Equator D5 Monitors - High End on a Budget

[SunkLo]

http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5-Active-N ... s-p/d5.htm

Yo does anyone have these? They're $400 a pair and they supposedly sound reaally really mint. They're coaxial which means the tweeter's mounted over the cap of the woofer, which eliminates a lot of phasing problems at the crossover and also provides a much wider sweet spot. Front ported and DSP tuned at the factory to account for variance in the manufacturing process. They're really compact too, yet still sound large according to reviews I've read.

Only negative I've found is low end extension but a sub will be necessary for accurate low monitoring anyway. I've got headphones that apparently extend to 4hz so those would be more accurate than a sub in a small room.

The reason they're so cheap is that they sell them direct. You can't find them in stores or online retailers. They're cutting out the middleman and passing the savings on to youuuuuuuuuuuu!

They've got a 60 day guarantee and their customer service is apparently excellent.

All the reviews I've read have been really positive.
Sound On Sound's
TapeOp's

I think these are a good alternative to a set of KRK Rokits. Sound like they've really got the mid range clarity on lock and the flexibility in placement makes them ideal for small studios. SOS calls them the NS10's of this era. I think I might pull the trigger on a pair of these after I buy an MPK61.

Anyone got a pair?

[Ledger]

Fragments does, and he's around here somewhere.

[Brothulhu]

https://www.facebook.com/Distanceoffici ... 1738036437 I think this status should speak for its self

[legend4ry]

For 300 pound, they're worth buying just to test out.

[fragments]

Yea. I got mine before the price jump at 300. They are worth twice as much as the new price IMO. They are very unforgiving monitors on your mix, I've even heard things in pro tunes I'd change. They lack low end (I forget the low end response rating), but it actually cleared up some lower midrange issues I was having when I switched from KRK Rokit 6s. They have a crisp, but not fatiguing high end, the upper mids are amazing and present, the stereo image makes my KRKs sound like computer speakers. Also, they have DSP powered adjustments for near-wall and corner placement.

If I'm being completely honest they make KRK Rokits sound like powered PA speakers--the KRKs were nice for listening, but I feel like I'm getting a much clearer idea of what's going on in my mix even without acoustic treatment.

Even if I upgrade to new monitors I won't be selling these as I think they will make for a great set of "B" speakers to help get a second opinion on a mix. Also, in the US you have nothing to loose. They have a very no hassle 60 day money back guarantee--I integrated the customer service guy about this pretty harshly. Just don't throw their packaging out.

[SunkLo]

Yeah I think I'll get a pair. I've been doing some freelance post-production and have decided to blow my first few paycheques on getting up to speed with production gear since I've been sorely lacking for years. I'm getting a cheque in a few days which will bring me up to 500 even, so that'll probably all get blown on the MPK61 (anyone know of a good cheep ebay seller? Shipping to Canada? I know there's a bunch of private hidden listings on there) After that though, I'm gonna pick up a set of these and then an interface to go with them.

On sort of a related note, anyone have recommendations for interfaces? Something not too expensive with quality converters would be nice. I'd probably just need 2 channels to start with although I'd eventually like an 8-16 channel for tracking drums and full bands. Windows/usb but could pick up a firewire or usb3 card if there's a good unit that needs it. Was looking at a MOTU 828 a while back, could probably find a used mk2 for a decent price...

[fragments]

Yeah I think I'll get a pair. I've been doing some freelance post-production and have decided to blow my first few paycheques on getting up to speed with production gear since I've been sorely lacking for years. I'm getting a cheque in a few days which will bring me up to 500 even, so that'll probably all get blown on the MPK61 (anyone know of a good cheep ebay seller? Shipping to Canada? I know there's a bunch of private hidden listings on there) After that though, I'm gonna pick up a set of these and then an interface to go with them.

On sort of a related note, anyone have recommendations for interfaces? Something not too expensive with quality converters would be nice. I'd probably just need 2 channels to start with although I'd eventually like an 8-16 channel for tracking drums and full bands. Windows/usb but could pick up a firewire or usb3 card if there's a good unit that needs it. Was looking at a MOTU 828 a while back, could probably find a used mk2 for a decent price...

Don't even bother with an interface in between. I've got an 828 mkii firewire and love it. I got mine for about 265 USDs out the door. Just be aware that if you go with firewire you'll need a class compliant firewire connection, probably something with a Texas Instruments chip set for it to function at full capacity/or at all. I was able to run it on the generic firewire on my motherboard, but did notice performance/latency improvements when I installed the class compliant card firewire PCI card. There are also USB 828 mkii units. I believe the mkiii comes as one unit usb 2.0 or firewire. I'm actually considering buying a USB mkii to use with my laptop and Maschine to do live dubs as I have a modest PA setup in the works.

