Tannoy M15's as monitors?

[Ally]

Would a pair of Tannoy M15's be any good as studio monitors?

A local junk shop has some for £45 and they seem in good nick.

Ally

[Laurence Payne]

Post by Ally
Would a pair of Tannoy M15's be any good as studio monitors?
A local junk shop has some for £45 and they seem in good nick.

These are hi-fi speakers. I suggest you stick to the aim of getting
nearfield monitors.

CubaseFAQ www.laurencepayne.co.uk/CubaseFAQ.htm
"Possibly the world's least impressive web site": George Perfect

[Ally]

On Wed, 04 Aug 2004 16:13:35 +0100, Laurence Payne

Post by Laurence Payne

Post by Ally
Would a pair of Tannoy M15's be any good as studio monitors?
A local junk shop has some for £45 and they seem in good nick.

These are hi-fi speakers. I suggest you stick to the aim of getting
nearfield monitors.

L. I appreciate what you say, but these might be better than *some*
nearfield monitors no? I think these speakers sold for around $350
new.

The other idea I thought would make sense would be to have an amp that
can switch between several pairs of speakers. That would be much the
same thing as testing a recording on various hi-fi systems wouldn't
it?

Ally

[George Perfect]

In this place, Ally was recorded saying ...

Post by Ally
L. I appreciate what you say, but these might be better than *some*
nearfield monitors no? I think these speakers sold for around $350
new.
The other idea I thought would make sense would be to have an amp that
can switch between several pairs of speakers. That would be much the
same thing as testing a recording on various hi-fi systems wouldn't
it?

We were under the impression that you were short of space.

And money.

[Ally]

On Wed, 4 Aug 2004 17:01:14 +0100, George Perfect

Post by George Perfect
In this place, Ally was recorded saying ...

Post by Ally
L. I appreciate what you say, but these might be better than *some*
nearfield monitors no? I think these speakers sold for around $350
new.
The other idea I thought would make sense would be to have an amp that
can switch between several pairs of speakers. That would be much the
same thing as testing a recording on various hi-fi systems wouldn't
it?

We were under the impression that you were short of space.
And money.

I am - and that's why I'm interested to find out about these Tannoy
speakers: They are small, and cheap! :-)

Ally

[Ally]

On Wed, 4 Aug 2004 17:01:14 +0100, George Perfect

Post by George Perfect
In this place, Ally was recorded saying ...

Post by Ally
L. I appreciate what you say, but these might be better than *some*
nearfield monitors no? I think these speakers sold for around $350
new.
The other idea I thought would make sense would be to have an amp that
can switch between several pairs of speakers. That would be much the
same thing as testing a recording on various hi-fi systems wouldn't
it?

We were under the impression that you were short of space.
And money.

George, Sorry; I see now you were alluding to my idea of having a few
sets of speakers to switch between. Strangely enough, I do have space
for that. There's an area of floor beyond my workspace that is vacant,
because due to the slope of the roof, there's no room to stand up, but
there is room to put a few speakers.

As for the money situation' yes money is tight right now, but I hate
to pass up a real bargain (assuming it's a useful bargain). If I am to
believe what you and others said about the quality of my "Acoustic"
speakers, then that would mean I don't have a single pair of decent
hi-fi speakers in the house. Would you say that a half-decent pair of
hi-fi speakers is a must-have item (whether or not I yet have some
decent near field monitors)?

Ally

[Laurence Payne]

Post by Ally
Strangely enough, I do have space
for that. There's an area of floor beyond my workspace that is vacant,
because due to the slope of the roof, there's no room to stand up, but
there is room to put a few speakers.

Ah. You want a pair of mid-field monitors designed to sound good in
a restricted triangular space. Might have a few problems there :-)
Best to stick to nearfields, I think.

CubaseFAQ www.laurencepayne.co.uk/CubaseFAQ.htm
"Possibly the world's least impressive web site": George Perfect

[Ally]

On Wed, 04 Aug 2004 22:45:17 +0100, Laurence Payne

Post by Laurence Payne

Post by Ally
Strangely enough, I do have space
for that. There's an area of floor beyond my workspace that is vacant,
because due to the slope of the roof, there's no room to stand up, but
there is room to put a few speakers.

