When we talk about budget studio monitors, the KRK Rokit 5 is definitely one of the top few that will pop up in our minds. The Rokit series itself is already very popular among audiophiles and professionals, not to mention, the models in the series have undergone many upgrades and improvements. Giving us better sound quality without losing its affordability. The latest iteration of the KRK Rokit 5 is already at generation 4 so you can imagine how much it has improved.
Not trying to downplay its sonic prowess but the KRK Rokit 5 is still a compact size near-field studio monitor and this does limit its deep bass reproduction. This is why adding a powered subwoofer into your stereo system will help to improve the overall sound quality and also give you a more accurate bass reproduction especially if you listen or mix bass-heavy soundtracks.
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Sound Characteristics of KRK Rokit 5 and Subwoofer Requirements
To find a matching subwoofer for your KRK Rokit 5 will require a further understanding of its sonic strengths and characteristics. Your own requirements will influence your subwoofer choice too and so this is why we need to get all these out of the way first. The KRK Rokit 5 is a 5″ near-field studio monitor that comes with a custom-built Class D power amplifier with a total power output of 55 Watts. The integrated power amp is tuned to efficiently drive the speaker drivers (bi-amp) of the Rokit 5 G4 thus saving you the money and space from getting a separate power amplifier.
The frequency response is between 43Hz to 40kHz and is pretty impressive for a budget studio monitor. KRK Rokit 5 uses a front-firing bass port to help extend the low-frequency extension and also allows us to place them nearer to rear walls. The DSP-driven onboard EQ with 25 settings will come in handy as you could adjust the sound reproduction of the KRK Rokit 5 to fit nicely with the acoustics of your room and/or speaker placements. You can adjust these settings via an app called KRK Audio Tools which is a more convenient way of calibrating the studio monitors. This level of versatility and convenience is one of the Rokit 5 (G4) greatest strengths.
More Details at Amazon – KRK RP5 Rokit G4, Black
Another notable strength will be the KRK Rokit 5’s bass performance which is rather impressive for a studio monitor of its size. There is an ample level of bass output but has a bit more depth, texture, and detail than its previous versions. The low-end delivery is tighter as well, and this helps to give us a clearer high-frequency reproduction. KRK Rokit 5 is still not as neutral as other studio monitors in the same price range because the bass performance is still more prominent than the rest of the frequencies. They also don’t sound harsh when pushed and this allows for long hours of listening/mixing sessions without worrying about listeners’ fatigue.
The punchy performance of the KRK Rokit 5 do lack when it comes to very deep bass reproduction. There is also a lack of mid-bass impact. This is where you need to learn more about your own subwoofer requirements. Do you need deeper bass reproduction and if yes, how much lower do you need the sub to reach, 25Hz, 20Hz? Or do you need a powered subwoofer with a more impactful mid-bass delivery? Based on your answer, you should either get a subwoofer that could effortlessly reach down to 20Hz bass extension and deliver the subsonic bass frequencies with prominence or a midbass module.
You should also work out a comfortable budget that you are willing to use to invest in an active subwoofer as it does limit your choices. Limited space will be a factor as well and you might want to check your listening room/studio to see how much available space do you have. Usually, for nearfield listening, you don’t really need a large subwoofer as long it could deliver the bass frequencies which you require. You should start listing out more subwoofer requirements on your own and once you are confident with what you need from a subwoofer then please take a look at the best subwoofers to match with your KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors.
KRK Rokit 5 Specifications
- Power Output: 55 Watts
- Drivers: 1″ (25mm) Kevlar Aramid Fiber Tweeter, 5.25″ Kevlar Aramid Fiber Woofer
- Frequency Response: 43Hz-40kHz
- Max SPL: 104dB
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 285mm x 190mm x 241mm | 11.2″ x 7.5″ x 9.5″
- Weight: 4.85kg (10.7lbs)
Best Subwoofers to match with KRK Rokit 5
The KRK S8.4 is a powered studio subwoofer that will match really well with the KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors. Since both studio monitors and subwoofer are made by the same company, we can expect them to work seamlessly together. Furthermore, KRK did mention the S8.4 will work well with the Rokit 5 (G4). It is a compact 8″ powered subwoofer with 109 Watts of continuous power (Class D) and has quite an impressive frequency response of 34.5Hz to 133Hz. KRK S8.4 is ideal for listening rooms and studios with limited space. It has a modest price tag as well and is certainly worth your time to audition the studio sub.
