Are NS-10s Worth It in 2024??

[@ZachMeadowsMusic]

The amp powering the ns10s is a huge part of the equation. I still use them as a mix reference, although rarely, and I’ll admit there’s some nostalgia involved, as I borrowed them from my dad’s studio and never gave them back lol

[@gilflotwin7687]

What amps should I consider for the ns10s?

[@Oneness100]

Reference for what? They sound like crap.

[@herbertvorderberg]

@@gilflotwin7687 You need a amp with a high damping factor, i have used a Crown D150 and Crown Reference works very good !!!

[@teddine7366]

I actually agree with a lot with what this guy is telling. Not everyday you run into a youtuber that knows what they are talking about. A like and a subscribe for you good buddy!

[@TroyCastellano]

One of my two monitor sets I use, NS10s, and Mackie HR24s! Super useful to me!

[@knix2for5]

I completely agree the Mackie hr24 are slept on . Also the dynaudio bm series I like the bm15. They all are fairly ugly sounding speakers but are very useful

[@Darfoulds]

my set up too

[@Oneness100]

@@knix2for5 Why would you want ugly sounding speakers? I can't wrap my head around that at all.

[@knix2for5]

@@Oneness100 because if you can make them sound good , you are going in the right direction with your mix. Ns10s are very true to sound depending on the amps you use. While being very revealing, if you make them sound good in a good acoustic room your mix will translate. That's why you see them in a lot of studios still. They are hard to get use to but once you get use to them and understand how they translate your good.

[@Oneness100]

@@knix2for5 the problem is that you are mixing your sound to compensate for a crappy speaker. People that have high end stereos will hear that loud and clear and they won't like the mix. I read interviews with Bob Ludwig, who has been one of the most in demand mastering engineers in the industry for decades. He only used them when requested, otherwise he HATED them with a passion. High end stereos reveal good and bad mixes because the speakers/equipment they have is VERY revealing. If you are mixing to a segment of teenagers that can't afford high end stereos, sure, go ahead, but if the music you are creating/mixing is catering to a wider audience, then no, I would at least have another pair of higher end speakers to verify the mix. That's why a lot of studios have multiple pairs of speakers. The mix must sound good on a wide variety of speaker systems to verify what your mix sounds like. Just my opinion.

[@simonportlock6405]

Colt as always, FANTASTIC video!!!! I'm a huge advocate for NS10's. I love how you're bringing the principal and ethos of them to the masses. Top job brother, I'm deffo felling nostalgic now!

[@EvanOlsonChannel]

As I watch this, hearing it come through my NS-10M Studio speakers, I'm reminded why I love these speakers so much.

[@DavidDavis-FA-photog]

the Intro music is fantastic Colt!

[@jermainelong1843]

I think when you understand WHY the NS10's are so useful then you don't necessarily need to have a pair to mix, but you do need the sensibility that they give you. I have two rough stereo eq curves on my master buss which I switch in and out as I need - one that replicates the Yamahas and another that does the old Auratone thing. My midrange management improved a lot since I did this.

[@matteonolli]

Ns10studio user here for over 10 years: the problem with these speakers is linked to amplification, not having a standard-industry amplifier to use them in the studio drastically changes the response based on what we use. "yours" will sound different from "mine" even if they are the same model produced consecutively. your analysis in the video is correct. after years of work I think that only the time domain (woofer release control) matters and the flat frequency response matters nothing, but this depends VERY much on the amplifier used! Marketing that has bent people's decisions by thinking that "flat is better" is a problem. damn no. the speaker in the studio must have as much control as possible and you can only achieve this with a sealed design, without bass reflex and the right amplifier. if you want bass add an additional subwoofer but from 100hz up you only need precision and control, but a few Db of boost on medium frequencies is not a problem, after 15 minutes of use your ear tends to compensate for deficiencies and excesses naturally. I can only add that the real tangible problem of the Ns10 is the limit on very high frequencies. this is why I always use alternative listening. I can guarantee that those who come to mix with me and work with me with the Ns10 immediately realize details, problems, wrong dynamics (if they want to hear what happens below 100 Hz I turn on the main monitors). the yamaha HS5s are a valid alternative and have no problems with having to pair an amplifier. the 2010 HS50s were even better with the EQ controls they sounded 97% like the ns10studio in my room, but they always stop producing functional (not beautiful) things. like the ns10.

