Korg Forums

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

I’ll apologise to begin with for starting another monitor thread, but I have searched for what I’m looking for to no avail.

I’ve just bought a Kronos 2 - 88 and now need monitors, so would be extremely grateful for your opinion on monitor and sub combinations. Firstly, I’d like to say that they are not for producing but just for playing the Kronos through, for my own pleasure. They’ll be in a dedicated room in my house (luckily detached, so volume not an issue), the room isn’t particularly large but I’ll probably be relocating into a bigger room in the future so want to make sure monitor / sub sizes are appropriate.

So far, I’m thinking...
1. Adam Audio A7x’s and a Sub10 Mk II
2. Genelec 8030 and a 7050 (poss dsp versions)
3. Genelec 8040 and a 7060 (poss dsp versions)
Or... will some other combo give me realistic piano sounds and amazing synth dynamics for less money, like KRK V6’s and their equivalent 10” sub?

I’ve visited a few music showrooms and listened to monitors in the usual demo rooms but unfortunately it seems difficult to be able to do the same with the respective subs running as well?

I’ll be very grateful for any opinions, advise, or suggestions on this before I take the plunge.

I’ll spend the money if I have to but don’t want to if I don’t need to, if you know what I mean.

Many thanks in advance.

voip · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Nov 2014 Posts: 3769

A decent home hi-fi can give good results. Plug Kronos output into the CD or Aux input.

aellison62 · Full Member Joined: 11 May 2010 Posts: 157

I run my keyboards at home thru the exact KRK system you described. I have no complaints. Could it sound better if I spent more money? Probably. Do I need it to?,...nope
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Current gear: Kurzweil Forte 7, Kurzweil PC361, Mojo 61, Korg Kronos X 61, Roland RD-88, Korg Nautilus 73

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Thanks for the replies.

Voip, I did think about using home hi-fi but my current system is properly set up an another room and a bit too special to use, although buying another amp and speakers for the Kronos hasn’t been dismissed at this stage.

Aellison62, going the studio monitor route is the other option, and the one I’ve been spending most time researching... What you have said is exactly what I have been considering - is the extra cost for high end monitors going to be worth the outlay, will I notice, is it necessary??? As I’m not going to be producing music for reproduction (he says) I have no requirement to obtain a super flat sound. As long as whatever system I end up with, the sound I get is pleasing (to me) and able to reproduce and deliver the dynamics of a Kronos I’ll be happy. Knowing your KRK system works for you is useful to know, so thanks for letting me know. I know it can be subjective but it’s quite hard to audition everything in-store and sometimes it comes down to trusting other people’s opinions to help guide decisions.

Many thanks

DeltaJockey · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:42 am Post subject:

I've been mulling over whether to give you a reply on this too, as I thought I might be jeered out of the room!

Even though I have my good Adam monitors, just for sheer playing pleasure I really enjoy my set of iLoud micromonitors though a KRK 8S sub.

The stereo image is excellent with the iLoud's dome tweeters, (the Adam's ribbon tweeters are incredible, but the stereo sweet spot isn't as good as the dome tweeters).

Because they are small I have them positioned back behind the Kronos, to play pianos and orchestral, and being so small they aren't affected by room acoustics so much, meaning I can move them from place to place and still get the same sound.
Feeding the micromonitors as satellites from the sub, and it's crossover filtering the lowest bass from to the iLouds, mean I can get an amazing amount of volume out of the sound field.

The whole sound system is relative cheap in cost, but it sure is pleasant to use!
_________________
The companions I can't live without: Kawai Acoustic Grand, Kawai MP11SE, Yamaha Montage8, Korg D1
Other important stuff: Kronos2-73, Studiologic NC2X, NI Komplete Ultimate 11, Sonuscore Elysion and Orchestra, Pianoteq, Experimenta Due.

Devnor · Full Member Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

I upgraded my Adam A7 monitors to Genelec 8351. If you thought the Kronos sounded good, you should hear thru these. With my room the way it is, there is only so much I could do with treatment. The SAM software took it the rest of the way. My mixes translate better, everything sounds better Kemper and all my keyboards. It's a real pleasure to use these on a daily basis. 8330SAM is a great system.
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Fantom 7, Kronos 2, V Synth GT, Moog Voyager

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Purgatory · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2019 1:31 pm Post subject:

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Purgatory · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:12 pm Post subject:

The Adam sub8 is not worth £450+, The T10 is £290ish now I paid £350 for it and thought it was great value and matches very nicely with the Adam A77X and the Focal Twin 6be before it. I actually purchased it to go with the Focals originally.

