Intended to serve as a “versatile solution for producers, podcasters, and content creators alike,” the new two-way studio reference monitors from KRK feature new transducer designs, along with tuning EQs, and Class D amplification in elegant cabinets designed for close-nearfield use. Available in 3.5”, 5”, and 8” woofer models, the KRK Kreate Series offers standard Bluetooth Classic 5.3 streaming capabilities, while the two larger models have XLR inputs.
KRK Systems is the last non-guitar brand that is still left from the dreaded days of Gibson’s “slow race to the bottom” where one of the most valuable brands in the world was almost lost forever. Fortunately, those days are gone; the new Gibson is more focused than ever in its core values and serving the needs of musicians all over the world. KRK stands out as the “studio” brand that Gibson kept going, and honestly, there’s not much harm that it does as long as it keeps delivering affordable and great-value products for home studios and creators in general.
The new Kreate Series Studio Monitors is intended to fill the needs of that very hard-to-satisfy entry-level group of musicians that wants to pay for studio monitors what it would normally pay for a set of decent-quality guitar strings. And that’s a huge challenge for a famous US brand that needs to compete in that crowded space. The newest addition to the brand’s wide range of audio products certainly delivers that extraordinary value and manages to keep the brand KRK as an option to consider for emerging musicians, producers at the start of their careers, and content creators in general.
For the money, these new KRK two-way studio monitors meet the fundamental needs of creatives, providing the tools necessary to reproduce a production decently and for casual playback— the reason why they also feature built-in Bluetooth— which shouldn’t ever even be a consideration in professional environments, but unfortunately is. The KRK Kreate Series is designed to perform during music and content production sessions, featuring balanced and unbalanced analog inputs, universal voltage, and a built-in switch-mode power supply.
Available in three sizes, these entry-level active, two-way studio monitors also feature useful acoustic boundary correction and tuning EQ combinations to help minimize and correct acoustic environment problems and dial in the voicing to meet specific application needs. The smaller 3.5” model is really that “it works better than computer speakers” type of product, where one monitor is active and the other just connects through a dedicated link cable. They also don’t offer balanced inputs— which is another of those things that no studio should do without.
“The Kreate Series offers professional-grade sound and flexible functionality that empowers emerging artists, producers, podcasters, and all creators to embrace high-quality audio at an affordable price point,” says Sterling Doak, Senior Director of Marketing for Gibson. “The monitors fill a vital space in the KRK lineup and are ideal for those who demand quality without compromise. As the new introductory solution within the portfolio, the Kreate Series will enable users to begin their creative journey with confidence.”
The reason why they even deserve being called “studio monitors” is because of the composite woven glass fiber cone woofers, which provide good damping and modal control to deliver tight and punchy mid and low-frequency response, ensuring a highly adaptable and sonically accurate reproduction – the hallmark of KRK. Additionally, the high-frequency driver is a carefully selected woven-textile dome tweeter with a neodymium motor, which accurately extends the frequency range in the KRK Kreate 8 and 5 options, with a smaller version in the 3.5 model. It’s a great choice for nearfield applications.
Furthermore, the system-tuning level control and low-frequency and high-frequency shelving filters allow for easy adjustment in various acoustic conditions. The hybrid Class D and Class AB amplification delivers the power required by the chosen transducers, also ensuring integrity during long work sessions.
The monitors are launching in KRK’s signature black/yellow and latte/black color scheme, with the Kreate 3 models sold as a pair and the Kreate 5 and Kreate 8 options priced individually. The series also continues KRK’s visual branding evolution, with packaging and stylization that closely align with other monitors from the brand’s product portfolio.
Anyone looking for reference listening in studio monitors for project studios should look at other ranges from KRK, including the popular Rokit fourth and fifth generation series. But if you cannot afford those, at least these Kreate series monitors are still branded KRK and will act like monitor speakers should.
www.krkmusic.com
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