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AudioArtist « Good Choice for the thrifty engineer »
Published on 09/11/12 at 20:01The Mackie HR series all come with XLR, 1/4inch, and RCA inputs. That combined with the on-board amps make them a force to envy. But then throw in THX certification, individually tested frequency response graphs, and closely matching pairing you get an exceptional value from them.
The HR624's can easily find a home in a "pro studio" as near-field monitors and will excell in the home studio as well.
I must stress, and will again, if you want to be serious you must have a sub if you intend to use the HR624's as your primary monitors.
SOUNDS
The HR624's stereo field is entirely dependent on your placement and your mixing environment. Mackie has, fortunately, incorporated a few switches that can alter your treble response, a low cut, and also a room size adjustment. (just leave the room switch at normal and pay attention to the diagrams printed on the back of the monitors, trust me) Otherwise, if you have your equipment set up properly, the stereo image of the HR624's is quite good.
"Are the dynamics respected?..." That is a very interesting question. The Mackie HR series monitors get alot of flac from many different people, beginners, intermediates, and pros. I personally would vouch for the HR series monitors any day. One of the biggest issues with these is that people don't know how to set them up properly and they often adjust the bass cut and treble adjusting switches to the absolute innapropriate settings. These monitors have a learning curve. You MUST run through a couple of mixes and then evaluate how they translate to other systems, make some adjustments even if it doesn't sound necessary, adjust your settings again.... repeat process until you've got them dialed in for your space.
Yet again, I must encourage you to get a good sub. Preferably one that allows you to adjust the low-pass frequency cut-off. Use the included frequency response graphs that came with the monitors, choose an appropriate point for your sub to come into play, and then adjust your relative volumes accordingly. I will not explain this any more than that, you really ought to know or be able the "hear" these things already, or pay someone to do it for you.
That being said, do you really expect a 6inch woofer to thump? Of course not. But, you've probably noticed that the HR624's are pretty darn good from about 75-80Hz up.
OVERALL OPINION
The Mackie HR624 monitors are a well balanced, THX certified, and affordable choice for the home studio user. The HR624's are very nearly pro quality and honestly for certain applications exceed the performance of some other small near-field monitors that have garnered tons of praise amongst home studio users and pros alike. The Yamaha NS-10's come to mind, the HR624's have got them beat.Period.
For the price, under 1000$(us) a pair you simply will NOT find a better set of monitors. I honestly wouldn't even suggest buying the HR624's bigger brother the HR824's. Just keep in mind that having a good sub is absolutely necessary if you intend on doing serious work. Which, in my opinion, makes the slightly extended low frequency response of the HR824's a moot point.
High end clarity is really good, where you'll need some reinforcement is the low frequencies, 60Hz and below, hence the need for a good sub.
Yamaha, Event, Genelec, etc. all make very high quality monitors. However, when you balance the price vs. what you get with the Mackie's it really becomes a no brainer. Mackie has really stepped up the game with the HR series and you should be very satified with the product.
The HR624's can easily find a home in a "pro studio" as near-field monitors and will excell in the home studio as well.
I must stress, and will again, if you want to be serious you must have a sub if you intend to use the HR624's as your primary monitors.
SOUNDS
The HR624's stereo field is entirely dependent on your placement and your mixing environment. Mackie has, fortunately, incorporated a few switches that can alter your treble response, a low cut, and also a room size adjustment. (just leave the room switch at normal and pay attention to the diagrams printed on the back of the monitors, trust me) Otherwise, if you have your equipment set up properly, the stereo image of the HR624's is quite good.
"Are the dynamics respected?..." That is a very interesting question. The Mackie HR series monitors get alot of flac from many different people, beginners, intermediates, and pros. I personally would vouch for the HR series monitors any day. One of the biggest issues with these is that people don't know how to set them up properly and they often adjust the bass cut and treble adjusting switches to the absolute innapropriate settings. These monitors have a learning curve. You MUST run through a couple of mixes and then evaluate how they translate to other systems, make some adjustments even if it doesn't sound necessary, adjust your settings again.... repeat process until you've got them dialed in for your space.
Yet again, I must encourage you to get a good sub. Preferably one that allows you to adjust the low-pass frequency cut-off. Use the included frequency response graphs that came with the monitors, choose an appropriate point for your sub to come into play, and then adjust your relative volumes accordingly. I will not explain this any more than that, you really ought to know or be able the "hear" these things already, or pay someone to do it for you.
That being said, do you really expect a 6inch woofer to thump? Of course not. But, you've probably noticed that the HR624's are pretty darn good from about 75-80Hz up.
OVERALL OPINION
The Mackie HR624 monitors are a well balanced, THX certified, and affordable choice for the home studio user. The HR624's are very nearly pro quality and honestly for certain applications exceed the performance of some other small near-field monitors that have garnered tons of praise amongst home studio users and pros alike. The Yamaha NS-10's come to mind, the HR624's have got them beat.Period.
For the price, under 1000$(us) a pair you simply will NOT find a better set of monitors. I honestly wouldn't even suggest buying the HR624's bigger brother the HR824's. Just keep in mind that having a good sub is absolutely necessary if you intend on doing serious work. Which, in my opinion, makes the slightly extended low frequency response of the HR824's a moot point.
High end clarity is really good, where you'll need some reinforcement is the low frequencies, 60Hz and below, hence the need for a good sub.
Yamaha, Event, Genelec, etc. all make very high quality monitors. However, when you balance the price vs. what you get with the Mackie's it really becomes a no brainer. Mackie has really stepped up the game with the HR series and you should be very satified with the product.