Question on going from decent monitors to exceptional

[CPhoenix]

I have some higher end monitors on my wish list for the end of next year. Right now I mix w/ my MAudio BX5's. I get work done on them, but i can't wait to upgrade.

I recently upgraded in DA converters and noticed a huge difference. I can't say that I anticipated actually being able to hear the difference... I always assumed you needed some kind of hypersonic hearing to really notice stuff like this lol. So.... it's got me wondering what types of differences i'll hear on better monitors.

I hear people saying "better stereo image", "better separation", better "clarity"... and "deeper image" a lot.

Out of all of those descriptions... the only one I can really fathom would be better clarity lol. In terms of "better stereo image".... if I hard pan something R at 100%, will it sound like it's 10ft to the right of me on great monitors as opposed to 5ft to the right of me like on decent monitors? Is that what's meant? In terms of "deeper image"... will it be similar to looking at a 3D television vs. a regular flat screen? By better separation... are certain sounds more audible on great monitors as opposed to being clustered on decent monitors?

Just curious. I know this might be really tough to put in words, so I appreciate anybody that takes a stab at it.

[xXx_Dugan_Fire_xXx]

Honestly, regardless of your monitors, understanding how they translate is whats really more important. Also your listening environment plays a larger role here more than you might think. You could have $10 speakers or $1000 speakers, if your room has major acoustic deficiencies, your still going to hear essentially the same thing. A better monitor is only going to give you a truer flat and uncolored response in a ideal medium.

Now being that you may have had your speakers for a while and are used to how they "sound" you might be better off focusing on treating your room or improving your enviroment instead of changing speakers. In my experience, (I've changed about 3 pairs now ...Berhinger Truths>Eventides 50/50s>JBLs) each and everytime the learning curve was all in the matter of speading time with those speakers.

I think you should focus on making your room "sound" better so that you get a more accurate response, then i'd worry about upgrading the speakers.

[CPhoenix]

^Thanks for the response man. That helps.

My current setup has no hope lol. I'll be moving out in 2 years when I buy my house, and i'm making sure my house has space that I can alter into a good acoustic environment (or I aint buyin that house lol). So... once that's done, that's when I'll be upgrading the monitors.

So, i'm really looking to see what differences people may hear when they went from decent monitors to exceptional. I want to compare apples to apples... so let's say you're already in a good acoustic environment, and upgrade from $300/pair decent monitors to $1500/pair exceptional monitors..... is the only big difference the fact that you're hearing a more accurate/flat sound? Or does it really sound "different"... like, wider... deeper... etc. Or are the DA converters moreso what make things sound wider... deeper.. etc?

I hope i'm making at least some time of sense lol. I can try to re-word it if necessary.

[Foggy]

Dugan was right in what he said , but I feel he missed the OP in a way .

In short yes you will hear a marked improvement in all aspects .
I can only speak from my perspective (I'd call my monitors decent) , but for eg the stereo image .... it's not that it gets wider , just that things are placed within it ... not smeared across that channel ... dynamics are great too love the way good speakers can accelerate like an R9 ........
.....which brings me to the other point ......
This type of conversation does struggle for frames of reference (no pun intended) and adjectives , rapidly starts to sound like a synaesthesia convention !

[xXx_Dugan_Fire_xXx]

yes it makes sense but the "clarity" or "depth" is more associated with the neutral response. Instead of hearing a monitor that might have more emphasis on a particular set of frequencies ( i.e. lower end monitors that have a a boost in either low end or high end, think dre's beats headphones.) you'll be hearing what it really should sound like. also with higher end monitors, they generally have a wider frequency response which allows you to feel the lows you weren't before or even the highs distinguishing that "shimmer"

I think your best bet would be to keep the speakers you have and focus on understanding the relationship of translation between mediums. You're already used to how they sound. Save your money and put it towards treating your room. Dont get it twisted either. With a well balanced room, it will account for the deficiencies your speakers produce. If you take that route then your room will be "tuned" for your current speakers. Upgrading to a better model in the future after treating your room will only get you better results. Of course you'll have to "retune" again but you'll already have the treatments available.

