Fostex PM-1

Review written on 05/01/2004 by Will Zeagal on Audiofanzine FR. Update at the end of the review.

- Which technical specifications motivated your choice?
The sound

- What do you use it for?
Professional monitoring


SOUNDS

- Which amp do you use / in what configuration?...
Connected to an RME Multiface.

I tried out many monitor speakers together with other AF members.
For example:
- Yamaha MS-10 Studio (very good)
- Mackie Tapco S5 (very bad)
- M Audio Studiophile BX8 (not convincing)
- Behringer Truth (great speakers for the price but not for monitoring applications: too many lows and imprecise low mids... perhaps for rehearsals).
- Genelec 1029 (WTF? Ah, it's a trendy brand... well...)
- Yamaha MSP5 (they sound too hard and are not powerful enough. It's a good choice as a second monitoring system, but not as main monitors).
- Alesis Monitor One MK II (abort! Same as for Genelec: what a mush of sound!)
- Event Electronic TR-6 (or 8?): good choice as a second monitoring system: reverb effects and stereo imaging sound amazing! But not linear enough as main monitor: there is some sort of notch in the high mids).
- Samson Resolv 65A (awful, awful, awful)
- Dynaudio acoustic Air15 (very expensive)
- Krk V4 (perhaps with a subwoofer? But there is no subwoofer. It's a pity because they sound good).
- The new Blues Sky model. Interesting. Really good but the lows are a bit muddy due to a strange resonance). Considering the price of this 2.1 system, it can be a good choice. They will bring out a less powerful and less expensive system.

And some other products I can't remember right now.

All the other AF members who tried out these products with me and helped me to choose had the same opinion.

We listened to all these speakers along several days. We had the opportunity to compare most of them in the same acoustic environment.

We tried them out with a sample CD with different songs I know very well, including diverse music styles: classical, jazz, chanson, rock, latin, techno. Plus some of my own songs.

I excluded too expensive products, for example the Yamaha MS-10 Studio, which are amazing: I would buy them if I had the money.

I chose the best model I can afford: the Fostex PM1!
In this price range, It's the best product I've ever listened to.

Now that I've worked a couple of weeks with them, I can only confirm what I wrote. Excellent. To be attested at the end of the mix when I can listen to the end result on other systems.


OVERALL OPINION

[edit : update of my review from 05/01/2004]
The MP1 do a good job. I used them for my first LP, which received good technical comments (see my profile).
Finally, this monitor offers an excellent value for money. Although, you could know hesitate with the newly launched Yamaha HS80M. I find both products are very similar: the Yamaha are a bit better, but also a bit more expensive. But their lows are not as powerful.
I haven't had the opportunity to test the new generation called PM1 mk2.

Do note that they fall a bit short for professional use. When I worked with these speakers, I often had to enhance my mixes a bit after having listened to them with other speakers.
I now use a much more expensive product and I don't need to enhance my mixes afterwards.
However, I kept my MP1, which I still use as an additional monitoring system and for rehearsals.
A good investment!

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
initially it was the price that made me decide.
For what purpose?
for component mixing and premaster.

SOUNDS

The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?
I would say that 50 Hz to about 2 kHz is good, it's pretty linear contrast over it tend to add shine, so you have to be careful about mixing the acute frequency.
The stereo image is good?
yes it is very good.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
for 8 years.
Have you tried many other models before buying it?
no it's the first one I buy from I is not changer.j 'took my cue and used it, so I began to know them very well and be accurate with in my mixes. so for now I care.
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
to +
It's very nice.
It has good accuracy.
to the -
The acute-frequency fatigue, one can ear on long-term listening.
How would you rate the quality / price?
it is very good because it is really cheap.
With experience, you do again this choice? ...
if I had the means u on the spot I'd turned my worm adam, but as I was told now that I will be following it made me very well.

I wanted to sound quality in order to make models that go everywhere. And there is no significant distortion in sound reproduction. It is in a professional that I used.

I have a Tascam US branches to 428 and gives very good

SOUNDS

- The curve frequency drives is it sufficiently neutral?
Yes for me, and I am very demanding

- Stereo image is good?
Excellent, I stro Discoveries effects on CD which I do not even have supper there.

- The sound is clear and prcis across the spectrum?
It is simply beautiful. perfect for both classical music than techno ...

OVERALL OPINION

I am blown away by these speakers I've experienced before you buy.
It was for me a small piece (and my room of 15 M2 are super strong (I'm a quarter of its power and they do not saturate the bottom)
The bass is really respect and prcises (slightly less than the M6 ​​but must also see the price)
Pan impressive because it can be in space or are the instruments. (In a classical orchestra is important) and that was my scotch.
Discoveries I subtleties in the songs, which copes me despite my headphone costs at or very good Hi-Fi
They reveal the mistakes ... and registration for mixing is crucial
A report quality price gnial. I heard Tapco, the MSP5 (its a little box), and M6 (but I have yet to win the lotto), the Berhinger, the Alesis .... but that s the FOXTEX 'come out victorious.
I rediscover all my CDs and electro acoustic pieces, is happiness. (Ahhhh glisss the strings on the guitar, ptits lick of the flute ....)

I would do without this choice hsiter. It matches my tastes, and criteria of neutrality.
I made them listen to a sound Ing silent breath of quality for that price ... and a bottle ... So why hsiter?