Least colored way to hear your processing adjustments.....

[rrsounds]

There have been some really good tried-and-true suggestions offered here!

Since the original query was about monitoring, I'll keep out of subjective processing conversation (for now anyway, LOL!).

My keyword for monitoring would be "neutral." That is, IMHO the more neutral-sounding your main listening location is, the more useful it will be.

I learned a new word the other day from, get this, an audiophile (!) That word is "euphonic." It means "having a pleasing sound."
Believe it or not, I would NOT want a 'euphonic' monitor! Being euphonic is in direct conflict with having a neutral sound. To my thinking, the monitor's purpose is not to make bad-sounding audio sound good, but rather to offer you an accurate, almost clinical sonic picture of your signal.

Mr. Foti suggested that you should built a top-notch reference monitoring location, and learn its sound. I would completely agree, adding only that I would want it to have as little of its own sound as possible. And along with Cornelius, I would want an A-B switch to hear direct program, and a tuner to hear the competition.

Once you have a handle on your sound in a neutral location, you can then use a variety of lesser-grade receivers to decide upon subtle changes they might suggest, as Greg Strickland said. He, Goran and dannyscott101 said to be patient, and only make incremental changes, which I also think is wise.
I think Tom Wells' suggestion to listen at low levels is also a good one. Since most long-term office listening is done at low volume, clarity is vital.
And as Speakerman says, I find that a reliable set of headphones can be another good secondary reference.

Of course, when the PD's BMW radio is the only reference, all bets are off!

Kind Regards,
David

 

[BobOnTheJob]

FM can easily blow away sat.

AM stereo can blow away XM these days.

 

[wgliradio]

Don't listen on anything with a loudness control unless it is off.

Make sure your tone settings are as flat as possible.

DON'T CRANK IT IN THE CANS! Playing audio loud masks clipping distortion in the midrange. Turn the stereo down to a normal level and you'll hear artifacts pop out. Then you can work on them.

 

[littlejohn]

And another for those of you who fly in to help someone set it up - Don't fly in in the morning. Take an afternoon flight, relax and have a decent meal, and do the tweaking tomorrow. You can't hear after two or three hours on an airliner.

 

[rorban]

These days, I use a pair of high-end Denon headphones for the most critical listening because of fan noise from the various instruments on my bench, which the headphones largely shut out. However, I also use the same pair of speakers that I have used for over 25 years (ADS 200) along with a calibrated subwoofer. I find that the blower noise from the bench instruments helps keep some perspective on what a processed signal might sound like in an area with substantial background noise, including cars.

Bob Orban

 

[nd2023]

The best way to hear it is in cars. Preferably in multiple cars. That's where the listeners are 90% of the time. Drive to a spot with a little static and see how it sounds there. Does the audio drown out the static or vice versa? With a classical, jazz, AC, or most soft formats, there isn't much you can do to drown out static. But with a CHR, rock, urban, or any loud format, you can heavily process the audio and drown out the static.

If you broadcast in HD, make sure there's no difference in the processing between analog and HD.

Find a way to quickly switch between dry audio/old processing settings/new settings