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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 13, 2015 17:53:53 GMT -6
I sold my Adam A7X’s monitors yesterday, I felt they were just too muddy, and I'm tiring of "near field" monitors, as I've been misjudging the bass and my acoustic guitar balance just hasn't been right.
Today, I went to buy the new Focal Alpha 8 monitors, as they are only $100 more than what I got for my Adam’s. I tried them out last week at Guitar Center, even though their setup was less than ideal, and thought they were the best all around in their price range. So, I went to Sam Ash today, but they don’t carry them. Sam Ash is next to B&H, an A/V superstore in Manhattan, so I figured I’d just buy them at B&H if Sam Ash didn’t have them.
While at Sam Ash, I listened to a few monitors, then I noticed the Avantone Abbey’s, (they’re a pricey 3 way monitor). I had been curious about them, so I figured why not listen for a few minutes, and now i’m lost, they were so frickin’ good, it’s hard to tell myself to spend $1,100 on the very nice Focals speakers when $2,000 gets me what I like. I got a price of $1850 because I know some guys there. Still, it’s way over budget, and the difference could be put toward something else I sorely need, like a new Mac mini. But… I could hear clearly for the first time what was really happening in my mixes, and it was a revelation, arrggnh…
Now I’m thinking on what I might sell to cover the difference, some Harley Davison motorcycle jackets maybe, hmm, a guitar, hmm..
Any thoughts? I could use any warnings, encouragement, advice.
Anyone here uses the Avantone Abbey's?
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 13, 2015 18:01:53 GMT -6
OK here is my advice on a Budget go DIY !
Troels kits are a bargain, Zaph SR71 Bargain, the Solen Volt kit is a great bargain a first gen Quested with a tweeter "upgrade" I still prefer the good old Morell any of these with a modded Adcom GFA series one is a Damn good monitor!
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 13, 2015 18:10:25 GMT -6
OK here is my advice on a Budget go DIY ! Troels kits are a bargain, Zaph SR71 Bargain, the Solen Volt kit is a great bargain a first gen Quested with a tweeter "upgrade" I still prefer the good old Morell any of these with a modded Adcom GFA series one is a Damn good monitor! is selling a set of Troels I think. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 13, 2015 18:19:39 GMT -6
I'd like to stay with something I've heard. The Avantones really were kinda mind blowing when compared to the Adam A7X's. I liked them even more than the Focal SOLO6 Be, and the Solo6's are $800 more. If someone said pick one and they're yours, I'd take the Avantone's.
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 13, 2015 18:55:25 GMT -6
aren't the troels passive ?
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Post by svart on Feb 13, 2015 19:35:50 GMT -6
OK here is my advice on a Budget go DIY ! Troels kits are a bargain, Zaph SR71 Bargain, the Solen Volt kit is a great bargain a first gen Quested with a tweeter "upgrade" I still prefer the good old Morell any of these with a modded Adcom GFA series one is a Damn good monitor! is selling a set of Troels I think. I did.. I've fallen in love with them all over again and I'll be keeping them in the studio. And yes, they're passive, but some folks think that's the best way.. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 13, 2015 19:45:51 GMT -6
yes I know, no vibration, no dual purpose design: compromises: old school !
what kind of amp do your recommend or how much power ? 2 way or 3 ?
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 13, 2015 19:48:29 GMT -6
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 13, 2015 20:08:30 GMT -6
yes I know, no vibration, no dual purpose design: compromises: old school ! what kind of amp do your recommend or how much power ? 2 way or 3 ? most importantly, powered monitor amps very rarely compete with great stand alone amps... if ever. Martin John Butler to me the monitors are EVERYTHING, you should get as good as you can afford and then some, they will make mixing way easier, and everything you have work and sound better, you can figure out a cheaper set of monitors, I have mackie hr824s here and i know them extremely well, but they are no joy to listen to, i have a pair of diy ProAc 100 knock offs under construction, if for some reason they don't impress me immediately, i will move on to something else, I want no compromise accuracy and listening enjoyment as well. Ultimately, if they end up being the single most expensive purchase i make? then so be it. JMO |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 13, 2015 20:32:23 GMT -6
I'd love to try another amp with my Pro Acs...but I just can't convince myself to put $2k into something so un-sexy...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2015 20:49:08 GMT -6
I've never been more impressed with Equator's.. It's surreal how they create a stereo field where you can hear every nuance, it actually feels like the player or singer is right in front of you. If a mix sounds like rubbish from me, it's because I'm using sennheiser HD650's and couldn't wait until the morning to get it out  .. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 13, 2015 21:22:53 GMT -6
Martin John Butler to me the monitors are EVERYTHING, you should get as good as you can afford and then some, they will make mixing way easier, and everything you have work and sound better, you can figure out a cheaper set of monitors, I have mackie hr824s here and i know them extremely well, but they are no joy to listen to, i have a pair of diy ProAc 100 knock off under construction, if for some reason they don't impress me immediately, i will move on to something else, I want no compromise accuracy and listening enjoyment as well. Ultimately, if they end up being the single most expensive purchase i make? then so be it. JMO Tony, thanks, that's exactly the little push of encouragement I needed to hear. I had an epiphany when listening to the Avantone's. I was just listening, talking to the salesman, and he had to take a call, as my attention returned to my mix, I noticed a couple of things, and had a thought in exactly the same way I do when I'm home working, paying no attention to how the speakers sounded, just how the mix was, and two things that had perplexed me for months were now perfectly obvious. It corroborates your statement that monitors are EVERYTHING, because in a way they are. How can I use any tool I have to its potential if it isn't clear exactly what they're doing. I'm going to try selling all sorts of odds and ends to make up the difference without borrowing from my regular expenses, you know, borrow from Peter to pay Paul, I have a little Fender amp, a 1/2 size guitar, some seriously great Harley Davidson MC riding jackets, etc. and there must be a few other things lying around, but like you said, get as good as you can get and then some. |
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Post by jimwilliams on Feb 14, 2015 11:45:07 GMT -6
Rebuilt crossovers made me keep my JBL's. If a tweeter is less than revealing, a couple of quality passive caps and coils can make a large difference for far less $ than new speakers. I use InfiniCap, MIT, VTV and Rel-Caps in my speakers with Mills wirewound rsistors and Alpha copper foil inductors.
