Monitor speakers are essential for accurate reproduction of audio recordings for music production purposes. However, one should not expect to get the accuracy one is looking for from just any speaker available on the market.
The efficiency of the sound reproduction depends on several parameters, including the design of the speaker itself and the components it contains. That’s where the KRK Rokit 5 G4 comes in, in terms of its ability to meet all the criteria of a good monitor speaker.
History of the KRK brand
KRK Systems is a brand of audio equipment that was founded by Keith R. Klawitter in the mid-1980s. R.Klawitter initially worked in the film industry in the United States as a sound mixer. He worked on the credits of Brainstorm and The Doors.
Keith R. Klawitter was frustrated at one point by the lack of precision and clarity of the speakers offered for monitoring at the time. He decided to build his own monitor speakers. His models quickly became popular with sound engineers. He then decided to create his own company, specialized in the manufacture of studio loudspeakers.
KRK Systems is particularly appreciated for its meticulous attention to detail in the manufacture of all its products. In fact, the 5.1 surround sound systems developed by this company have been found to use speakers matched at a level close to 0.05 dB.
KRK Rokit 5 G4 Speaker Introduction
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is a two-way active speaker. An active loudspeaker is a type of loudspeaker in which the amplification takes place after the crossover. In the context of a passive loudspeaker, the bass, midrange and treble frequencies are separated by means of a passive crossover. They are then routed to the corresponding loudspeakers in the speaker system.
On an active loudspeaker, the frequencies are split with an active crossover before being amplified. The frequency bands are then amplified separately for the purposes of the audio system.
The audio stream to be processed may be analog and already preamplified. The signal generated by a vinyl turntable or moving coil microphone (such as the Shure Super 55 Deluxe microphone) is a good example. The same is true for the signals transmitted by an electric guitar to the stage monitors. This flow will then be filtered according to the frequency of the different loudspeakers of the speaker system.
However, modern speakers are more likely to handle digital audio streams. This includes MP3 files transmitted by wired or wireless connection to the speaker. This stream will then be filtered using a digital crossover before undergoing amplification.
KRK Rokit 5 G4 speaker overview
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 works in bi-amplified mode with a bass reflex cabinet made of MDF. This concept is quite common for sound systems of this type. The 712-A Mk4 from RCF Audio is a good example. The Rokit 5 G4 however stands out by its aramid cones and its bright logo.
Only the woofer cone was made of Kevlar in the previous generation of KRK Rokit speakers. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is thus very innovative in incorporating this material into its tweeter. Glass-aramid was also previously reserved for speakers in the mid-price range or KRK’s V series. It is pleasantly surprising to find it on the KRK Rokit 5 G4.
The RP5 G4 shows by its design details that it has been designed and perfected over many years. Its weight of 4.85 kg makes it heavy enough to handle high sound levels. It is, however, much heavier than a UHD soundbar or a Bluetooth speaker. The RP5 also can’t match portable sound commodity like the Ibiza Sound BT12A or the K-array KR102.
The KRK Rokit RP5 G4 is an innovation compared to previous KRK models, although the KRK formula is still recognizable. The bass reflex port extends forward and across the entire underside of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 monitor.
The bottom side is covered with a thin foam to make the speaker non-slip on all surfaces. This thin layer also brings a decoupling effect to the speaker. The woofer measures 5 inches against 1 inch for the tweeter. The amplifier associated with each element amplifies the sound source to a level suitable for the mixer. KRK uses glass-aramid, recognizable by its yellow color, for the coating of the two components of the speaker.
Previous KRK Rokit models offered balanced XLR and jack connectivity in addition to RCA jacks. KRK, however, has dispensed with RCA, XLR and ¼-inch inputs for the Rokit RP5 G4. The entire connection is handled from a single Neutrik combo input jack.
The propriety of the Neutrik plug connection makes it necessary to use an adapter to connect the KRK Rokit 5 G4. However, the requirement for an adapter can be eliminated by using an audio interface such as Neutrik’s Dante NA2-IO-DPRO.
A rotary knob is placed on the back of the monitor speaker to control the digital signal processor or DSP. It provides the 25 different EQ presets for room adaptation. A Brickwall limiter is used to avoid overloading with the 104 dB SPL limit.
The previous models were also equipped with class AB amplifiers (as the SPL Goldmike 9844, or the AMS Neve 1073 DPX). The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is more efficient in this respect with its two class D amplifiers with an overall Rms power of 55 Watts. The bass speaker is entitled to 35 Watts against 20 Watts Rms for the tweeter. It is then possible to reach a maximum sound pressure level of 104 dB.
