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09-17-2011, 04:57 PM
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#1
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Equator D5 Near Field monitors: RIGHTEOUS!
Take it from me...run don't walk to equatoraudio.com and order a pair of these direct at $299 pr before these folks come to their senses and start selling at $1k! 60 day no question refund policy as well.
I am so dramatically impressed with their performance...the utter rightness in their presentation, particularly in the midrange...but, top to bottom, one of the best near fields at any price I've heard...
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09-17-2011, 05:26 PM
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#2
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 489
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Thanks...
for the recommendation...going to check them out myself (will make a nice addition/contrast to the Event mid-fields I mix on).
Jay
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09-17-2011, 05:35 PM
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#3
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Interestingly....
Ted Keffalo, Equator's founder, was one of the founders of Event Electronics...
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Brown Bag Music is a proud Commercial Reaper Licensee
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09-17-2011, 05:45 PM
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#4
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Off the Planet
Posts: 303
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still waiting for mine to turn up.
Hopefully I'll be able to agree with you when they get here.
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09-17-2011, 11:12 PM
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#5
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,173
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A COAX based monitor for $300? You have GOT to be kidding!
I hate this economy..........
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09-18-2011, 01:57 AM
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#6
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smurf
A COAX based monitor for $300? You have GOT to be kidding!
I hate this economy..........
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I'm not sure this is a criticism or a plaudit, but just in case you are thinking this is merely a car stereo speaker, think again! This is a purpose built transducer, coupled with some very sophisticated technology. I've been in this business all my working life, both in terms of consumer and professional audio, and I can tell you that this product is the brainchild of an engineering dept, not a marketing dept, and relative to other comparable products, is currently, and dramatically undervalued. I will say though, it has me wondering just how good the Equator Q series is. The D5 might be Equator's "gateway drug" so to speak.
Obviously, I'm delighted with my purchase, and it's highly unlikely I'm going to be looking for my "unconditional refund".
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09-18-2011, 06:07 AM
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#7
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Somewhere else
Posts: 735
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I tend to be impulsive wit things like this
... and i just ordered a pair. I'm not terribly happy with the Samson Resolve 65a pair that I first bought.
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09-18-2011, 06:38 AM
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#8
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: home is where the heart is
Posts: 12,109
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I googled "Equator D5 Near Field monitors" and the first thing that comes up is this thread.
I hate Google.
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09-18-2011, 07:43 AM
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#9
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NA - North Augusta South Carolina
Posts: 4,294
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Sounds like a new standard to be had, provided the price stays the same - a good coax in this price range is a great thing IMO. Raising the price into the Mackie/Genelec range, or into the Dynaaudio/Adam range turns it into a blurrier purchase decision.
Not to mention, it opens the door for Behringer to decide to "intervene".
Car speaker: in actuality the reason I'm interested in these is *because* I've been thinking about getting a pair of coax car speakers - warts and all. It amazes me more studios don't use the Average Car Speaker as a reference.
/ $.10
// $300?
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09-18-2011, 09:20 AM
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#10
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chip mcdonald
It amazes me more studios don't use the Average Car Speaker as a reference.
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The environment of the car is probably just as important as the car speakers. It seems to me the only way to replicate a car stereo is to listen in a car.
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09-18-2011, 09:37 AM
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#11
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Soviet Russia
Posts: 119
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Quote:
The Direct 5 are under $300 per pair and are available online in the US, Canada and Mexico directly from Equator Audio with a 60 day money back guarantee. The DF5i will be available at a later date through pro audio distributors and dealers around the world.
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Too bad - i'm in Europe.
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09-18-2011, 11:01 AM
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#12
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Barring the ridiculous price, I'm of a mind that these speakers compete with any similarly sized product from Adam, Dynaudio, Genelec, Focal, etc. From a subjective standpoint, I certainly prefer the D5's to the Genelec's, which tend to have an overly etched top end to my mind, although that quality can be helpful in certain circumstances. What I enjoy about the Equator's the most is the balance, resolution, and best of all, the lack of congestion in the midrange. There is some real voodoo going on here, since many other designs simply avoid that congestion by scooping the midrange, which usually results in unfortunate mix and mastering decisions. A pleasant surprise is the amount and quality of bass from these compact enclosures. I wrote the manufacturer a letter of sincere gratitude... They eliminated several layers of $$$ impact by making this available directly. I hope they keep this price going, since I would like to acquire a few more pairs and the carrying case for my mobile recording efforts. Bravo Equator!
