iMac Studio / Reference Monitor

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digitalinnovations

Well-known member
Hello all!

I am looking to add some halfway decent audio monitors to one of my edit stations (an iMac). I've looked at the Mackie CR series and the JBL LSRs. Any thoughts or maybe some others I haven't considered in that same price range? I'm just needing some neutral / natural sound monitoring for video editing. Also, is it acceptable to run the sound directly out of the iMac into the monitors? Or do I need to run the sound through a USB mixer or something comparable? I do not have a need to feed multiple sources - just monitor the sound (voice, SFX, music) mix.
 
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You would probably be satisfied with the Mackie CR or the JBL Series 3
I have not heard the Mackie CR, but I own a pair of the JBL LSR305 and I would strongly recommend them without qualification.
Many reviewers and users alike have high praise for them. JBL has come up with a very good product at a popular price IMHO.

Yes, many people run the line-level (or even headphone) output from their computer directly into small powered monitors like the Mackie or JBL, et.al.
If the analog audio output from your computer is quiet enough for your needs, you may need nothing more than that.
But many computers have less than optimal analog outputs because the audio is produced in a digitally very noisy environment.

The most common solution for that is to use an external USB audio interface.
That could be anything from a $3 USB "dongle" to a $30 Behringer gadget to a $300+ fancy interface with mic preamps, etc.
But recommend DO NOT buy anything extra until you have proved that you actually NEED it!
 
Richard - Thank you for all that info. I will definitely follow your advice about figuring out what is actually needed before spending the extra money.

David - Thank you as well; I will have a look at those JBLs too.
 
If you do a search you will find a lot of threads on monitors. They don't change dramatically so even old posts probably have useful info.
 
I recently upgraded to the JBL LSR308 + 10" Subwoofer and am entirely pleased. Compared to the not to bad Behringer 2030a I was using, the audio is very very clean. I have a fairly large space to fill and went with the 308 series instead of the 305. I would recommend some type of external mixer control. When editing, using keyboard control for audio levels will be a frustration, YMMV. Of course you can add this in later. I purchased a package which included a Presonus V2 which has multiple inputs including an optical input if you want that. But it has one great feature for editing; the instant ability to take the sub-woofer off-line. Not sure how I could live without that now. The V2 isn't a high end controller, but it does work well enough for the price and I have had no troubles with it.

Here is the package I purchased. Note that the included cables may not be exactly what you need, but a few extra XLRs are always welcome.


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1134161-REG/jbl_jbl_laser_308_studio.html
 
ggrantly - Thank you very much for the link. I actually just ordered a pair of the LSR305s today and I will look at that Presonus controller as well. I have a small USB mixer already on hand so I may give that a go and see how I like the results.
 
Although the V2 is handy, if it weren't part of the kit, I would think twice about it at $300. I'm not up on all the newest bunch of interfaces and mixers, but I wonder what is out there that might blur the line in between. I want some features of both. Before the V2, I have used both a simple Mackie mixer (with sliders!) and a traveller mk3. Each had strengths and weaknesses as an edit suite appliance.

Grant
 
I received my set of LSRs and I'm getting them setup today; does anyone have any tips/tricks to figuring out if i need to use either of the roll-off (high or low) functions? Or should I just run with them flat?
 
digitalinnovations said:
I received my set of LSRs and I'm getting them setup today; does anyone have any tips/tricks to figuring out if i need to use either of the roll-off (high or low) functions? Or should I just run with them flat?
Click to expand...

The rolloff functions are helpful if the acoustics of your room require them...and if you really know what you're doing. But if your monitors are placed near you (ie- typical NFM placement). So as smithy says, start flat for now.

And like Richard, I was going to recommend the JBL LSR series. I have a strong audio background (and foreground) and spend lots of time in different recording, project, and edit studios. Many of the lower-coast NFMs are more "musical" and less accurate or more fatiguing than these inexpensive JBLs. At US$300/pair, the JBL LSR305 is a great deal.

Good advice everyone. Good choice, Jeremey
 
Thank you all very much for your time and help. So far, I am very pleased with the monitors; they do seem to make a difference in hearing the mix a bit cleaner / without "coloring" it - especially when I did an A/B comparison from my old monitors. It makes you want to go back and listen to previous mixes to see if I can hear things I didn't notice before.

