Korg Forums

BarlesChukowski · Joined: 12 Oct 2020 Posts: 5

First off, thanks in advance for any responses.

Me: about to pick up a Kronos 61, complete novice, will be using it to noodle around, eventually making some tracks for fun. Looking to spend about 200 to 400 on some comfort friendly headphones (amp?) and about the same on a couple of studio monitors, maybe more.

Just looking to thoroughly enjoy the Kronos sound in my ears, and also while playing for others. That said, I'm willing to spend some money to maximize the Kronos sound (without breaking the bank hopefully).

Suggestions?

Liviou2004 · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2020 7:13 am Post subject:

Hello,

Welcome to the Kronos' Band !!

I'm using Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. It is comfortable and very accurate.

I'm using JBL LS 308 as monitors. They are not too expensive (about 400 $ for the both). They are not too bad for the price. But that's not the must !
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Kronos 2 73, Yamaha Montage 7, Behringer Deepmind 12, Moog Grandmother, Behringer Neutron, Studiologic Sledge 2

Kilroy · Junior Member Joined: 29 Jan 2002 Posts: 82

I am using 770s as well and they sound good with the Kronos.

I know these are out of your price range but the single best thing I did to improve the sound of my Kronos was running it through 2 API preamps. I run them nice and hot and they give such a lush saturation to the Kronos. Everything sounds better and more real.

I feel like these days we buy $4,000 synths and they put a $4 pre-amp in them. Anybody else feel that way?

In any case, you could try something like the little presonus stereo tube preamp for a couple hundred and see if you like it.

BarlesChukowski · Joined: 12 Oct 2020 Posts: 5

For the 770s, 32 ohms? Also should I consider the 990s? I won't have too much noise to worry about around me and also might need to hear when my child is crying, ha ha. Again, not looking to do any hardcore mixing, just enjoy the sound in my ears.

As far as the presonus, something like this?:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/PreSonus/TubePre-V2-Single-Channel-Tube-Preamplifier-DI-Box-1329494009952.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoJX8BRCZARIsAEWBFMKElwNMrmx2-no1mD1J6Nh0H3bKhg_14mjm9zf4VUgDmFn72_8mAqUaAuEREALw_wcB

Or something else? And what monitors would be good with it? I guess bottom line is I'm definitely willing to spend money to get the best sound possible right now, just not megabucks. And if years down the line I truly figure out how to use this thing maybe I will upgrade. Anyway thx again for the replies, this is helpful!

Liviou2004 · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:30 am Post subject:

number6uk · Joined: 21 Jun 2018 Posts: 49 Location: Derby, UK

I have the 770s and the 990s.
The open backed really give the sound more room to move about (more like a 'HiFi' headphones rather than reference on the 770s), rather than let more sound in, so as far as hearing things outside of your headphones I don't think you will notice much difference. Only other thing to note is the 990s will leak more sound out. Personally I have a few pairs with different Ohms ratings, but for the Kronos I tend to use the 250 ohm versions, they work great straight from the headphone jack of the Kronos. The 32 Ohm version I tend to use on things like iPhone.

For studio monitors I use the Adam Audio T5V. They sound great (I know everyone has a preference) but I find the ribbon tweeters work a treat. They do them in a few sizes if you need bigger and the price point is very good.

Hope this helps.
_________________
Neil

Korg Kronos 2 88, Korg Prologue 16, Korg Minilogue PG and Korg Trinity Plus/SCSI/PBS owner.

average_male · Junior Member Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 55

Kali LP-6 gets pretty good reviews.

Kilroy · Junior Member Joined: 29 Jan 2002 Posts: 82

Yes something like that. That is the single channel version which is fine if you want to listen in mono. There is a 2-channel version though. Good luck!

Kilroy · Junior Member Joined: 29 Jan 2002 Posts: 82

Sorry, posted twice.

Kilroy · Junior Member Joined: 29 Jan 2002 Posts: 82

Sorry Barles, I missed the second part of your question. The preamp makes the Kronos sound much, much better to me on multiple monitors (Genelecs, JBLs, and Behringers at the moment).

If you're not looking to mix, hi-fi speakers might be a better choice and sound more pleasant to you. Good studio mons are designed to reveal the flaws in audio; consumer speakers are designed to make audio sound as good as possible, which it seems like you want.

A far as headphones go, the Kronos sounds pretty awesome to me on quite a few pairs. The Sennheiser 280 is an industry standard and is a hell of a deal in my opinion. They're not exactly flat but they sure sound good for the price. Up from there is the AKG 270 (and others) and the previously mentioned Beyers. Generally speaking, those three brands are going to perform very well for their price points and you probably won't be disappointed.

When you go headphone and monitor shopping, take your own music that you know well and do your demos on that. Enjoy the journey!

Liviou2004, of course API preamps are not necessary; neither is a $4,000 workstation. Very Happy

The thread is not about what's necessary, it's about Barles and his desire to "thoroughly enjoy the Kronos sound in my ears." I thoroughly enjoy the Kronos sound that preamps give me in my ears.

Cheers!

Liviou2004 · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:57 am Post subject:

omvibraphone · Joined: 30 Dec 2014 Posts: 31

in terms of headphones I went through the same kind of search about a year ago, was expecting to buy DT770s, which are an 'industry standard', but ended up buying a 'dark horse' AKG 371 pair, which to my ears sounded far superior, and have not been disappointed with my choice, they sound great. YMMV etc

Kilroy · Junior Member Joined: 29 Jan 2002 Posts: 82

Liviou,

I respectfully request that you stop mischaracterizing my posts. Your opinion about "$3,000 preamps" is baseless because you have no idea what preamps I have nor have I recommended "$3,000 preamps." Please confirm that you will stop mischaracterizing my posts.

Best,
Kilroy

Liviou2004 · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 3:23 pm Post subject:

jeremykeys · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:51 pm Post subject:

I first run my Kronos into an old Presonus Studiolive 16.4.2 mixer. From there I have the main output going to my studio monitors. I have 2 sets that I can switch back and forth from. An old pair of Edirol MA-15D's and my Kali LP6's. I love the Kalis. They were cheap and sound amazing. I also use a pair of Sennheizer HD 280 Pro headphones.
I have a small home studio. I think that you could probably come directly out of your Kronos into the Kalis and not need a pre-amp but if I'm wrong, I'm sure somebody here can correct me.
Good luck!
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If music is the food of love, play on and play loud!
Gear: Kronos 73, Triton Pro-X, Wavestation EX, Polysix, King Korg, Monotron and Monotron Duo, Minikorg, Moog Gradnmother, 1 Roland U-20, Hammond M3, 4 accoustic and 6 electric guitars, 1 Ibanez 5 string bass, a bunch of microphones and other very cool toys, 1 wife and 3 cats!