I am done Done DONE with my Mackie hr824s - what to buy?

[SixStringGeek]

I've done the room treatment dance - built about a dozen 4" absorber panels and put them behind and in front of the speakers in various places. Ran the FuzzMeasure room analysis software using a calibrated mic. Very measurable improvement in damping time and frequency response. And my mixes consistently surprise me when I play them outside the room. A lot.

So I'm looking for new speaks. I have been looking at Equator Q10s - they seem to be well spoken of. They would be complimenting my Avantones and my super crappy laptop extension speakers (for the ipod reference check) and used in a near field position about 6' from my head 2' from the treated wall. I have also heard about the D8's but I've got a line on an open box pair of Q10s for only a couple hundred $'s difference so I'm not really considering price as a factor. More interested in suitability. The room correction software feature is kind of attractive as well if it works.

Open to other suggestions in the general $1-1.5k per pair range. Also, anybody want a pair of Mackie hr824s (cheap)?

[bayswater]

The 824s are in your price range (not that you'd go out and buy another pair.) What is it you don't like about them? The thing I like about mine is that I never think about them.

[SixStringGeek]

The 824s are in your price range (not that you'd go out and buy another pair.) What is it you don't like about them? The thing I like about mine is that I never think about them.

That I am consistently surprised every time I take a mix out to play on something else. And not in a good way.

[bayswater]

Interesting. I've sometimes been told my mixes have too much low end, and I've noticed that too when I play them on other speakers. I assumed it's my room. Is that what you're hearing?

[SixStringGeek]

Interesting. I've sometimes been told my mixes have too much low end, and I've noticed that too when I play them on other speakers. I assumed it's my room. Is that what you're hearing?

Yes - my mixes all sound "muddy" to varying degrees.

[mikehalloran]

i don't see how you can go wrong with either the D8 or Q10. Both are impressive. If you have the room--and it sounds like you--the Q10 should make you happy.

I'd use a subwoofer with the D8 like I currently do with my D5s. There's some wooliness near the bottom that a sub would clean up. When I pointed that out to Ted, he agreed with me and mentioned that rolling off the bottom for use with a good sub would allow increased output from the D8s as well. The price of a full-featured sub makes the D8 as expensive as the Q10 so there you go, right?

The only reason I have not upgraded my D5s is because I would have to redesign my work space to accomodate the larger boxes (it's that tight). Next year when I figure out how to get three 27" monitors on my desk, I'll make room for D8s. When I heard them at NAMM, I wanted to take them home.

[Michael Canavan]

Focal CMS 65's or if you have the cash, the ones above them in price. I have the CMS 65's and they're really quite clear, if something's mudding up a mix they catch it. For what it's worth I liked the sound of them better than the $2000 Genelecs I tried out, the Adams.

[bayswater]

Interesting. I've sometimes been told my mixes have too much low end, and I've noticed that too when I play them on other speakers. I assumed it's my room. Is that what you're hearing?

Yes - my mixes all sound "muddy" to varying degrees.

Well that's sort of what I'm hearing. Mixes sound OK on the Mackies, but a bit woofy or muddy on other speakers. But I guessed that was because the Mackies had a clean or tight bottom end compared to the other speakers I was listening to.

[daniel.sneed]

Just two more cents on a large subject: JBL4326+sub has much control over bass and low mid. The JBL automatic room correction may take care of noticeable room mode, if any.

IMHO, a picky monitor calibration with good measure mics, SpectraFoo software, a calibrated hand held SPL soundmeter and a trustful parametric EQ has proved to be valuable in setting up my actual and previous studio monitoring systems.
The old rule will remain: Treat the room first...
BTW both near field response and listening position response are to be precisely evaluated. In case you don't, your mixes may translate in much erratic ways.
A dozen of well built music recordings may help to get an idea of what you hear, what you like and what others do.

[EMRR]

If I were looking, I'd check out the current JBL LSR series options. I've been pleased with the old LSR speakers for over a decade. Room correction software can sound weird but worth looking into. I'm using the old ARC system and it helps with my crappy room a lot.

[Phil O]

The 824s are in your price range (not that you'd go out and buy another pair.) What is it you don't like about them? The thing I like about mine is that I never think about them.

That I am consistently surprised every time I take a mix out to play on something else. And not in a good way.

When I was shopping for nearfields (way back when), I had some 824s on loan for about three weeks. I experienced the same thing. They just didn't translate well. I ended up getting the Adam A7s (which were a hot item at the time) with a sub. I'm happy with this setup, but if I were shopping today I might not go that route as there are many more options now. But, I agree with you about the 824s.

Phil

[daniel.sneed]

Just as I got it: in JBL language, LSR stands for Linear Spatial Reference...

[SixStringGeek]

OK so I went for the Q10s. Scored an open box deal from Equator at $599 each for a pair.

Time to put some stuff on eBay and craigslist.

[wylie1]

OK so I went for the Q10s. Scored an open box deal from Equator at $599 each for a pair.

I think your going to love them I would never part with mine.
When you pull up one of your mixes you say had a bit of mud you'll be able to zero right in on the problem when you hear the Q10's

[mikehalloran]

OK so I went for the Q10s. Scored an open box deal from Equator at $599 each for a pair.

I figured that's what you were looking at.

When I bought my D5s, they were open box bargains but one had an issue (hiss). Ted replaced it immediately and included a pre-paid return label so that I could return the defect ASAP. Excellent service.

Time to put some stuff on eBay and craigslist.

Yep, just because you no longer care for them doesn't mean that someone else won't love 'em especially if there's a bargain to be had.