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09-18-2011, 11:12 AM
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#13
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chip mcdonald
Sounds like a new standard to be had, provided the price stays the same - a good coax in this price range is a great thing IMO. Raising the price into the Mackie/Genelec range, or into the Dynaaudio/Adam range turns it into a blurrier purchase decision.
Not to mention, it opens the door for Behringer to decide to "intervene".
Car speaker: in actuality the reason I'm interested in these is *because* I've been thinking about getting a pair of coax car speakers - warts and all. It amazes me more studios don't use the Average Car Speaker as a reference.
/ $.10
// $300?
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The similarity to a coax car speaker is coincidental and superficial. Think of a KEF Q15 on dsp steroids with great amplification. Not surprising, since Ted Keffalo designed that KEF series!
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09-18-2011, 11:25 AM
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#14
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22,572
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I am wondering how they would compare to my behringer truth B2031's from ... wow 7 years ago. I am really used to them, although they are certainly not ideal, i seem to get by. What additional equipment would i need to hook these up?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...FUNN4AodABTaMw
as we can see here, the woofers are a bit bigger...
hmmm, of course it comes down to sound... wonder if im already taken care of though...
maybe I could get these and pair it with a sub...
hmm wonder if these have a limiter in case a peak gets out of control... the beri's do and have probably saved my ass on a couple of occasions
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09-18-2011, 11:43 AM
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#15
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill
I am wondering how they would compare to my behringer truth B2031's from ... wow 7 years ago. I am really used to them, although they are certainly not ideal, i seem to get by. What additional equipment would i need to hook these up?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...FUNN4AodABTaMw
as we can see here, the woofers are a bit bigger...
hmmm, of course it comes down to sound... wonder if im already taken care of though...
maybe I could get these and pair it with a sub...
hmm wonder if these have a limiter in case a peak gets out of control... the beri's do and have probably saved my ass on a couple of occasions
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I set aside my cynicism about Behringer, and gave the b2031's a listen. Not bad really, and not terribly dissimilar in sound from the Mackies they are evidently patterned after, although they share some of the things I find unattractive about Mackie monitors....a little too much "bloom" in the bottom end if close to room boundaries, and a somewhat scooped mid. The d5's are self powered, with either xlr or trs balanced inputs. Should be a matter of simply unplugging your existing monitors and replacing them with these. A monitor switching unit like the Mackie Big Knob might prove useful if you want a multiple monitor setup. Resist the urge to use cheap monitor switchers like the Behringer or Samson....they really do cause the sound to deteriorate noticeably.
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09-18-2011, 11:45 AM
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#16
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22,572
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would you recommend an inexpensive sub?
I thought coax was referring to connection hehe...
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09-18-2011, 12:15 PM
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#17
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill
would you recommend an inexpensive sub?
I thought coax was referring to connection hehe...
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The d5 has usable response down to 53 hz in a direct field, so a subs usefulness is confined tovthe very lowest octave. I tend to switch the sub in only occasionally. Ymmv, but a sub from a manufacturer that understands music reproduction vs "home theatre" is preferable. Set up the sub so it rolls off fairly rapidly at the low frequency cutoff of the monitors, and don't mistake of setting the sub too loud. The subs presence should only be noticed when the material demands it.
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09-18-2011, 12:18 PM
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#18
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22,572
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonehenge
The d5 has usable response down to 53 hz in a direct field, so a subs usefulness is confined tovthe very lowest octave. I tend to switch the sub in only occasionally. Ymmv, but a sub from a manufacturer that understands music reproduction vs "home theatre" is preferable. Set up the sub so it rolls off fairly rapidly at the low frequency cutoff of the monitors, and don't mistake of setting the sub too loud. The subs presence should only be noticed when the material demands it.
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thats actually only 3 hz higher than my current monitors (and probably translates bass better)... im gonna pick these up i think. Whats the worst that can happen.
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09-18-2011, 12:50 PM
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#19
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill
thats actually only 3 hz higher than my current monitors (and probably translates bass better)... im gonna pick these up i think. Whats the worst that can happen.
