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Wont studio monitors sound boring?
In my experience, studio monitors are more likely to exhibit these qualities.
What are frequency response and directivity?
Frequency response is the most common key in of speaker measurement youll see.
The speakers Im recommending do a good job at these metrics within their price and size constraints.
In most cases, the goal for the LW and/or the on-axis curves should be a flat horizontal line.
This is usually the most important measurement, especially for speakers meant to be used in the nearfield.
Its an important part of predicting a speakers in-room performance.
These two curves are nearly interchangeable, so the PIR is often left out of spinoramas).
The ER should basically have the same shape as the listening window, except tilted downwards at higher frequencies.
Thats actually what the blue curve at the bottom the Early Reflections Directivity Index (ERDI) tells you.
It simply graphs the difference between the ER curve and the LW curve.
So lets get to the actual speakers.
Theres a reason for the elevated treble too.
Ive heard worse for much more money.
The overall trend is what we want: a flat.
The spatial presentation on these speakers is excellent, allowing you to have a mini concert on your desk.
The spin:
Everything about the Neumann KH80s performance is textbook.
Its directivity is similarly excellent.
The improvement will likely be audible even if you dont listen to very bass-heavy music.
Even if you dont get a subwoofer right away, its an effective upgrade to consider down the road.
So are studio monitors better than regular speakers?
Not necessarily, but again, they tend to be a safer bet.
Meanwhile, its particularly hard to find data for small mainstream speakers meant for desktop use.
Likewise, there are some truly excellent compact speakers outside of studio monitors.
Some of the ones Ive tested include theGoogle Nest Audio,Devialet Phantom Reactor, andKEF LSX.
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