Nearfields for audiophile listening?

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

  1. wombat

    wombat New

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    Yes, unfortunately. I am doing my little part to change this.
     
  2. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

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  3. pippenainteasy

    pippenainteasy Acquaintance

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    I'd love to see the Paradigm Persona B's get reviewed & measured soon by a major publication. A 7" beryllium midrange driver is bonkers, paired with 1" beryllium tweeter. I don't believe there's any speaker quite like this, and Paradigm has basically singlehandedly pushed the envelope with mid/woofer cones.

    You have to go to over triple the price (the Raidho D-1.1) before you get something equally exotic (a 4.5" diamond midrange driver).
     
  4. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I was actually thinking about the smallest Geithain. Two grand British pounds for a pair. Won't repeat the story, but it didn't happen, and now probably never will.

    Of course, 2K pounds is hardly a vast price for a pair of speakers. Many an audiophile would probably consider it budget level. But for a couple of small boxes on the desk... Something non-audiophiles would call computer speakers... :eek:

    When I first heard of Barefoot it sounded like some cheap brand name. OhMyGod no! And apologies to Mr Thomas Barefoot! :oops:

    When I first hear of The Rock and The Boulder, I imagined something for the garden. Once again -> :rolleyes::oops::oops:
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
  5. wombat

    wombat New

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    I found this interesting because I had exactly the same impression. I had high hopes for these speakers but left somewhat disappointed.
     
  6. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

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    Just placed an order for my Kii Three a few days ago so I hope that's not the case! (fingers crossed)
    I'm coming from IEM world with practically nonexistent prior speaker experience so I'll probably be blown away haha.

    Worst comes to worst I can always sell them and try something else. (Amphion, Raidho, TAD, etc.)
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
  7. wombat

    wombat New

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    There are plenty of enthusiastic reviews online. There is a good chance that you will like them. But I guess you auditioned them anyway before buying. In any case, please post your impressions.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
  8. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    try geithain rl901k, atc scm100, harbeth 40.1, ECT before commiting to kii three.

    Ive heard from too many folks that kii three left them unimpressed

    did you bought them without audition and comparing to other speakers?
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
  9. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I've heard of the first three, but ECT is new to me and google is turning up blank. Can you share a link?
     
  10. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    meant to say etc... lolol

    have you compared the atc, geithain and 40.1 in the same room?

    if not, id still like to hear your opinion about your experience with the 3 speakers!!!! sadly, in my region, there are no geithain accessible.
     
  11. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I've heard *of* Geithain and Harbeth, but have not heard them (I don't think I've even seen a Geithain in North America before). I currently own ATC SCM20's though.
     
  12. alubis

    alubis Acquaintance

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    I used to own Harbeth SHL5 (not the latest + version) for 3 years. It's a good speaker and the midrange is one of the best I've ever heard. However, the bass is kind of slow and the midrange is rather forward. It's an excellent speaker for vocal music and small jazz ensemble, but not the best speaker for other types of music that requires speed.

    I've since moved to ATC SCM 40 passive which is all around a better speaker. The SCM40 can't compete with SHL5 midrange though, so all depends on one's priorities.
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
  13. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

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    Alright, I went to Hamburg yesterday and got the chance to listen to a bunch of nearfield monitors. Unfortunately, not with my own music.

    Sorry for my noob hearing / descriptions.

    Unity Audio The Rock MKII and Super Rock:
    • bright
    • almost no bass, but precise
    • vocals quite natural
    • not fun to listen to
    Adam Audio A7X:
    • pleasant upper mids / treble
    • bass not quite precise
    • overall too muddy for me
    Quested S8 (seemed to be an older model):
    • enough bass and still precise
    • "full sound"
    • vocals not natural at all
    • a little muffled, veiled sounding, no sparkle
    • something (maybe tonality?) wrong about the sound

    KSdigital KSD-C5-Refence
    • pleasant tonality (e.g. vocals)
    • good bass, maybe a bit too imprecise
    • DSP :-(

    Dynaudio BM5 MKIII
    • upper mids: ouch!

    Focal Shape 65:
    • quite good
    • similar to Genelec 8040, but brighter
    • good bass
    • probably too bright for me, in case of doubt I prefer the 8040
    • vocals maybe a tad more natural to me than 8040

    Genelec 8040B:
    • the best of the bunch
    • very balanced sound to my ears (nothing "sticks out")
    • very smooth and non fatiguing
    • fuller sound than Focal (dark?)

    Neumann KH120:
    • quite good, upper mids / treble was not as annoying as last time, but still a bit too much for me
    • actually a little more perceived bass than Genelec 8040 (not bass extension, but probably upper bass hump?)

    Still need to hear some Geithains and Hedd Type 20. Will give Neumann 310 another chance.

    If Genelec 8050s sound like 8040s, just with more bass extension, these are my favorites now.

    Someone wrote Genelecs are not for Hifi, well, they are for me! ;)
     
  14. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    Econaut, how were the monitor setup? where they all alined in a pro shop?
     
  15. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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  16. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Another someone (or two, actually) has written that the "problem" with Genelecs is that they sound too "nice!" For studios.
     
  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Any yet other someones have written that Genelecs are too harsh for studios.

    Potayto potahto :cool:
     
  18. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    Probably just hearing their tinny DAC.
     
  19. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I didn't like the 8040b with Yggdrasil, ymmv
    To clarify i have problems with the metal dome tweeters. I have good acoustics due to treatment and to my ears the tweeter settings varied between pins and needles and decapitation.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2017
  20. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    Good to know. I've only heard the older generation 1030A which don't have DSP or, I think, metal dome tweeters. No sibilance or pain with Gungnir Multibit, certainly.
     

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