When it comes to DJing and producing, many – from the novice to the professional – talk about effects, features, and comfort. But when a device doesn’t sound good – either from its own shortcomings or simply poor-quality acoustics in the space – what good are an extensive list of features and effects? Investing in a high-quality sound monitor is imperative for all such performers. However, high-quality is not correlated with high price. Instead, a monitor must optimize your sound, offering the best and most consistent output in practically any situation. The KRK RoKit 8 provides all of these assets and has one more benefit – an affordable price.
As part of RoKit’s Generation 2 devices, the RoKit 8, by composition, follows a standard of improved features and excellent performance. RoKit 8 keeps the brand’s quintessential features intact: front-firing bass port, a soft-domed tweeter, and glass aramid composite yellow cone. With these baseline features as a template, RoKit 8 takes voicing and sound to a new level and is constructed with one of the most innovative physical designs in recent memory.
Two such features emphasizing mix quality are the Input Volume Control and tweeter wave guide. The former adjusts in a range of +6dB to -30dB and supports quality over simply compatibility. The tweeter wave guide improves and sets a high standard for frequency pattern control and, to reduce questionable quality, focuses sound outward and away from the cabinet.
High frequency level control, as well, offers a new degree of adjustability. Professionals know that soundcheck is rarely about running through a set, and instead, testing the quality of the space. Rather than letting that carpeted room or booth (likely one of the worst places to perform) absorb your sound, the DJ can control the quality without acoustics being the sole determining factor of how good (or bad) a set will be.
Features, however, are only small aspects of RoKit 8. Instead, its innovative design is a strong, if not definitive, factor in sound quality. Those familiar know a boxy, angular design is the go-to format for monitors. Instead, the engineers behind this monitor found that this supposed tried-and-true format was too limiting, and instead, added curves – both at the corners and to all surfaces on the device. The new format, as a result, makes the RoKit 8 less prone to diffraction and expands the sound quality.
Similarly, the front-firing ports, now incorporated into all RoKit Generation 2 monitors, are another shape-improved aspect. The location and shape decrease port turbulence, creating a more precise and clear bass. The bi-amplified amplifier system, as well, lessens distortion power for each driver on the monitor.
When introducing this new monitor, RoKit explained that the RoKit 8 and other Generation 2 devices were developed with the intent of providing the performer – in this case, the DJ – with the best quality sound possible. And, for the price, that’s certainly what the user receives. With the RoKit 8, what you expect to hear is precisely what you will hear – distortion and diffraction are far lower, and adjustable features mean performance in practically any space is possible.