[@_Alex_Sander]

On the HS5's: I personally found the low end recovery to just be very slow - not a lot of definition at all below like 400 - so ironically I'd say they only really mimic or come close to the frequency response of the ns10, not the time domain.

[@AllboroLCD]

Beautiful breakdown of these classic monitors! Of course their still relevant! You start with your Auratone cubes, then your NS-10's, and end with JBL Ureis for full range. Cant go wrong.

[@rickydee2152]

Great video Colt. Yes, I'm still using my NS-10Ms (since I bought them new in the 90's) but now as a mono translation for checking where my mix is at. Consequently, I do have to tweak the mid range a little.

[@DojoOfCool]

I've never heard NS-10's maybe one day. I got into recording in the 70's and the popular monitors were ones with Altec 604e monitors in them. A duplex speaker with a tweeter coming out of the center of the speaker. Then Urei came out with their own version called the Time Aligned monitors so saw them a lot. Where I worked was different we had these huge Tannoy monitors that were amazingly flat sounding. During this time the Auratones showed up, but were very hard to get. A friend of mine worked at the Village and they were ordering some and I was able to get in on that and bought a pair. I really enjoy them especially on my home system combining them with a subwoofer and tweeters. I think today Yamaha's HS 5's are kind of like the NS 10's they have a big midrange bump that the HS 7 and HS 8's don't have.

[@BernardShreveJr]

Probably the best explanation as of today (2024) with the "why" the NS-10(M) was made popular as and than; became the "studio" monitors of choice. I actually use several monitors on a serious project, including (and don't hate) on a Bluetooth portable speaker set called the Sylvana SP333_FD for finial evaluation of a mix and master. So when you think about why I would go from respectable quality monitors to a "disposable sound" $20-$25 box- it will make sense. 🤔

[@prostosmotry197]

Got myself a pair couple of years ago, first mix - top 30 in all music charts in my country, after that the pair is always there. BUT its very important to connect ns10s with decent cables (i have Kimber Cable) and use them with good amplifier (mine cost more then a pair of yamaha's). So now I've got neumann kh120 ii calibrated in my room as my mains and a yamaha as a second pair. So for anyone reading my comment - buy yourself a pair of modern speakes with calibration option and a pair of yamaha ns10s - thats a cheat code for the next level of mixing! =)

[@Durkhead]

Is ther a calibration that makes speakers sound like ns10s

[@prostosmotry197]

@Durkhead you can try to eq your master channel to have similar frequency response while mixing (but not with any eq, I'd recommend EQuilibrium from DMG audio), but it won't be the same. Ns10s are super fast and the reason is a sealed box and paper woofers. Also there's no amplifier inside cause they're passive, so the whole box is playing. So if you really want to feel the vibe of these speakers, you'll have to buy a pair or find someone with a pair =)

[@huberttorzewski]

@@Durkhead No, there isn't because it's impossible. Any emulation is just an eq curve applied to a very different speaker and a different cabinet

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

I appreciate your reply, I'll be honest and say that I didn't know you had to have an amplifier to drive them. I've wanted to get a pair for over 5 years now but lean back and forth due to different opinions that I rely on for help with my decision making. After watching Colt's video here, I want to get them even more because I believe they would help me immensely with my mix. Since my knowledge is restricted to equipment which is plug and play, like the interface and my powered monitors, I don't know if the amplifier required is for just older original hs10s or for all of them? Like the newer style CLA brand? Do you happen to know if for me to get the useful characteristics of the ns10, am I going to need to get an older pair and an amplifier? If yes I will need an amplifier, could you please give me an idea of what to look for? I really appreciate any help. Thanks

[@prostosmotry197]

@heartstringssound-Doug Can't say anything about CLA 10s, but if you're gonna end up buying those you can choose active version and forget abiut choosing amp (there's also passive version of them). As I've heard they're not the same, but as a working tool they'll serve you well. If you're gonna buy yamaha ns10s you can start with cheap but ok amplifier Aiyima a07. Its fast and transparent, cause it's a D-class amplifier. Later you can search what's on the market and buy an expensive one. Google "gearspace yamaha ns10 best amplifier" and you'll find answers. I use hypex ncore nc252mp. Speaking about cables - I use kimber kable 4tc. You can also Google different cables so you could find available near you (mostly they're super old like from 90s, so it's hard to find new ones as good, but its worth trying to find smth in a store that specializes on hi-fi audio equipment). And of course it's best to get a nice cable for connecting your monitors with your interface =) it could be anything with neutrik's connectors and pro cable (Van den hul, canare, klotz etc.). So good luck and you're welcome! P.s. most of the time I use my ns10s vertically, so experiment with positioning and distance between speakers =)

