Studio Monitors for Kemper

Johnny333 · Feb 23rd 2015

Hi guys, i've been doing as much research as possible over the last week around choosing some studio monitors to play my Kemper through.
I've got it down to a few models (though other suggestions will be welcomed).

I would also like to use the monitors for general music mixing (mostly acoustic/folky rock) and listening to music, but my main concern is that they sound good with my Kemper.

If you could pass on any opinions/comparisons of the following monitors it would be a massive help. I realise the price tags vary a bit so please also feel free to comment on which are the best value for money, (e.g. if the higher priced items are worth the difference). Also i'd rather buy second hand if I can find them so durability might be a factor.

Potential Models:

- JBL LSR305
- Yamaha HS7
- Yamaha HS8
- Equator D5
- KRK VXT6
- Mackie HR824
- Genelec 8040

Thanks!

skoczy · Feb 23rd 2015

Hi Johnny333

I am using Equators D5 with Kemper in a small room (3.5m x 4.5m) - they are sufficient for that room size. I changed from Yamaha HS80M which were too big and too loud for my usage. My general usage is playing along backing tracks, noodling. I do not mix on them.

They can get really loud, as for my room size and with "good" profile they sound .... it's hard to describe sound with words but they are very detailed and sound "full". Before Yamahas HS80M I had KRK RP6 G2 which were way too bassy.

HTH

Gitarrenschlumpf · Feb 23rd 2015

Please add Neumann KH 120a to your list.

Johnny333 · Feb 23rd 2015

Thanks for the quick relies guys, much appreciated!

skoczy - Have you tried the more recent HS8 / HS7 series and how do they compare to the HS80M? I'm not too worried about the size of the monitors and would assume the HS7 would be a little quieter anyway but let me know what you think. The Equator D5 is high on my list but I'd prefer to buy second hand and haven't seen any on the market.

gitarrenschlumpf - Also just had a look for some second hand (as these would be out of my budget new), but can't seem to find any in the UK. Any more info on why you'd recommend them?

As another question, would any of the monitors be more likely to give an amp-in-the-room feel, e.g. pushing some air about like a cab or is that an unrealistic expectation?

Please keep the recommendations coming!

sambrox · Feb 23rd 2015

Quote from Gitarrenschlumpf

Please add Neumann KH 120a to your list.

I personally wouldn't consider anything else until almost double the price. The best monitors in their price range by far.

Cheers,
Sam

Gitarrenschlumpf · Feb 23rd 2015

The Neumanns are 649 Euro each. Please take a look at the list above. There are monitors with higher prices.

sambrox · Feb 23rd 2015

Quote from Gitarrenschlumpf

The Neumanns are 649 Euro each. Please take a look at the list above. There are monitors with higher prices.

My point exactly! I wouldn't consider anything else until almost double the price!

Cheers,
Sam

Raoul23 · Feb 23rd 2015

I have the HS8's and I find they are quite good with the kemper my profiles translate quite well. Before these I had the KRK 8's and I found them to be a bit bass heavy though so I sold them for the Yamahas. Again the more you pay for the speakers the better they will sound. My father has a £4000 pair of stereo speakers cant remember the name, I think they are B and W and they are outstanding you listen to music on them and you here quality from the beginning.

Johnny333 · Feb 23rd 2015

Thanks guys, i'm not denying that the Neumanns might be brilliant, just meant that if I were to buy the higher priced monitors on my list they would have to be secondhand for me to be able to afford them, and since I can't see any Neumann KH 120as for sale secondhand in the UK at the moment they're not really an option for me. Not trying to shoot anything down, I will keep any eye out for them!

Raoul - Why do you think they are only 'quite' good? What are they lacking for you?

Johnny333 · Feb 23rd 2015

Also, has anyone tried any of the Focal Alpha series with their kemper?

Raoul23 · Feb 23rd 2015

Quote from Johnny333

Thanks guys, i'm not denying that the Neumanns might be brilliant, just meant that if I were to buy the higher priced monitors on my list they would have to be secondhand for me to be able to afford them, and since I can't see any Neumann KH 120as for sale secondhand in the UK at the moment they're not really an option for me. Not trying to shoot anything down, I will keep any eye out for them!

Raoul - Why do you think they are only 'quite' good? What are they lacking for you?

Sorry when I say quite good I meant they are really for the price and they translate very well. Obviously if I brought some Genelecs or Focal audio ones for a lot more money then I would hope that I would be able to hear the difference. I don't think the HS8's are lacking anything but if I compare them to my fathers HI FI speakers then they are in a different league totally which I would expect from more expensive monitors

Raoul23 · Feb 23rd 2015

Quote from Johnny333

Also, has anyone tried any of the Focal Alpha series with their kemper?

Andy from TAF has Focal monitors I'm not sure what modal they are but they did sound killer when I was round there last.

sambrox · Feb 23rd 2015

Looks like he has Twins, as far as I could see from the live stream

Cheers,
Sam

Johnny333 · Feb 23rd 2015

Cheers guys, any more opinions to through into the mix? Hoping to pick something up by the end of the week so the sooner the better!

sambrox · Feb 23rd 2015

If you're going to be using them for mixing rock and/or roll, I can recommend these. Time domain response and accurate low end is most important at mix down in my opinion, along with imaging. AE22s are like a modern take on the classic NS10s in that respect.

Cheers,
Sam

Gary_W · Feb 23rd 2015

I can't comment on the others but another vote for the Neumann's here - read the UK based Sound on Sound review if you want a pro magazine's take on it. Because of the favourable Pound vs Euro, you can get a pair for just over £900 brand new from Thomman.

Johnny333 · Feb 24th 2015

So would you guys say Neumann KH 120a over the Genelec 8040a? (For the Kemper and for mixing)

sambrox · Feb 24th 2015

I certainly would. I use Genelecs every day at work and they haven't made me a fan.

Cheers,
Sam

Gitarrenschlumpf · Feb 24th 2015

Quote from Johnny333

So would you guys say Neumann KH 120a over the Genelec 8040a? (For the Kemper and for mixing)

Yes. -> https://www.gearslutz.com/boar…hat-would-you-choose.html

madselhoff · Feb 24th 2015

I use these guys and I am really really happy with them. Nice match to my Kemper

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