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Quality Compact 2.0 Setup

J

jhstuckey

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 30, 2008
Messages
168
Hello,

I need a recommendation for a set of speakers.

I've looked at brands like Behringer/Swan but I haven't been able to make up my mind yet. I'd like something space economical, and I don't think I want to invest in an external amplifier just yet, unless I can find one that isn't too large.

Price isn't too much of a concern but I'm not going to be spending 500+ here.

I want a quality set of speakers that will last.
 
At $500/pair there are a lot of active monitors you can check out, from Mackies, Yamaha, KRK, etc. I am not sure what you want in terms of sound quality vs size but the smaller the speakers, the less range you are going to get for the most part (especially in the bass). Maybe go audition a few at Guitar Center and then go look for the best prices online.
 
I like Swan's speakers, but I find their build quality just so-so. Sonically they are good though.

I'm a big fan of the Audioengine A5's. I'd try them out, they are about $280 open-box.
 
Have a look at Genelec, the 6010's are quite sweet and sound very good.
 
Sorry, thought they'd be the same in the US if not cheaper. They're £319 a pair here, i just did a simple conversion to $490 ish
 
I can spend more if necessary. The important thing to me is that I get my money's worth. If spending 400$ means I really get 400$ of speaker then I don't have a problem with it.

Thanks for showing me Genelec! I think I might actually buy those now above any of the others I've seen -- they look so nice. The Audioengines just look like cheap to me. I think it is their marketing on their website or something, but either way I can't get that out of my head.
 
Genelec are very high quality, not only in sound but build quality also, you will not be disappointed.
 
What's the difference between the 6010a and the 8020a? Is the 8020 worth the extra price?
 
They're not wood, they're die-cast aluminium enclosures and have rubber stands to isolate. I don't own a pair, i wish i did, i'm only 23 and do not have the income that would allow me to spend such an amount of money on a pair of monitors since i have a quite a nice passive setup.
I have however heard 2 different sets at the studio i go to weekly. The smaller set in the small recording room are in fact the 6010's the other set are slightly larger in the main room, don't know what they are but the owner says they cost over £1k...

The difference between the 6010's and 8020's is power and bass. The 8020's have a bigger diameter woofer that is rated down to 66hz compared to the 6010's 74hz. The 8020's are 40watts each, almost double of the 6010's.

6010's -- 3" 74hz and 24Watts per monitor
8020's -- 4" 66hz and 40Watts per monitor
So yes, they are worth the money but If i was you, i'd base this decision on how big the room is that you'll be using them and how loud you will have them.
 
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I'm pretty happy with the Samson monitors in my sig, got 'em at Best Buy for a very reasonable $120 (I know, of all places!). I've heard the M-Audio AV40's and frankly I prefer these, if you have no need for the iPod dock on 'em you can opt for the slightly beefier MediaOne 4a for about the same price, haven't seen those locally tho. I've always heard good things about the Swan M200MKII (and the MKIII were about to come out no?) but I've never heard them myself. I know they're significantly larger tho, larger than the pricier Audioengine A5's even, the A2 are nice (and certainly compact) but sorta overpriced if you ask me.

jhstuckey said:
Thanks for showing me Genelec! I think I might actually buy those now above any of the others I've seen -- they look so nice. The Audioengines just look like cheap to me. I think it is their marketing on their website or something, but either way I can't get that out of my head.
Click to expand...

Why are you judging speakers on their looks? :p I don't know what you're looking for but those don't exude substantially higher quality for me at first blush, tho those integrated stands look interesting. For the price (2-3x or $600+) I'd certainly hope they're better built than anything mentioned before tho! Edit: Die-cast Al huh, didn't realize that from just taking a gander at them, interesting... That would certainly merit the price, heh.
 
I've been looking at Swan MKIII's and they look pretty tasty. Only a few reviews out there (no "professional reviews"). I've had the audioengine A5's and they were nice. Didn't blow me away but definitely nice.
 
You can probably read some of the MKII reviews to get an idea of how the MKIII's will be... Not much changed between the original M200's and the MKII's (amp optimizations, etc.), probably nothing ground-breaking between the MKII and MKIII either. They usually phase out the old model and price the new one the same as well, my guess is they just decide to update some things about it and they're being up-front about it.
 
Sennheiser does this every other year. It's good business practice. Limits loss to resell value by creating new SKUs :)
 
astrallite said:
Sennheiser does this every other year. It's good business practice. Limits loss to resell value by creating new SKUs :)
Click to expand...

+1 to both you and Impulse

Definitely, this is as much for perceived value as much as real value. Not only does re-introducing the product refresh its brand image, it also now makes owners compare versions as a personal value feeling. You can see it just in this thread where people are now calling them MkII and MkIII rather than M200.
 
The thing is with these Swans, they're good an' all and high end, but they're not that special when put up against the likes of Genelec/Focal/Quad if you're looking for power, build, quality of components. You'd be better off if you're looking for something like the OP is, spending that little extra in my opinion.
 
I went ahead and purchased the Swan MKIII's and should have them in a few days...should be able to compare them to the Audioengine A5's and the Creative T40's (lower end but still interesting).

also be able to compare onboard sound, x-fi, and my new ASUS Essence ST card
 
DReborn said:
I went ahead and purchased the Swan MKIII's and should have them in a few days...should be able to compare them to the Audioengine A5's and the Creative T40's (lower end but still interesting).

also be able to compare onboard sound, x-fi, and my new ASUS Essence ST card
Click to expand...

Are you doing this for an online review?
 
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