[@ernieg]

I think so!! Just hooked mines up and boy it took me back and made me feel brand new

[@lilchayz2354]

I adore them! I've been for some years away from them. About a few months ago, put them back and stopped using my Barefoot M27. I'm a defently a Ns10 guy

[@NRVE8]

I just sold mine a few months ago. I sometimes have sellers regret but I also have avantone mixcubes and honestly I get a clearer sound from the mids with them. However, I really like the history and look of the ns10 in my room lol

[@astrarivm]

Wait 5 years and write you're again with it 😂

[@NRVE8]

@ wait what? Lol

[@karlnul]

@@NRVE8 He's saying, just wait five years, and you'll find yourself having bought another pair.

[@NRVE8]

@@karlnul I literally just ordered a pair yesterday haha

[@jerrylmusic]

I love my two CLA 10a from Avantone … so there are worth today and will be valuable also in the future, thanks for your great video. WL Jerryl

[@crisrose521]

Definitely one of your best video’s . . Thanks and keep up the good work 🌟

[@thomasgreer467]

I keep mine. Not as my main speakers but because my ears have known them for 35 years. That experience is near impossible to replace at my age. No matter where I am, I can put them on the bridge and instantly know if I’m in the ballpark or not.

[@captureacid]

In my opinion, they work so much better when they are close together! I have mine 2 inches apart. They show me the true relationship between kick, bass and vocals. Then again..my mains are not great! 😅

[@psycholarge]

Agreed

[@spencermiles963]

So what you mean is you prefer to hear the signal as mono lol

[@captureacid]

@@spencermiles963😬 if you say so...

[@spencermiles963]

@@captureacid try just 1 see what you think. Or even try a mono single driver box

[@TonyThomas10000]

The NS10s were used by many producers and engineers back in the 80s is because they were small and transportable. Many of the folks recording and mixing had their own pairs that they brought with them to the studio because they did not trust the studio monitors in the various studios they mixed in. I remember seeing them in every studio when I wrote for Mix back then. When I started recording in the the 70s, JBLs and Altecs were the thing. The first studio I worked for in my teens had four 4350s powered my McIntosh amps. But there was no real studio standard monitor. Also, keep in mind that they were mixing for AM & FM radio and for their audio processing. A totally different game. I was in radio for 30 years and I know how broadcast radio processing can transform a mix. Most stations wanted "big and loud". To some extent, it is the same thing today, but broadcast audio processing is better and much more refined.

[@elviisuarez]

nothing improved the quality of my music more than having the experience of mixing on a 20,000 dollar pair of ATC's with a massive atc sub that gave me every frequency from 20hz to 20khz...then hitting the little button on the console that switched me to ns10's and immediately realizing that the mix sounded like total shit. then in two hours I remixed the whole thing on ns10's and it suddenly hit me that i've been worried about the wrong thing for my entire life. ns10's are educational tools on what is important in a mix. I IMMEDIATELY bought a pair of ns10's for like 600 bucks and got a Quad 404 amp. I still have a set of focal trio's for a little extra range when needed but NS10's are INSANELY cheap for how effective they are...its crazy imo. also...DON'T BUY A CLONE...THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.

[@TheThinker43]

Yep, same here. The atc’s get me going way too easily. Just different versions of awesome with each change. I had to learn to use refs with them. I still use ns10s on all vocal comps but I’ve figured out the ATC’s after 10 yrs

[@PrantoKoX]

All very true and very well said! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@stevesheroan4131]

I had the same experience with Genelec. Mixes sounded “good” before they were “right”. The Genelecs became my audition speakers for clients and pleasure listening speakers for me, and my mixes were done on the NS-10s.

[@L.Scott_Music]

Interesting you mention the ATCs. I recently replaced the tweeters in a pair for a local mastering engineer. Routing into the face of a $15k speaker was pretty nerve racking. But with a custom template I made, I got it done. The customer said it looked like it was factory installed.

[@therealabelkoshy]

I actually have the Passive CLA10s and they sound same as my bosses old NS10 he had from before I was even born. The active ones sound like crap, the amp is what pushes it. To me at least!

