Macbook in-built soundcard sounds better than Ultralite mk3?

[Ooans]

Hey,

I might have a problem. I just got Genelec 6020A monitor speakers to use with my Motu Ultralite mk3. I've tested them for a couple hours now and the surpising thing is: They sound better through the macbook in-built soundcard than with my Ultralite mk3. How can that be? The ultralite sound is more hard on the ears. It sounds messier and cheaper compared to the in-built. It's not BAD, but it just worse than the in-built's version. Is my Ultralite broken or does it just have worse sound quality or what?

One explanation that came to my mind is that Ultralite just emphasizes the mistakes in the sound of the music more than the in-built. Does that make any sense?

These are my first speakers that can be considered monitors. I'm in need of some guidance!
Thanks.

The same RCA cables were used in both occasions.

[carrythebanner]

The primary goal of studio monitors (and their signal chain) should be accuracy rather than pleasantness. I would use a commercial CD that A) you know sounds very good and B) you're very familiar with as your source material to A/B.

[Ooans]

Ok. I did what you asked. The sound differance when using a high class CD was minimal. The only differance I could point out quickly was that the highs on the ultralite were sharper.

This leads me to believe that the reason for the "messy and cheap" sound earlier was the musics fault not ultralites.

Thanks for your help.

(The CD used as the test subject was Scott Walker: The Drift.)