SUB SOUNDS ABOVE PAR

For the past 20 years, KRK Systems has been manufacturing high quality monitors and subs for studios. With the new KRK10s powered subwoofer and RP5G2 Rokit powered studio monitors, KRK makes it possible to have high quality monitoring that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Though these speakers are relatively inexpensive, KRK doesn’t sacrifice on performance either. I reviewed these speakers in three different studio, locations and I found them to be more than just the pretty package they came in (which features a new curved baffle design).

For this review, I placed them in the center of a square room, and also on the far side of a rectangular room. In each setting, they were both natural sounding, and they transparently re ‘ created the full spectrum of audio that I was testing through them. Even at high decibels, they were still crisp and precise.

Sound Clarity

Anytime I test new speakers, they have to pass five different sets of musical tests according to specific artists I play through them. On the oomph side, I test Dr. Dre, Aphex Twin, BT, Nine Inch Nails and Rob Dougan. These are artists that fully utilize a crisp, bombastic frequency range in their finished music. The KRK10S and RP5G2 passed this first test with solid marks. The tracks sounded clean, full and hard-hitting at varying levels and were focused when I was seated correctly in the room. The bass sound shook my heart with its warmth. On the lighter side, I tested Rachmoninov, Enya, James Horner and Brian Tyler. The combo excelled with this musical style, too, capturing the subtleties, even with quick switches from quiet to loud. Overall, I felt the Rokit monitors and subwoofer captured the range I require for a dynamic listening and playback experience.

Audio on the Road

I then used the speakers during the mastering process of two of my upcoming CD releases to see how well they would work in a real-world scenario. They sounded great no matter where I was (traveling across two states), or what I was putting through them (classical, remixes or rock). Throughout the journey, I appreciated their handy flexibility – they support XLR, RCA and TRS cables. In one studio I could take advantage of the XLRs and didn’t have to worry when the next studio had only fit RCA cables. I was happy that the back of the sub allowed for this sweet possibility (complete with cross-over control, and footswitch shut-off/on for the sub) and room setting controls for each speaker and sub.

The value increases when you factor in that this would be an awesome surround system, even with multiple subs in use, for some serious cinematic mixing. The RP5G2s are also relatively compact, allowing me to move them from studio to studio quite easily. Setup was even easier, no matter where I brought them. The manual is very easy to read and you’ll have no trouble looking up technical setup information for each of the features or for a surround setup.

( Close-up)

Wrap-Up

A small point, but worth mentioning, is how well designed the packaging is that the speakers and sub come in and how much stability and security they seem to provide. KRK obviously cares a lot about its products and wants to protect your investment from the moment the studio monitors leave the factory to the moment they arrive at your door.

I’d recommend the 2.1 system to anyone who needs an effective, simple, setup that can work in diverse environments and with diverse styles of music, from the bombastic rock down to the subtlest of ambient music. These things work great, look sleek and keep you focused on what is most important: the music itself.