Replacing GNS-MS01 Speakers (Speaker Upgrade)

[Gunnar J]

Just a little sidestep from the original topic.

When I bought PA4X some time ago, I was lucky to get the Korg PaaS speakers in same deal.
That combination sounded really good, and very similiar as when used my headphones. I keept PaaS when bought PA5, and they sound great in that combination too.
Korg ran out of electronic parts to continue the peaker production. After a while they solved that problem and launched PaaS XMK2. I never tried those, but as far as I understand, they do sound the same, or very similiar as the 'old' Paas.
Regret that I was stupid enough and sold both PA5X and the PaaS. But, that's something it's possible to fix.
They still have new ones to sell.

Oh well.... back to topic.

[GenosMark]

Hi GenosMark,

Yes, I have compared the Yamaha GNS-MS01 Speaker System with Studio Monitors.

My first studio monitors was the Behringer Truth B2031A

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... io-monitor

They are an excellent choice at $219 each. They are a copy of the Genelec 1031A studio monitors.

They sound better than the Yamaha GNS-MS01 speaker system. If you are only interested in listening to yourself play, this is all you need.

A step up in sound quality are the ADAM A7V studio monitors at $720 each.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... io-monitor

They have more clarity than the Yamaha HS7, HS8 studio monitors.

If you want the bass response down to 30Hz, you can add this Focal Sub6 subwoofer.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -subwoofer

I have a pair of Adam A7V with the Focal Sub6 sub hooked up to my Genos. It sounds fabulous. Well worth the investment.

The next step up is the Focal Twin6 Be studio monitors. They are $2000 each.
I have them mated to a second Focal Sub6 sub. I use this setup on my Genos2

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... io-monitor

This is an ideal setup if you are mixing in a studio environment. The beryllium tweeters bring exceptional transparency. You can clearly track every reverb tail.

To summarize, if you just want something that sounds better than the Yamaha MS01 speaker system, just get a pair of Behringer B2031A studio monitors.

If you want something better than the Yamaha HS7/HS8, get a pair of ADAM A7V.

If you just want to enjoy listening to yourself this is all you need. There is really no need to go any higher. The subwoofer is not a requirement.

Best,

David Das

Hi David,

Wow, thank you very much for this overview and summary. The ADAM A7V look interesting. From your perspective, do these really require an addition of a sub? Have you by any chance tested the overall sound quality of your Genos setup without the sub?

The Focal Twin6 are nice but as you mentioned, probably overkill for the intended use. They have a 3-way version too which definitely caught my attention. Then again overkill/intended use.

Mark

[Cyberswine]

My sympathies Mark: I have struggled with the same issues and like you, have never found a viable non budget busting alternative to studio monitors. Lots of **general** advice on using hifi speakers and an amp.... but never specifics or feedback from anyone who does so.

[BogdanH]

...Lots of **general** advice on using hifi speakers and an amp.... but never specifics or feedback from anyone who does so.

So let me then be the first -but keep in mind that it's just my personal experience and opinion.

After having PSR-SX700 for I while, I was curious if I can get better sound out of it. At this point I just need to say, that SX700 built-in speakers are good enough for practicing and playing in smaller room -and that's what for they're intended!

And so I connected keyboard to my Yamaha RX-V581 receiver, where JBL HLS810 speakers are attached. And the difference was very noticeable! The problem I have is, keyboard is not near the receiver and so I need to have cables across the room on floor; or I would need to buy much longer cables to hide them behind furniture. As we know, receivers don't have balanced connections (well, SX700 doesn't have them either) and long cables can pick all kind of interference (=distortion); and so, that was never meant as a long term solution.
But even if there would be no interference, my JBL speakers are positioned on the side of keyboard and so everything comes to my left ear only... which just doesn't sound right while playing. Of course I'm not ready to displace all the furniture in the room just because of that.
The only solution for me (home playing) is studio monitors, which are then placed behind keyboard on left and right side.

Keep in mind, that when we say "studio monitors" then we actually mean "near field studio monitors" -that means, they're meant to be listened at smaller distances.
Also worth to mention: every studio monitor which has smaller than 7" woofer, will have thin sub-bass sound (below 50Hz); and no, we can not compensate that with EQ. In short, if you buy smaller than that, consider to buy sub-woofer as well.
Finally, for home use, this has less to do with how much power the system has.. is more about the size/volume of the speakers.

