KRK Systems Rokit 5 Active Speakers

[Frederik S]

KRK Systems are known for their high-end studio monitors. Today we will be taking a good hard look at their entry level model dubbed Rokit 5. Instead of the usual studio use we see how usable they are as PC speakers.

Show full review

 

[Tijok]

Phrasing

Thanks for posting the great review! I've really been enjoying TPU's looks at speaker systems, and would love to see more.

I just wanted to point out that stating that a set of speakers is not "girlfriend or wife friendly", because of the design, while well intentioned, is probably not the best way to phrase that sentiment, as it excludes female readers. Perhaps instead you could state that the design is bracing or jarring, and may not fit in on all desks?

I definitely appreciate your opinion on this important element of the review (design), but I think the readership and review would benefit if your language was a bit less exclusive.
Cheers!

 

[kaosII]

Rockit studio monitors

Thanks for posting the great review! I've really been enjoying TPU's looks at speaker systems, and would love to see more.

I just wanted to point out that stating that a set of speakers is not "girlfriend or wife friendly", because of the design, while well intentioned, is probably not the best way to phrase that sentiment, as it excludes female readers. Perhaps instead you could state that the design is bracing or jarring, and may not fit in on all desks?

I definitely appreciate your opinion on this important element of the review (design), but I think the readership and review would benefit if your language was a bit less exclusive.
Cheers!

Tijok, either you are female or do not live with a woman. No offense intended but I'm going to guess that more than 80% of the men living w/ GF or wifey have had plenty of arguments on what is family room acceptable. Mine actually takes it as a compliment as if to say they have better taste regarding home decor.

On to the speakers; I own the 5's and 8's of these and they are imo the best speakers I have ever bought, wich is quite a few. I use them in a home recording studio and they are beautiful sounding.
Totaly flat frequency responce so you hear exactly what was or is being recorded or played back. Then I EQ in the mix down usualy. I have owned many other brands of studio monitors and for the price nothing can touch these.
The 5's are my favorite, don't know why they just sound warmer to my ears. Plus they pick up sounds off albums that I have been listening to for years that I never heard.
Just to be clear, the foam spacers are not included retail, and pretty expensive to boot. They even power down by themselves.
The only on little thing that bugs me is they get pretty hot. I know they're not cheap, but if you got some extra scratch lyin' around I highly recomend these. They have no grills ......so not very cat friendly. And the yellow is not so shocking when seen in person or not on the web with a stark white background.

Lastly AMS bundles these all the time.For example, say like a small 8 or 16 track digital home studio a couple of Sure mics, stands, xlr cables and the 5's for about a grand.
I would not know if that particular deal is still going but they always have 3 or 4 going on.

just my 2 cents, Peace.............

 

[zAAm]

Nice review. I would love to see reviews of high-end computer oriented speaker packages as well like the Logitech Z906. That one particularly obviously lacks mid-bass and the subwoofer has to overcompensate, but it would be nice to hear your opinion of them over these cheap components.

Also, unless you're going to use these with a professional sound card with RCA outputs, you're going to have to split a cable or get creative with adapters to get an RCA channel to each speaker from the same 3.5mm output...

 

[remixedcat]

I'm a lady cat and I don't care what they look like... it's the sound that matters....

those speakers look like average speakers to me... what you'd expect them to look like....

 

[Frederik S]

The wording could be better, I will keep that in mind for the next time. I think they are harder on the eyes than for instance their AudioEngine counterparts, mostly due to the complex front plate and the yellow/black color scheme

 

[someguyfromhell]

Great review Frederik! I bought a pair of Rokit 6's myself about 3 months ago. What I like about it is audio comes out much cleaner and the bass is there, but it's not overpowering. Playing BF3 on it is quite good, however it picks up noise from my monitor (I notice it when I alt-tab or check the scoreboard). Lastly, there is a little hiss that comes from it (probably from my monitor) that can be slightly annoying when I try to sleep.

On another note, I think you overpaid for your Rokit 5s. On ebay, I found Rokit 6s for $175 a piece with free shipping from a reputable seller. I bought mine slightly used for $330 in total.

 

[niko084]

I own a pair of Rokit 5's, I love em!

My Mackies have quite a bit more punch though, the Rokits have retired to my bedroom
I have to admit KRK is one of my favorite monitor companies, for quality, price and support.

Also I didn't see it noted, that KRK makes a subwoofer that matches very well with those, I believe it MSRP's for around $499.

 

[kaosII]

SOMEGUYFROMHELL

That is a great price for 6's, way to shop around !!!!!

 

[MT Alex]

Thanks for posting the great review! I've really been enjoying TPU's looks at speaker systems, and would love to see more.

I just wanted to point out that stating that a set of speakers is not "girlfriend or wife friendly", because of the design, while well intentioned, is probably not the best way to phrase that sentiment, as it excludes female readers. Perhaps instead you could state that the design is bracing or jarring, and may not fit in on all desks?

I definitely appreciate your opinion on this important element of the review (design), but I think the readership and review would benefit if your language was a bit less exclusive.
Cheers!

