Yet another gear thread - Rokit 5 vs. Rokit 6

[agent314]

So I'm interested in new monitors.

I'm currently using M-Audio Studiophile AV40s. They are okay for beginning productions, but the more I've used them, the more I'm seeing how limited they really are (for one, their low-frequency is 85hz - no wonder so many of my tracks have been bass heavy without me even knowing it)

I'm pretty squarely in the budget monitor category, and I've been looking at the KRK Rokit 5s and 6s.

How much is that extra inch of speaker going to impact the sound?
Are there any pros or cons of either one that I'm not seeing?
Any good experiences/words of caution on either?

I feel like I'll probably be happier in the long run with the 6s, but at the same time Having that extra hundred dollars may come in handy when I'm looking at some other gear choices.

So - any thoughts? Any other monitors that you'd recommend over the KRKs, in the same price range?

[WaveRider]

So I'm interested in new monitors.

I'm currently using M-Audio Studiophile AV40s. They are okay for beginning productions, but the more I've used them, the more I'm seeing how limited they really are (for one, their low-frequency is 85hz - no wonder so many of my tracks have been bass heavy without me even knowing it)

I'm pretty squarely in the budget monitor category, and I've been looking at the KRK Rokit 5s and 6s.

How much is that extra inch of speaker going to impact the sound?
Are there any pros or cons of either one that I'm not seeing?
Any good experiences/words of caution on either?

I feel like I'll probably be happier in the long run with the 6s, but at the same time Having that extra hundred dollars may come in handy when I'm looking at some other gear choices.

So - any thoughts? Any other monitors that you'd recommend over the KRKs, in the same price range?

I think the 6 are worth it over the 5 inches

I have rokits 6 myself

the 8 sound better, but you better not be in an apartment

[computercontrolled]

therea a real diffrence between the 5" and the 6", i've just bought the 6" and im really happy with them, 8" indeed sound way better but not for a bedroom studio

[leedsquietman]

The frequency range is pretty much the same in the 5s and 6s but the SPL level is louder in the 6s, so at louder volumes they sound better, but TBH I mix at lower volumes typically (just turning it up occasionally to see how it sounds cranked) and for that kind of mixing in a small room, the 5s are perfectly adequate. In a small room 8s will create too many standing waves. So 8s are fantastic but only in a medium or larger sized room.

KRK G5 and 6 go down to 53 Hz and 48 Hz (8s), so if you do a lot of subby type music, you might still want to get a subwoofer. This goes for most monitors under $600 a pair. I used to own KRK VXT6s and they went down to 35Hz, but they cost more than double what the Rokits cost.

[agent314]

therea a real diffrence between the 5" and the 6"

Interesting. What differences have you noticed?

The frequency range is pretty much the same in the 5s and 6s but the SPL level is louder in the 6s, so at louder volumes they sound better, but TBH I mix at lower volumes typically (just turning it up occasionally to see how it sounds cranked) and for that kind of mixing in a small room, the 5s are perfectly adequate

Yeah - they will be used almost exclusively at lower volumes in a smaller room.

Right now I'm using the sub from a pair of computer speakers for my low end, and it's pretty mediocre. I'd much rather use it to augment a fuller frequency spectrum than to account for 40hz+ worth of lows.

[smaucher]

got the 6s. totally happy with 'em.

[agent314]

Looks like the Rokit 5 G2's have an unbalanced RCA input as well as the balanced TRS.

Would there be any problems with using a 3.5mm>RCA splitter from the audio out on my PC at the same time as I'm using the balanced TRS out from my interface?

[computercontrolled]

The main difference between 5" and 6" inches is the low end, i tried the 5" first then i bought the 6". Also and its quite logical, theres more "volume" on the 6"

[su]

how big is your room? I'm in an 11' x 8' bedroom and the 5s work well in there. I'm happy with the level of bass they produce.

[leedsquietman]

The low end is the same on the 5s and 6s unless pushed to higher levels.

The frequency response is exactly the same. However, the 6s can take an extra 3 or 4 dB SPL, so can be pushed a bit louder without breaking up - however, for studio mixing, it is typically advised to mix at lower levels anyway as that gives a truer frequency response with less exaggerated room artifacts.

So if you are in a small-medium sized room and wanting to use the monitors for mixing, then the 5s are adequate. If you want to pump some sound and get it shaking for kicks and giggles or for partying your tunes, then the 6s would be better suited.

[agent314]

I decided to bite the bullet and got the 5s last night, and I am extremely happy with them.

The room I'm in is approx. 10'x12', and they fill the space very nicely.

There was a minor resonance issue with my music desk on some of the lower frequencies, but that was quickly remedied using the styrofoam corners they were packed in. Makes a perfectly form-fitting vibration insulator, and way cheaper than Auralex foam as a stopgap solution.

Still playing around with them, but I am already happier I went with the 5's over the 6's, for volume issues alone.

Thanks for the help, all.

[Nav]

Let us know how you get on with them, I'm considering getting some 5's