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L2m and Keyboard sounds


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I have an M20d with an L3t and L3m as mains.  I (and the rest of the band) have really enjoyed the sound quality of this system.  I decided to purchase 2 L2m's for monitors.  However, the sound quality was not at all what I expected so, I returned them to the manufacturer.  I mainly play keyboards in this band and was surprised at the sound produced by the speakers when I played the Motif ES acoustic piano and electric piano (rhodes model) patches.  I'm wondering if there was just something wrong with these particular speakers as I can't find anything on the internet regarding issues with the speakers when used with keyboards.  Of course, I did experience the "rattle" when playing E2 in the bass, but, Line 6 is already addressing that issue.

 

The links to the acoustic piano and electric piano patches played through the L3's vs the L2's are below.  Any thoughts as to what the problem is?  I tried the PA/Ref, monitor and keyboard DSP settings using the L6 link system with Line 6 digital cables.  I also tried using an XLR from the main outs on the M20d.  I also tried tweaking the monitor eq settings.  I also tried just plugging the Motif directly into the L2m's.  Basically, I could not achieve a sound that could be used for monitoring our band in a live setting.  Anyone else have similar issues with keyboards, or, was I just unfortunate with these particular speakers??

 

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to do a quality recording, but, I've provided the links below to some short recordings made with my iPhone 5 and uploaded to soundcloud.  You can tell which speaker is used by the filename.

 

https://soundcloud.com/mncanuck/5-13-14-l3t-m-motif-rhd-1/s-dyEVT

https://soundcloud.com/mncanuck/5-13-14-l2m-motif-rhd-1/s-rGX31

https://soundcloud.com/mncanuck/5-13-14-l3t-m-motif-acpiano-1/s-FMV0v

https://soundcloud.com/mncanuck/5-13-14-l2m-motif-acpiano-1/s-QBbUs

 

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Any thoughts/comments/suggestions?  The latest Line 6 ad indicates that these speakers are being used for studio monitors.  What I was hearing from the L2m's just doesn't jive with that type of utility.

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Hi mncanuck,

Not sure why noone has commented here but from those recordings posted I can tell you that my l2ms don't sound like that. I'm sure that your phone is not a great reference point (the same as people posting you tube clips for critical listening off their phone).

Not sure what is going on with your sound between the two monitor types but it sounds extreme for the differences between my models. If that is the tone difference between  direct input from your keyboard into the xlr input on either speaker I'm a bit shocked. If there is no mixer stage on either device and they both have the same dsp settings I think you may have found some bad eggs.

 

My l2 and l3s sound different as the l3 has a low mids driver to present more low end punch, but that doesn't mean the l2s are aenemic, they just sound like a 10" on their own. I'm pretty sure there is an owner using this speaker for bass guitar jams direct. that should give you an idea of what it can do.

 

Mav

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What you describe is not normal, and indicates to me that you may have just had a pair of faulty L2m speakers. Since you've returned them, but still posted this, my guess is that you are open to trying them again. In that case......

 

 

..  I also tried just plugging the Motif directly into the L2m's.  .....

 

... I might consider bringing the Motif into the retailer and test out another L2m with a direct connection as you describe. There's no reason that the L2m should sound different from the L3m/t except for the obvious difference in internal speakers. You should expect to lose a little on the low end but overall the sound should still be crystal clear and full.

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We've run out keyboard'ists Yamaha EX5 direct as a stereo pair and my L2m's sounded awesome with his keys running stereo through them. Likewise we've run just bass through them and again they performed equally well.

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Appreciate the posts.  With all of the positive reviews out there, I am hoping that it just turned out to be 2 faulty speakers.  I was hoping someone may have run into similar issues and had found a fix:  an incorrect setting in the M20d, or firmware upgrade or DSP issue or something.  And yes, I would like to try some L2m's that actually perform well before giving up on the idea of being able to utilize the Link 6 system for mains and monitors.  I did stop at one retailer recently, but, rather than hook up an L2m vs another manufacturer's speaker to a Motif so that I could A/B them, the salesperson would not hook up the L2m, simply saying they were intended for guitars.

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To explain the difference between Reference PA and Keyboard modes ... the frequency response is basically identical but in keyboard mode the crossover point is shifted up about an octave.  That way you are hearing more out the cone driver and less from the HF driver.

 

This is probably preferred if you are sitting very close to the speaker (backline) and would probably be described as being "less harsh".  Likewise if you are sitting 50 feet away you would probably describe Reference PA mode, using the same keyboard sound, as "clearer".

 

So it just depends on the job.  Fortunately with Line 6 speakers you can make the choice that fit you best.

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To explain the difference between Reference PA and Keyboard modes ... the frequency response is basically identical but in keyboard mode the crossover point is shifted up about an octave.  That way you are hearing more out the cone driver and less from the HF driver.

 

This is probably preferred if you are sitting very close to the speaker (backline) and would probably be described as being "less harsh".  Likewise if you are sitting 50 feet away you would probably describe Reference PA mode, using the same keyboard sound, as "clearer".

 

So it just depends on the job.  Fortunately with Line 6 speakers you can make the choice that fit you best.

 

Understood dboomer - I was just referencing the fact that it has a keyboard mode, as well as a guitar mode and the (clueless) salesperson tries to claim it's only intended for guitars.  Heck, the L2m doesn't even have the Variax "modeling", so it just irks me when "salespeople" do a disservice to both the company they work for and maybe even more importantly, the customer by giving out BAD information....

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