Bogdan

[Robert52]

Hi Mark
I’m using a Genos 1 with HS7 speakers in a relatively small room. The sound quality is far superior to the standard system and you have several settings on the speakers to tweak sound to suit the room. After several positioning trials I found the best sound was with the speakers on the floor mounted on isolation foam pads either side of the keyboard the pads angle the speaker slightly upwards at the front. I have trialed many EQ settings on the keyboard but would appreciate anyone else’s view on what the setting should be. I may be wrong but I think Genos 2 does have a built in setting for these speakers. If I’m correct about the built in EQ on Genos 2 I would appreciate anyone sharing the actual settings with me.

Robert

[Sharky]

Welcome to the forum, Mark! The Genos2 is an amazing arranger keyboard. I have a Genos1 but decided to wait for the Geno3 for personal reasons. Here are a couple of examples of some high quality studio monitors. Not sure what price range you want to stay within, but these are considered in the mid-range price bracket.

These are the 8" flagship of the T series from ADAM

ADAM Audio T8V Active Nearfield Studio Monitor Features:
Vertical 2-way system with 1 × 8” polypropylene woofer and U-ART tweeter
U-ART accelerated-ribbon tweeter with precision HPS waveguide
Large rear-firing bass reflex port
Highly efficient 90W Class D bi-amplification
Linear frequency response of 36Hz–25kHz
Maximum peak sound pressure per pair at 1m ≥ 118dB
Analog XLR and RCA inputs
2-year warranty; optional extension to 3 years with product registration
Sold individually: $299.99 EACH : No 1/4” inputs, though.

The Yamaha HS8 studio monitor speakers are highly rated, as are the ADAM T8V speakers.

Yamaha HS8 Active Studio Monitors Feature:
High-performance drivers and mounting system
8" cone woofer, 1" dome tweeter
Impressive 38Hz to 30kHz frequency response
Large magnets in an Advanced Magnetic Circuit design
Built-in bi-amplification: 75-watt LF, 45-watt HF
Dedicated power amps are perfectly matched to the woofer and tweeter
Enclosure is designed to kill unwanted resonances that can influence sound
Room control and high-trim response controls give you optimum response in any room
$797.98 (pair)

They have both XLR & 1/4” Inputs.

Happy Shopping!

[GenosMark]

My sympathies Mark: I have struggled with the same issues and like you, have never found a viable non budget busting alternative to studio monitors. Lots of **general** advice on using hifi speakers and an amp.... but never specifics or feedback from anyone who does so.

Thank you Cyberswine. In case that is you on the profile pic, we both share the same "other" hobby. Regarding budget in general, you are correct. LOL, I am not ready to give up that two-wheeled hobby yet in order to get those Focal 3-way speakers I mentioned in a previous post.

Lots of replies though from helpful members here (thanks again to you all) and therefore I'm quite positive that a solution will be found.

[GenosMark]

...Lots of **general** advice on using hifi speakers and an amp.... but never specifics or feedback from anyone who does so.

So let me then be the first -but keep in mind that it's just my personal experience and opinion.

Yay for Bogdan. Thank you, very interesting. I presently have an excess Denon AVR-3310 and 4 Canton GLX 210 speakers available. I could use these components directly for the Genos2 and really wouldn't have to use long cables or move anything around. Would you think time would be well invested connecting these to my Genos? Or are near field monitors with a sub generally a better solution, also for someone that doesn't mix and just would like a "rich" sound without quick ear fatigue?

[GenosMark]

Hi Mark
I’m using a Genos 1 with HS7 speakers in a relatively small room. The sound quality is far superior to the standard system and you have several settings on the speakers to tweak sound to suit the room. After several positioning trials I found the best sound was with the speakers on the floor mounted on isolation foam pads either side of the keyboard the pads angle the speaker slightly upwards at the front. I have trialed many EQ settings on the keyboard but would appreciate anyone else’s view on what the setting should be. I may be wrong but I think Genos 2 does have a built in setting for these speakers. If I’m correct about the built in EQ on Genos 2 I would appreciate anyone sharing the actual settings with me.

Robert

Hi Robert,

Now that is quite interesting, setting them on the floor. First time I have heard of that. How far would you say are they positioned from the wall or corner? I am asking because the HS7 manual recommends a distance of 1.5 meters because of their backfiring bass.

BTW, bear with me a bit, I should be able to get you those EQ settings. You are correct, there is actually an extra setting for the HS7 speakers.

[GenosMark]

Welcome to the forum, Mark! The Genos2 is an amazing arranger keyboard. I have a Genos1 but decided to wait for the Geno3 for personal reasons. Here are a couple of examples of some high quality studio monitors. Not sure what price range you want to stay within, but these are considered in the mid-range price bracket.

