Reliable Surround Monitor Controller?

[smash]

Hey All,

Can anyone recommend an extremely reliable surround monitor controller for edit suites?

We purchased 8 of the Drawmer MC7.1 units, as a friend of mine has had the stereo unit working perfectly for years.

Unfortunately, nearly every single unit we have owned has needed to go in for repairs - either due to a button "collapsing" into the chassis, or an issue with power.

I've just rolled out four units on to a new film, and already have had two die on me.

In the past I've always avoided SPL cause I thought they were "cheap" and I was worried about a potential shift to the sound, but I can't keep on swapping out Drawmers every few weeks. Just keeping enough spare units going is tough.

I need to avoid anything super esoteric, as I have to purchase these in multiple quantities.

Any suggestions>

S>

[Text_Edifice]

Not sure if helpful but we've had Audient surround monitors at work for at least 5 years with minimal issues (at least, not related to user error).

I do not get on with their interfaces at all but on the back of this experience I bought a nero for my home studio and it's been nothing but stellar.

YMMV of course and they're 5.1 not 7.1.

[mylesgm]

I haven’t used the SPL surround controller but I have used the stereo one, owned and used everyday for a couple of years before I had a custom one built. It was solid and sounded good, including the headphone amp.

[a.beck]

I haven’t used the SPL surround controller but I have used the stereo one, owned and used everyday for a couple of years before I had a custom one built. It was solid and sounded good, including the headphone amp.

I also have one of the stereo SPL units, and this mirrors my experience. No idea why people think they're cheap, tbh.

[smash]

Unfortunately, I spoke to the SPL engineering department, and the SPL's don't have the ability to play 2 inputs simultaneuusly.

One of the big requests by our Editors, is to be able to listen to their own music off iPods etc, at the same time that they are listening to their input from their Avid, when, for example Mixing Dialogue.

The SPL's, and Anything that is relay driven doesn't seem to have that ability.

The cheaper (stereo) Presonus units do, The Drawmer units do, there is a new system called the RAM500 that does, but it seems overly complicated for our team, and so does the Dangerous Music system, but it's $$$$.

I might have to think about going to custom built department...

[smash]

Have to give to an update, and I have to give props to Drawmer.

It turns out they had a bad batch of plastic buttons that we cracking, and causing the failures we were experiencing.

They gave me replacements, and spares for the future if it happens again.

I'm happy, cause it means I'll be able to stick with the units.

Also happy to give them a plug for good tech support.

Smash.

[a.d.a.m. baby]

Nice one, that's more like the Drawmer of old.
I've been using their 2.1 monitor controller for many years without a hitch.