Ah. You want a pair of mid-field monitors designed to sound good in
a restricted triangular space. Might have a few problems there :-)
Best to stick to nearfields, I think.

L, I wondered about that. But then, there's another issue: how near do
near fields have to be to one's ears? And do they have to be
positioned a certain distance from each other?

ALly

[Laurence Payne]

Post by Ally
L, I wondered about that. But then, there's another issue: how near do
near fields have to be to one's ears? And do they have to be
positioned a certain distance from each other?

Close, in order to minimise room effects. Not so close they become
loosely-coupled headphones;-)

A few feet. One each side of the video monitor (if it's a
computer-based system) is typical. The basic spacing, as for any
stereo speakers, is an equilateral triangle with you at one apex.
Listen to some real stereo (a Radio 3 live broadcast is an excellent
source) and make adjustments until the stereo image falls into place.
With half-way decent speakers and a not-too-bad room it's easy to
recognise. (And quite an eye-opener for people used to rock and pop
recordings which have no concept of stereo image, just mono
instruments pan-potted between L and R)

You probably won't be recording in true stereo. But that's the place
your speakers need to be.



CubaseFAQ www.laurencepayne.co.uk/CubaseFAQ.htm
"Possibly the world's least impressive web site": George Perfect

[Jim Carr]

Post by Laurence Payne
A few feet. One each side of the video monitor (if it's a
computer-based system) is typical. The basic spacing, as for any
stereo speakers, is an equilateral triangle with you at one apex.

Just so you're (Ally) convinced, I agree wtih the above 100%. I had mine
farther away at about three feet. I cut that distance in half and haven't
looked back! If I move my head just right I can really hit a sweet spot.

[George Perfect]

In this place, Jim Carr was recorded saying ...

Post by Jim Carr
Just so you're (Ally) convinced, I agree wtih the above 100%. I had mine
farther away at about three feet. I cut that distance in half and haven't
looked back! If I move my head just right I can really hit a sweet spot.

If your listening sweet spot is really that tight you still have some
work to do.

[Jim Carr]

Post by George Perfect
In this place, Jim Carr was recorded saying ...

Post by Jim Carr
Just so you're (Ally) convinced, I agree wtih the above 100%. I had mine
farther away at about three feet. I cut that distance in half and haven't
looked back! If I move my head just right I can really hit a sweet spot.

If your listening sweet spot is really that tight you still have some
work to do.

Of that I have no doubt!! I haven't begun treating this room just yet.

[**bg**]

Post by Jim Carr

Post by George Perfect
In this place, Jim Carr was recorded saying ...

Post by Jim Carr
Just so you're (Ally) convinced, I agree wtih the above 100%. I had mine
farther away at about three feet. I cut that distance in half and

haven't

Post by George Perfect

Post by Jim Carr
looked back! If I move my head just right I can really hit a sweet spot.

If your listening sweet spot is really that tight you still have some
work to do.

Of that I have no doubt!! I haven't begun treating this room just yet.

+++++++++++++++++++

Hey Group,

The Alesis M1s have a pinhole light at the top of the cabinet that projects
a narrow beam.

When you sit with both beams visible on yer ol' eyeballs, yer in their sweet
spot.

Any other flat sounding, reasonably priced powered nearfields have a similar
light device?

-bg-
www.thelittlecanadaheadphoneband.ca

[George Perfect]

In this place, Ally was recorded saying ...

Post by Ally
George, Sorry; I see now you were alluding to my idea of having a few
sets of speakers to switch between. Strangely enough, I do have space
for that. There's an area of floor beyond my workspace that is vacant,
because due to the slope of the roof, there's no room to stand up, but
there is room to put a few speakers.
As for the money situation' yes money is tight right now, but I hate
to pass up a real bargain (assuming it's a useful bargain).

Can I humbly suggest that you would be better served by spending the £45
(asuming you can afford that and a pair of Reveals) on a pack of high
density Rockwool slabs (about £38 at Wickes) anda few yards of cheap
material to cover them with? Even this rudimentary acoustic material,
hung appropriately around your listening position will do more for you
than an extra pair of speakers.

Post by Ally
If I am to
believe what you and others said about the quality of my "Acoustic"
speakers, then that would mean I don't have a single pair of decent
hi-fi speakers in the house. Would you say that a half-decent pair of
hi-fi speakers is a must-have item (whether or not I yet have some
decent near field monitors)?

