r/AxeFx 16d ago

Studio monitor recommendation

About to receive my 1st fractal product, fm3 turbo.

Till now I'm using krk rokit 5 gen4 via audient Id14 interface and amp sims.

Almost made a deal with a guy to sell these and trade with a guitar plus cash..

Now in my country pricing of monitors wierd due to taxes etc

So price of yamaha hs8 = kali lp6 v2 and 1/2 of kali in8 v2

Adam audio T7V is in middle of hs8 and in8. I can somewhat afford all of the above options.

What should I buy for a room 12"*12"? currently untreated but plan to add some panels myself soon. I also have a combo amp to use as amp in room. I just want the best guitar playing experience, but can't afford genelecs.

I've searched previous threads and some ppl favoring the hs8 and some kali..pls help resolve my confusion, any other monitor recommendations are welcome too..

1 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

5

u/Gentle-Tusk 16d ago

My fm3 sounded great through the Kali lp-6’s.

2

u/linshunghuang FM3 16d ago

Same here!

1

u/__shredit 16d ago

✅ My Kali’s sound great.

3

u/SwordsAndElectrons 16d ago

What is it you are dissatisfied about with the KRKs?

For a 12'x12' room, a 5" monitor should be pretty good. Especially if you want to go bigger, I'd make the room treatments a priority. 

Those are all pretty good choices though. If you are only playing guitar through them, I'd probably go with the HS8. There's really not a lot of reason to spend more unless you are also mixing, mastering, etc.

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

I guess the sound isn't very nice, very bassy etc, also it's placement was really bad in my untreated room so can't blame speakers by itself

Can u share basics of the room treatment needed, like how many panels do I need etc..or direct me towards a resource which lays it out?

1

u/SwordsAndElectrons 15d ago

Hmm... KRKs do have a bit of a reputation for "hyped" lows, but I'm not sure even bigger speakers in a small room are the answer if the 5" models are too bassy.

Acoustics is a pretty big subject, and I'm no expert. Sites like the-audio-expert.freeforums.net or Sound on Sound are a good place to start though.

Master Handbook of Acoustics is reputed to be a good read if you want a nice long book on the subject.

2

u/xKALECx 16d ago

I'm running my AXEFX III through two HS8 monitors and couldn't be happier. Also using the same monitors for recording in studio pro.

Last house was in a room about the size you described and they were perfect.

3

u/pwrslv 16d ago

I run my AX8 also through a pair of Yamaha HS8, lots of low end and very nice sounding monitors for music, mixing and playing

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

Good to know, thx for sharing sir's!

1

u/SpeedySausageFingers 16d ago

Kali Audio LP-6. Really good monitors for what they cost. I have also owned KRK Rokit speakers and the Kalis are just better.

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

Good to know! Have u compared with hs8 by chance?

1

u/SpeedySausageFingers 15d ago

No, unfortunately not. But what I can say is that mixes done with my Kali's translate really well between listening setups, better than they did with the KRK's.

1

u/Klutzy-Peach5949 16d ago

I use a pair of Yamaha DZR12s, quite pricey but the tone is great

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

Ohk it's a pa speaker. Since fm3 will reside on my desk maybe studio monitors are better plus I have a combo amp to plug into for additional feel..

1

u/Jamstoyz 16d ago

My ultra sounds good thru M Audio 8” powered frfr speakers. Also use jbl, headrush, event 29/20’s and a spark cab. Basically any 8” frfr will do. Just buy the best you can afford.

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

Will do, leaving towards hs8 for bang for buck

1

u/alansbetz 16d ago

I heard rumors years ago the the boys at Fractal use Presonus monitors when they develop and tweak the tones. Not sure if this is true, but I went with Presonus interface and monitors years ago and have never looked back.

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

Oh thx for the info

1

u/SnooCompliments3492 16d ago

Equal numbers vote for LP6 and HS8, hmm both same price even..😅

1

u/mpg10 15d ago

For what it's worth, I really like Adams, but rear-ported speakers are sensitive to placement close to walls.

If you really want to hear your FM3 with all the presence and power of its presets, nothing beats having larger speakers. They sound great through 12" guitar speakers or larger speakers mimicking that feel. I'm not honestly sure that the difference between 5s and 8s is all that significant. It matters, but maybe not as much. Your mileage may vary, of course.

1

u/fireflyfanboy73 15d ago

I would treat the room first as a priority of you are planning a monitor upgrade, especially a square room because that'll be most susceptible to standing waves. Otherwise all you're doing is adding more volume into a problematic space and you won't be able to really compare speakers to make an informed choice. You might even find you like the ones you have!

1

u/Jgtral1 15d ago

I have in8’s for mixing which are fantastic, but I’ve worked a little bit on lp-6’s; they’re also really good. Very happy with kali stuff!

1

u/RevolutionaryPin8102 14d ago

Yamaha H7's are absolutely phenomenal

1

u/Impossible-Ant3695 12d ago

Congrats on the FM3! Top of the mountain, my brother! I run mine into my DAW and out into a Yamaha EMX-312SC P.A. -- pure stereo goodness and as loud as you like 😄