Convince me to not buy Mackie SR8s

LesH
LesH Posts: 77
edited January 2011 in Speakers
I have a big affinity for flat sounding studio monitors. I use to have a good pair before they blew up due to misuse by a friend. Since I am moving all my polks to a HT setup, I need to get something to attach to my iMac.

I went from wanting a pair of Tapco S8 monitors to now the Mackie MR8 monitors. They are internally powered, easy to connect to the iMac, will flank the screen without needing space for an amp and they are near-field for in-front-of-the-computer listening. However, while looking for a new AVR, I am constantly finding really wonderful stereo amps too. This is causing me to second guess my desire for studio monitors.

Am I foolish for wanting flat monitors when I can get an awesome set of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 paired with a HK 3390? (Just one quick example)
Post edited by LesH on
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited January 2011
    Does this belong in Electronics and not Speakers? =/
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2011
    Buy what you want/like and quit worrying about what everyone else thinks! That would be my recommendation.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited January 2011
    It's my impression that the Mackies are near field monitors, just don't try and fill a large room with them. Give them a whirl, you can always return them. Hard for us to say what you'll like or not.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited January 2011
    Don't buy them.

    there i did my best to convince you.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • polkapolka
    polkapolka Posts: 145
    edited January 2011
    You mentioned the Wharfedale/ HK amp combo. That would be a completely different set up than the nearfield with the Mackies. Are you planning on pulling double duty with them, ie using for anything other than nearfields?
    If not, than I say go ahead with the Mackies, and enjoy them. If so, than you may want to go ahead with the Wharfedale/HK combo.
    Does that help, lol!
    Mitsubishi 60" HD LDP
    Polk RTI-A3 L/R
    Csi-a4 CC
    Polk CSW 10 Sub
    Pio. Elite VSX-03
    Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-Ray
    Polk Fxi3s for surround.[/SIZE]
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited January 2011
    Yes, they would be used in a bedroom type application, so not 100% nearfield all the time. Since I have now found out that they are $420 for the pair with a new price drop (the MKII are out now) I am going to pick up a pair and check them out.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2011
    Do they have to be powered? What application are you going to use them for?

    Near field, Yamaha NS10 are still amazing sounding. Not powered though and still commands decent $.

    If that is too much, go listen to a set of Behringer Truth B1031A or if you like ribbons Behringer TRUTH B3031A. Surprising sounding stuff from Behringer on the truth series. I think they can be had for 250 each.

    I found the Mackies harsh on the top.

    I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend. Focal is usually good also... $ for $ before you buy the mackies, check out the truth stuff especially the 1031a'S
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2011
    Why would you ever want a flat response from a loudspeaker? It doesn't mean good.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Matt34
    Matt34 Posts: 318
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    Do they have to be powered? What application are you going to use them for?

    Near field, Yamaha NS10 are still amazing sounding. Not powered though and still commands decent $.

    If that is too much, go listen to a set of Behringer Truth B1031A or if you like ribbons Behringer TRUTH B3031A. Surprising sounding stuff from Behringer on the truth series. I think they can be had for 250 each.

    I found the Mackies harsh on the top.

    I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend. Focal is usually good also... $ for $ before you buy the mackies, check out the truth stuff especially the 1031a'S

    I have the B2030p monitors in my computer setup. They work great for what I use them for and measure amazingly good for a $150/pr monitor. They really need to be crossed over to a sub however as they don't have much under 80hz.

    Don't let the price fool you, they are built very well with considerably heft to them.
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited January 2011
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Why would you ever want a flat response from a loudspeaker? It doesn't mean good.

    What do I want? A smiley freq. curve? I don't understand why people don't want flat. I think flat give good representation of all the instruments and voices equally.
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    Do they have to be powered? What application are you going to use them for?

    If that is too much, go listen to a set of Behringer Truth B1031A or if you like ribbons Behringer TRUTH B3031A. Surprising sounding stuff from Behringer on the truth series. I think they can be had for 250 each.


    I just prefer active monitors cuz I don't have to worry about amplification. I'll be using them for music and sometimes bedroom video watching off the iMac. Nothing fancy.

    I have heard all the Truths before, I actually wanted those before the Tapcos came out. (I use to work for a DJ store so I got to listen and play with everything pretty often.)

    I'd have to check the Truths out again, but I'm pretty sure I'd still go with the Mackies.

    Thanks for all the input.
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2011
    Matt34 wrote: »
    I have the B2030p monitors in my computer setup. They work great for what I use them for and measure amazingly good for a $150/pr monitor. They really need to be crossed over to a sub however as they don't have much under 80hz.

    Don't let the price fool you, they are built very well with considerably heft to them.

    The 2030P's are now north of $200. Still a great monitor but just wanted the OP to know he won't be getting them for under $200.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited January 2011
    I can think of so many better options for so much less money.