No. It would be nice to have a decent listening system - if for no other
reason to help train your ears to what well-recorded commercial CDs
really sound like but it's not essential to check mixes. In fact, what
you want is a range of systems - mostly poor - to make sure that your
mixes still sound OK (no more) when replayed on those inferior systems.

[Ally]

On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:52:40 +0100, George Perfect

Post by Ally
As for the money situation' yes money is tight right now, but I hate
to pass up a real bargain (assuming it's a useful bargain).

Can I humbly suggest that you would be better served by spending the =A345=
=20
(asuming you can afford that and a pair of Reveals) on a pack of high=20
density Rockwool slabs (about =A338 at Wickes) anda few yards of cheap=20
material to cover them with?

Thanks for this tip - but, I don't think it's necessary: My listening
area is surrounded by high shelving units stacked with paper items,
books etc. There isn't a square foot of vertical flat wall in sight.
Beyond the shelving units is the roof with is tongue+groove thin pine
with rockwool stuffed behind, sloping down to a 4-foot high "wall"
made of 1/4" ply with 2" thick polystyrene fome slabs stuck on the
beck. But that last factor is almost irrelevant because I am almost
entirely suttounded by these shelving units, piled with
sound-absorbent items. I really do think I'm in a very acoustically
dead environment. When you come up here it sounds almost like someone
has stuffed some cotton wool in your ears. You can hear the occasional
car go past, but thankfully, my road goes very quiet in the evenings
and that's when I do my recording.

[snip]

In fact, what=20
you want is a range of systems - mostly poor - to make sure that your=20
mixes still sound OK (no more) when replayed on those inferior systems.

That can be arranged! My local charity shops and junk shops often have
cheap s/hand speakers....

I think I'll take your advice re the monitors.

Thanks,,

Ally

[Juhan Leemet]

Post by Ally
On Wed, 4 Aug 2004 17:01:14 +0100, George Perfect

Post by George Perfect
In this place, Ally was recorded saying ...

Post by Ally
L. I appreciate what you say, but these might be better than *some*
nearfield monitors no? I think these speakers sold for around $350
new.
The other idea I thought would make sense would be to have an amp that
can switch between several pairs of speakers. That would be much the
same thing as testing a recording on various hi-fi systems wouldn't
it?

We were under the impression that you were short of space.
And money.

George, Sorry; I see now you were alluding to my idea of having a few
sets of speakers to switch between. Strangely enough, I do have space
for that. There's an area of floor beyond my workspace that is vacant,
because due to the slope of the roof, there's no room to stand up, but
there is room to put a few speakers.

Hmm, wouldn't under a sloped roof be worse than putting speakers up
against a wall, or in a corner? You're creating a "horn" type coupling to
the air. That'll change the sound, won't it? Generally I've heard it said
(by bass players, and home audio types) that you get substantially more
bass out of speakers placed in corners. I was under the impression that
(esp.) "near field" speakers were supposed to be free standing at head
level and away from any reflecting surfaces, etc. Have I misunderstood?

[Laurence Payne]

Post by Ally
L. I appreciate what you say, but these might be better than *some*
nearfield monitors no? I think these speakers sold for around $350
new.
The other idea I thought would make sense would be to have an amp that
can switch between several pairs of speakers. That would be much the
same thing as testing a recording on various hi-fi systems wouldn't
it?

Indeed. If you had a pair of nearfield monitors, I would highly
recommend something like the M15s as alternative speakers. And a
beatbox. And the car stereo. And anything else you can lay hands on.

CubaseFAQ www.laurencepayne.co.uk/CubaseFAQ.htm
"Possibly the world's least impressive web site": George Perfect

[George Perfect]

In this place, Ally was recorded saying ...

Post by Ally
Would a pair of Tannoy M15's be any good as studio monitors?
A local junk shop has some for £45 and they seem in good nick.

As long as they are in good condition, they'll be a lot better than what
you have.

But when you can buy a brand new pair of Reveals for litte more than
£100 (Turnkey summer sale) - even less if you scour the second hand ads
on the SOS web site or Loot magazine - I'd have to ask if they represent
good value for money.