[@aidanswiftofficial]

Damn, nice camera work in this one!

[@ColtCapperrune]

Thanks!

[@jamescater66]

Thank you for making this. There have been so many poor NS-10 videos over the years that fail to mention the time domain strengths due to the sealed cabinet. This should become the gold standard for anyone wanting to understand studio monitors. After 5 years with the NS-10 I found that I could no longer work with ported speakers and was drawn to the Barefoot MM 35 which are also not to everyone's taste

[@alexsternwart7057]

Yamaha sold not enough from NS 10 and for marketing, they gave a lot of studios NS 10 as a gift. So they became standard for communication between the studios, cause in a treated room the same box sounded similar. The exchange of audio material was "cleaner" than on different speakers.

[@daccrowell4776]

Ahhhh, the NS10. Bane of my existence. I've mixed on a pair several times...and every time, the mix wouldn't translate worth a damn. They'd sound GREAT on the NS10, but when you finally checked them on REAL home speakers, the results simply never "crackled"...I'd wind up with this flaccid sound that conveyed none of the mix's energy. Auratones, however...those were a Nashville staple. And they tended to get used as a "tweak monitor" to see if the midrange actually DOES sound coherent, so you'd jump back and forth. Where I learned to really get mileage out of them was at MTSU's long-gone Haynes House studio, where you had Auratones and a pair of JBL L100s...I think? You'd have to snap back and forth between the two a couple of times, but done right, you could NAIL that 750 - 2.5k zone. Nashville in the early 1980s also went rather nuts over certain KEF bookshelf models. The rationale was the same: check on a "home" speaker, but these monitors translated far better than the NS10...I'd need to look up the model, but we're talking c. 1978-82 production. And one more that popped up at some of my fave places was the Electro Voice Sentry series...the Sentry 100, if I remember right. Again, it wasn't about the looks...you wanted mixes that could work literally anywhere, whether that was in another studio or your average Craig cassette in-dash. If you keep bloodsucking vampires away with garlic...I wonder what would work on midrange-sucking monitors...?

[@iocomposer]

I've always wondered why music guys use those... makes a lot of sense. In the movie biz, we mix in a calibrated theater so that we know how it will sound in every theater that is calibrated to the same metric. It's a focused and controllable variable, whereas music is anything but controlled. I feel like mixing on Airpods would be the most targeted demographic since that's how so many people listen to music these days.

[@PunkRockVibes]

I love my HS7’s and HS8S. Great flat frequency response, been using em for years.

[@jesperjacobsen3050]

As many have said, the amp is pretty crucial. If you don't get that right, a lot of the point goes out the window. I'll admit to still having mine, but I must also say that I rarely use them. I think I'll try to answer your question in stock terms: Are they a 'Buy'? For me, no. I wouldn't go out and buy them today if I didn't have them. Are they a 'sell' then? No, probably not. They offer value and while you can probably find "midrange accurate" speakers with similar qualities, you'd probably end up paying more than you got for your NS10s. So, all in all. It's a 'hold' for me. I'll keep them around.

[@jswen702]

As an old guy who currently owns 4 pairs, other 3 are for parts now, starting in 1996 I can add this perspective. I/we never turned the speakers inward, or angled, to a “sweet spot”. We were always moving. We listen to them angled straight with the console ledge about 3-4’ apart. You would walk or slide your chair until your ear was in a position with the speakers, usually one ear (mine was left) It’s impossible to sit in the sweet spot all day with theses without having a migraine. Try putting them at the edge of your ears if you sit in one spot. Then move your head left or right into a more favorable position.❤

[@frankensteinhiphop]

If u have an older pair of ns 10s how do u know when to replace the tweeter or woofer. I mean outside of a blown woofer for tweeter that’s obvious. How to tell if they have degraded or are up to factory standard.

[@Bry-dt8kz]

Dude, your studio set up looks so nice!!! Good job

[@derrickgunnell]

I just got some NS10’s and I have a small space. They’re pretty much up against the wall and when I measured them with REW and SMAART, they’re flat. Like really flat. Very minimal bump in the upper mids. So when the couple with the wall, they’re pretty decent. Still no low end under like 100hz tho.

