KRK Kreate 5 | Jands | RRP $349
The new Kreate line follows KRK’s longstanding tradition of providing modern creatives with loudspeakers that represent the utmost pedigree in both sound reproduction and value.
Geared towards the likes of musicians, engineers and content creators, the Kreate 5 are a two-way rear-ported powered speaker tailored to replicating every nuance of the source material with excellent clarity and accuracy.
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KRK Kreate 5 Powered Studio Monitor
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Upon unboxing the Kreate 5s, I was immediately greeted with their black cabinet and yellow low-frequency driver combo, an aesthetic that I feel has become a signature of KRK.
As a matter of fact, It immediately took me back some years to when I was in the market to purchase my first pair of reference monitors, as at the time, and still today, it was pretty hard to look anywhere without a glowing recommendation for KRK’s long-running Rokit line.
Nostalgia aside, I feel it is important to note that the Kreate 5 weigh in at about 4.5kg per speaker. This gives immediate credence to this model’s build quality and structural integrity.
The vinyl-wrapped MDF enclosure and reinforced high-impact polystyrene faceplate mean that the Kreates don’t feel like a cheap multimedia speaker dressed up as a studio reference monitor. No, the Kreate 5s emit an air of pedigree to them. Despite coming in at the budget end of the price spectrum, I’m confident that these monitors will stand the test of time when it comes to enduring the rigours of daily usage within a home studio.
Boasting a 5” low-frequency driver with a 1” tweeter handling high frequencies, the bi-powered rear-ported Kreate 5s pack a frequency response spanning 58Hz-40kHz (+/- 3dB). In terms of power, this 5-inch model packs 60 watts and a total dynamic power output of 128 watts. This, combined with a max SPL of 105dB, means that despite their bookshelf profile “10.20” x 7.28” x 9”, the Kreate 5s pack plenty of punch.
Incorporating the Kreate 5s into my setup was easy, with connectivity established by Balanced XLR, ¼” TRS combo/unbalanced RCA analogue audio inputs. The Kreate 5s also feature wireless input via Bluetooth, giving users a variety of ways in which they can input audio signal into the speakers without disrupting their main signal flow.
The back panel of the Kreate 5 is further rounded out with controls for system-level as well as level controls for both high and low frequencies. Additionally, KRK have taken the time to include a 4” foam pad for decoupling purposes. A handy addition for those who might not already have these on hand, eliminating the requirement for an additional purchase.
KRK have implemented acoustic boundary conditions into the Kreate 5s design, as well as a variety of EQ tuning combinations. These effectively aid in correcting imperfections within your monitoring space. A feature that will be sure to benefit budding producers who are most likely working in untreated spaces, such as living rooms or bedrooms.
Powering up the Kreate 5’s results in a reassuring glow from the KRK logo on the face of the units, with their illumination signalling that the speakers are indeed powered up and ready to use. Each speaker is equipped with twin onboard amplifiers, one Class D amplifier for low frequencies and an A/B amplifier for high frequencies. KRK have also taken the time to incorporate precision limiters into the speaker’s design, reducing the risk of any unwanted peaks being encountered whilst monitoring.
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Having established all of this, how do the new KRK Kreate 5s sound in practice?
I took the time to put the Kreate’s through their paces with a number of daily tasks. These ranged from listening to music for leisure all the way through to critical listening applications, such as what is required for mixing and mastering audio for clients.
In all instances, the Kreate 5’s left a favourable first impression, always providing an honest and clear reproduction of the source material. I feel they manage to strike a good balance between consumer and pro, which I feel suits the target demographic perfectly. However, it’s important to note that being a rear ported design, the Kreates perform better being moved away a bit further from the wall so as to prevent any unwanted low resonant buildup.
All this, combined with their competitive pricing, is sure to make the KRK Kreate line (that also includes the smaller Kreat 3 and bigger Kreat 8 monitors) a hit amongst an all-new generation of budding engineers and producers. Definitely worth a look for anyone who needs a reliable and trustworthy pair of reference monitors at a price that won’t break the bank.
The Kreate line is rounded, meaning that if the Kreate 5s aren’t the right driver size for your own applications, KRK has you covered.
For more information on the KRK Kreate 5 Powered Studio Monitor, head here.