The filters available in the EQ section work as presets. There are 4 presets for low frequencies and 4 for high frequencies. A third setting allows you to disable the filtering in both cases. The equalizer includes a 60 Hz linear filter and a 200 Hz bandpass for the low frequencies. A 10 kHz linear filter and a 3.5 kHz bandpass are set for the higher frequencies.
The subwoofer runs along the bottom edge of the front panel and has contoured edges. The bass reflex tunnel is bent into a rounded L-shape and extends close to the midpoint of the monitor. A high mass of air is generated in the tunnel, causing a rapid drop in low frequency efficiency at resonance and a slight slope on the treble.
These characteristics combined with the dimensions of the amplified subwoofer promote a higher harmonic level at the resonance frequency of the bass reflex. The value of this resonance frequency of the amplified cabinet corresponds to 55 Hz. At the same time, this results in a good filling of the bandwidth between this frequency and the efficiency cut-off point of the woofer, namely 80 Hz.
It is legitimate to ask whether this can generate turbulence, noise and parasitic resonances in the subwoofers. The noise of the air entering and leaving the bass reflex tunnel can be heard at high volume and at a level of 30-40 Hz. Its perfectibility is also limited to listening to a sinusoidal sound. The parasitic resonance is present, and even doubled between 600 and 700 Hz. It is quieter than the main resonance, which corresponds to a sound level of 10 dB.
It goes without saying that the sound cannot be clean by playing a continuous sine wave of 100 Hz. Such a scenario is unlikely to happen in practice. The remaining bass and midrange are even up to the cutoff frequency. They correspond to what one expects from amplified speakers in the 5-inch format with a good quality enclosure.
KRK is rather secretive about the technical specifications of its G4 series. However, listening experience and the results of measurements reveal that the division occurs at 2.6 kHz. The level is low enough to ensure that the woofer does not fall into the shadow zone yet. However, it remains to be established whether the tweeter can handle nearly 70% of the total audio bandwidth.
The tweeter reveals a decent design with its ferrite magnet, which is almost unheard of in the era of neodymium plates. The old-school style of tweeter design is found here. The synthetic dome is well damped for low distortion and optimal directivity. This makes it easier to position the sources and stabilize them in their environment, provided the room is well soundproofed.
The sound is transparent and reproduces the highest highs with precision. It is not, however, the most balanced in characteristics. Many audiophiles believe that the frequency response of a loudspeaker should be like a slab of ice.
The KRK Rokit 5 G4’s tweeter may not impress in the frequency response curve, but its sound reproduction is very satisfying. This is the type of tweeter that is not appreciated for its technical specifications, but rather for its personality. It is, after all, equipment for music production, not measuring instruments.
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 surprises in a good way regarding its build quality. The design is remarkably detailed for a monitor speaker of this price. The front panel is a priori made entirely of plastic. It does, however, stand out with five specialized moldings with reinforcements and an ingenious arrangement of their interconnections.
The acoustic structure was designed to virtually enlarge the interior dimensions in a labyrinthine sense. There is no other product in its price range comparable to the KRK Rokit 5 G4 with regard to such structural complexity.
The design of the electronics in the KRK Rokit 5 G4 is equally exciting. The analog signal is processed digitally with the help of a Texas Instruments PCM 1862 converter. It is then fed to a Burr-Brown TAS 5782 amplifier. Amplifiers like the TAS 5782 are purely digital solutions. The manipulation is done externally with an STM32 microcontroller. The approach is surprisingly more accommodating than using a remote control.
This microcontroller is also responsible for applying corrections in the equalization of the sound. It also works with the LCD screen to indicate the characteristics of this correction. An encoder with a dedicated button is also provided for the use of the speaker menus. All these features combined constitute the High-Resolution DSP Room Tuning technology.
Four filters have been permanently defined for a bandwidth of 200 Hz and 3.5 kHz and a shelving of 60 Hz and 10 kHz. The different configurations work as presets, four of them for bass and four for treble.
The brightness and contrast of the LCD screen can be adjusted via the settings menu of the KRK Rokit 5 G4. The illumination of the logo on the front of the speaker is also controlled in the menu.
A sleep mode can be activated from this menu to save power after a long period of inactivity. The speaker reacts rather slowly to being switched on once the standby mode is activated. However, this is a minor inconvenience compared to the energy saved in a year.
The software used is version 1.1 and cannot be updated, which is not very accommodating. The digital interface of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 suggests the possibility of applying advanced settings, including room settings. However, the software version doesn’t allow such settings. The DSP of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 can, however, be appreciated for the options available. The four filters defined as presets are a good example, especially for its price range.
The presence of a digital signal processor in the KRK Rokit 5 G4 reduces the need for physical controls compared to previous models. The RP5 G4 also provides more possibilities for sound adjustment and tuning through its LCD display and rotary knob.