[@JohnLawrieTWS]

This video is scarily perfect timing! I just found an old pair of NS-10Ms in a forgotten storeroom I'm clearing out at the studio and have been wondering if I re-do a bit of our monitoring set up to include them. The biggest put off for me at the moment though is that we don't have any power amps because all our monitors are active, so I'd really have to invest in a change to the system to make them work and I don't think I care that much to do it. To be honest I mostly just want to use them out of FOMO, because it seems every great mixer knows the sound of them but I haven't ever owned/ used a pair regularly. Still, they're there, I have them...

[@teddine7366]

I have a pair of them I still like to use every now and then. I'm the type of guy that is always switching speakers in and out. I have them along with polks, klipsh, definative techs. and ect.

[@markusandergard6925]

Using NS10's together with Neumann KH310, Genelec 8240+sub and Sennheiser HD600. Through a vintage amp with some bass boost the NS10s sound balanced, pleasant and not too bright.

[@masterbluesrockguitar4966]

Thank you for the video, for me the mid range bump is not the main reason I still use NS 10's. They have a way of telling you when the bass sits correctly in the mix although they rool off at 80hz. This has a lot to do with what this article you showed says about them. I mostly use Genelecs but always check the mix on my NS 10's at the end. Genelecs are amazing sounding monitors but can trick you to think you're an amazing mixer

[@amendippanesar]

People seem to forget that these speakers were the gold standard because when you wen back in the dayt to a different studio to work, you wanted whatever session you're doing to sound the same with home studios now these speakers are just speakers

[@gregoryisom8333]

I even keep the dust off my NS10s out of respect for such an iconic monitor. I still use mine, and they are in mint condition. I never mix loud (volume-wise), keeping these monitors with complete integrity and your right Capp; they are great for live music recording and those critical, harsh frequencies!

[@valiokeys]

I have a pair of IK Multimedia MTM's, but I don't trust them entirely in terms of translation, so what I do is when I'm mixing in headphones, I just add a band pass filter at the very end of the master channel, and dial it to let only the region between about 300hz to 4k, which kinda sounds like a really crappy speaker that lacks highs and lows, and listen how my mix sounds on that. Maybe it's a wrong way to do it, but I am noticing that this method significantly improved my mix translation game. Feel free to judge me.

[@gregrodriguezIII]

been months since my yamaha amp failed so my NS10s hasnt been powerd for long. And I do miss how easy it is to do the volume ride automation of vocals on those, plus distorted guitars. Really need to get those amp fixed after your reminded me of the ns10s.

[@1800nodavid]

NS10s are my mains in my mixing set up at home, but for some reason, none of the qualities people describe the speakers with apply to mine. I’ve heard my friend’s pair of NS10s and they definitely sound paper like but mine sound pretty full and not grating. I also use an Avantone mix cube and that’s been a lifesaver to mix in mono!

[@brandongleason5279]

I’ve never listened on NS10s, but definitely see the appeal… planning on getting Auratones this Black Friday though 😏 Amazing video!

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

I just went w/ the Auratones that you said is a MUST even though we can kinda EQ OUT NEAR FIELDS to work as a MID RANGE. Love the FOCAL TRIO 6'S (EVEN THOUGH WE CAN SWITCH THEM W/ Focus Mode)

[@alansenderowitsch]

Great vid, Colt! I worked a lot of years with the NS10 when I began my career back in 2009 and I always hated them 😅. But yeah, mixes translated well for sure. Then I opened my studio and since I mostly compose music for film/TV I needed something with a more musical curve for arranging and tracking. That’s when I chose Focal for the first time (CMS-50). I complemented them with the Avantone Mixcubes and that was a great combo for years. Now I “just” have a pair of Focal Trio 6 (1st edition) and they are the best monitors I’ve ever used so far. But as always in life, my monitor-GAS is starting again since the release of the 2nd edition of the Trio 6 with the new only-midrange focus mode… That’s what I miss from the Mixcubes but I don’t think it would be wise to sell mine just for that feature. I find the focus mode on the 1st ed. useful only to check lower and lower-mid freq build-up but since it doesn’t deactivate the tweeter it’s not like a cube functions at all. Would you add a pair of active Auratone 5C’s for my case or would you go for the more expensive route and just step-up between Trio 6’s editions? Cheers!

[@Truth565]

The new Trio 6 is supposed to quite a bit better than the original. I’ve not heard them myself, got that from a reliable source. They are physically bigger than the original Trio also, which were already too big for my room. I’d say you should demo them.