The only thing I notice is that I have a slight tone / squeal but only when I turn on my broadcast color monitor. Any ideas of how to solve this?
 
There are several things that could be causing the interference you are hearing.
It would be good to start out by identifying whether the noise is being picked up by PROXIMITY, or by POWER wiring, or by AUDIO wiring.

Can we assume that your (unidentified) "broadcast color monitor" is LCD and not CRT?

Can you separate the broadcast monitor from the speakers without changing any of the power or signal wiring?
Does the noise diminish with distance between the speakers and the monitor?

Do you have the broadcast monitor plugged into the same power source as the speakers? And the computer?
If you change where the monitor and/or the speakers and/or the computer are plugged in, does that change the interference?

Does the interference disappear if you disconnect the audio cables from the speakers (leaving the power cables connected and powered up, of course)?

What kind of remedy to try depends on HOW the interference is getting from the monitor to the speakers.
So you need to do the experiment first to see what kind of problem you have.
 
It depends on what kind of music too, if you want more bass performance, or just flat. I invested in Focal CMS65 with the 11" subwoofer for some extra punch when needed, they provide a very flat response and let you hear flaws in tracks like never before. They have the Alpha series as entry level and are awesome, here's the link http://www.focal.com/canada/en/239-alpha
 
Richard Crowley said:
There are several things that could be causing the interference you are hearing.
It would be good to start out by identifying whether the noise is being picked up by PROXIMITY, or by POWER wiring, or by AUDIO wiring.

Can we assume that your (unidentified) "broadcast color monitor" is LCD and not CRT?

Can you separate the broadcast monitor from the speakers without changing any of the power or signal wiring?
Does the noise diminish with distance between the speakers and the monitor?

Do you have the broadcast monitor plugged into the same power source as the speakers? And the computer?
If you change where the monitor and/or the speakers and/or the computer are plugged in, does that change the interference?

Does the interference disappear if you disconnect the audio cables from the speakers (leaving the power cables connected and powered up, of course)?

What kind of remedy to try depends on HOW the interference is getting from the monitor to the speakers.
So you need to do the experiment first to see what kind of problem you have.
Click to expand...

Richard,

Thank you for taking the time to help out. I had ran a few of the tests you mentioned prior to posting (which I should've included this info originally) and here is what I found...

  • Switching the power source location does not solve the issue.
  • Unplugging the audio cable from the iMac (using the 3.5 iMac audio out to 1/4 speaker input) does solve the issue.
  • Due to limited desk space, I cannot move the speakers or monitor much further away from each other.
  • Obviously, powering off the monitor (which is an LCD by the way) always solves the issue but that's not really an option :)

Hopefully this helps somewhat.
 
to the OP can I ask...are you in a professionally acoustically treated room? cause if not, better/different monitors wont really do you much good in terms of accuracy.
 
You may need an external audio interface.
To avoid the electrical connection between the speakers and the computer (which is connected to the monitor)

Since you have an iMac with (presumably) an optical (TOSLINK) audio output, you could use a simple TOSLINK to analog converter box.
That would BREAK the electrical connection to the computer (because it is using an optical pipe).
And the TOSLINK to analog converter would produce the same line-level audio signals that the speakers want.
Examples:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812705543
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5mm-Optic...Audio-Converter-Adapter-RCA-L-R-/152289204924
 
And following on one of Richard's suggestions, what happens if your broadcast monitor is on but not cabled to your computer? Seems like I regularly come across poorly-made BNC cables and connectors...and sometimes HDMI ones...that spit out a lot of interference.

And didn't you mention a USB mixer earlier? Could you connect your audio monitors to the mixer and then the mixer to your computer? Does that cut out the interference?
 
Recommend you have line conditioners in your electric workflow. They don't have to be expensive...I use a pair or triplite line conditioners and on my audio rack I use Furman power conditioners. This will regulate your power from any spikes and dropoffs and give a consistent clean power. It is a must especially if you plan to use your equipment for both video as a DAW.
 
I haven't had a chance to test everything through the mixer as of yet but I will definitely look into the line conditioners as well. Thank you for all the info!
 
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