Behringer or Samson?

[Sean McHenry]

I know this is very subjective but I am hoping some of you folks with more refined ears can tell me which, the Behringer 2031a or the Samson 65a are better?

I have only briefly listened to the Samsons, we are installing a set in a van build for a small cable company live truck, but that was in an uncontrolled room.

I am planning on a small basement studio, about 10' x 14' x 8'', that is really a video suite. I am looking for something with a good, flat response and something that won't tire me out after 8 hours or more. And if I can kick it up a bit loud when I have no clients in the house, that's alright too.

I have heard and read good things about both of these but have not had the chance to hear them for myself. I can pick up either but want opinions. There's about a $90 jump from the Samson 65a to the Behringers. Remember these are the Behringer 2031a units.

Any opinions from folks who know one, or both of these systems?

Sean McHenry

[Alex Filacchione]

For the same price, you can get the Event TR5-N speakers.

Event speakers are much better than the Behringers or the Samsons in my opionion, and actually I have heard the same from many people.

Also for even less you can get Triple-P Pyramids. Not very many people have ever heard of these. However, the compare VERY favorably to Yamaha NS-10s, which is a pro recording studio staple. THE industry standard in small reference monitors. Yamaha NS-10s were discontinued a long time ago, and the price of them keeps going up and up. Expect to pay $400-$500 for a pair, and they are NOT active.

You can see Triple-P Pyramids here:

http://www.independentaudio.com/CDCatalog/HTML/triplepdesigns.html

You can google

triple-p pyramid

and find reviews online.

They are NOT active and run from $200-$300 for a pair. So you would still have to spend about $150+ on an amp for them.

You can also get these KRKs. They are powered, and are $149 each, so it's the same price as the Behringers:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--KRKRP5


Here they are in *MY order of preference (obviously not toally objective, and I have not listened to ALL of them - haven't listened to the Samsons or Pyramids, and none of them in an A/B setting)

1) Yamaha NS-10s if you can find them cheap + an amp (good luck!) (think $300/pr +$150 for an amp *IF* you can find them that cheap)

2) I would go for the Pyramids w/ an amp 2nd, for around $450 total. Having a seperate amp gives you a little more flexibility if you want to upgrade in the future, or can find a pair of NS-10s for cheap. (think $300 + $150 for an amp)

3) Event TR5-N (active) ($300/pr)

4) KRK RP5 ($300/pr)

5) Tie between the Samsons and the Behringers. I am thinking that the Samsons might be the better speaker of the 2. (both around $300/pr)


If you go with the NS-10s or Triple-Ps you can get a Hafler or Alesis 150watt amp (they are rack mountable if you want that option). They run from $150-$200 (or cheaper on eBay!)

I really think that the Events will sound much more boring and flat than the Behringers or Samsons, and boring and flat is EXACTLY what you want.

Good luck!


Alex F

[Sean McHenry]

It's interesting but have you looked at the Behringer, Samson and these KRKs? They have nearly identical cabinets. I wonder...


I am still in the research phase at this point but still leaning to an active pair. I was hoping Douglas Spotted Eagle would drop in on this one. I may have to go find him and ask him to drop in on this one.

I am leaning toward actives as I figure they are number 1, easier to move around and less equipment to deal with wiring up what with the built in dual amps and all. Second, you sort of have to think the amps are designed with the enclosures, choice of materials and crossover frequencies for that particular item. I don't have to go to a Crown or other amp and read up on those specs too then.

I am still taking everything into consideration and will probably order a pair of something right after Christmas. I start building the edit studio then.

Thanks for the input.

Sean