[@1erwayne]

100%.ABSOLUTELY. Can you tell I LOVE them. I use Dynaudio LYD's with the sub, NS10's and Avantone cubes. The Dyn's are incredible speakers, for my ears, but I spend 70-80% on the NS10's with and without the Dyn sub. Its like the sub was made for the NS10's. Interesting enough, I don't like the Dyn sub with the Lyd's. When you make the NS10's sing, the mix IS good. Like you said in the video, turn the mix down to a whisper and you will hear whatever is out of balance. I never crank the NS10's because if I blow them, I will be crying crocodile tears!! Great video Colt.

[@PARISONFIRE]

Bro was so hyped he didnt even dusted them off ;D

[@CharlesScovill]

What amp are you using to power your NS10s? Hello from LA, gobbling up all the used hafler amps :)

[@spencermiles963]

I'd say not with focus mode on those focals available

[@fpdrum]

Hi, very nice review! have you replaced the woofers in your ns10? they are absolutely new !!

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Fantastic video Colt, thanks! I'd like your opinion of one other possible use for the ns10. As an aspiring mix engineer who want to improve my craft into great mixes, I am disabled with pretty severe hearing loss and severe Tinnitus. I wonder if you think with the built in midrange boost, if these could help me in translating better mixes as I have a good idea where my hearing loss frequency range is and how much. This is very serious to me as I've had people I respect tell me that no, without my full hearing range, I'll never be able to do great mixes. On top of that, Beethoven composed his greatest works after his Tinnitus began and still after he was completely deaf. So I know he was able to write from vibrations, so I feel there's got to be a way for me to improve my craft that I love. Thanks again!

[@thefrogriot]

i also have my NS 10's on a shelf...but i think after watching this vid, i am going to pull them out just for fun! I went to school for audio at ARTI and I was taught on the NS 10’s which is why I got a set after I graduated. I mixed on them for almost 20 years….i will never part with them…. great vid as always!

[@nbl95]

They're a love em or hate em kind of thing. I've bought and sold them twice before. I just don't enjoy mixing with them for whatever reason and to me their midrange is skewed more towards the higher mids than the actual 200hz-1khz stuff. But that's just my experience with the Yammy HS5's. Maybe the NS10's are different. But probably not that different. I hear Bob Clearmountain used to put toilet paper over his tweeters because they caused mad hearing fatigue. I haven't missed them since I sold them. I'd way rather have an Auratone 5c/avantone mixcube for judging midrange, and believe me, that's a future studio purchase for sure. But first in all honesty, I need to invest in more acoustic treatment.

[@JedBayes]

NS10 are super musical, I really enjoy just listening to music on them.

[@Boehmrunner1]

Interesting to hear the proximity difference between the two video “locations” in this vid. 😃

[@ChrisJustice]

Great video Colt! I personally do not miss NS-10's. 😂. Great tool but not for me anymore. Lots of years on those in the late 90's and 2000's

[@abijeetrs6522]

Can you please tell me what amp do you use with NS10 ?

[@PrantoKoX]

Nice video, but... not "mix engineera began" using them: the great Bob Clearmountain did, and THEN other mix engineers followed, copying him, including his famous "mod" - toilet paper on the tweeter to tame it. Also, one of the reasons for their time domain accuracy & low end transient rapidity is that they are not bass-reflex, they are a sealed box. Also, back in the day precisely because we had them on large format analog consoles meterbridges there was a pretty hefty 120-250Hz area bump up added due to the inevitable console horizontal or sligihtly angled big metal surface reflections, i.e. they did not sound like people hear them today when placed on a fancy decoupled speaker stand on both sides of a vertical computer screen. Food for thought... 😉

[@---pp7tq]

Just be aware that the toilet paper mod introduces comb filtering

[@future_Victoryofficial]

Yeah I made an NS10 emulation it's great and helps more get a great mix

[@davewestner]

I've got a pair that I've had for ages and use them all the time. Love em. Yes, I do music made with microphones. I also have a sub hooked up to em. That said, on the occasion where clients ask, "Should I buy NS10s for home studio?" the answer is always no. Not worth it. Too weird, no fun unless you already know how to work them. Or maybe if your hearing has a big dip at 1k. Dunno

[@L.Scott_Music]

I have a pair of NS-10M's and used them but my mixes didn't translate at all. That's because I didn't understand them. I bought them in the 80's because I was told they were the ones to get. Used them for a bit but then put them away while I had no studio for decades. I brought them out in 2014 and still didn't know how to use them. I wish I'd had THIS video back then. (However, they were so great at monitoring guitar amp emulators. I got glorious tones that wouldn't sound good on other systems. Now I know why.)

