KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 Review

Three-way monitors offer excellent tonal balance, but they are often quite expensive. In this review, we check out the latest offering from KRK that aims to tackle this value challenge head-on.

The KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 is the latest in the famous ROKIT series, and it delivers accurate sound, iconic styling, and deep flexibility to adapt to various applications. Whether that is studio work or as a monitor for DJing at home.

KRK monitors are extremely popular, and for good reason. We’ve been in the industry for over 15 years, and KRK monitors have played a role at nearly every stage of that journey.

Our site features extensively researched guides and thorough reviews on a range of studio gear. All the studio monitors we review must go through our A to Z testing to ensure we can provide a complete picture of whether the monitor will be right for you. So, let’s not waste more time and dive into what the ROKIT 10-3 G4 offers.

Features

Much has changed with this new generation of KRK monitors, and the ROKIT 10-3 G4, in particular, stands out due to its 3-way design. Let’s dive into the details.

Sound Quality

The KRK ROKIT series traditionally offered a more bombastic sound, emphasizing a satisfying listening experience more than a strictly flat and balanced response.

This new generation takes the ROKIT series closer to what traditional studio monitors offer. A balanced and more refined sound that is more appropriate for studio work.

I was curious to see if this new direction lived up to the marketing hype. After detailed testing, it is apparent that the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 is more balanced and neutral than the previous generation.

A bold and new direction from KRK makes the G4 series among the best.

The low-end still offers ample punch thanks to the large woofer, but it is far more refined and precise. I liked the KRK sound but was always weary to factor its unique tonality into my decision-making process. With the ROKIT 10-3 G4, I don’t need to be as mindful and can trust the authenticity of the output.

The mid-range is my favorite element of the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4. Adding a dedicated midrange driver helps bring the mids to the forefront more than a regular 2-way setup, and the results are superb. Rich and engaging while not overbearing.

The highs are equally impressive, with high definition and clarity. Hi-hats and cymbal crashes offer sizzle and precisions without any harshness. Even some of the more aggressive high-frequency genres I tested shone with brilliance and pizzaz.

“Outstanding sound that delivers clean bass, rich mids, and clear highs.”

The output level is also high, giving you ample headroom when using the monitor, and it does an excellent job of filling a larger studio space with even sound.

While the precision was a welcome direction for serious studio work, the DSP’s flexibility also makes the KRK a viable option for casual listening.

After tweaking some EQ settings, I could enjoy these monitors as a part of my home DJ setup and enjoy a more colored sound that was fun to listen to.

This is my main takeaway from our internal testing: the monitor is highly functional and fun to listen to. I have a hard time saying this about many professionally geared monitors. 

Build Quality

Despite the relatively affordable price for a 3-way 10-inch studio monitor, the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 retains high build quality. KRK monitors have maintained a reputation for good build quality, which remains true with this G4 series.

Durable cabinet and high-quality drivers.

The low-resonance enclosure is robust and highly resistant to scuffs and damage. The LCD screen at the rear is also fantastic, with a bright display and a simple-to-navigate interface. The volume dial that doubles as a navigation knob is equally great.

Component quality is also high, with rigid Kevlar gracing the iconic yellow drivers. Kevlar offers low distortion and tight performance. I found that the monitor needed a little break in time to come out of its shell fully, but the performance was superb once it was warmed up.

Specifications

Exploring the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 specifications highlights how well-rounded and powerful this large studio monitor is.

The frequency response of 26Hz-40kHz is broad and offers enough depth in the low end for a satisfying bass response, while the top end reaches well beyond the limits of human hearing for well-defined highs.

Ample power and headroom.

The tri-amped Class D design packs 300W of power with a maximum SPL of 112dB. It’s more than enough for most studio settings, and when you factor in low distortion, you can crank these up if you like your music loud.

The KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 features a 10-inch woofer Kevlar cone with a rubber surround. The mid-frequency driver also features a Kevlar cone. At 4.5 inches, it has ample opportunity to bring mids to life. Finally, the Kevlar dome 1-inch tweeter completes the package.

Tuning Options

Testing the various tuning options highlighted how versatile this studio monitor is. I love the flexibility to adapt to different spaces and preferences, and the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 has it in spades.

The state-of-the-art DSP gives you access to multiple settings to refine the sound. Complete control over the EQ allowed us to quickly adapt the studio monitor to our space while allowing us to tweak the output when we wanted to test its casual listening capabilities.

Comprehensive controls to sculpt the sound.

The menu system also features additional options for the Backlight, Contrast, Standby feature, and Logo light control.

This selection of tuning options is excellent, but you can take it a step further with the KRK Audio Tools app for Android and Apple. This app dives deeper into speaker placement and level-matching nuances for a more precise setup. But I do have a few issues with it.

The app is pretty straightforward, but based on multiple reports, it is a little unstable and can be prone to crashing. I had no problems with my testing, but it is still worth mentioning.

The other issue I see is that it relies on the microphone on your smartphone, so you might not get the most accurate results depending on the quality of the mic. 

