#1888274 - 02/09/08 10:33 AM
Mackie 624's for 2 channel listening.
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nrgy22
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Registered: 02/09/08
Posts: 5
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Dear Ethan:
Just wondering if you could explain to me what does neutral and flat actually mean in a speaker.. For years I have used conventional home stereo speakers, not monitors. I watched your video on Youtube (excellent by the way)
and I was very interested when I noticed you use the Mackie 624's for your two channel music listening.
I am wondering if I might actually like the sound of such speakers in my audio listening room.. It seems I am always switching amps and speakers etc. searching for that special sound..
If you were to replace your Monitors with comparable conventional home speakers what differences would you notice..?
Would monitors image and sounstage as well as a conventional speaker..?
If you could shed a bit of light for me it would be appreciated..
thanks
Mike
Edited by nrgy22 (02/09/08 10:36 AM)
Edit Reason: spelling
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#1888645 - 02/10/08 06:52 AM
Re: Mackie 624's for 2 channel listening.
[Re: nrgy22]
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Ethan Winer
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/12/00
Posts: 5299
Loc: New Milford, CT, USA
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Mike,
First, I do have Mackie 624s in my living room system, but that's a 5.1 setup with a killer subwoofer. If I had no sub I'd probably use 824s instead of 624s.
Neutral and flat means exactly that - the speakers play what you put into them at all frequencies. If your receiver has an EQ and you want to hear accurately what the mix engineer intended, you'd bypass the EQ, right? The same applies to loudspeakers. A lot of speakers have intentional peaks and/or nulls to create a pleasing sound. Maybe a boost in the mid bass for added fullness, or a cut in the harsh range around 2 to 4 KHz. As a listener I don't want that, and as a recording engineer I really don't want that!
If you're unhappy and always searching for better sound, I suggest you look into room treatment if you don't have that already. I'd rather have $100 speakers in a good room than $20,000 speakers in an untreated room. Yes, I am serious. I laugh when I see hi-fi reviewers talk about the imaging and sound stage of this speaker or that, when it's obvious from their gear profile that they have no acoustic treatment at all. Imaging is all about absorbing early reflections off the side walls and ceiling (and floor if no carpet).
--Ethan
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#1888765 - 02/10/08 12:34 PM
Re: Mackie 624's for 2 channel listening.
[Re: Ethan Winer]
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nrgy22
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Registered: 02/09/08
Posts: 5
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Thanks Ethan for the explanation.. I have treated my room a bit, but will be doing some more very soon.. My soundroom is in the basement, its an L shaped room with 7 ft ceiling that is opened up to the floor joist.
Just last night I came across your information page "Acoustic Treatment and Design for
Recording Studios and Listening Rooms" this page is helping me understand things a lot better.. You sure are a wealth of information on this subject.. and so helpful,, thanks so much
http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html
I noticed you mentioned how it was better to completely treat a low ceiling. You also suggest fitting rigid fiberglass between the floor joists held up with nails etc.
Would it be ok if I screwed 4'x8' sheets of rigid fibergllass directly to the floor joists as full sheets instead of cutting them and fitting them between the joists? Or is fitting between better? Should I put pink non rigid fiberglass in the joist cavity as well?
I will definately be using a lot of the information you posted along with all the other great help here on this site:)
thanks to everyone
Mike
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#1889377 - 02/11/08 10:15 AM
Re: Mackie 624's for 2 channel listening.
[Re: nrgy22]
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Ethan Winer
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/12/00
Posts: 5299
Loc: New Milford, CT, USA
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Mike,
You could put rigid fiberglass under the joists, but if you use material thick enough to be effective at bass frequencies the ceiling is now even lower. Also, 12 inch thick fluffy fiberglass stuffed between the joists is at least as good as the rigid fiberglass shown in my FAQ. That's cheaper than rigid fiberglass, easier to get, and won't lower the ceiling further.
--Ethan
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#1889537 - 02/11/08 01:18 PM
Re: Mackie 624's for 2 channel listening.
[Re: Ethan Winer]
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nrgy22
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Registered: 02/09/08
Posts: 5
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Thanks again Ethan,
I will be using the 12" of fluffy stuff then,, Thought I could get more rigid fiberglass locally but failed:(.. I only have 2 sheets of the 4'x 8') I'll make smaller pannels with them instead.
Let you know how it turns out:)
Thanks again
Mike
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