    My advice? Go listen to some decent speakers.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited January 2011
    erniejade wrote: »
    Near field, Yamaha NS10 are still amazing sounding. Not powered though and still commands decent $.

    Now you have me looking at the differences between the NS10 and the HS80M (active) Interesting that so many people love the NS10s
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited January 2011
    TroyD wrote: »
    I can think of so many better options for so much less money.

    My advice? Go listen to some decent speakers.

    BDT

    That's not really helpful. Like I said, if you have suggestions, let me know. I have heard all these studio monitors. Original question was basically what kind of bookshelf speakers with a stereo amp might be better for listening. This does open a whole new set of things as basically I want the speakers only on the desk, set to 3/4 or so volume and basically control everything from the iMac.

    Telling me to sod off and listen to decent speakers because you can think of so many more options is a waste of a post.
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited January 2011
    LesH wrote: »
    Now you have me looking at the differences between the NS10 and the HS80M (active) Interesting that so many people love the NS10s

    Just understand that, in the studio, NS10 are used in an uncomplimentary way. The old saying is, "If you can make it sound close to decent on the NS10's, it will sound good on everything else."

    If you want flat-flat they are.
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2011
    LesH wrote: »
    I just prefer active monitors cuz I don't have to worry about amplification. I'll be using them for music and sometimes bedroom video watching off the iMac. Nothing fancy.

    I have heard all the Truths before, I actually wanted those before the Tapcos came out. (I use to work for a DJ store so I got to listen and play with everything pretty often.)

    I'd have to check the Truths out again, but I'm pretty sure I'd still go with the Mackies.

    Thanks for all the input.

    Check out the Parts Express Techtalk forum. This is where I believe the Behringer monitor craze was started.

    The guys in this thread pulled them apart and quite happy with the build quality.

    You should be able to get your most un-biased and measured answers there.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2011
    Another option is a pair of the small Quad powered monitors, I think they were the active L12 model IIRC.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited January 2011
    LesH wrote: »
    That's not really helpful. Like I said, if you have suggestions, let me know. I have heard all these studio monitors. Original question was basically what kind of bookshelf speakers with a stereo amp might be better for listening. This does open a whole new set of things as basically I want the speakers only on the desk, set to 3/4 or so volume and basically control everything from the iMac.

    Telling me to sod off and listen to decent speakers because you can think of so many more options is a waste of a post.

    Ok, I'll be helpful. What you are looking at...and these powered monitors are all a flavor or crappy. ANY competently designed speaker with a decent entry level amplification will lay waste to what you are looking at.

    Now, I didn't say or imply that you should sod off or anything of the sort. What I SAID was that there are an infinite number of possibilities that would sound better...you could have interpreted that to mean that damn near anything would sound better. You could further interpret that to mean that that what you are looking at is a waste of time and that you owe it to yourself to actually listen to real speakers. I see that as pretty helpful.

    Now, if you are of the sort that needs very specific directions....My advice? Find, say, an old NAD 3020 integrated and a pair of Polk RT25i's. Cheap and will be light years ahead of what you are looking at in terms of sound.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2011
    BDT is telling you that because those powered speakers you are looking at are a compromise to sound quality.

    I would imagine you would find Polk Audio's speakers quite a value with the benefit of much better musicality.

    RT1
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2011
    TroyD wrote: »
    Ok, I'll be helpful. What you are looking at...and these powered monitors are all a flavor or crappy. ANY competently designed speaker with a decent entry level amplification will lay waste to what you are looking at.

    Now, I didn't say or imply that you should sod off or anything of the sort. What I SAID was that there are an infinite number of possibilities that would sound better...you could have interpreted that to mean that damn near anything would sound better. You could further interpret that to mean that that what you are looking at is a waste of time and that you owe it to yourself to actually listen to real speakers. I see that as pretty helpful.

    Now, if you are of the sort that needs very specific directions....My advice? Find, say, an old NAD 3020 integrated and a pair of Polk RT25i's. Cheap and will be light years ahead of what you are looking at in terms of sound.

    BDT

    While I found my Mission MS50, LSi7, KEF pretty awesome with a NAD amp combination or integrated from Cambridge or Rogue....they don't hold a candle to my Quad 12L. Tomatoes....tomahtoes. Can you get in this fuzzy with a cheaper setup? Absolutely but don't think that ALL self powered's suck donkey dick.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited January 2011
    LessisNevermore wrote: »
    Just understand that, in the studio, NS10 are used in an uncomplimentary way. The old saying is, "If you can make it sound close to decent on the NS10's, it will sound good on everything else."

    If you want flat-flat they are.

    I would also suggest the NS10. They are very nice monitors indeed.

    I have heard Behringer, and Mackie and didn't like either very much in comparison to the Yamaha's. Even the Powered versions are better IMHO.

    Adam also makes a real nice Monitor. They have one of the best Tweeters in the Nearfield Monitor world IMHO.
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