[test_recordings]

They actually sound sick, except for the lack of low end. I'd be in 2 minds over these or a pair of 2nd hand passive monitors, or even DIY/kit ones.

[SunkLo]

Don't even bother with an interface in between. I've got an 828 mkii firewire and love it. I got mine for about 265 USDs out the door. Just be aware that if you go with firewire you'll need a class compliant firewire connection, probably something with a Texas Instruments chip set for it to function at full capacity/or at all. I was able to run it on the generic firewire on my motherboard, but did notice performance/latency improvements when I installed the class compliant card firewire PCI card. There are also USB 828 mkii units. I believe the mkiii comes as one unit usb 2.0 or firewire. I'm actually considering buying a USB mkii to use with my laptop and Maschine to do live dubs as I have a modest PA setup in the works.

Wait you're saying don't bother with an interface? Are these bluetooth monitors or..
You mean don't bother getting an interface less than an 828?

I was gonna get one of the usb ones or just get a firewire pci card if I found a cheap firewire unit on ebay. If I could find one for the price you got yours I'd jump on it. 600 for a solid interface and monitors would be jazz hands to the max. Tack on an MPK61 for a good price and I'll be sacrificing virgins on the mountaintop. Hopefully the ebay gods look favorably upon me.

And hopefully my boss sends me more work She said she was really busy all the time but so far I've only been getting one half hour tv show to mix every 2 weeks. At least it's getting nicer out; she does wedding videos and stuff like that so hopefully she'll have some audio jobs for me related to that.

Might have to get a coffee shop job or something. Or I could sell all these student loan statements as fire kindling

"Sorry gov. Had the money, spent it on gear.
Basically get fucked.
love,
Kyran"

[fragments]

Don't bother with another interface. Just get the 828. These days I rarely buy gear that I can't grow into, if you know you are going to be working with music for a while you may find yourself upgrading gear more often than you want.


I try to keep a bit of cash on hand so I can buy good deals when I see them on eBay.

[SunkLo]

Don't bother with another interface. Just get the 828. These days I rarely buy gear that I can't grow into, if you know you are going to be working with music for a while you may find yourself upgrading gear more often than you want.


I try to keep a bit of cash on hand so I can buy good deals when I see them on eBay.

Yeah it was either that or try to figure out a setup I could upgrade with external DACs and preamps n shit. Not worth it if I can have what I need in one rack space for a good price.

Also looking at a Digi 003, or possibly a TASCAM US-1800 which probably has shit preamps and converters but offers a wealth of inputs. Maybe as a channel upgrade to send over digital to the 828?

I'm mainly concerned about getting something with a nice DAC. I can always supplement ADCs or pre's later on as I run into the requirements for quality inputs. Obviously it'd be great to get it all in one box though. I wonder what that Tascam would be like for converters... with the money I'd save I could buy some nice pre's down the road.

[Ongelegen]

Concerning the interface, might be worth looking for a second hand fireface 400 (FW) or UC (USB). Great converters, very stable, super low latency and a decent amount of I/O.

[Brothulhu]

Anyone on the forum had these shipped to the UK? I'm going to seattle in august, might try and get a pair shipped to the hotel

[Ongelegen]

Apparently there is a UK distributor, http://www.handinhand.uk.net/, but they are going for £349 a pop.

[Brothulhu]

Apparently there is a UK distributor, http://www.handinhand.uk.net/, but they are going for £349 a pop.

Yeah I saw that, would probably be about the same for shipping and import tax or whatever straight from them though

[fragments]

Apparently there is a UK distributor, http://www.handinhand.uk.net/, but they are going for £349 a pop.

Yeah I saw that, would probably be about the same for shipping and import tax or whatever straight from them though

From what I gathered about folks trying to order outside the US you are going to pay a lot more than 400 USD a pair, that's cool someone is directly distributing them to the UK though. While researching I did notice quite a few folks in the UK and Ireland having some issues even receiving the speakers.

FWIW, many user reviews on the Equator website claim that these monitors sound as good or better than some Adam and Genelec models.

[Brothulhu]

Just asked Distance on Facebook and he got them from those handinhand guys. Gonna email Equator and ask if they ship to the UK themselves

[Genevieve]

I had my heart set on Adam A5Xs but these seem comparable and way cheaper and quite a number of retailers stock them, actually.

[SunkLo]

Yeah I was really set on some Adams before I saw these.

[fragments]

I encourage you all to consider the bass response if you are making bass heavy music. It's present enough to mix, but there was a significant (and positive) difference in the low end when I switched over from Rokit sixes, you might want to check out the low end response on your current monitors, the KRK 6s and the D5s. I was less concerned as I've drifted away from it in my productions.