ProAudio Review - April 2008 - (Page 28)

STUDIO | REVIEW by Rob Tavaglione steps), high frequency level control (again from -2 dB to +1 dB), system level control (from -30 dB to +6 dB), a HPF switch (-3 dB at 45 Hz, 50 Hz or 65 Hz) and the ubiquitous IEC power connector. The E8B pair was accompanied by KRK’s V12S subwoofer, a 12-inch self-powered design, which I incorporated into my system but not this review; the sub was not essential to the review, per se, but essential to my successful work habits and listening preferences. Rest assured, the V12S performed admirably with plenty of output, headroom and a pleasant puffiness to its punch. | IN USE Upon powering up the E8Bs I heard one of my favorite sounds: the satisfying click of a sturdy relay switching on, as I noticed that attractive backlit glow of the KRK logo. With no time to interrupt my workflow, I had to KRK Systems Exposé E8B Powered Monitor High-end offerings from KRK offer superior accuracy, imaging and power. BENCH TEST | Page 31 As I grow older and wiser, and my gear collection improves, I now find myself drawn to products that are not so much innovative, but simple. Or I should say simply beautiful, both in their quality components and straightforward design. My opportunity to review the Exposé E8B powered monitors by KRK Systems has confirmed these values for me and reminded me that top quality monitoring is priority one. | FEATURES The Exposé E8B is KRK's top of the line, near-to-midfield monitor, boasting impressive specs, an eye catching look and an equally eye catching MSRP of $6500 per pair ($5k street). First released in 1998, some significant changes have been made to the E8 monitor, although none are major or ‘downgrades.’ The biggest change is the new “AlbeMet” tweeter, made of a combination of aluminum and APPLICATIONS Studio, project studio KEY FEATURES New one-inch “AlBeMet” tweeter; eight-inch Kevlar with Rohacell woofer; hefty and overbuilt hexagonal cabinet; Class A/AB bi-amplified power — 120W for tweeters, 140W for woofers; XLR input, high frequency shelving control, high frequency level control, system level control, and HPF switch PRICE $3,250 each CONTACT KRK Systems | ☎ 954-316-1580 ➲ www.krksys.com beryllium (previous versions used Kevlar or titanium), which is rather rigid, very fast and ready for high sample rate reproduction (response out to 30 kHz!) With a resonant frequency well above human hearing, distortion is reduced, and extended, flatter response is achieved. This new tweet uses the same inverted (concave) E8 design, an interesting look further complemented by the E8B's yellow woofer. This yellow woofer is effectively KRK's ‘branding’ — here it is two layers of Kevlar with a central layer of Rohacell, which contributes both stiffness and dampening. The E8B cabinet is not to be ignored; it is hefty and overbuilt to the degree of weighing in at over 70 pounds! The old hexagonal design is now more like a pot-bellied, rectangular cabinet, and these curved and smooth lines serve a number of acoustic purposes. First of all, the external radius edges reduce diffraction around the cabinet, improving imaging and helping create a wide sweet spot. Internally, these smooth lines and lack of parallelism reduce standing waves. Unwanted resonances are reduced through cabinet rigidity, excessive mass and a rubberized ‘footing’ that helps isolate the E8B from its mounting surface. Marketed for both near and mid-field monitoring, powerful amplification is in order and the E8B features 120 watts for the tweeters and 140 for the woofers. This bi-amplification is courtesy of two discrete, Class A/AB power amps crossed over at 1.9 kHz. Below 8 watts of output they operate at Class A, above 8 watts at Class AB, reportedly increasing detail at lower volumes. The rear panel is familiar and traditional, with a singular XLR input, high frequency shelving control (from -2 dB to +1 dB, in .5 dB jump right into overdubbing and editing a heavy metal project that has been testing the limits of my new JBL LSR4328 monitoring system and the limits of my critical listening abilities. With new monitors, my ears immediately gravitate to the mids; here I was delighted to hear flatness, accuracy and a complete lack of personality (of course, this is meant as a major compliment). The high end was ample KRK continues on page 30 ➤ 28 | ProAudio Review | April 2008 Subscribe to the Digital Edition of Pro Audio Review http://www.myparmag.com www.proaudioreview.com http://www.krksys.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.myparmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - April 2008

ProAudio Review - April 2008 Contents A Little More Recognition Please Studio News and New Products API 1608 16-Channel Analog Console TASCAM X-48 Digital Audio Workstation SSL Matrix Super Analogue Console Toft Audio Design Series ATB Analog Console KRK Systems Exposé E8B Powered Monitor Broadcast News and New Products ZOOM H2 Portable Digital Recorder Producing Surround Sound at 50th Grammy Awards JBL LSR4312SP Linear Spatial Reference Powered Subwoofer Audio Production For Gaming Euphonix S5 Fusion Digital Post Production Console NAB Hot Gear Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Live Production Console Go To A Show! Contracting News and New Products Studio Consoles Studio Wireless Microphones Alicia Keys “Superwoman”

ProAudio Review - April 2008

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