If you can do it, listen to the gear first. If you are looking for lean , very clear, and detailed sound, these may fit the bill. But, it is impossible to guess how you would react because you have not described what you are looking for as compared to your current speakers or others that you have heard. I have personally not seen a good correlation between measured performance and what I like, nor do I consistently agree or disagree with reviewers so I largely disregard such recommendations.
Okay, I am Taking the Pro Audio Plunge
Over the last year, I’ve read seemingly countless anecdotes about how pro audio gear can trounce alleged “HiFi” brands of the usual suspects, dollar-for-dollar. I am talking Pro Audio brands the likes of Neumann, Genelec, Adam and ATC Pro.
Some allege that models from these brands represent the true state-of-the-art in speaker design. I mean, say what you want about ASR and their implicit bias, but how can you ignore reviews such as this?:
I felt compelled to test this theory to the best of my ability, and within my means. Thusly, I purchased the Neumann KH310 monitors to test at home.
So what do you believe I might expect when these are compared to my Satori Helios Textremes and modest Parasound A21? I plan to listen at “mid-field” distances.
Regards
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I suppose I am seeking accuracy and lack of self-noise that’s closer to the likes of Rockports or YGs, especially the self-noise factor. The weakest aspect of the Satori Helios is the flat-pack cabinets I built for them. They are not terrible in the noise department, but certainly less transparent than what the designer intended. I am a layman woodworker at most, so my option was to either contract some better cabs for the Helios drivers, shell out the money for used Rockports/YGs, or take a gamble on Pro gear. A couple of my audiophile friends swear by Pro Audio, but those individuals live in other states, so I cannot zip over and test their claims. I understand why many prefer less academic speakers, however, my ears do consistently gravitate toward a flat frequency response and somewhat controlled directivity. I almost fooled myself otherwise with a pair of Børresens last year, but switched back to my Helios or BMR Towers, and the latter were the clear winners for my room and ears. My primary concern is the bass dynamics and depth the Neumanns will manage relative to the Helios. I expect to give up some, but hopefully it’s not like going from floorstanders to smallish monitors. I suppose I’m most interested to hear from those who’ve compared similar pro monitors to higher-end domestic hifi in the same room. |
Hello @helomech , I certainly understand your gravitating to clean pure sound. this leads me towards a pair of YG Hailey 2.2s. Amazing speakers, all the resolution and detail, lack of distortion. But they became a bit much for me and my highly resolving electronics. My new Vivid Giyas are plenty resolving, but much more easy and enjoyable. They truly are a 'whole body' speaker, where I would call the Hailey's a 'brain' or head speaker. No tubes mind you, but much more feel and presence in the low mids and bass that just makes for a fantastic full range balance and experience. No experience with powered pro gear, but my years ago M and K monitors approached the clinical sound you seem to want, and were a bit on the pro studio side of things; crisp and clear and great imaging. But less 3d soundstage and envelopment with emotional involvement. |
Definitely listen first. Proaudio gear is made for a very different reason. It is made to bring out every nuance of the recording and typically near field. I would never build a system around it. Audiophile equipment it built around reproducing the musical experience in one form or another... perhaps a sonic spectacular of imaging or the natural musical gestalt. I would never be happy with a ProAudio system. |
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