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The very worse that can happen is returning the monitors for a refund. I'm betting that you will listen to a mix and mutter to yourself "gawd, I didn't hear that before".
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09-18-2011, 12:58 PM
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#20
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Off the Planet
Posts: 303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Low_Pressure
Too bad - i'm in Europe.
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add a set to the shopping cart and you will get a list of countries you can get them sent to.
European countries are on the list.
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09-18-2011, 02:48 PM
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#21
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonehenge
Take it from me...run don't walk to equatoraudio.com and order a pair of these direct at $299 pr before these folks come to their senses and start selling at $1k! 60 day no question refund policy as well.
I am so dramatically impressed with their performance...the utter rightness in their presentation, particularly in the midrange...but, top to bottom, one of the best near fields at any price I've heard...
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Just curious how these compare to the Mission speakers you lauded in another thread here-- Availability aside.
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09-18-2011, 03:44 PM
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#22
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonehenge
I'm not sure this is a criticism or a plaudit, but just in case you are thinking this is merely a car stereo speaker, think again!
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All I meant was that a real coax speaker is available at this price point, and I am broke...I never even mentioned a car speaker, where did THAT come from! LOL!
__________________
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HP Z600 w/3GHz 12 Core, 48GB Memory, nVidia Quadro 5800, 240GB SSD OS drive, 3 480GB SSD Sample/Storage drives, 18TB External Storage, Dual 27" Monitors
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09-18-2011, 05:48 PM
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#23
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,095
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These look sweet! I had no idea about Coax speakers, I thought it was a connection as well! Off to google and learn more!
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09-18-2011, 07:42 PM
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#24
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22,572
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ordered.
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09-18-2011, 10:12 PM
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#25
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aste
Just curious how these compare to the Mission speakers you lauded in another thread here-- Availability aside.
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Back in 2006, (or whenever that was) I was taken by the value of those Missions. Dirt cheap, with high fi pretensions. You had to stay aware of their shortcomings, but they could resolve a lot of detail in the top end, and the bass erred on the side of lean, which I think is infinitely preferable to an overly ripe bottom end that clouds the midrange. If you are dead broke, still not a bad option. The Equator D5 is a genuine gamechanger. The holy grail of true state of the art monitor performance in a sub $500 pr price is here in the form of the D5's, with one caveat: this price is artificially low. I think the game was to generate a wave of acute interest in this manufacturers products, and I for one am looking forward to hearing the upper end products in the line. Take my recommendation as an urgent one. Place your order. You won't regret it.
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09-18-2011, 10:46 PM
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#26
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Caracas, Venezuela
Posts: 8,687
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill
ordered.
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Hi Jason,
Please let us know how they sound on the low end. I've mixed on B2031's but always missed a good low end (we actually sold them a while ago and bought a pair of Yamaha HS80s). Keep in mind we mostly mix hip-hop/r&b stuff We're looking for a good pair of monitors to replace my 7 years old BX8a's, which in my opinion sound very good (though they're not "praised" too often). We want to replace them for something with a better stereo definition but no hyped on the high end/mid range.
Thank you in advance, mate. Cheers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonehenge
Take my recommendation as an urgent one. Place your order. You won't regret it.
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Hope they'll keep that price until next year since I can't purchase them right now
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Pressure is what turns coal into diamonds - Michael a.k.a. Runaway
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09-18-2011, 11:07 PM
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#27
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: east coast of Kansas
Posts: 681
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I jumped on the bandwagon also.
I have misgivings about getting them repaired ever if what they have on their technology page is accurate (and I suppose it should be). If they last a third as long as my JBL Control 1s did they will pay for themselves repeatedly though.
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-- Ursula Nordstrom
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09-19-2011, 08:56 AM
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#28
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NA - North Augusta South Carolina
Posts: 4,294
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonehenge
The similarity to a coax car speaker is coincidental and superficial. Think of a KEF Q15 on dsp steroids with great amplification. Not surprising, since Ted Keffalo designed that KEF series!
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My car speaker remark was tangential. These sound very interesting if they're coherent and not nasal through the mids, although I'm on a full range driver/anti-crossover kick at the moment.