More Details at Amazon – KRK S8.4 Generation 4 8″ Studio Subwoofer
The Yamaha HS8 Studio Subwoofer is another amazing active sub and will partner well with your KRK Rokit 5. This is a very highly rated and well-regarded 8″ powered studio subwoofer. It may be compact and has a small footprint but it still has a really impressive frequency response of 22Hz to 150Hz. The 8″ studio subwoofer is driven by a 150 Watts amplifier, capable of delivering accurate and clear deep bass frequencies. The bass quality of the Yamaha HS8 Studio Subwoofer is great for professionals who require accuracy and precision when doing their mixes or work. It is sanely priced and well suited for nearfield listening.
More Information at Amazon – Yamaha HS8 Subwoofer
SVS SB-1000 Pro is for listeners and professionals who require a larger subwoofer to pair up with their KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors. This is a 12″ sealed subwoofer made by a very established brand called SVS and is highly regarded by both audiophiles and HT enthusiasts. The Sledge STA-325D amplifier is able to generate up to 820+ Watts of peak power and the sub could dig deep down 20Hz bass extension (+/-3dB). It is an entry-level sub with a modest price tag and has the agility to deliver articulate bass performance fitting for the KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors. The SVS SB-1000 Pro should have no problem with a nearfield listening setup and/or filling up a small studio room with subsonic energy.
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro (Black Ash)
For listeners who are looking for a high-quality midbass module to deliver more impactful mid-bass frequencies without compromising accuracy then the Rythmik Audio FM8 will be an excellent choice to go for and match with your KRK Rokit 5. This is a dual 8″ sealed audiophile subwoofer with a total of 600 Watts RMS power and you can switch between using it as an MBM or standard sealed sub which can provide you with a frequency response of 18Hz to 250Hz. Using the company’s patented Direct Servo technology, the Rythmik Audio FM8 is agile and fast enough to keep pace with the KRK studio monitors.
If you need a larger woofer driver as your midbass module, the HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 is a fine choice for you. This is a very powerful 15″ sealed subwoofer where you can switch between Regular or MBM operating mode, making it a very versatile sub for your work and listening pleasure. HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 has up to a whopping 2000 watts of peak power and a frequency response of 20Hz-200Hz. It will be a worthy match for the KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors. The ULS-15 MK2 is able to deliver room-shaking subsonic bass frequencies and is agile enough to keep up with the music.
PreSonus Eris Sub 8 is an exemplary studio subwoofer for listeners who have a low budget or are just unwilling to invest too much in an active sub. Eris Sub 8 is a compact 8″ subwoofer with up to 100 Watts of peak power using a Class AB amplifier. It has impeccable subsonic accuracy and delivers clean-sounding deep bass. Furthermore, it is very affordable and you are getting a lot of performance out of this small studio subwoofer. If you need a larger subwoofer with a very modest price point then please take a look at Klipsch R-12SW, a highly rated 12″ front-firing subwoofer with up to 400 Watts of dynamic power.
More Info at Amazon – PreSonus Eris Sub 8 Studio Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
You can start by shortlisting the listed subwoofers for audition either based on their price points and/or requirements. You might want to arrange the subwoofer audition at your own studio/listening room if that is possible. This is because each studio/room has its own acoustic influence on the subwoofer’s bass performance. By auditioning the chosen subwoofer in your own studio, it will give you a more accurate result, and if you like what you hear when paired with the KRK Rokit 5 then more than likely that will be the sub to go for.
