Monitors for Studio Upgrade

LSR308's.  There is a new version recently released.  
I had Samson Resolv 6.5a speakers and always had problems with the bass in the mix.  When I upgraded I went to the LSR308's because of the bass problems.  I've had these several years and almost always "nail" the bass the first mix.

look at the new budget ADAMS......
in a 8"
 
 

having read a review of the new Adams, they are a 7" model, and the review was very positive, although it said it was best for Rock music, and I do a pretty wide mix, including a lot of contemporary and other jazz stuff. But the price was really good considering they have Class D amps and other features the more expensive Adam monitors have. But I would guess you get what you pay for in some instances, but these might be a nice comparison with the JBL 308 model.

I've been eyeing the presonus eris studio series. I'm still using the first gen event 20/20s from 2002 lol

Last fall I picked up a pair of Presonus Sceptre 6 monitors after comparing them to a number of others. Among other things I probably should have waited till the prices dropped<G>, they seem to sell now for under $1K for a pair. My space is relatively small, so the 8" version seemed like overkill.

There is some marketing nonsense with which I wish they would dispense, I think it reduces credibility. But that's the only complaint I can come up with.
 

• They sound great, which is to say I like the way my favorite albums (and mixes) sound.
• The stereo image is remarkable. (My current mains are also co-axial, but a very old design, and mounted as mains, so there will be a difference).
• The lower octaves are there, but as one might expect from a 6" driver, it could extend a little further for some of the things I do. I will be adding their matching sub-woofer this spring.
• They are among the least fatiguing monitors I've ever used. I can work with them for hours without feeling like I'm starting to miss things.
• They get loud - not loud enough to hurt, but certainly loud enough to get the idea.

I also have a pair of first generation JBL LSR305's, which I also enjoy, and they make a nice counterpoint to the Sceptres. For the most part (there are exceptions of course) I always feel like the Sceptres are a little more "honest". The JBL's sound pretty, which is cool, and always a good test, but sometimes it feels like they are masking things a little bit.
 
I know I could do even better, there are some outstanding monitors out there these days. But  I'll really need to pinch pennies because the next upgrade for me would probably be Bluesky or Barefoot, and they are in another price category! And while it would be nice, there is no justification for such a purchase right now.

Or is the HS8 worth it, and maybe not need a sub?
 

I’m using a set of four old Roland DS-90a digital monitors.  They’re dated but still great monitors, in my opinion.  My signal path is digital all the way up to the speakers.  I’m sure the newer monitors sound great, but my ears are so accustomed to the DS-90s I figure I may as well stick with them for as long as they last.  

Thanks Jim.  That sounds like a solid choice. Coming from a 5 inch system, I'm sure the HS7's would be fine, and at the moment I have no subwoofer and so I usually have to experiment with the bass frequencies or it gets too muddy after mixdown and I have to go back in and dial it back. With this combo I figure there will be less guesswork and more efficient mixing/mastering process. I am assuming the HS8 subwoofer is the one to get to match, or is there another one that you'd recommend?

I picked up a great little GEM of a sub from Rockville.  I know, I've never heard of them either but for $140 it's a really good value, sounds pretty decent, and has all the right connections and adjustments to get the exact sound you want.  I'm only using for the bottom end missing in the HS8s...and I have a small space, so it helps to have the x-overs to dial everything just right to where you don't even know it's there.
 
Dave

One thing not mentioned here is to be aware that many monitors, ike the HS series are rear ported. I was hoping to replace my NSM 10's with those but I cannot use rear ported. 
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Yamaha's MSP series are front ported. That's the main reason I got them.

thepianist65
Johnny, what is the reason you cannot use rear-ported monitors? I need some education on this.

If your monitors are positioned fairly close to the wall(as most home studios are), the rear ports will fire against it, and cause your lower frequencies to appear louder than they really are. That will cause you to make bad decisions when mixing. I remember when I got my first monitors(Tannoy Reveals), the manual recommended putting foam in the rear ports to help with that effect. It helped, but it still hyped the low frequencies.

Current room is open, not treated, many windows--in other words, an acoustical mess. But still I manage to mix well as I learn more about the room (past year only). I am going to build a new studio building, so it will be much better when that is completed. And at that point, but sub will most likely be a great addition. My biggest problem is always having too much bass in the mix, due to not having a sub and having small monitors, but I've learned to compensate for it pretty well finally, after a lot of practice.

Define super close please, 6 inches, 2 ft etc... Thank

Cactus Music
This explains it better than I could.  It's more complicated that any one measurement. 
http://arqen.com/acoustics-101/speaker-placement-boundary-interference/

Great article.  Thanks for sharing.