Quote:
Originally Posted by
homestudioguy
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I own the Alpha 80s and Avantone Mix-Cubes, had the Alpha 65s, had the JBL 308s, had the HS7s and have done A/Bing at Sweetwater Sound with the 308s and others including the HS-8s.
IMO, the JBLs have a better midrange with better overall sound and imaging than the HS8's and most others in that price range.
When I first listened to the Alpha 65's in my studio, I got a grin from ear to ear. Incredible sounding, great Highs and Midrange and supertight Bass but just not enough Bass for me but really really close so I sent them back and bought the Alpha 80s which are still breaking in.
However, I heard bass parts/notes on a U2 Album that I've never heard before with the Alpha 80's which prompted another ear to ear grin.
I could easily see a pair of Alpha 65s matched with the FOCAL CMS Subwoofer, too.
I value this comment. It appears that technology improves with time. Am always trying to understand why?
In sequence of technology development :
1. The Yamaha HS is derived from an earlier era of studio monitors.
2. The JBL's and Alpha's use more recent improvements in design, such as their waveguides, and materials, DSP, and are a more recent design.
I think if one had a limited budget, the Alpha 65's would be the best in a small room, and the Alpha 80's in a larger room.
Its important to note all of these lower priced monitors compromise the low end to some extent, but I guess for the recording and mixing needs of most, especially home studios and emerging professionals with a limited budget, these Alphas are the best you can get, for the price.
Some confidence comes from the fact that these are manufactured by Focal who also make some of the highest end monitors and hi-fi speakers, in the world, and some benefit is likely to have tricked down to these lower end monitors.