I am fairly new to Hauptwerk and have been using it for about 6 months. I have been using a pair of KEF XQ1 bookshelf speakers with a sub taking the bottom octaves (bass management). They were used with a Marantz AV8003 high end receiver with power to spare. While these speakers have been wonderful for normal use, I was constantly struck by how hard the sound was at higher volume levels. When comparing the sound to a good pair of headphones, it was clear that it was the system.
Ultimately I determined that the issue was that these speakers were not designed to be listened to 3 feet away. Since another set-up was not possible, I came to the conclusion that I needed to purchase near field monitors which are designed for close listening applications. Near field monitors are also designed for high volume, low distortion sound and generally are very analytical since they are used for sound mixing. Near field monitors are the type of speakers used in studios for recording sessions and mixing.
After quite a bit of research I came across the JBL LSR4328 monitors.
I chose them for the following reasons:
1) They received excellent reviews from many different magazines.
2) They are self-powered (bi-amplified), accept digital inputs, and have a volume control. This would allow for a direct connection to my MAC's digital out, with no need for further equipment. (I had to add an optical to coaxial digital converter: $16 on Amazon)
3) They accept up to 24bit 96kHz inputs.
4) The system includes it own microphone and calibration system to deal with room EQ anomalies and time delays between speakers.
5) The system connects via USB to the computer. A software control panel gives you further control over the speakers, beyond the buttons that are there. This includes the ability to create different EQ presets, which I find helpful when using different sample sets.
6) The speakers link to each other via CAT5 cable, so the power button, volume and other buttons effect the other speakers. Plus any changes on the software control panel effects each speaker individually and/or the entire system.
7) The system can link up to 8 speakers and two subs for complex surround mixing. This allows for each speaker to calibrated both EQ and distance. This could be used to redirect various divisions to other speakers and of course surround sound sample sets. The advantage is that all are linked and calibrated together!
Today I installed the speakers and had them literally up and running in 30 min, including calibration and software install. I immediately found the sound to be easier to listen to at "normal" organ volume levels. And yet the sound did not distort like the KEF's had. I noticed a great deal of detail in the sound with many more layers, and less of the crushing together.
I immediately took advantage of the EQ. The difference in tonal balance between the Bosch-Schnitger and the Salisbury organs is quite extreme. I was able to increase the bass and lower the trebles slightly on the Schnitger, and raise the treble slightly on the Salisbury. I saved the custom setting to different presets for recall.
When the speakers are aimed directly at your ears, and the distance is close to a perfect triangle, the imaging wraps around quite well. I also found that I could listen a slightly lower volume levels and not loose detail. The speakers really place a magnifying glass on the sound.
As the budge allows I intend to purchase the matching 12" sub. But for now the bi-amplified monitors, with two 8" woofers powered by 150W of power are doing great on their own. (The tweeters receive 70W).
The matching sub can be used as a separate channel, or take the lower octaves of the all the monitors through bass management. The monitors and subs connect via coaxial cables in a daisy chain system, much like the Classic MIDI keyboards.
I practiced for several hours today, and liked them more and more over time. Ear fatigue was not the issue it had been in the past. I found myself forgetting about the speakers all together and just enjoying the music making - which is the ultimate measure right?
A stereo pair with calibration system - a "pack" - runs $1,439 online ($1,199 refurbished) at Sweetwater.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR4328Ppak/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR4328PpakB/
Ultimately I determined that the issue was that these speakers were not designed to be listened to 3 feet away. Since another set-up was not possible, I came to the conclusion that I needed to purchase near field monitors which are designed for close listening applications. Near field monitors are also designed for high volume, low distortion sound and generally are very analytical since they are used for sound mixing. Near field monitors are the type of speakers used in studios for recording sessions and mixing.
After quite a bit of research I came across the JBL LSR4328 monitors.
I chose them for the following reasons:
1) They received excellent reviews from many different magazines.
2) They are self-powered (bi-amplified), accept digital inputs, and have a volume control. This would allow for a direct connection to my MAC's digital out, with no need for further equipment. (I had to add an optical to coaxial digital converter: $16 on Amazon)
3) They accept up to 24bit 96kHz inputs.
4) The system includes it own microphone and calibration system to deal with room EQ anomalies and time delays between speakers.
5) The system connects via USB to the computer. A software control panel gives you further control over the speakers, beyond the buttons that are there. This includes the ability to create different EQ presets, which I find helpful when using different sample sets.
6) The speakers link to each other via CAT5 cable, so the power button, volume and other buttons effect the other speakers. Plus any changes on the software control panel effects each speaker individually and/or the entire system.
7) The system can link up to 8 speakers and two subs for complex surround mixing. This allows for each speaker to calibrated both EQ and distance. This could be used to redirect various divisions to other speakers and of course surround sound sample sets. The advantage is that all are linked and calibrated together!
Today I installed the speakers and had them literally up and running in 30 min, including calibration and software install. I immediately found the sound to be easier to listen to at "normal" organ volume levels. And yet the sound did not distort like the KEF's had. I noticed a great deal of detail in the sound with many more layers, and less of the crushing together.
I immediately took advantage of the EQ. The difference in tonal balance between the Bosch-Schnitger and the Salisbury organs is quite extreme. I was able to increase the bass and lower the trebles slightly on the Schnitger, and raise the treble slightly on the Salisbury. I saved the custom setting to different presets for recall.
When the speakers are aimed directly at your ears, and the distance is close to a perfect triangle, the imaging wraps around quite well. I also found that I could listen a slightly lower volume levels and not loose detail. The speakers really place a magnifying glass on the sound.
As the budge allows I intend to purchase the matching 12" sub. But for now the bi-amplified monitors, with two 8" woofers powered by 150W of power are doing great on their own. (The tweeters receive 70W).
The matching sub can be used as a separate channel, or take the lower octaves of the all the monitors through bass management. The monitors and subs connect via coaxial cables in a daisy chain system, much like the Classic MIDI keyboards.
I practiced for several hours today, and liked them more and more over time. Ear fatigue was not the issue it had been in the past. I found myself forgetting about the speakers all together and just enjoying the music making - which is the ultimate measure right?
A stereo pair with calibration system - a "pack" - runs $1,439 online ($1,199 refurbished) at Sweetwater.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR4328Ppak/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR4328PpakB/
Last edited by smetzger on Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.