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09-19-2011, 10:33 AM
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#29
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonehenge
Back in 2006, (or whenever that was) I was taken by the value of those Missions. Dirt cheap, with high fi pretensions. You had to stay aware of their shortcomings, but they could resolve a lot of detail in the top end, and the bass erred on the side of lean, which I think is infinitely preferable to an overly ripe bottom end that clouds the midrange. If you are dead broke, still not a bad option. The Equator D5 is a genuine gamechanger. The holy grail of true state of the art monitor performance in a sub $500 pr price is here in the form of the D5's, with one caveat: this price is artificially low. I think the game was to generate a wave of acute interest in this manufacturers products, and I for one am looking forward to hearing the upper end products in the line. Take my recommendation as an urgent one. Place your order. You won't regret it.
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Thanks. I hope the price holds out for while.
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09-19-2011, 02:07 PM
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#30
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Off the Planet
Posts: 303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aste
Thanks. I hope the price holds out for while.
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I was told this price of $299pr would hold until the end of the year.
But, that was awhile ago now.
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09-19-2011, 03:15 PM
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#31
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22,572
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so, does anyone have an almost objective way of testing these?
i had an idea:
2 songs, different in structure and tracks, but both with similar issues that only a decent monitor would pick up on.
I mix them both, on different days, and put a time limit, of say, 1 hour, and see what happens.
any ideas?
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09-19-2011, 03:23 PM
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#32
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,095
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I really want a pair now but I just got some new monitors a few weeks ago. Still tempting...
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09-20-2011, 10:48 AM
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#33
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 88
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These look very interesting and the price is unbelievable. If any of you ever go to the Studio Central forum, there is an excellent review at: http://studio-central.com/phpbb/view...p?f=15&t=80645 by two of the people there whose opinions are very respected.
I'm just tired of my 2031's and have been working on a reasonable upgrade, including new interface too. It looks like for me the D5's are a no-brainer.
__________________
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St. Louis, MO
USA
Last edited by clkonkol; 09-21-2011 at 07:30 AM.
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09-20-2011, 04:21 PM
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#34
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 1,720
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I'm tempted.
I'm in the UK, which (after shipping) pushes the price to $410. I'm assuming that is still a bargain? I may also be hit by tax (up to another $100, maybe) - but that's a lottery.
I (almost) never buy like this (on simple recommendations), but you guys are possibly an exception. I bought Pipe's mics, and was very pleased.
Those who have used the D5s, is this a no-brainer?
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09-20-2011, 04:33 PM
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#35
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22,572
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I am supposed to receive them friday. This weekend doesnt yet seem busy, so hopefully ill have a review
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09-21-2011, 07:50 AM
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#36
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 1,720
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill
I am supposed to receive them friday. This weekend doesnt yet seem busy, so hopefully ill have a review
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I'd be very interested, Jason. Thanks!
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09-21-2011, 07:11 PM
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#37
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alistair S
Those who have used the D5s, is this a no-brainer?
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On a personal note, they don't ship to Australia...so I wont have a chance to do my brain in
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nothing to see here
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09-21-2011, 08:27 PM
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#38
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alistair S
I'm tempted.
I (almost) never buy like this (on simple recommendations), but you guys are possibly an exception. I bought Pipe's mics, and was very pleased.
Those who have used the D5s, is this a no-brainer?
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I can't vouche for the D5's, but I bought the Mission speakers, years ago, on little other than Tonehenge's recommendation and didn't regret it.
FWIW
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09-21-2011, 08:30 PM
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#39
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Off the Planet
Posts: 303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ringing phone
On a personal note, they don't ship to Australia...so I wont have a chance to do my brain in
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sometimes, if you really want something, it pays to ask
I'm not in Australia, but I wasn't on the list either.
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09-21-2011, 11:48 PM
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#40
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 381
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Untamed Spirit
sometimes, if you really want something, it pays to ask
I'm not in Australia, but I wasn't on the list either.
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Have a look around, there are companies set up in America that act as US delivery addresses, which will then send them on to you to Australia as private delivery, thus avoiding the sales tax. You still get hit the US sales tax, but that is much less than the Australian rate. Plus being under $1000, you don't get slugged the GST.
I was in DC last month, and a few Aussies were telling me about it, I haven't looked into it yet, but I know they exist.
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