The fourth generation of KRK Rokit monitors proved to be a huge success. Now, KRK is back with a refreshed fifth-generation lineup that takes the best of the previous series and ups the stakes with some excellent new features.
The KRK Rokit 8 G5 is the largest model in the series. It offers high output, flexible sound controls, and rock-solid build quality. Much like the previous generation, this updated model is sure to be a huge success.
Over the last 15+ years in the industry, we have tested a staggering number of studio monitors, from budget entries to studio class offerings. We set aside any hype and favoritism and assess each monitor on its own merits to give you unbiased reviews you can trust.
The industry professionals we engage with to obtain extra testing data and opinions on every product we review help to round out our reviews. The result is a comprehensive and holistic view of every studio monitor that graces our studio.
Features
The KRK Rokit G5 series offers an impressive suite of new features over the previous generation of monitors, many of which tackle some of the previous generation’s minor flaws. The result is the most well-rounded Rokit series to date.
Sound Quality
The KRK Rokit series has an established reputation for vibrant and engaging sound with a slight emphasis on punchy, low-end delivery. This remains the case with the KRK Rokit 8 G5, but you’ll now have the flexibility to sculpt the sound to suit various studio applications.
I’ll be the first to admit that I grew up with the iconic KRK sound, as did many producers. However, the slightly colored profile was not always the best choice for analytical listening. While it was far from a dealbreaker, it was something that you had to be mindful of.
An excellent refresh to a popular series of monitors.
Thanks to the addition of voicing modes in the latest series, this is no longer an issue. You can switch between three options. The Mix voicing option offers a detailed and flat response perfect for analytical listening, which I would rarely want to do with previous KRK Rokit monitors.
Next is the Focus mode, which elevates the mid-range. This is a critical part of any production work, and having the option to highlight this vital area in more detail makes fine-tuning your productions a breeze. It’s also fantastic for working with voiceover projects.
The last choice is the Create voicing profile. This mode boosts the low end and offers a bump in the top end. The result is a colored profile ideal for casual listening and demoing what your productions might sound like on commercial sound systems.
The Rokit 8 G5 is the largest in the new fifth generation line-up.
Throughout all these modes, the bass remains tight and controlled without muddiness, the mids are well-defined, and the top end is detailed without creeping into overly bright territory. It is well-balanced and refined no matter which voicing mode you prefer.
For the first time in its illustrious history, KRK has made a monitor that can please nearly everyone. Want flawless detail for accurate mixing and mastering? Check. Want to tackle the all-important mid-range with confidence? Double check. Want to turn the volume up and enjoy your favorite tunes? Triple check.
At this price point, the KRK Rokit 8 G5 is a serious contender as one of the best you can add to your studio. I can foresee it as a staple choice and recommendation for years.
Build Quality
After so many years in the industry, I’ve had some atrocious monitors come across my desk. Poorly made, sloppily executed, and ready to fall apart the moment you look at them wrong. KRK monitors have never fallen into this category; in fact, they are always quite the opposite. Ultra-reliable quality with high attention to detail.
Previous-generation KRK Rokits were already ultra-tough, but this new generation elevates things even further with a structurally reinforced high-impact polystyrene baffle. The cabinet is also ultra-tough and features a solid PVC Vinyl-Wrapped MDF enclosure.
Premium build quality.
The iconic yellow woofer cones retain the traditional woven Kevlar aramid fiber cones that have given KRK its eye-catching look and tight bass response. New to the fifth generation is the copper cap for the silk dome tweeter, which provides added precision in the top end.
KRK also includes a baffle with a solid metal grille to protect your drivers. This gives you maximum flexibility to choose a grille-free look in secure locations or a robust grille to avoid unwanted damage to the woofer and tweeter. A lengthy 3-year warranty also adds to the appeal and confidence.
Specifications
One of the specifications that caught my eye for the KRK Rokit 8 G5 was the high Max SPL of 111dB. While I rarely work on projects at high volumes, I also use monitors for DJ practice sessions at home, so I can’t help but turn the volume up.
I was thoroughly impressed upon testing the KRK Rokit 8 G5 at higher volumes. Distortion was near non-existent, and the sound quality remained high even as I pushed the monitor to its limits.
Powerful output and good response.
The KRK Rokit 8 G5 offers a powerful bi-amplified Class D setup, with 135 Watts for the low-frequency driver and 68 Watts for the high-frequency driver, for a total power output of 203 Watts.
Switching over to frequency response, the KRK Rokit 8 G5 delivers a response of 42Hx-36kHz with a range of 32Hz-40kHz. In practice, the performance was excellent at both the lower and higher end, with punchy and deep bass and clean highs. Of course, if you want extra oomph, you can add a subwoofer to your configuration to dig even deeper.
Tuning Options
The KRK Rokit 8 G5 also benefits from an expanded set of tuning controls via the onboard controls. The Voicing options are the simplest way to alter the output instantly, but KRK also gives you the ability to tweak even more parameters.
A total of twenty-five boundary and tuning EQ combinations allow you to tailor the output to your space with ease. With these options, you’ll be able to tackle any sound issues based on your work area, whether that is unwanted refractions or bass build-up.
Extensive tuning flexibility.
Accessing and navigating the menu is easy and intuitive, but the integration with the KRK app is lackluster. The app does not include several key features, like the ability to change voicing modes remotely.
