With further research I have found an intriguing contender that uses Radian drivers:
https://eaw.com/products/mkc120/#features
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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If coaxial's your thing, here are a couple of other candidates as well, pro tannoys (you'd need a sub). 12 inch https://www.tannoy.com/product.html?modelCode=0312-ANL 15 inch https://www.tannoy.com/product.html?modelCode=0312-ANR
@helomech wrote
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I believe the Neumanns would an excellent upgrade. Though since you listen at midfield distances I believe this would be a better fit https://www.neumann.com/en-us/products/monitors/kh-420?variant=505988 If I was in the market for new monitors I would definitely be interested in these. Don't under estimate what a tri-amped speaker can do and depending on what kind access they give you to the DSP engines, the results could be pretty spectacular. Depending on what type of music you listen to and how loud you listen to it you may need to add a subwoofer system to them, but if you are replacing a non-subbed 2-way speaker with the Neumanns, they should blow your current system clean out of the water. A couple of things to be aware of. These speakers are balanced input only so if your preamp is single ended, you would need an adaptor and you would loose some of the potential performance. If they grant you full access to the DSP the learning curve is...well never ending. Mainly because the ability of the ear to improve and understand what it is hearing is slower than the capabilities of what a speaker of this nature can do. Also pro audio manufactures don't normally offer a trail period, so if one is a requirement, I would get written confirmation from them that a trial period is an option. |
I have DSP and Parametric EQ capability already through my WiiM Ultra. My Fiio K13 DAC also has EQ functions (though I haven’t messed with them). Forgive me for having doubts that the Neumanns would blow my current system “out of the water.” I am sure the Neumanns are great, but my Satori Helios Textremes and BMR HT Towers are no slouches by any measure. Upon further research, I discovered that both pair produce lower THD in the midrange at high SPLs vs the Neumann 310s, Kii 3s, and D&D 8Cs. And the Helios have absolutely absurd bass dynamics for their size. They are one of two speakers I’ve owned that truly have zero need for subwoofer augmentation (though I use an REL Carbon Special anyway). Anyhow, last night I made some small position and EQ adjustments to the Helios’ and the resulting performance left me wanting for nothing. The performance was nearly as good as I recall from systems anchored by $50K Rockports and $100K of components, arguably better in some regards (at least better than the Atria 2s in terms of bass). I get that the Neumanns have the theoretical advantage of a dedicated midrange. However, my past experience is that a top-tier two-way speaker will often outperform a 3-way. It really depends on the individual driver quality and implementation. I’ve encountered quite a number of mediocre 3-way speakers under ≈$8K that were lacking in midrange resolution compared to mid-woofers in the $200/each range. No doubt the KH420s are a top quality monitor, but I think I’ve concluded I’m content with my current setups(s). It’s not as though my current speakers lack monitor-like linearity or distortion levels. |
@OP Bear in mind that commercial manufacturers are not paying retail prices for their drivers. But to answer your original question, the areas where studio monitors tend to have shortcomings / disadvantages for domestic listening are: Predominantly designed for nearfield listening at a distance of 1-2m Less attention paid to cabinet construction. Active with the amplifier in the box - a bad location for an amplifier. Among the studio monitors which can make a case for being used domestically, passive PMCs are the best I've heard. Among the actives PSI are also good. |
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