Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

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Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby Bent my VU » Mon Oct 01, 2012 8:43 pm

So I've been on the hunt for a new set of monitors for a while now and have got to the completely baffled stage.

Where do you guys reckon that diminishing returns kick in on 2-way active nearfields these days?
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby NYMo » Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:04 pm

Fwiw..I'd just buy something that a lot of people think are ok.
Focal Twins and you're done ( or Opals)
If you're not happy with those, I'd be checking the room !

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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby The Tasmanian » Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:40 pm

100% agree - Focal Twins or Opals
I bought the Opals - and used the twins for a few days in a studio.
The Opals won the day for me as they extend much lower than the Twins.

....Everything gear wise in this industry falls under the law of diminishing returns
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby mylesgm » Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:47 pm

I've used the Focal singles and they are pretty good but if you have the room you should definitely get the Opals. Or at least seriously consider them, by far the most enjoyable mix session I've had was on the opals in HeadGap, didn't use their desk, didn't use their outboard just the treated room and the opals. They'll be one of my first purchases on finding a suitable space to setup when I get back to Melbourne.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby walding » Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:42 pm

+1 on the opals, mixes have never translated better since I bought them.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby harry » Mon Jan 07, 2013 3:35 am

I think the Dynaudio Bm5a or Bm6 (if you have the cash) are a great choice.
I a/b them with the focals and found the focals slightly 'hyped' in comparison - I used recordings that
I know extremely well (DJ of 10 years, played these tunes on dozens of systems). The dynaudios are very accurate (less hyped) - they don't go all the way down (freq wise) but all small near fields don't.
Eitherway, i think you'll be happy, the focals were pretty good. Not sure where you're located - awave in Melbourne have a good listening a/b room. I'd compare both.. My $0.02

Good luck - let us know how you go.

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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby The Tasmanian » Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:43 am

Good point Harry - I'm still using my BM6's as my secondary monitors, they have been a trusty friend for many years.
So Ive had them side by side for ages to compare.
As far as the Opals sounding a bit hyped - they are a touch, and so are a lot of the speakers that punters listen on, including car speakers - ghettoblasters, 5.1 systems etc.

So I find the Opals are a plus because they sound in between a great studio monitor and a great hi-fi monitor, with the added extension down the low end.
If I had to only keep 1 set - the BM6's would have to go, as they are no-where near as flexible as the Opals for mixing different genre's.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby Thirteen » Mon Jan 07, 2013 12:54 pm

BM-6's all the way.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby Ben M » Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:19 pm

love my Opals.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby Bent my VU » Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:13 pm

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm going to try to get a pair of Opals and a smaller pair like the BM6's to demo. Even though my mix room is fairly well treated it's fairly small so the Opals might not be a great option.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby Gian » Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:28 pm

You could also go a bit smaller. I have focal cms65 monitors.

They might be an option.
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby mylesgm » Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:18 pm

I certainly enjoyed my focal cms65 and wish I had them here...
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Re: Law of Diminishing Returns - Studio Monitors

Postby TimC » Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:19 pm

Bent my VU wrote:Thanks for the feedback.

I'm going to try to get a pair of Opals and a smaller pair like the BM6's to demo. Even though my mix room is fairly well treated it's fairly small so the Opals might not be a great option.


Sounds like a good excuse to go do a mix with Chris....
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