These are the 8" flagship of the T series from ADAM

ADAM Audio T8V Active Nearfield Studio Monitor Features:
Vertical 2-way system with 1 × 8” polypropylene woofer and U-ART tweeter
U-ART accelerated-ribbon tweeter with precision HPS waveguide
Large rear-firing bass reflex port
Highly efficient 90W Class D bi-amplification
Linear frequency response of 36Hz–25kHz
Maximum peak sound pressure per pair at 1m ≥ 118dB
Analog XLR and RCA inputs
2-year warranty; optional extension to 3 years with product registration
Sold individually: $299.99 EACH : No 1/4” inputs, though.

The Yamaha HS8 studio monitor speakers are highly rated, as are the ADAM T8V speakers.

Yamaha HS8 Active Studio Monitors Feature:
High-performance drivers and mounting system
8" cone woofer, 1" dome tweeter
Impressive 38Hz to 30kHz frequency response
Large magnets in an Advanced Magnetic Circuit design
Built-in bi-amplification: 75-watt LF, 45-watt HF
Dedicated power amps are perfectly matched to the woofer and tweeter
Enclosure is designed to kill unwanted resonances that can influence sound
Room control and high-trim response controls give you optimum response in any room
$797.98 (pair)

They have both XLR & 1/4” Inputs.

Happy Shopping!

Hi Sharky,

Thank you for the welcome and for the selection of recommended monitors. While the T8V and HS8 seem to be very good monitors, especially in that price range, the problem I have with them is that they have a backfiring bass. My Genos is unfortunately set up against a wall and I could not fulfill the recommended distance of 1.5 meters. Then again, the advantage would be that I probably would not require a sub. David Das recommended the ADAM A7V, also an interesting monitor, though in a different price range. That model would probably require a sub. Which speakers are you using with your Genos?

Mark

[BogdanH]

...have an excess Denon AVR-3310 and 4 Canton GLX 210 speakers..

AVR-3310 is definitely very good receiver. I couldn't find official specifications for Canton GLX 210 speakers and so I can't really comment on that. The only info I could find is at hifi-wiki, which simply can not be true (and if it is, then it's extremely deceiving).
So, if you have necessary cables (1/4" jack to cinch), I suggest you simply try by yourself.. your ears are the best judge for you

Another thing maybe you should think about... No idea about your Denon, but most hi-fi receivers have Class-A amplifiers. While that amplifier type delivers very good audio quality, there's a price to pay: it eats a lot of power, even at low volume. Ok, you can say "doesn't matter", but majority of that power is turned into heat. That's not bad during winter, but can be very unpleasant in hot summer days -don't forget that you need to pay electricity for air conditioner too .

..Or are near field monitors with a sub generally a better solution...

Just my personal opinion, so please, don't get upset.
How to say... your speakers are pretty poor (no matter what specs says) and because of that, I think a decent pair of studio monitors & sub-woofer, would deliver much better sound.

Bogdan

[GenosMark]

Just my personal opinion, so please, don't get upset.
How to say... your speakers are pretty poor (no matter what specs says) and because of that, I think a decent pair of studio monitors & sub-woofer, would deliver much better sound.

Bogdan

Hi Bogdan,

I really appreciate your feedback in this matter, so nothing is getting me upset in this regard. Generally I am a "agree to disagree" guy, so no worries.

After your points regarding power consumption and my Canton speakers, I'll go with near field monitors and, depending on speaker size, a sub. Though it will be interesting how much two active speakers and a sub will consume in the end. Now I will just have to make a decision.

[KurtAgain]

Though it will be interesting how much two active speakers and a sub will consume in the end.

The biggest consumer will be the sub. I have a "PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT" with a maximum power consumption of 100W.

With a simple consumption meter I measured the following values ​​in a room of about 15 square meters:
Off: 0W
Standby: 0.6W
Idle: 12W
Normal volume: 12W
Very loud: 15W

Assuming the average total consumption including satellite speakers is 30W, 8 hours per day, 365 days per year, 0.40 cents per kWh:
30 x 8 x 365 x 0.4 / 1000 = 35 euros per year

Kurt

[BogdanH]

...Though it will be interesting how much two active speakers and a sub will consume in the end.

Because of that I recommend Class-D studio monitors (if monitors use Class-D amps, then that will definitely be mentioned in specs).
What's so special about Class-D? Simplified answer: It consumes only the power that's actually needed for moving speaker membranes (heat is negligible). Result is, speakers are cold no matter if silent or loud.

@KurtAgain
In this case it's really not about electric bill.. I just hate hot components during summer

Bogdan

[KurtAgain]

@KurtAgain
In this case it's really not about electric bill.. I just hate hot components during summer

Has the climate in Slovenia changed that much? Last time I was in Slovenia (in Bled), 30W wouldn't have made much difference.

Kurt