It should be noted that this rotary control is designed as a push button with a push function. The most important function of this rotary control is the level control. This is set at the factory for a standard value, but can be increased up to 11 dB. The LCD display also provides visual feedback of all settings.
KRK also offers an app for Android and iOS called Audio Tools for speaker monitoring. Such a tool is very beneficial for beginners, knowing that optimizing monitoring speakers for room acoustics is not an easy process. The features offered in this regard include a level meter and a frequency analyzer.
By the way, you can also see our guide to the test of the API Audio The Channel Strip preamplifier. Discover on this guide the features, the sound quality and the technical characteristics of this preamplifier.
Size efficiency of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 speaker
The KRK G4 series consists of four monitor speaker models. The Rokit 5 is the smallest of them and comes with a 5-inch woofer. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is not relegated to the background, however, especially since it uses the same tweeter as another monitoring speaker in the G4 series.
It is suggested by some audio equipment specialists that bass reproduction is best in small rooms. However, loudspeakers used in these conditions tend to be cheap. Increasing the diameter of the woofer is certainly sometimes associated with a decrease in the lowest frequency processed by the amplified speaker.
However, the addition of larger woofers makes little sense in the conditions of a small room. It is only to simulate the presence of bass. The bass remains uncontrollable and is more of a psychoacoustic phenomenon than reliable information.
A comparison is also worth making in the frequency response between the 5-, 7- and 8-inch models. The lowest frequency difference between the 5 and 7 inch models is 1 Hz. This value shows at 6 Hz for the comparison between the 5 and 8 inch models.
These figures certainly tend to show a big difference in the maximum sound pressure level or SPL. It should be noted, however, that we are not talking about simple PA speakers, but near-field loudspeakers. This type of loudspeaker is designed to be placed at a maximum distance of 1.5 m from the user.
It’s also more interesting to choose monitor speakers in the 5 to 6 inch range at the crossover frequency. This is higher than in the larger models. The amplified speaker is then more effective in the midrange.
The 7 and 8 inch diaphragms are also heavier than the 5 inch diaphragms. This makes them more susceptible to cracking. This results in higher second harmonic levels and a slower impulse response of the amplified speakers.
A cheap monitor speaker has the advantage of providing a higher output. The bass also turns out to be stronger, at least in a theoretical sense. However, these advantages come at the expense of less pronounced mids. The level of distortion also becomes higher and the sound response becomes slower.
This is not to say that the 7″ or 8″ models are not interesting. They present the bass more impressively and are louder and more dynamic. The 5-inch models are nevertheless representative of the entire KRK G4 series. They are more indicative of the technology used in these monitors, and the rest of the test confirms this.
Focus on the sound quality of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 speaker
The most important element to consider when evaluating a monitor speaker is of course the sound quality. The generation before the KRK Rokit 5 was satisfactory in this regard, but not perfect. Their sound was a bit overdone on the upper and lower ranges. The problem was not in general music listening, but rather for the studio environment.
The sound delivered by the KRK Rokit 5 G4 shows great improvements over previous models of the brand. The bass is less prominent and the speaker sounds more open overall. Its sweet spot is also wider, although there are models with more room for this category.
The “sweet spot” is a term for the spatial area in which sound reproduction reaches an optimal level in an audio installation. It refers to the optimal listening position that is defined for monitor speakers in their placement within a room.
The sweet spot area is larger or smaller depending on the speaker, distance, radiation angle and other environmental variables. Instruments may no longer be appropriately located in the stereo panorama as one moves away from this optimal listening position. Distance from the sweet spot can also reduce the brightness of the high frequencies.
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 can play at very high levels before it has trouble reproducing bass and runs out of headroom. The DSP also makes it easy to get the best possible sound for the room. However, you shouldn’t expect a speaker of this size to work in large rooms. The other G4 Series superiors were designed with this in mind.
In addition, the DSP can be used to adjust the sound according to current preferences. For example, the analytical response may be too flat for the needs of the listening experience. The DSP can then boost the bass for a deeper listening experience.
The RP5 thus fulfills the functions of a monitoring and casual listening speaker. It will not, however, match the experience provided by a hi-fi speaker like the Q Acoustics 3010i. This is especially so considering that the 3010i provides surround sound and has an HDMI jack.
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 also provides more treble detail than the previous generation, resulting in a more balanced sound. The tweeters rarely tend to be too harsh or shrill. A dip can be heard in the midrange range from 500 Hz to 2 kHz. However, this is a fairly common phenomenon in other KRK G4 series models.
The Rokit RP5 G4 monitor speaker has likely been balanced in its frequencies to deliver a better sound image than its predecessors. The highs are less pronounced and the upper midrange is more comfortable.
