Review: KRK GoAux Mobile Monitor Speaker Systems

Over the past two decades, KRK monitor speakers have found their place in recording studios all over the world. As the signature yellow speaker cones started appearing on large format mixing consoles, it didn’t take long before they became a mainstay in home recording setups too. And with the great sound, and big bottom end they offer, the Rokit range was adopted by video production teams and gamers who wanted better sound in a nearfield speaker. With such a wide range of options in their line-up, KRK have now gone one step further, and smaller, developing a studio monitoring system that you can take anywhere. Thanks to the KRK GoAux3 and GoAux4, the mobile editing studio or gaming system just became more efficient, and better sounding, wherever that may be.

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There are two models available, the GoAux3 and GoAux4. You don’t need to read through the spec sheets to realise that these are 3 inch and 4 inch options. So, they are already going to be smaller than their most popular Rokit5 monitors, but KRK have gone even further, as these speakers have been designed to be a portable solution. So, with that in mind, KRK have built a single power amp into just one of the housings. The other runs a passive speaker powered by the first with an included speaker cable. This not only reduces the weight of the second speaker, and the overall weight of the system, but it also requires just one power cable, making it easier when power points are limited. While we’re talking about connectivity, the rear panel of the main speaker has inputs offered by ¼” balanced TRS connectors, RCA, 1/8” stereo jack and a Bluetooth connection too. There’s also a headphone output on the front panel that mutes the speakers for silent monitoring when needed.

Designed to be used as a compact nearfield monitor, KRK understood that the perfect position for these speakers was going to be different in every environment. So, they have included a pair of compact speaker stands that allow you to angle the position of the speakers for best results. Let’s face it, when you’re taking your recording, gaming or live streaming on the road with you, you never really know what space you’ll have to set up in. Often, a low desk space with no shelves for the speakers leaves them too close and firing into your stomach region. This is far from ideal listening conditions and will only serve to diffuse the transient response, reduce the high frequencies and deliver an unbalanced signal. So, the stands allow you to adjust the angle of the speakers to get a more directional sound that is targeted to your listening position. When not in use, they fold up neatly and slide away into the included carry bag.

Yes, this speaker system comes with its own padded carry bag, so you will be all set to take them wherever you need to go. It has space for both speakers, the stands, all cables. Furthermore, the GoAux4 bag has space to accommodate the included ARC microphone. For those of you who haven’t heard of KRK’s ARC microphone, let me fill you in.

The ARC microphone is designed for Auto Room Correction and was originally developed for use with KRK’s Ergo system to be used with larger studio monitor and subwoofer setups in professional studios. KRK have now integrated that hardware and DSP into the GoAux4 so you get a compact room correction device within the speaker itself. The process doesn’t just analyse the high and low frequencies in the room to balance the EQ of the speakers. There’s a lot more to it than that. It takes into account the reflections caused by hard surfaces and low frequency boom created by unavoidable bass traps. This results in a more balanced audio signal that vastly improves the stereo imaging, especially when working in a room that isn’t perfectly symmetrical in design and décor, as just about every room is. A window on one side of a room can dramatically effect how two speakers working in stereo sound as reflections from only one side are coloured differently. The RC process works to alleviate these differences and bring a more natural, balanced audio image to your listening position. 

If you’re serious about your gaming sound, and you want it to get consistent ambience in various spaces, the GoAux4 is the obvious choice as you can adjust the speakers’ response with the ARC microphone upon setup. What both models offer is that great KRK studio monitor sound in a compact format. It is incredible to hear just how solid of a low frequency response these compact speakers are able to deliver. And with the soundtracks of today’s games being just as awe inspiring as the graphics and gameplay alike, it would be amiss to leave that out of the experience just because space was an issue. 

The result of all this is a great sounding, compact audio monitoring system that can be set up in just about any space. Whether you go for a tuned audio workspace with the GoAux4 monitor system, or if you are looking to save even more space with the GoAux3 monitors, there is a big sound to be found in both of these compact studio monitors. Best of all, both options pack up into the included carry bag, so you can take them anywhere. Now you don’t have to be locked to your headphones when you’re out an about. Great quality monitor speakers are available anywhere you want to go.

For more information, head to KRK. For local enquiries, visit Jands.