 

[1d10t]

Nicely done sir

I had tested some KRK in past paired with SE200 LTD,they sound really good for music listineng.However,lacks of movie and gaming experience force me to reconsider.On the other hand,i don't like STX much,they sound too piercing for my ears unlike SE200 LTD.IMO,these speaker will unleash their true power if paired with external amplifier or DAC.

Just passing by...

 

[Frederik S]

Just realized you can get a pair on Amazon.com for only $299! That makes them really good value as well. Official retailers still list them as $200 a piece though.

 

[THE_EGG]

:O Noooo I thought the yellow kevlar speaker cones were a signature part of Bowers & Wilkins speakers

Turns out they aren't that exclusive anymore.

 

[Frederik S]

I do not think you can patent that application since it has been used for all sorts of things before. Kevlar/Aramid composites are nothing new.

From a composites engineering perspective it makes good sense since its fatigue and dampening properties are good, plus you can be quite free when it comes to the shape and stiffness across the cone.

 

[darkangel0504]

Still a bit too big to be girlfriend (or wife) friendly

thank for review !

 

[gasolin]

Those speakers are amazing, the sound good, no need to turn down the treble on the speaker and enought bass,power for anybody who is using them in a small room.

The popular Yamaha HS50 has an agressiv upper midrange, the also sound to bright and they have lack of bass, every time i listen to the krk's the upper midrange was much more plesant to listen to, not as bright as the yamaha's and i could her the bas much more clearly without it being boomy.

The krk Rookit 10" subwoofer is verry good so get i you love bass like Cerwin Vega

I own a pair of Krk Rookit Powered 5 G2

 

[BazookaJoe]

"too big to be girlfriend (or wife) friendly" is one of the MOST IMPORTANT factors in choosing good speakers.

Same as choosing a car... or a TV... or a chainsaw... or a steak... or an new GFX card... or dog... or hell just about anything.

If your wife or girlfriend thinks what you have chosen is sensible and will go well in your shared home that is a 100% guaranteed way of telling for sure that you have TOTALLY PU$$!ED OUT, and will lose 10 points off you Man Card.

 

[Sir B. Fannybottom]

"too big to be girlfriend (or wife) friendly" is one of the MOST IMPORTANT factors in choosing good speakers.

Same as choosing a car... or a TV... or a chainsaw... or a steak... or an new GFX card... or dog... or hell just about anything.

If your wife or girlfriend thinks what you have chosen is sensible and will go well in your shared home that is a 100% guaranteed way of telling for sure that you have TOTALLY PU$$!ED OUT, and will lose 10 points off you Man Card.

You already lost your man card if you're married/dating someone that controls you that much, and you're too pussy to stand up for your self.

 

[kaosII]

"too big to be girlfriend (or wife) friendly" is one of the MOST IMPORTANT factors in choosing good speakers.

Same as choosing a car... or a TV... or a chainsaw... or a steak... or an new GFX card... or dog... or hell just about anything.

If your wife or girlfriend thinks what you have chosen is sensible and will go well in your shared home that is a 100% guaranteed way of telling for sure that you have TOTALLY PU$$!ED OUT, and will lose 10 points off you Man Card.

Funny I always thought a "MAN" respects the woman he has chosen to live with or marry.
At least enough to agree an stupid decisions as speakers.
But that may be just me.
I don't have a man card so I may have misunderstood. Does it include how many times you can beat her a week ?
Sometimes I forget how much trailer trash lives on puplic forums...............

 

[BumbleBee]

a basement is worth more to me than a living room. just let her have it. designing a music room or home theater is a great project to work on and it adds appeal to your house.

 

[1d10t]

Just realized you can get a pair on Amazon.com for only $299! That makes them really good value as well. Official retailers still list them as $200 a piece though.

Meh...that gonna cost 2 months my installment just for shipping
Here,i only have a choice such Wharfedale,Tannoy or Monitor Audinline retailer charge a steep price for a brand like KRK :shadedshu

 

[BazookaJoe]

Sometimes I forget how much trailer trash lives on puplic forums...............

LOL - You have some serious issues to work out within yourself.

You DO understand that little people don't actually live in the computers don't you? We live in all sorts of places all over the world, and we CONNECT to the internet, and forums USING computers.

Silly sausage...

 

[Kalevalen]

Funny I always thought a "MAN" respects the woman he has chosen to live with or marry.
At least enough to agree an stupid decisions as speakers.
But that may be just me.
I don't have a man card so I may have misunderstood. Does it include how many times you can beat her a week ?
Sometimes I forget how much trailer trash lives on puplic forums...............

It is funny you mention respect but have none yourself.

"Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding."
Mahatma Gandhi

 

[niko084]

I do not think you can patent that application since it has been used for all sorts of things before. Kevlar/Aramid composites are nothing new.

From a composites engineering perspective it makes good sense since its fatigue and dampening properties are good, plus you can be quite free when it comes to the shape and stiffness across the cone.

Another part is light weight, allows the driver to respond very quickly, the two most important parts of a driver, light weight and stiff cone materials!

 

[Frederik S]

For lightness you would probably just go for carbon or hollow glass. I believe it is a fatigue and probably vibration control that makes manufactures opt for kevlar / aramid. Plus it is easier to handle.

But yeah you are totally right weight of the diaphragm is important, but the coil attached to it will almost always weigh several times as much as the diaphragm.