The solid low end has also made the Rokit series a preferred choice for DJ sound. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 lives up to that reputation. The redesigned woofer delivers clean bass for a muscular, distortion-free sound. There’s no need to add a subwoofer, boomers, or cabinet to your sound package unless you’re looking for really powerful bass.
The frequency balance may not be ideal for those looking for a flat response speaker. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 tends to color the sound a bit even though it’s not a hi-fi speaker. The design of the RP5 G4, however, makes it a better option than the more expensive DJ headphones. It’s also hard to match the effectiveness of a coaxial connector with a mini-jack or USB port.
KRK Rokit has often been criticized for overdoing the consumerism in the design of these speakers. The KRK Rokit 5 G4, however, breaks the stereotypes of the previous, much more expensive models with a high-fidelity sound with a distinctive midrange.
The upper range of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 is not as clear as in more expensive monitor models. Nevertheless, this makes it less exhausting to use and helps extend the duration of individual listening sessions.
KRK has earned a reputation for exposing its bass unnaturally on these speakers. The bass of the KRK Rokit 5 G4, however, maintains good proportions with reality and is always very perceptible. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 monitor always provides optimal control over anything above 100 Hz. At least, this is the case when the room’s sound system is well ordered.
The sound quality of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 is just as good in the lower frequencies. The sound is reproduced with astonishing precision without too much effort, even at 45 degrees. This efficiency of sound reproduction is a great achievement for closed speakers like the KRK Rokit 5 G4.
Technical characteristics of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 speaker
The presets set for bass are characterized by a cutoff set at -3 dB or -2 dB over the 60 Hz region. Such a configuration becomes useful when the speakers are used in a narrow room and have to be installed close to the walls.
The use of speakers in such conditions favors reflections and reduces the accuracy of the overall sound image. It is therefore advisable to reduce the amount of bass to achieve a more faithful sound. However, the KRK Rokit 5 G4 offers a more accommodating solution with its “Low Shelf” option, which increases the 60 Hz region by +2 dB.
The Low Peak filter allows users to cut -2 dB in the 200 Hz region, focusing on a wider range of equalization. According to KRK, this is an option designed to mitigate the impact of possible desktop reflections. The Low Peak and Low Shelf options can be used in combination to modify the EQ to your liking.
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 has also been equipped with a Peak EQ and a Shelf EQ to better shape the treble range. One option, called “High Shelf”, delivers notably a -2 dB cut at 10 kHz. Another option is to use the “High Shelf” filter with the “High Peak” filter. This will create a -1 dB cutoff at 3.5 kHz and another -1 dB cutoff at 10 kHz.
An optional boost is also available through the combination of the two equalizers. Using this option results in a +1 dB boost on the corresponding frequencies, plus a +2 dB boost in the 10 kHz region. The effects associated with each setting are illustrated on the LCD display over the sound spectrum for easy handling.
The frequency response of the KRK Rokit RP5 G4 is one of the most linear in its price range. The only model that can compete with it on this point is the Presonus Eris E5 XT. The KRK RP5 G4 would have benefited from more transparency and clarity in the upper and lower mids, however. This is surely a trade-off for the slight accentuation of the low frequencies.
KRK did not provide impedance values for the Rokit RP5 G4. Impedance, as measured in ohms (Ω), is the ratio set between electrical voltage and electrical current flow. In the context of speaker systems, impedance is the resistance to alternating current that an audio signal may encounter at the input of the speakers.
It must be said that the impedance indication is especially important in the context of connecting several speakers to the same amplifier. The lower the impedance of the connected speakers, the higher the power to be supplied by the amplifier. The KRK Rokit 5 G4, however, has two integrated Class D amplifiers for amplifying its tweeter and woofer. It does not need an external amplifier, thus eliminating the need to specify the impedance.
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Our opinion on the KRK Rokit 5 G4 speaker
The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is a significant innovation for the engineers at KRK Systems. Its elegant look and neat finish certainly earn it points over other models in the same price range. But this speaker has much more to offer than just good looks.
The basic setting of the KRK Rokit 5 G4 still enhances the bass without being as loud as in previous models. The DSP and its rotary knob provide access to several adjustment options while reducing the number of physical controls for a more compact design. This includes visual equalization, logo lighting and speaker standby.
The most important aspect of a monitoring speaker is the sound it delivers. This is where the KRK Rokit 5 G4 stands out the most. It can’t match the efficiency of the Presonus Eris E5 XT, but it certainly outperforms other brands in its price range.
Casual users, sound engineers and producers will find plenty to like with the KRK Rokit 5 G4. This is especially true if their preference is for a speaker suitable for small rooms. The initial price is also already very reasonable. However, it is possible to find this speaker at an even better price by checking out the special offers at KRK.
Special offer from KRK 🔥