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 14, 2015 12:09:52 GMT -6
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 14, 2015 14:55:22 GMT -6
I remember seeing ads for the Equators when I was scouting around for monitors a little over a year ago, but if I can't hear a speaker, I won't buy one. Even some very good brands are not to my taste. I don't mean to be snooty, but when you see and hear the Avantones, it's obvious they're in a different class. The images I could find are terrible, as its one of the most beautiful piano black finishes I've ever seen, it's clearly built like a tank, and it's much bigger and more substantial than the photos imply. When I was at AES two summers back, there were two speakers I liked. One was a 3 way that cost $3,000, and one was the same monitor that Mark Knopfler uses, I forget the brand, but they were British, and they cost $8,000. The Avantones sound like those speakers. www.avantonepro.com/avantone-abbey-in-black.htmlAttachments:
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2015 16:28:37 GMT -6
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 14, 2015 18:24:42 GMT -6
The little Equators impressed me for the money, yes speakers can be very impressive, I have never been wowed by a folded ribbon, but then my idea of a ribbon is 4ft line source ribbon.
The focal Solos are 2 very impressive speakers if only The Be Tweeter and woofer sounded more alike, there is something in the crossover region that drives me nuts!
The lesser CMS line is less revealing but I like it more top to bottom because it is more consitant !
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 14, 2015 18:35:10 GMT -6
I didn't feel like anything was missing from the Avantone's like I did when listening to the Solo6 Be.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2015 19:48:56 GMT -6
I didn't feel like anything was missing from the Avantone's like I did when listening to the Solo6 Be. I had some Focal Twins and wasn't a fan, as much as I like the Equators when we're talking in the $2K range of course there is better. I'm interested in the Avantones as well and it seems like you're set. So let us know how you get on. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 14, 2015 20:09:19 GMT -6
Will do shadowamd. Now all I need to do is scrounge up an extra $600 that doesn't interfere with my regular budget. I live in Manhattan, and my rent is probably 50% higher than most mortgages! I'm beginning to consider relocating th Nashville, but it may take some time to manage.
I'll try to listen one more time to the Focal Alpha 8's and then the Avantones, but I think I already know the answer after giving it some thought.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 14, 2015 20:11:48 GMT -6
I didn't feel like anything was missing from the Avantone's like I did when listening to the Solo6 Be. If you like them go for it but remember, you listen through them not to them. It's easy to fall for something then find they don't do what you need from then! |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 14, 2015 20:13:09 GMT -6
Yes exactly! That was the ah ha moment, when I was listening and only noticed the mix, not the sound of the speakers at all.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 14, 2015 20:26:53 GMT -6
Yes exactly! That was the ah ha moment, when I was listening and only noticed the mix, not the sound of the speakers at all. Then buy them! That's why I had to have the Quested 308s! But now I want more detail in the mids. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2015 21:12:07 GMT -6
Yes exactly! That was the ah ha moment, when I was listening and only noticed the mix, not the sound of the speakers at all. You didn't per-chance listen to the Avantone Mix Towers in your travels did you? Got to admit, having some mix-cubes and a full range monitoring system in a box sounds cool. Would be a great compliment to the Equators  .. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 15, 2015 8:26:55 GMT -6
Will do shadowamd. Now all I need to do is scrounge up an extra $600 that doesn't interfere with my regular budget. I live in Manhattan, and my rent is probably 50% higher than most mortgages! I'm beginning to consider relocating th Nashville, but it may take some time to manage. I'll try to listen one more time to the Focal Alpha 8's and then the Avantones, but I think I already know the answer after giving it some thought. Buy used and avoid the extra $600. |
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