[@huberttorzewski]

I'd take CLA10s or Auratones + some good pair of headphones (maybe 2 pairs, one planars and one dynamics+ nice headphone amp) over any modern studio monitors around the same cost any day (for mixing).

[@G-Rocka]

I had this set up with Refcubes over the Auratones but man it's pretty unbeatable. Just recently sold my CLAs so i can try out the Barefoot Footprint 03s for a while but i am 100 percent getting CLAs again in a few years after i dip my toes into the "hi end" speaker market for a bit.

[@mcastromusic]

I 💖 NS10s!!

[@ColtCapperrune]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@adamslawson]

I’ve always positioned mine with the tweeter facing on the inside of the listener. To me otherwise they sound too wide and not accurate enough.

[@Jeremy_Kinsey]

I sold my pair to Kevin Churko. He's into heavy rock, though. His studio in Vegas is nice as well!

[@candymonster795]

Great video but not a big fan of the thinner aspect ratio and all the smash zooms

[@binladen5299]

Colt would you sell the shock mount for the u87!? Really need one

[@ColtCapperrune]

Unfortunately, no, this is the shock out for my TLM 67

[@binladen5299]

@ thanks !

[@iExistOne]

I went to Guitar Center in search of Studio Monitors for DAW Production, to provide a better mix for the songs I made. They had a listen station with Pro Tools and 15 (fifteen) speaker combinations out of the 20 monitors available for sale. The GC Emp told me to use the Steely Dan album for my speaker test, Pretzel Logic was what he had sitting on the desk. I put the CD in and began listening, changing out each set of speakers through out my session. Out of all of the speakers I was able to listen to, only 2 had the qualities I was searching for, MK5 and NS-10. The rest of the speakers were not much better than regular high fidelity stereo speakers, but at 2 or 3 times the price. KRK, with their Kevlar cone, were terrible, with muted frequencies caused by the Kevlar. Cheaper, but not worth the money. NS-10's were not the most expensive, $350 each new, the MK5's were slightly more, $389 each. My main focus, to find a set of monitors that provide good separation between different instruments and between instruments and vocals. When I'm trying to set sound levels of individual tracks, monitor headphones are not enough, they have limitations. The NS-10's provide enough separation to achieve good volume control for each track.

[@DennisBergDrums]

I´m not a mixing engineer by any means. Just a drummer trying to get a decent mix for his youtube videos. But a few things come to mind here: 1. If you´re mixing in a DAW and you say its important to get the midrange right, couldnt you just slap on a highpass and lowpass filter on the master and focus on the midrange like that? Is that sort of what the "focus mode" does on your speakers? 2. What about programs like sonarworks sound id reference where you can just emulate different speaker sizes, phones or laptops? Those programs are WAY cheaper than buying good studio monitors. 3. Most people are watching youtube videos on their phone or laptop speakers. So wouldnt it be enough to also just mix on airpods for example. Why should i bother about 40Hz if no one listening on airpods or laptop speakers is ever gonna hear that?

[@finn2028]

Still planning on getting a pair of NS-10s, so my music doesn't sound like most new music...

[@lucasjuniorproducer]

Hi, why do i see some studios with the Woofer oriented out of the desk and you have them with the woofer near the center. Is there a reason? Thanks....

[@amR-xw6px]

Doesn't the focals woofer on the back of the monitor create frequency issues?"

[@MarcoPolux]

🔊 Barefoot 01 ❤

[@GarretThomas]

I got the new Avantone CLA 10 active when they came out

[@RTJ_Music]

I think they have there place if you are just mixing a stereo mix...spatial audio perhaps not.

[@studiodsr]

What computer screen do you use? I’m looking for something nice and wide and bright that works well low at an angle like you have it

[@emptytombprod]

The dust on them tho 😂😂 Hope the health is doing good Colt!! Thanks for the info 👍🏻

[@kniferideaudio]

I have had a pair sitting around for 25 years and have never really used them in any real mix. I used them to feed stair wells to record reverbs mostly. Sometimes as a talkback speaker. I just never found them useful in any way. What I DID use to check mixes on a crap speaker (what a NS10 truly is) I had 2 Pioneer 2 way concentric 6"x9" car speakers in little boxes that I used kinda like a Mix Cube, but not as terrible as a Mix Cube... also useless to me.

