn't like them at all, hence, suck. That's just me and my opinion after using them a lot. If I wanted to be neutral and fair, I'd rate them OK. Two of the mixes I did with them will be on my next album, so they did reasonably well.
The little 3" Genelec's I heard on Sunday would be a better monitor. It was clean and transparent, no edge added, just light on the bottom of course.
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Post by winetree on Aug 7, 2017 12:18:52 GMT -6
Martin, The upgraded binding posts and RCA inputs are better. Don't know about the PS upgrade. Could just be new P.S. Caps. Jim Williams mods entail a lot more than that. I'm now using a GFA 545, which already have the larger binding posts, on my speaker array, which includes NS10s, until I get my GFA 555 Pro back from Jim Williams. Can never have too much power. Check this one out. I think it's close to you? www.ebay.com/itm/Adcom-GFA-545-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-/263121182799?epid=73186311&hash=item3d433ea04f:g:9xkAAOSwa2lZgmTlAlso I replaced the Caps in the NS10s. It really opened up the speakers. Better highs and lows and imaging. Big difference.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 7, 2017 12:51:13 GMT -6
Thanks wine tree, I'm watching that now. I kinda like the smaller size of the 535, it would be a nice fit in my rack that's under my desk. Of course if the next size up sounded significantly different I'd go for it. I think I'll see if the guy with the modded 535 will take a $175 offer. I'll wait to see if you guys have any other thoughts before I do.
Winetree, which caps did you upgrade to? Is that something I could do, or would I need a tech, I'm not really a DIY guy, but I'm handy enough in general.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 7, 2017 12:56:16 GMT -6
Thanks wine tree, I'm watching that now. I kinda like the smaller size of the 535, it would be a nice fit in my rack that's under my desk. Of course if the next size up sounded significantly different I'd go for it. I think I'll see if the guy with the modded 535 will take a $175 offer. I'll wait to see if you guys have any other thoughts before I do. Winetree, which caps did you upgrade to? Is that something I could do, or would I need a tech, I'm not really a DIY guy, but I'm handy enough in general. Are you planning to pick up the 535 locally? If so, offer less. Local sale won't cost the guy PayPal (~4%)/eBay fees (~10%). If it were me, I'd offer $140 locally (without knowing what the thing is actually worth, just based on his list price).
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 7, 2017 12:59:21 GMT -6
Thanks Jesse. I'd like to do just that, maybe offer $140, maybe $150, but I don't know how to get around eBay.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Aug 7, 2017 13:12:23 GMT -6
The thing I love so much about the 10's is all the mid info they offer up. I can place a vocal with 10's in a mix better than I can on any other monitor. Same with guitar solos etc.
I had the same Adam monitors as you did, and just couldn't get along with them. The low always seemed confusing to me and the mids just didn't speak in a usable way. Also, I'm not a huge fan of front ported monitors or ribbon tweets (didn't realize until after I had the Adams for a while)
Best bet is to overpower the 10's so they don't distort. If they are underpowered and you push them, things get ugly (or uglier depending on how you feel about 10's haha)
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 7, 2017 13:27:18 GMT -6
Thanks Jesse. I'd like to do just that, maybe offer $140, maybe $150, but I don't know how to get around eBay. Send the guy a message asking if a local demo / pickup is an option and what his best price for a local sale would be. That's what I'd do anyway.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 7, 2017 13:29:27 GMT -6
I used to have a 200 Watt Adcom amp for my 10's, and it was smooth sailing. I imagine the GFA 535 should be OK though.
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