You could also go the headphone route. There's a big difference between mixing on cans and speakers. I like to use a combination of both when available.

[WeissSound]

It's not really a one dimensional question. But yes, improving your speakers will improve the accuracy of what you are hearing - not in a subtle way - and even in a less than ideal space.

But improving your monitors is not really as simple as throwing money at it. There are terrible monitors at all price ranges, and there are inappropriate monitors for your space. In a less than ideal room, I would stick with near fields for sure. I tend to find passive speakers chained to a good amp generally outweigh active speakers in terms of quality. Generally.

[fataltone]

check this out

http://www.bobgolds.com/Mode/RoomModes.htm

and this
REW - Room EQ Wizard Home Page

and this
Early Reflection Points Definition

and this
Beatstruggles Home Studio Renovations COMPLETE! (Video + Pics)

-Coach Antonio
"Let Me Handle your next Praise Party"

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[CPhoenix]

Okay, this is definitely making sense.

When I make the purchase and grab my home, I'll make sure I create a good acoustic environment before I touch a new pair of monitors. But it's good to know that there will be a noticed improvement regardless. I just wasn't sure what it really "means" to have that improved sound... ie, what it sounds like. But this makes sense.... ultimately you improve your environment to give you monitors the best scenario to reproduce the music they're capable of.... and once that's not good enough, replace the monitors w/ ones that are capable of reproducing the sound in a better way. I was perhaps a little too focused on the latter... i need to regroup and focus on the former first, and take care of the latter 2nd.

and this
REW - Room EQ Wizard Home Page

Wow... thanks Fataltone. This looks extremely useful to me... and i'm diggin the free price tag lol. It doesn't look like this even requires a special mic, right?

[fataltone]

Okay, this is definitely making sense.

When I make the purchase and grab my home, I'll make sure I create a good acoustic environment before I touch a new pair of monitors. But it's good to know that there will be a noticed improvement regardless. I just wasn't sure what it really "means" to have that improved sound... ie, what it sounds like. But this makes sense.... ultimately you improve your environment to give you monitors the best scenario to reproduce the music they're capable of.... and once that's not good enough, replace the monitors w/ ones that are capable of reproducing the sound in a better way. I was perhaps a little too focused on the latter... i need to regroup and focus on the former first, and take care of the latter 2nd.



Wow... thanks Fataltone. This looks extremely useful to me... and i'm diggin the free price tag lol. It doesn't look like this even requires a special mic, right?

probably not
I would use a cheaper dynamic mic since your test a whole room

I'm going to using some pro-grade acoustic foam a been having for about 10 years to
"treat" my room going with

4" thick panels on my front wall and

6" thick panels at my first reflection point
and

building a mixing cloud that 4.5ft. long and wide that 6" thick

and

using some of minifusors filled with acoustic foam on the back wall
till I get my GIK room kit in Feb.

might as well use them the 8 lenrd bass traps I have in my front corners work okay
a bit below mid-range treatment

professional grade acoustic foam doesn't do much for bass frequencies but like I said
better than nothing

and the reason I brought up what I'm doing with that pro-grade foam is
I'm going to be using that software to test my room
and see what difference it actually made

and I plan on grabbing a SPL meter because I want to protect my hearing


make sure you monitors are 3 feet away from your front wall

and same length away from each other as they are from you
I have mines on stands which many say it great I like it

-Coach Antonio
"Let Me Handle your next Praise Party"

Make Money from Your Music New Money Marketing Forum
Music Business Professionals Read Their Tips
Elite Services for those Who Want to Attain their Goals
Research and Information Gathering Expert
Building Relationships to Build Success
Get the Information and Direction You Deserve
The Walking On Water Media/Ent. Business Coach Antonio

[ObiK]

I think Acoustic treatment is more important than the monitors. Another great option is ARC, I know some won't believe me when I talk about ARC, but it works. I started messing with IK products because of ARC and I didn't believe it would work. It does and now I work for them. Its that good.