Nearfields for audiophile listening?

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by sashafuckinggrey, Feb 27, 2016.

  1. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I saw a pic somewhere where a guy had attached a fan on each of the sinks. Me, I like to keep my solid state stuff below 60C. The sand doesn't mind heat, but capacitors and other electronics doesn't like it too much. Also thermal cycles add mechanical wear.
     
  2. Vorlon

    Vorlon self-important, pompous ass

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    Here are the links to the the official Genelec stands: http://www.genelec.fi/sites/default/files/media/Studio%20monitors/Accessories/genelec_accessories_brochure.pdf

    For desktop use I can especially recommend the L stands for 8010/8020. They make a very clear improvement to the sound as you no longer get the bass bump from your desk. The included rubber stands that come with all Genelecs are already pretty nice (better than just placing the monitors on your desk), but it´s still nothing compared to having them lifted up a bit.
     
  3. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Ah! Lots of great replies here, thanks all!

    So. Here's my summary:

    1. I can go straight out of Yggdrasil to chosen monitor, but that would have to be single ended, since the XLR's are busy feeding the Mjolnir 2. In terms of Genelec, that limits my choice to the G-series since (Two or Three) they have RCA inputs. I'm not going to go down the cable/signal conversion route.
    2. I can use the XLR pre outs of Mjolnir2. Might lose dynamics, clarity and imaging as a result. Opens up possibility for 8000 series.

    I guess it comes down to chain preference. I won't go for the subwoofer alternative.
    But what about volume? Using Yggdrasil with G-series means I have to go for software volume control, which is fine - but it also means having to change setting in my playback software when going from using headphones to monitors.
    Using Mjolnirs pre-outs I can daisy chain 80X0 and use one master volume control.
    Is the Mjolnir2 pre-outs variable or fixed by the way?
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2017
  4. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    some active monitors seem too have pretty hefty heat sinks on the back. As this is working gear, I assume it is needed rather than bling?

    (edited the quote in so it makes sense in context)
     
  5. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    M2 pre outs are all variable. I would use the XLR outs personally (on M2) over the summed output from the Yggdrasil. My two cents.
     
  6. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Whichever I go for, it's going to be fun measuring frequency response. I might just freak out and get rid of the monitors. Might be a good thing to see if I can get a loaner pair o_O

    Sidenote: I've also hinted to my wife that I'm considering to measure my sweetspot with her yelling at me for the evergrowing jazz collection :)
    See if I can find a deaf zone...
     
  7. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    If you get rid of the monitors, you might want them back someday! I've moved my Emotiva Airmotivs out of my office/audio room a couple times, and always miss them at my desktop eventually.
     
  8. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    sorry if someone already mentioned it but you can go RCA out of the YGGDRASIL into a FREYA or SAGA and use these.

    My TH2 has a preamp so I listen to my RM-07's with my pavane feeding the TH2 and the TH2 feeding the monitors.
     
  9. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    The O300D's are very good. O300 has an active input circuit while O300D is transformer balanced, but otherwise their analogue parts are identical. Only thing I would warn is that the frequency response is flat all the way to the top, so they can sound quite bright. Any upstream digititus will be very apparent. But so long as nothing upstream is to the bright side of neutral they are mighty fine.
    Maybe there were revisions, but my O300D's run at approximately the same temperature as the Jotunheim or the Yggdrasil.

    You can also try y-splitters from the XLR outs of Yggdrasil. This will only work if your monitors don't short their inputs when you switch them off (check with the manufacturer). Or you can get a passive XLR switch. Right now the only decent option is Goldpoint ($$$) but who knows, maybe Schiit have one in the works (this isn't a knowledgeable innuendo, I have no idea if they have one in the works ;))
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2017
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Any thoughts on how the active vs transformer sounds?

    The guy in that ad is asking $2.3k USD... good deal?
     
  11. music4mhell

    music4mhell New

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    I use Genelec F one sub with my 8010 monitors. But sadly F-One has RCA out and 8010 has XLR input, so i use Monoprice RCA to XLR cable.
    I don't listen to music at home, so i don't mind such conversions, but good thing is that F one sub has a remote. So, i can control the volume to 8010.

    I will suggest to look out the XLR out Subs like 7050 and such, the lows produced by Genelec is so fluid, tight and dissolve into music.

    Worth an audition for you may be !
     
  12. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    You could get a Eve Ts108. It has XLR in and out, comes with a remote and acts as a preamp to control the volume on sub and overall system.
     
  13. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I've heard the Klein & Hummel O300 multiple times. It is every bit as good as @Garns states. Often I wished I had not already acquired and learned the ADAM S3A.
     
  14. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Could you provide us with impressions of these Adams and O300.
     
  15. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    Whoops, forgot to answer this:
    Dunno how the active sounds vs the transformer ... I haven't heard the O300's, only the O300D's. There's a couple of threads on gearslutz and there seems to be no clear opinion that one is better than the other, and in any case, that they are pretty close.

    Price... I got a new pair for around £2600 new in 2008, which is fairly similar to the current new price (looks to be about $4.5k US). Put it this way, I've consistently thought it was money well spent and have never got the itch to change them (though various other gear has changed around them). Is $2.3k a good deal? No idea what the going rate is, but in absolute terms seems pretty decent. Note they are still actively serviced by Sennheiser.
     
  16. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Man, you guys are feeding an itch that I didn't really have before... :confused:

    Oh interesting... is K&H under the Senneheiser banner? Is Neumann the same/sister company?
     
  17. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Context: these are tools for tracking, mixing and mastering engineers. Some of the goals are
    1. hear clearly differences in mic placements around the talent and their instruments
    2. create mixes that translate into positive auditory experiences on the various reproduction equipment consumers utilize
    3. master to provide the illusion in reproduction of being in the same space as the real or imaginary performance space

    I heard the O300 as having less coloration than the already very neutral S3A. But once a person spends a year or so learning their tool of choice, it is a difficult decision to change when one is successfully getting work done and producing product. During this era Genelec was producing a popular monitor, the 1031A. The problem for studio engineers with the 1031A was that it made everything sound good. A less than stellar tracking session or mix could leave the studio for the next stage of production.
     
  18. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    ISS is just the standby power mode, not the built in ADC for automatic DSP and EQ. The monitors are still analog.
     
  19. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Precisely.
     
  20. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    Yep, Sennheiser bought up both K+H and Neumann and at some point relabeled the K+H stuff as Neumann. I believe nowadays they make the KH line in the same Irish factory as the HD650 and HD800 :)
     

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