Monitor upgrade for HX Stomp

DaiB

Morning all,

I’ve got some PreSonus Eris 4.5 monitors to use with my MX Stomp and UAFX Ruby. I’ve had them a few years now and they’re fine. Not brilliant, but not bad.

I was wondering whether it is worth upgrading to something like the Yamaha HS5s or similar - is that an upgrade worth making? My room is relatively small 6’ x 11’ and the monitors are near enough in the corners of the 6’ wide wall.

Cheers,

Dave

jackio

Hmmm. I don't know sorry. I have the Adams equivalents of the HS5s, the TV7s and they are good. I dont know if you'd notice the difference from your current ones though. Do you have a sub? That may be a useful try...I'm sure you can get a used one fairly easily

flying_pie

What is wrong with your current setup and what are you looking to change?

DaiB

That’s a good question - and I’m possibly looking for something that isn’t there - however the monitors are very much at the cheaper end and I’m not convinced that the clarity is brilliant. I don’t necessarily need volume but I’m wondering whether I’m getting the best out of the modelling gear that I’ve got with my current speakers. Has anyone else started with a cheaper set and then upgraded and if so, was it worth it?

ColWilkie

The room and speaker positioning can make a significant difference.  I had iLoud micro's and while fairly cheap, they sounded great in the location I had placed them.  I did however recently purchase a Fractal FM3, and decided to also treat myself to new speakers.  I went for the Neumann KH120II.  Also got the mic to do the room correction etc.  I absolutely love this setup, and ended up selling my Friedman amp (still no regrets).  

Have you tried listening with good quality headphones and then through your speakers?  I did this with my FM3 and was surprised how bad the new speakers sounded in comparison.  Spent some time making sure the positioning was optimal, and used the room correction.  It made a world of difference.

DaiB

That’s a good shout re. headphones, especially as I struggle to play a high volume. Might treat myself - any recommendations?

ColWilkie

DaiB said:

That’s a good shout re. headphones, especially as I struggle to play a high volume. Might treat myself - any recommendations?

I have the Beyerdynamic D770 Pro. No complaints! 

NelsonP

Funnily enough I just bought the same presonus speakers for my home studio setup (a work in progress). I also have a Laney IRT-X which is wedge shaped monitor. That works very well, much beefier sound than the presonus monitors, and axnore amp like experience overall. Depends what you are looking for I guess
 

DaiB

That’s interesting. What is it Laney like at low volume?

chrisj1602

There’s the new Headrush speaker…

https://www.andertons.co.uk/headrush-frfrgo-30w-speaker-cabinet/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADujoUoTNRv6xujzDFkXqZWSVKCP0&gclid=CjwKCAiA5eC9BhAuEiwA3CKwQrZ-dyr8ktl3xIq7DgUcBGIb8tG3JaZ_2tHkK4j1NiTsILrJU9zi5RoCxLAQAvD_BwE

flying_pie

DaiB said:

That’s a good question - and I’m possibly looking for something that isn’t there - however the monitors are very much at the cheaper end and I’m not convinced that the clarity is brilliant. I don’t necessarily need volume but I’m wondering whether I’m getting the best out of the modelling gear that I’ve got with my current speakers. Has anyone else started with a cheaper set and then upgraded and if so, was it worth it?

I have the same monitors and my experience is that they do a fine job to play through. I need to adjust my DI rig settings for every rehearsal or gig and that will always vary with slightly different PA speakers and rooms. But my DI setup sounds killer through the home setup to my ears.

I'm accustomed to using them for mixing my own stuff for the fretboard cover's challenge. I reference many times with cheap and expensive headphones and also car stereo/mobile phone but I think the 4.5s do a decent enough job and my ears/ability are more of a limit than the gear.

Ultimately it comes down to what is required and who is listening. The demands for media to be consumed by audiophiles will be different from Gen Z listening on their iPhone speakers. I would expect higher spec monitors to produce more clarity and that might result in a nicer sound. It might equally expose harshness and send you down a IR/EQ rabbit hole. I have also been thinking about the FRFR speakers aimed at guitarists.

f you want to try something different then go for it. Whatever makes us happier playing is what really counts.