[@Durkhead]

I have a question. when your mixing do you think that after you use certain speakers for a while do your mixes start to to sound like those speakers or do they sound like the oposite of the speakers like if your speakers have too much treble do your mixes end up having to much treble or less treble

[@JeanmarkRodriguez]

I can't live with my NS-10 (CLA version Lol) mine are powered with the Hafler P3000 amp. Great for fixing that midrange on mixes.

[@Uitverkorenen]

Almost 20 years of working on clones. I pray they never breakdown. I,'m so used to them.😅 Mostly mixing on low volume. In an untreated room.... Took me about ten years to get " good" 😂

[@DJNovaBlast3000]

Bruh, NS-10s are like the OG monitors-mad timeless. If you know, you know. 🔥 But in 2024? Depends if you’re chasing that vintage vibe or want modern clarity. 👌🎶

[@MountainViewStudio]

Hey Colt is this a different screen monitor than the Samsung you had? im in the search. -thx

[@ColtCapperrune]

This is the same one I’ve had for a while. There’s a link to it in the description of this video 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@MountainViewStudio]

@@ColtCapperrune gotcha-there's one link (the very last link on your list) for a LG monitor and I was like, hm (?) But yeah I found the link for the Samsung one. Thx man

[@marclewism]

What power amps do you use to power the NS10?

[@Durkhead]

Is there a modern day equivalent to the ns10s? Like say the sony sscs5 bookshelfs.

[@---pp7tq]

Hs5 or hs-50 or some cubes like Avantones or Auratones

[@Durkhead]

@---pp7tq no im saying like reg cheap bookshelf speakers Ns10s were originaly made for home stereo

[@gilflotwin7687]

What amp do you use to power the ns10s

[@mlwsf]

Bob Clearmountain is another great NS010 mixer, isn't he?

[@estesfamily6761]

Dynaudio

[@mlwsf]

@ but that’s now that he’s doing more immersive mixes though, isn’t it? There are plenty of pictures of NS-10s on his meter bridge until recently.

[@outlawedbeats]

Great video!

[@boardhouseproductions1281]

I see what you did there with the outro.

[@ChannelForty2]

I just saw a pair listed for 200 bucks, ALMOST pulled the trigger lol

[@Chaos-Dynamics]

Nice video about the most controversial speaker ever 🙂 I never have heard them tho

[@KreativeDevices]

Straight 🔥!

[@LukeDimond]

I got a pair of NS10Ms from the 70's at a yard sale for $300 a few months ago. I got a poweramp for it, and sometimes there will be some crackle, but overall I'm so grateful for these!

[@philbjackson]

The price still goes up and down and you want the best condition. Even though Avatone NS10 are out, I still want the originals.

[@johnmiller3804]

Love that intro tune!

[@1loveMusic2003]

I think you need to be really used to ns-10s to be able to work on them. I hear that the low end does something farty if it's too much but I wouldn't know. Use what you know I say. If you're used to speakers they are the best.

[@hoopscentral1828]

I have the cla-10’s and they dont do a farty thing. They actually arent that hard to mix on either, just have to keep in mind that its rolling off the lows and highs. But switching between those and my full range 8” monitors really makes it alot easier to dial things in. I have mixcubes too but feel like its easier with the ns-10’s so i just use the mixcubes for mono. Most people think the mixcubes sound better but i feel like they sound boxy and very limited range. The ns-10’s dont sound to far off from regular speakers they just really push the midrange in your face so things stick out more.

[@1loveMusic2003]

@@hoopscentral1828 I meant that the farty thing was good because it tells you the low end is too loud. a good practical tool but if your not used to it it won't be as easy to work on that's all I meant.

[@huberttorzewski]

@@hoopscentral1828 mixcubes are not good, they're very boxy in the mids. Auratones on the other hand have very balanced midrange and can be used similarly to NS10s for mixing

[@juno6]

I always hated them. I used to work in a studio where that was the only monitor system and I never knew how the low end really was in my mixes.

[@really9238]

By far the best is NS 10mx. Vertical. Superior build to the studio. Mid bump not so extreme.

[@MrRichard1280]

Dude, I thought you were stacking OREO cookies on the desk at first. LOL. Speaker pads.

[@SimpkinProject]

I think at times you mean famous when you say infamous. Either way great video!