I’ve spent years tweaking monitors on the monitor itself, so it was not a dealbreaker by any means. However, after experiencing remote tuning capabilities on loudspeakers, I would have loved to have that feature available on this monitor. A future app update might add this functionality.
Design
Seeing the iconic yellow woofer instantly brings a smile to my face. I’ve used KRK monitors for years, and the instant eye appeal of the KRK Rokit series always gathers praise from anyone who has seen them in my studio.
Modern and attractive design.
The finishing is superb across the entire monitor. It offers a refined and modern appearance while still providing character to what can often be a bland-looking component of a studio space.
The forward-facing bass port dominates the lower portion of the monitor’s front. Integration is clean and adds to the monitor’s eye appeal, but more importantly, it helps deliver punchy bass performance and makes placement near walls far more forgiving.
Dimensions
8-inch monitors tend to be large beasts by default, and the KRK Rokit 8 G5 is no exception. You’ll want adequate space for this monitor and stable stands. In comparison with other 8-inch studio monitors, it falls within the expected size range, so if you are already familiar with monitors of this size, you’ll know what to expect.
The Rokit 8 G5 is a large studio monitor.
The KRK Rokit 8 G5 weighs 23.04 lbs. (10.45kg). Thanks to the robust cabinet, it’s not the lightest monitor, but it’s also not overly cumbersome. It’s a solid and dependable monitor with just the right amount of heft.
Inputs
KRK keeps things simple in the connection department and is one of the few unchanged elements of the new series compared to the previous series. At the monitor’s rear is a Balanced INput combo jack that supports XLR, TRS, and TS.
Combo jack for balanced input.
For most studio applications, this is ample, but some other monitors also offer the option for an RCA connection. As with the vast majority of professional-grade studio monitors, the Rokit 8 G5 doesn’t feature consumer-centric connections like Bluetooth, AUX-In, or a headphone port.
Value
Studio monitors vary dramatically in price. I’ve tested high-end options, and while they are superb, there is a case of diminishing returns as you creep up in price points.
The addition of an alternate faceplate is an excellent inclusion.
The KRK Rokit G5 series offers an excellent balance between performance and price and is an enticing choice for beginners and more professional studio spaces. Many high-profile names use KRK monitors, and their reputation for great value is undeniable. The inclusion of an extra faceplate option and isolation pads is also a nice touch to what is already a great-value package.
An Industry Favorite
KRK studio monitors are a popular choice not just for home studios but also for professional applications. The list of talented artists who rely on KRK monitors is extensive and also varied across a range of disciplines.
KRK has a long history in the audio industry.
KRK has been part of the audio industry for almost 35 years. Music producers, sound engineers, DJs, podcasters, and others have utilized KRK monitors to create music across a range of genres. Below is a quick list of just a small sample of some of the people who use KRK monitors in their studios.
- GRAMMY Award-winning Engineer Steve Marcantonio.
- German multi-disciplinary creative director, artist, and digital consultant Ron Flieger.
- GRAMMY Award-winning Recording Engineer and Producer Jimmy Douglass.
- Miami-based DJ and music Producer Christian “Tian” Jimenez.
- Podcaster Humberto “El Gato” Rodriguez.
- Music Producer, TV/Film/Musicals Creator, Songwriter, and Guitarist Jose Luis “Pepe” Pagan.
The above is far from an exhaustive list but highlights the wide range of fields and applications for which KRK monitors are used. If you like studio gear with a track record in the industry, KRK monitors are an excellent choice.
Alternatives
Researching your options is essential when selecting new studio monitors for your space. Below, I explore a few alternatives you might want to consider. Each one is an excellent choice in its own right and might be a better option depending on your needs.
Tannoy GOLD 7
The Tannoy GOLD 7 is another excellent choice for eye-catching styling. Its dual concentric driver configuration delivers excellent sound quality while still offering an approachable price point.
- Outstanding stereo imaging due to the driver configuration.
- Dependable and accurate response for detailed applications.
- The gold tint might not be to everyone’s tastes.
Tannoy GOLD 7
Pioneer DJ VM-70
The Pioneer DJ VM-70 is another loud studio monitor with superb low-end performance. It is also a bit more compact than the Rokit 8 G5 while offering a clean and modern aesthetic.
- Satisfying sound for both studio applications and casual listening.
- A good range of tuning controls and input choices, including RCA.
- The rear-facing port could be an issue, depending on placement.
Pioneer DJ VM-70
PreSonus Eris Pro 6
Another excellent front-ported option is the PreSonus Eris Pro 6. The sound quality is superb at this price point. It also features some tuning controls but nowhere near the depth of options as the KRK Rokit 8 G5.
- Impressive imaging and reliably flat response.
- High build quality and a compact and attractive design.
- Not as loud as the KRK Rokit 8 G5.
PreSonus Eris Pro 6
Our Verdict
I’ve tested multiple KRK monitors over the years, and the Rokit series has always impressed me. However, it also had a distinct sound profile that, while some people loved it, others didn’t. This new series alleviates some of the most common quibbles people had about previous options. It is now the most feature-rich and flexible Rokit series KRK has ever produced.
The KRK Rokit 8 G5, in particular, offers ample presence and punch and is an excellent choice in its price bracket. Its high build quality, deep tuning flexibility, and iconic styling will keep it as one of the most popular studio monitors on the market.
KRK Rokit 8 G5
Overall Rating (9/10)
