Had a great day at UK Gearfest today listening to lots of nearfield monitors.
Spent some time (if I remember all the models exactly right) with PSI A23m/A17m, Focals, Genelec 8361, Kii Three BXT System, Head Type20/Type 07/ Present Day Production Mum 8, Tantrum Angry Box, Ex Machina Ganymede, Alcons M Series.
The BIGGEST thing I learnt today going with x3 other writers/producers/mixers who are all full time and making a living from making music is that we almost all disagreed on what our favourites were, and what our least favourites were. Which has 100% solidified what I already know is that go for the monitors that are right for you and not for right for your mate.
For context, I’ve been a user of Unity Audio Boulder Mk2’s in a bedroom studio for context so I’m used to high end monitors in a less than ideal space.
The standouts for me personally on the day were Alcons M Series / Genelec 8361 / PSI / Ex Machina. But probably the biggest stand out was the Trinnov so I’ll start there.
The PSI room had a Trinnov system in action. The A23’s are extremely similar to my Unity Audio Boulder’s. They felt like I could switch speakers every day between them both and not need any adjustment time whatsoever which is suprising due to how different they are on spec. The Trinnov engaged didn’t turn a terrible speaker into an amazing speaker but information across the spectrum was so much easier to digest. Stereo image became super clear and transients became sharp and decision would be easily made on a mix. I was very surprised just how well the A17’s held up to the A23’s. There was more head room a they breathed a little easier but I could happily work on the 17’s and not feel like I’m missing much. Fantastic monitors that felt 2D but done it extremely well.
The Kii’s were a very different experience, very 3D and I could tell if panning was shifted a few % to the left or right. It’s an immersive experience and I can only give praise to the tech but for me, I wouldn’t want to mix or make music on them. They felt like they belong in my living room for an immersive listening experience. The sound isn’t soft to my ears, it’s slightly aggressive but it’s the speakers that would impress your mates, I’m sure I could learn to work on them if I had to but they didn’t feel like a working tool for me.
The Genelec 8361’s I really enjoyed. Somewhere in-between the Kii’s and the PSI’s probably. Full range (with and without the W371A). Across the board was clean and casual with great detail but delivered softly with no aggression or shouty frequencies. I could work on these and make a shift from the boulders but they aren’t any more special. I think they probably would tip the boulders in an A/B test but I wasn’t blown away or felt the need to sell my speakers to ‘upgrade’.
Focals were setup in an Atmos rig. It was my first time listening to Atmos mixes and the experience was fun but the speakers themselves didn’t do much for me. I’ve worked on SM9’s and Twins extensively over the years and for me personally, I’d go with my own monitors over any focal model. They aren’t bad but just not my sound signature.
Hedd’s were ok. I’d reccomend them to people who are in the second monitor purchase bracket when the’ve started with something like KRK or Adam A7x and want something a little better. Didn’t do a whole lot for me but to be fair I was listening to them 2 minutes after listening to a £31k Kii setup.
Ex Machina Ganymede I only had a brief listen to them but they sounded very classy. I didn’t spend enough time to analyse my thoughts with them but I remember walking away thinking that these are on the same level as my setup and possibly worth spending some proper time with.
Tantrum Angry box I spent a minute with and didn’t have any reason to listen more as I’m not in the market for a second or third check the mix type of speaker. Similar to Auratones but I don’t see the point in the shouty part.
Present Day Production The Mum’s I was in for 5 minutes listening to somebody else put their tracks on. I hadn’t heard any of those tracks before so it would be extremely unfair for me to judge them on unfamiliar music but my impressions were that they were pretty decent. I’d like to give them a proper go before I cement my thoughts but I wasn’t blown away just being in the room with them. They sounded un-immersive but separation was clear. Probably a good mixing tool but I’ll revised them at some point if I can.
Alcons M Series are probably the stand out of the day. They are extremely detailed from super high to super low. It was like listening to an extremely detailed PA system rather than a studio monitor. I personally found the low mids a bit confusing and forward which made me thing I wanted to low cut vocals in the references. They are not released yet and still going though changes but I can imagine these speakers will make a big impact when they are released. Especially in the mastering end.
I went looking for possible monitor upgrades today and checking if my Unity Audio Boulders are in need of an upgrade, the only feeling I’ve got after spending the day with all these monitors is that I should keep my monitors and order a Trinnov as soon as possible. I also realised when you get to this tier of monitor the only thing stopping you making incredible music is you (or your room!).
The No.1 Website for Pro Audio
Latest
Trending
