Elwood
Post-Delivery FeedbackJul 5, 2025
After my long bout with my previously owned Adam Audio D3V's...well...in as much as I've enjoyed what a monster sound I've gotten out of them in the low end, there was some inherent problems, due to their size, dimensions & modest weight. I have a very odd work desk, in that despite the enormous size of itand while the rear shelving is long enough to accommodate any size monitors in terms of width....the depth is only 9 inches deep. While the Adam's were tiny enough for the desk, the tweeters not only came up short in terms of ear level, the waveguides were inadequate. Also...due to their light weight, my cat was knocking them off of my desk.
Now....onto my new monitors, which are the KRK Kreate 5's(brand new to the market, for about 2 weeks...or so?.)
Though they are entry level, they do share some characteristics with their mid-grade Rokit G5's(particularly with the HF drivers.) In fact, not only do the Kreate's have a frequency response of 40 kHz, they also have far superior waveguides(which is extraordinary, at this price point!) The mid range is represented quite well(which is typical of LF drivers of this size and although I was initially concerned about the LF specs on paper(which is at 58Hz)...I've come to find that the low end is quite adequate for mixing(at least this is my impression, since I've been breaking them in for the last hour or so.)
The dimensions of the Kreate's are an absolute dream, for me....as they are only 8.5 inches deep, the tweeters sit right at ear level and the waveguides provide a vast & 3D-like sweet spot.
Another little feature that could come in handy, is the built in Bluetooth!
Initially....I thought the Kreate 5 were a tad overpriced for entry-level monitors($338.00), but fortunately...not only do they have a mid-grade sound IMO, I managed to find a retailer that is selling them for only $295.00 for the pair(namely a website called Gear4Music.) So...I contacted my usual retailer that price matches(AmericanMusicalSupply)... and they gave me the pair for just $290.00....which is a deal that is priceless, in today's current economic status!
By the way....somehow I had missed this initially, but the Kreate's(in addition to Bluetooth)....also have an auto-standby on the same button as the Bluetooth...which explains the normal retail price(as monitors of this size & class, would normally go for $300.) Though I didn't quite break in these monitors with the recommended burn-in time of 30 hours...only about 3 hours...I managed to get a spot-on mix(as I tested my mix via my smartphone, running through my pair of KRK GoAux 3's and it sounded great!
Actually....it seems a bit unfair to refer to the Kreate line as being entry-level(as from my experience with them thus far)...is that the only advantage to say...the Rokit 5 G5's, is that the G5's have a marginal amount of low end, more than the Kreate 5's(which is 54Hz...versus 58Hz.) Apart from that, the Rokit's have an LCD screen and an optional grill for the LF driver...but to me, these are trivial upgrades and considering the fact that the Kreate's have a considerable advantage in terms of HF frequency response & a much improved waveguide(over the Rokit G5's)...the Kreates are an incredible value and if one needs more low end, there's always the Kreate 8's! All things considered...the KRK Kreate 5's are the best monitor purchase I've ever made and I've had countless different brands, over the last 20 years!