Some questions that maybe you can answer

[Velins]

I was getting a few items and it's been a while since I've kept up with some of the new equipment out there so I was just wondering what you guys think of the following:

Sennheiser e845 or e855 3-pack mics

I have no actual experience with these mics. I just trust Sennheiser. The mics need to be pretty much all purpose. They'll be used for foley work, vocals, instruments and on camera for television so all black would be somewhat preferrable instead of the SM58 chrome ball type, of course with good sound/specs. Any advice or suggestions?


Yamaha MSP5 monitors

Kind of lost with this. What do studios like these days monitor-wise. These will be used for serious project recording with a Digi002 and also digital video editing for broadcast TV/cable. Alternate thoughts were the Hafler and Roland. I'm really curious about what the 'standard' is these days on good near field monitors. You know, like how the old Yamaha's with the white woofers used to be everywhere years ago. The monitors need to be high quality but not over $800. If I can find something around the Yamaha price it would work. This is assuming the MSP5's are not as great in comparison. They seemed 'ok' when I took a short listen at the store.


Fostex T50RP headphones

Already got the headphones but can exchange them if need be. These don't seem to have much high end reproduction although they're Fostex's "flagship" model. Does anyone have experience with the T40? Wondering how well these new T50's are being accepted in the industry.

Also getting AKG 240DF and Sony MDR7509 headphones. I'm reasonably familiar with the MDR series' sound and AKG 240Ms. Lastly Digi 002 but I guess not too many people can give feedback on this yet since Digi has had problems with fulfillment.

Thanks in advance for anything you can say.

[howie15]

For the money the yamaha speakers aren't worth it. Look at the JBL LSR25P's...about $500 for a pair. they are accurate and powered. I think they are one of the best deals for price vs. options.
I love my pair.
howie

[Daniel Smart]

The Sennheissers are good mics - very different from an SM57 or an SM58. Much more clarity, brighter and more presence the 855 has more upper-range than the 845. They are more comparable to the Beta range rather than the SM - hypercardiod, extended frequency response and better clarity.

They may sound a bit bright if you're used to an SM58, but if you go back and listen you'll find the SMs sound quite muddy and not that great. Personally I think the SMs suck by comparison.

For all round work you described I'd probably go for the 845 out of the two and save the 855 for female vocals or when I want a bit more clarity.

I don't really have any experience with some of what you describe - foley and television work. Would you normally go for this type of mic for these applications? I don't know much about it, but I think I'd probably be tempted to go for a pair of condensors for foley work? Some people swear by the EV mics for voice-over, broadcast and TV stuff - I've no experience of them myself though.

As far as monitors go most stuff around is better than those NS10s, but all the reviews say there are better options than the MSP5s for the same money. The Mackie's are generally acknowledged to be one of the best at the price you're talking, although there are other options. Best advice is to listen to some and see what you think.

Cheers,
Daniel

[bombastique]

i'm with howie on the monitors - go with jbl, they're the best i've heard for the buck (the mackie hr624's may fit in there as well...).

the sennheisers are good mics, though it's always dicey to buy stuff unless you're familiar with it or have good info from a reliable source who knows EXACTLY what you're recording with it. all in all, you probably can't go too wrong with them.

fostex headphones, in my opinion, are pretty bad. stick with AKG, sennheiser or sony (i use k240's and sony 7506's) and other people i know love the sennheisers (not sure which model..).

as for the 002 - sounds like a rockin' product. the only thing i can really slam is the 32 track limit, but that's just me. the plug-in package is awesome and right out of the box you've got a pretty solid setup.

[Velins]

True, condenser would make more sense for foley work but unfortunately the equipment has to be multifunction and somewhat road worthy. The 845s are running me $275 for 3 so probably not too bad instead of 1 condenser at that price or higher.

Don't know why I wasn't thinking JBL for the monitors. JBL is great. Hopefully SamAsh has them.

[dave64o]

I'll cast another vote for the JBL LSR25Ps. I bought mine when a local Mars store shutdown and got lucky. They only cost me $350 for the pair, but I only got one new one. I had to take the second one off the floor.

I demoed them against the Yamahas and I thought the Yamahas over emphasized the mids and highs. I did notice the Yamahas seemed like they were MUCH more efficient beacuse they seemed a lot louder than the JBLs, even though they have a lot less power. But I wouldn't say that's an important factor for monitors.

I also ruled out two others before buying the JBLs. I didn't like the Roland D-50s (I think that's the model number) at all. The Event PS-5 came in a pretty close second to the JBLs and I had to A/B them for a while before deciding.

Just keep in mind that monitor selection is pretty subjective, so you'll need to decide for yourself.

[This message has been edited by dave64o (edited 12-12-2002).]

[howie15]

wow, all the JBL LSR fans are finally showing up! yeah!. Dave: You got a hell of a deal on those monitors. I know because I got mine at $500 for my b-day and I am a former MARS employee in MN (damn you Marc Begelman) Everytime I sold a LSR25P for $175 a piece of me really got mad. But I still came away with enough cheap gear to make it worth while! Just a small rant from an unemployed MARS employee!
Cheers all
Howie http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif