KRK V6?

[007]

Before posting yet another thread on monitors, I did a search and got many hits on KRK, however, not much talk about the V6 in particular (lots of V4, V8, Rockits, etc.).

For 2 years I've been thinking my monitors were just ok, a sad pair of Alesis M1mk2 Actives. Not bad for $400/pr but after my listening session at GC today, reality hit big time. My trusty M1's have a serious scoop in the high-mids and wooly bass response. My mixes translate ok to date, not super accurate, but ok.

I tested at least 5 pairs of monitors this afternoon and I was completely amazed at how good the KRK V6 sounded. Things just seemed so well balanced, the bass was tight and controlled (this is what freaked me out about my Alesis, when switching back and forth with the V6, the M1's bass was so flabby and boomy), the mids seemed very detailed and the highs didn't pierce my ears like the Event TR-6 did.

To be honest, I really, really, really want a pair of Dynaudio BM6A's ($1600) one day, but when I heard these V6 today ($700) I wondered if the Dyns are truly worthy of another $900. I have a fairly small room that's not too treated, just a few 1X1 foam panels and some MoPads under the speakers (on stands).

What's the general concensuss on KRK V6's 'round here? I know to trust my ears, but I'm curious anyway...

Thanks

[bink]

well... I've been a pretty big fan of KRK's over the years.... Had used a pair of 7000's for years... and consistently got better results from them than my ensuing jump into the Mackie world and Genelec 1030A's (which sounded BEAUTIFUL), but I just for the life of me couldn't mix on...

So.... recently I went out into a search for a new set of monitors for my writing rig... (and while BM6A's were my first choice, budget didn't allow...) So in the end, after searching high and low, I actually ended up with a pair of V4's.... (don't let the woofer size fool you, these things are pretty damn close to a pair of NS10 with a much better bass response...) now to some, that can be a bad thing... but my mixes are translating better than ever...

now... onto your question about the V6's.... I gotta tell you, I've never really liked their high end response... it's a bit strident, and I have this nagging feeling that it would become fatiguing over time.... (and a character trait that's unusual when it comes to KRK's as they tend to be a bit less pushed in the upper ranges comparitive to many other makes...) So... if it were me, I'd get them at a place that would let you try them out, or welcome an exchange if they start to bother you after a few days test drive...

just my 2 cents....

[doug_hti]

okay, a few things.

I got a pair for sale if you want? I'm in LA, I have good references. They are in great condition.

Second. Don't fall for them quite so fast. They do sound okay by themselves, and once something is good.
Getting there on them is a different story. I'm sure they work for some people, but not for me.

Advice, work on them for a while before hand, but ultimately once you figure out they aren't what you had in mind and if you don't want to spring for something like bm6s or better, get some used NS10s and a
cheap(er) amp.

However, I also have no doubt that they may bring you better results than your M1s.

[Dot]

The V6's really lack body, IMO, and that influenced the overall sound of the entire monitor. The KRK V8's only run about $100 per pair than the V6's. More than worth the little bit extra.

If you're really looking for a 6" monitor also consider the Mackie HR624.

Another great 6" solution is a pair of Tannoy PBM 6.5II's passives run by a Crown D-75. You can find them used in great condition on Ebay and put that monitoring system together for less than $500.

Either way, after running Alesis M1's you're going to be in for a whole new world with some new monitors. : )

[007]

The V8's do sound good but it's just that my room is rather small, thinking the 6 would be plenty as I usually monitor at low volumes. Not sure what you mean by "the V6 really lack body", they didn't seem to lack anything when hearing them back to back with any other make? Wouldn't mind if you could elaborate on that?

I used to have the Mackie 824's and hated them so much I'm so hesitant to even consider the 624's. I heard they're a much better monitor overall, maybe I should keep an open mind and go check them out.

[007]

Thing is, no place I've found has both the Dynaudio BM6A's and KRK V6 for me to hear side-by-side. Although even if I could, I can only assume that between the two, there would be no contest*, the Dyns would probably smoke the KRK's, leaving me to surrender to the Visa card...






* or is that too premature an assumption?

[Sir Bob]

My KRK V6's are okay but like any speaker I have learned to adjust to their biases.

Namely, they are bright to me and my mixes on other systems end up sounding relatively flat.

Also they are bright in the highs and this tends to make me think I have more cymbals, high hats, etc., than I really do.

What I do like is that I can hear lots of detail and usually get a pretty decent mix. They allow me to hear the reverb and delays so I never overdo it in this area.

Like any other speaker, you learn to adjust. I think they are a good deal for the money.

[tINY]

You are talking about the new KRK V6 that has been available for about 2-3 months, aren't you? (the ones with the yellow kevlar cones)

I auditioned them and was surpised, but ended up buying a pair of ST6's on a smokin' deal (hey, I already have a good amp...).

The ST6's lack Bink's "strident" top end (though I would prefer about 2dB more above 10kHz). The transients and mids are really good, the whole range is clean and even and the bass isn't ringy.

The V6 was about as good (15 minutes later I couldn't tell much difference). I think the passives might have slightly better transient response and imaging, but the new actives have a flat (or slightly elevated ) highest octave.

But, if you have an amp and are budget minded, you might find some ST6's for a riduculusly low price (considering the performance).


-tINY

[007]

You are talking about the new KRK V6 that has been available for about 2-3 months, aren't you? (the ones with the yellow kevlar cones)

The ones that came out a few months ago are the new "Rockit" series, the SP5 and SP8, there's no 6 in that series just yet. The ones I'm talking about are the V6, which have been areound for quite some time now. As for the yellow cones, most KRK models have them, it's been their "thing" for years now.

I heard both the newer SP's and the V's, but the latter (the older ones) seemed a bit truer sounding, prolly why they're more expensive...

[Chad]

The whole KRK "V" line was revamped a few months back. the v4,v6, and v8 are all different now. The original v6's were the one out of 3 to actualy have an all black woofer. I havnt heard the new versions, but the originals were always pretty bad sounding to me. The new ones could rock, not sure. The st6's sound pretty damn good for $200 a pair(passive). I went from v6's a few years bacl, which i had for maybe week, couldnt stand them, then had hr824's for a few years. Now I have the dyn BM6a's and am VERY happy with them.

[tINY]

List price on the ST6 is $199 each speaker, they aren't sold as a pair.

Since about July, several places are blowing them out for $100 each. This has got to be close to (or below?) dealer "end column" price.

I don't know if someone got a good deal, got tired of warehousing them, or just decided that passive 6" monitors are going the way of the dodo bird. In any case, I couldn't pass up the deal. I may even buy 3 more.....


-tINY

[007]

Simply for the record, Tiny was right about the 'newer' line of KRK's. The V series (V4, V6, V8) is actually "V2", which I didn't realise until a few days ago. I thought it was the same V6 series which have been around since the late 90's I believe. I don't know how the old V6 sounded, but these newer V2-6 were utterly impressive, perhaps they put a lot of work in the re-design, who knows...

On the flip side (and this is where I got TIny's question confused), there is also a new series of KRK active monitors called "Rockit" RP5, RP6 and RP8. Also with yellow woofer cones, but a little more sleek in design, more rounded and spacey looking thant their siblings, the V's. These newer RP monitors are also quite cheaper ($400 for the 6", $500 for the 8's), but when I heard them against the V's at GC, the latter did seem to deliver a more detailed image and a more controlled low-end.

And of course, there's the new passive KRK's, the ST series, which seem like a great value for those who already have an amp. Personally, I'd rather just get the actives and be done with it, but indeed, those ST's are quite a steal.

That said, I took another listen to the Dynaudio BM6A's today at B&H, and if I can be totally honest, I think I'll hold off on them and go for the KRK's instead. Sure, the Dyns are lovely, but being that my GC monitor shootout session was still fresh from only a few days ago, I realized the KRK V6 would suit me just fine, I don't feel they sound $800 less than the Dyns, I think they can sound absolutely phenomenal for $700/pr.

ok, done! Thanks for all your comments.

[GPl]

Check out www.jrrshop.com and check out the "B" stock. The original V6's(not the newer V6-2) are cheap there. I got got 2 for $600.00cdn after tax/customs to add to 3 I picked up here in Toronto. Good price indeed! Oh yeh, add a sub to your V6's and you're set.

The BM15a's I tried out ended up staying with me!

[GPl]

I just checked out Jrrshop and you can get them for $450.00/pair! Free shipping....that'll save you some $$$

[Chad]

Originally posted by tINY


List price on the ST6 is $199 each speaker, they aren't sold as a pair.

Since about July, several places are blowing them out for $100 each. This has got to be close to (or below?) dealer "end column" price.

I don't know if someone got a good deal, got tired of warehousing them, or just decided that passive 6" monitors are going the way of the dodo bird. In any case, I couldn't pass up the deal. I may even buy 3 more.....


-tINY

Actualy, the list price means nothing. MAP on these speakers are $100 each. Some dealers will try to push the list price on you as if you are getting a deal. The intended price for the ST6 to be sold at as decided by KRK is $99.99. Dealer cost (if i remember correctly) ranges from 50-65 range depending on the quantity ordered. On stuff like this, because of the high rate of competition between the big corporation shops, there is little margin left, but they sell in large quantities, and this model was built for that market. It just happens that these bargain spakers sound damn good for thir cost, and hold well next to much pricier speakers, and i think they beat out the entire KRK V series line anyway.