Studio Monitors for use with Shure/Vinyls

ThirdMan

Hi. I need a new pair of monitors. I've been reading a few reviews but they're all very technical and are written with producers in mind. Obviously a good set of speakers is a good set of speakers, but if I'm using them to listen to vinyls with a pair of Shure M447s will I be missing out on something? I can't help but feel that these monitors are designed with modern, high-end audio equipment in mind. I just don't want to be paying a premium when the equipment I'm using isn't going to get the best out of them.

On my shortlist are the Yamaha HS8s and the Adam F7s.

Thanks.

old gregg

I'm curious about this one myself in that from a music production perspective (where I'd be) you want 'monitors' that don't flatter the sound in any way. But is this what you want when listening to a finished production on vinyl/CD? In this case are good hi-fi speakers going to be better suited than studio monitors? Just curious.

Highcontrast1

If you don't have a treated room then you'll be just wasting your cash.

old gregg

Highcontrast1 wrote: »

If you don't have a treated room then you'll be just wasting your cash.

For music production this is the case to a very large degree but not entirely. For listening to vinyl? Hardly but it will help.

ThirdMan

Highcontrast1 wrote: »

If you don't have a treated room then you'll be just wasting your cash.

That's what I'm worried about. But saying that, aren't near-field monitors designed with that in mind?

I mentioned the Adam F7s. Well apparently Adam don't draw a distinction between hi-fi and studio monitors. They're something of an in-between. And that's even more true of their F5 model. Those are billed as being multi-purpose, suitable for dedicated gamers, home cinema, hi-fi, etc. Do you think that's a better choice?

Thanks for the replies everyone.

ThirdMan

Highcontrast1 wrote: »

If you don't have a treated room then you'll be just wasting your cash.

old gregg wrote: »

For music production this is the case to a very large degree but not entirely. For listening to vinyl? Hardly but it will help.

I should have mentioned that I had a pair of KRK V6's. They were brilliant for me. Huge, clear sound that filled the room. So I know studio monitors can perform in that context. But that doesn't really address the issue. I'll never know whether I got the best out of them, or whether a cheaper set would have given me a similar performance. Basically I don't have the cash anymore, so I want to be certain about what I buy, rather that getting what I think I need. The KRK's were €700 when I got them. If a pair of 'hi-fi' speakers for €350 can give me what I want then I'll go with them. But I've never used anything like that before.

unclebill98

ThirdMan wrote: »

That's what I'm worried about. But saying that, aren't near-field monitors designed with that in mind?

I mentioned the Adam F7s. Well apparently Adam don't draw a distinction between hi-fi and studio monitors. They're something of an in-between. And that's even more true of their F5 model. Those are billed as being multi-purpose, suitable for dedicated gamers, home cinema, hi-fi, etc. Do you think that's a better choice?

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Any speaker will benefit from even basic acoustic treatment. Does not have to be expensive, even home made absorbers/difussers will help.

Highcontrast1

You might be better off buying some cheap monitors then treating your room. Also bear in mind that the shape and size of your room should be taken into consideration.