Now it looks like the perfect match with the Adams and I like the ability to tune it how I want it has a lot of controls and a foot switch to turn off the sub and let the mains have full range again so you can compare with the sub on and off and honestly it sounds great for the money and i'm very picky when it comes to sound gear. I was shocked how good it was for the money when I got it and like the fact it is front ported and has a metal grill to protect the sub, the Adams have no grill and basically one wrong foot or a pet or a child will put an end to it quickly. Subs need a grill or it ends bad, this is why i'm shocked a lot don't come with them, the mains is one thing but the sub sits on the floor, where you vac and can accidentally damage it or a accidental foot.

What you will find with the T10 is you will have it turned to very low as it is a very powerful sub and has great warranty too.

You will love the Adams A7X and the T10.

I don't work in the music industry I just play at home as a hobby and love the sound and is overkill really for what I need but I like great sound.

Also when you get the Adams remember to run them in with some music playing threw them for at least 8-12 hours and they will sound right, a lot of people including myself are shocked when they are first turned on and as you run them in they become magic so don't be surprised at first these are real monitors that need running in. Gentle at first with the volume then half way threw (6 hours-ish) turn them up to wear them in and to get the T10 worked in too Wink

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Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Update...

My monitors were delivered last week.

After researching, I thought I’d take the plunge with a pair of Adam Audio A7X’s and an Adam Sub10 Mk2, to use at home with my Kronos 2-88. I only picked up the Kronos a few weeks ago and so far had only been playing it through my DT 990 headphones, so didn’t have particularly high expectations for monitors in comparison to the DT990’s. I needn’t have worried - wow!!! Piano is superb and all other electronic sounds are reproduced very impressively.

My room is quite small but purely used as my music studio. The Sub10 Mk2 is capable of delivering more than I need, so have it turned down a tad to create a natural and balanced sound - I’d rather have spare in reserve than be running at full to get the desired effect. The package works brilliantly together and I’m extremely pleased with my choice.

Out of curiosity I turned the volume/gain of the sub to zero so that just the A7X’s were active and played some notes on the Kronos in the lower register; the A7X’s reproduced them brilliantly but play the same notes with sub turned up a little and difference is night and day. The depth is instantly apparent in audible sound - as the chap from Adam Audio quotes, it’s deeper bass, not louder bass. A much more satisfying sound.

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Update...

My monitors were delivered last week.

After researching, I thought I’d take the plunge with a pair of Adam Audio A7X’s and an Adam Sub10 Mk2, to use at home with my Kronos 2-88. I only picked up the Kronos a few weeks ago and so far had only been playing it through my DT 990 headphones, so didn’t have particularly high expectations for monitors in comparison to the DT990’s. I needn’t have worried - wow!!! Piano is superb and all other electronic sounds are reproduced very impressively.

My room is quite small but purely used as my music studio. The Sub10 Mk2 is capable of delivering more than I need, so have it turned down a tad to create a natural and balanced sound - I’d rather have spare in reserve than be running at full to get the desired effect. The package works brilliantly together and I’m extremely pleased with my choice.

Out of curiosity I turned the volume/gain of the sub to zero so that just the A7X’s were active and played some notes on the Kronos in the lower register; the A7X’s reproduced them brilliantly but play the same notes with sub turned up a little and difference is night and day. The depth is instantly apparent in audible sound - as the chap from Adam Audio quotes, it’s deeper bass, not louder bass. A much more satisfying sound.

Wdxash · Joined: 05 Jun 2019 Posts: 11 Location: Essex

Update...

My monitors were delivered last week.

After researching, I thought I’d take the plunge with a pair of Adam Audio A7X’s and an Adam Sub10 Mk2, to use at home with my Kronos 2-88. I only picked up the Kronos a few weeks ago and so far had only been playing it through my DT 990 headphones, so didn’t have particularly high expectations for monitors in comparison to the DT990’s. I needn’t have worried - wow!!! Piano is superb and all other electronic sounds are reproduced very impressively.

My room is quite small but purely used as my music studio. The Sub10 Mk2 is capable of delivering more than I need, so have it turned down a tad to create a natural and balanced sound - I’d rather have spare in reserve than be running at full to get the desired effect. The package works brilliantly together and I’m extremely pleased with my choice.

Out of curiosity I turned the volume/gain of the sub to zero so that just the A7X’s were active and played some notes on the Kronos in the lower register; the A7X’s reproduced them brilliantly but play the same notes with sub turned up a little and difference is night and day. The depth is instantly apparent in audible sound - as the chap from Adam Audio quotes, it’s deeper bass, not louder bass. A much more satisfying sound.