On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:36:51 -0500, Mike Rivers wrote:

e Hafler is much better.

I didn't think there was much difference between power amplifiers
until I got some better monitors. Then I found that when I tried a
Hafler to replace what I had been using, I didn't have to turn the EQ
knobs as far in order to hear changes. That's a good thing. (it's also
a good way to evaluate monitors) When my dealer loaned me a Bryston, I
noticed a little change (for the better, I thought) in the bass, but
not enough to be worth a $650 investment at the time.

I probably should have clarified my statement a little more by adding "at
lower levels" that I tend to mix at. My normal listening system is a set
of maggies driven by an old Bryston amplifier and I have hooked the Samson
up to those speakers and I could hear a difference but I figured it might
be due to the load the maggies present to the amp.
When driven hard the Hafler stays smooth and the Samson gets a little
harsh, but at normal levels I hear little or no difference, at least
through the Truth monitors.


Does Guitar Center have the passive version (at any price)? If so, why
not buy a pair, listen to them with your amplifiers at home, and if
you like them, keep them and enjoy the savings. If you don't like
them, return them, buy the actives, and see if you like those. If you
still don't like them, then you don't like that monitor - look for
something else. If you can hear things with the active version that
you couldn't hear when you used your own power amplifiers, then you'll
knot that there's some benefit to using the amplifier that the Event
people optimized for those speakers.

I'm the shy type
IOW the person who never sends food back at a restaurant.
But in this case I think you have a good idea. I just have to convince the
sales drone that I am serious and not wasting time. I'll check and see if
they have the passives as well.


A/B comparisons of things that are pretty close drive people nuts.
Don't worry about not making that comparison. Or if you have
sufficient balance on your credit card, buy both the actives and
passives, and keep the one that's the best deal for you, sound- and
budget-wise. Or return both and try something else.

I know!
Wow do I know!
I've been at this since before Christmas, off and on, and I must have
listened to 50 different monitors including some in studios that my
friends run and it does get very confusing.
I have come to the conclusion that it is virtually impossible to A+B
monitors in a store, even at the off hours that I go and shop to avoid the
crowds.