Despite these minor gripes, the fact that the app is available is worth commending. KRK provides ample tools to sculpt the sound between the onboard DSP and the app. Ideal for beginners and seasoned professionals.

Design

The G4 series maintains the core design aesthetics of KRK monitors but with a more refined and modern twist. The KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 still offers the iconic yellow-tinged drivers that instantly draw the eye, but the slight change in shade gives it a more professional appearance compared to the previous offerings.

The large forward-facing bass port dominates the lower end of the monitor and does an excellent job of handling air. Forward-facing ports make placing these closer to walls easier, but I’d still be mindful of any bass build-up issues.

Iconic styling from a legendary manufacturer.

The modest waveguide delivers a generous sweet spot and excellent imaging. At the same time, the built-in brickwall limiter controls sound while protecting the unit from damage.

This could be showing my age, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the design of KRK monitors. They ooze with personality; I’ve seen these monitors in dozens of studios throughout my 15 years in the industry. They are a stalwart of the scene, and this new generation will remain a firm favorite.

Dimensions

If there is one aspect of the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 that might be a dealbreaker for some people, it’s the enormous size of the monitor. It’s hard to avoid when you have three drivers and a chunky 10-inch woofer.

A large and heavy monitor that demands a lot of space.

This is not an ideal studio monitor for smaller spaces, and the sheer size of the monitor might make placement tricky. At 35 lbs. (15.87 kg), it’s also not exactly lightweight.

I would be mindful of checking the weight rating of any stands you intend to use to ensure they can handle this chunky studio monitor.

Inputs

Simple and effective is the best way to describe the input options of the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4. You’ll have access to one friction lock Neutrik combo point for XLR and TRS connections.

The KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 features a balanced input combo jack.

Some might find this a little bare-bones. Still, it’s common for a professional studio monitor only to have a couple of choices. If you need extras like RCA or Bluetooth, you’ll need to look at other studio monitors.

Value

Three-way studio monitors tend to be expensive, and larger monitors are even more so. But despite these assumptions, the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 is surprisingly reasonable regarding price.

I’ll admit it is far from a budget option, but when you line it up against other 3-way monitors, it becomes increasingly apparent that it’s among the best value options on the market.

The large 10-inch woofer also provides an excellent bass response. It might allow you to forgo buying a subwoofer, saving you even more money. The ROKIT series has always been known for good value, and the new G4 series keeps this tradition alive and well.

Customer Reviews

As part of our detailed research, we scour online reviews from other people and reach out to our friends in the industry. The overwhelming majority highly rate the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4, with an average rating in the high 4s and dozens of 5-star reviews. 

3-Way Delight

3-way studio monitors provide a more precise and realistic audio representation than a conventional 2-way monitor. This accuracy has made them a popular choice for professional audio engineers and producers.

With an additional midrange driver, 3-way monitors can reproduce a broader range of frequencies more accurately, resulting in a more detailed and balanced sound reproduction, critical for making informed decisions in the studio.

3-way monitors are an excellent choice for professional studios.

This design also allows for better monitoring of individual instruments and vocals in a mix. The dedicated midrange driver also helps in reducing phase cancellation issues that can occur in 2-way monitors.

While they might not be the right choice in every studio space and are often more expensive, they are a fantastic investment if you want balanced sound.

Alternatives

If you are exploring larger studio monitors, there are some other options that you might want to check out. Below, I give you a quick rundown of some other monitors that might be suitable.

Tannoy GOLD 8 Review

The Tannoy GOLD 8 is another studio monitor with a unique and eye-catching design. But it doesn’t just look good; it also offers excellent sound quality.

• Reliably neutral response for professional studio work.
• Excellent value for money while retaining high build quality.
• Minimal tuning options restrict its flexibility.

PreSonus Eris Pro 8 Review

PreSonus is another well-respected brand offering a comprehensive range of studio monitors. The coaxial Eris Pro 8 is among its best offerings.

• Clean and polished sound signature with high accuracy.
• Broad sweet spot for easy placement and sound dimensionality.
• While not overly expensive, it is also not very budget-friendly.

ADAM Audio A7V Review

If the sheer size of the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 is a problem, you might want to check out the A7V from ADAM Audio. A high-quality monitor that features premium-quality sound.

• Ultra-flat frequency response for reliable sound.
• Tight and focused high frequencies thanks to the X-ART driver.
• The smaller woofer packs less punch than the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4.

Our Verdict

I’ve tested an extensive range of KRK monitors over the last 15 years, and they have always proven to be a solid choice for beginners and hobby producers. But this is the first time I feel that KRK has elevated the experience to a higher grade due to the reliably flat response.

When you combine the iconic styling with the extensive tuning options, the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 truly feels like an innovative and fresh offering from the industry veterans.

While it might be a massive monitor and too much for smaller spaces, if you have the room and want a reliable and engaging listening experience, the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 is an excellent choice and one I can easily recommend.