Kali Audio IN-8 Studio Monitor Review

[Bruce Morgen]

I see. Maybe IN-8 v2 will improve this dip.

I've got a pair on order, so we'll see. The dealer website copy was a bit confusing, but it seems pretty much everything about the IN-8 has been improved in what Kali calls a "Second Wave" product.

 

[stevenswall]

I've got a pair on order, so we'll see. The dealer website copy was a bit confusing, but it seems pretty much everything about the IN-8 has been improved in what Kali calls a "Second Wave" product.

Depending on the dip you're referring it, if it can be DSP corrected, it may be improved, but if it's due to the midrange/tweeter air gap diffraction I don't think it will go away.

-Updated DSP
-Updated amp section
-Updated driver material

That's the list as far as I know.

 

[magic44ken]

I've got a pair on order, so we'll see. The dealer website copy was a bit confusing, but it seems pretty much everything about the IN-8 has been improved in what Kali calls a "Second Wave" product.

Thanks. Look forward to your finding. I wonder if they know about the big dip around 10kHz cause by the air gap between the mid and tweeter.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Thanks. Look forward to your finding. I wonder if they know about the big dip around 10kHz cause by the air gap between the mid and tweeter.

I'm sure they aware of it, although that doesn't mean that it's fixable.

 

[thewas]

I'm sure they aware of it, although that doesn't mean that it's fixable.

Erins measured IN-5 shows a smaller high frequency dip than the here measured IN-8 and according to Kalis measurements its even smaller on the second wave IN-8:

 

[Gurkerl]

If the v2 really fixed all these problems, it is going to be the speaker to beat at that price (if it wasn't already before).

 

[Bruce Morgen]

If the v2 really fixed all these problems, it is going to be the speaker to beat at that price (if it wasn't already before).

That's the surmise that got me to pull the trigger.

 

[More Dynamics Please]

Looks as if Sweetwater grabbed all the early stock.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Looks as if Sweetwater grabbed all the early stock.

I nabbed a pair cheap on eBay and they're now in the gentle hands of UPS.

Kali Audio IN-8 V2 [2nd Wave] 8 inch Powered 3-way Studio Monitors, PAIR [NEW]

 

[More Dynamics Please]

I nabbed a pair cheap on eBay and they're now in the gentle hands of UPS.

Kali Audio IN-8 V2 [2nd Wave] 8 inch Powered 3-way Studio Monitors, PAIR [NEW]

Maybe I'm overly suspicious but that seems like a bit of a sketchy deal selling a just introduced item that's in short supply and high demand for less than current market price. I'd check it out very closely and be prepared to dispute with eBay if it's not as advertised. Best of luck.

 

[stevenswall]

Maybe I'm overly suspicious but that seems like a bit of a sketchy deal selling a just introduced item that's in short supply and high demand for less than current market price. I'd check it out very closely and be prepared to dispute with eBay if it's not as advertised. Best of luck.

I reached out to the seller, he had pictures of the legitimate boxes and got a batch from Kali to redistribute. He chooses to make less profit on them and sell them at a discount.

As with anything, buy with PayPal and if you don't get an item as described, they will help you resolve it.

 

[More Dynamics Please]

I reached out to the seller, he had pictures of the legitimate boxes and got a batch from Kali to redistribute. He chooses to make less profit on them and sell them at a discount.

As with anything, buy with PayPal and if you don't get an item as described, they will help you resolve it.

Just strikes me as odd and inexplicable that this low-cost eBay seller would be selected out of the many retailers clamoring for this new Kali speaker that's in high demand and short supply. Maybe the seller is a relative of someone who works at Kali Audio as Kali products seem to make up most of what he's advertising at below market prices.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

I reached out to the seller, he had pictures of the legitimate boxes and got a batch from Kali to redistribute. He chooses to make less profit on them and sell them at a discount.

As with anything, buy with PayPal and if you don't get an item as described, they will help you resolve it.

Yeah -- between PayPal and eBay policies, the worst that could happen is some inconvenience and disappointment. As a buyer, your money is safe if any item turns out to not be "as described" -- there's just no "buyer's remorse" return privilege unless the seller specifically offers that.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

I've got a pair on order, so we'll see. The dealer website copy was a bit confusing, but it seems pretty much everything about the IN-8 has been improved in what Kali calls a "Second Wave" product.

They're here -- more about them later, which might be a while because they arrived in the midst of a major multi-day apartment reconfiguration project.

 

[richard12511]

Anyone directly compared that one against the JBL 308p?

 

[stevenswall]

Even a screenshot on a 1080p phone is too large for the forum... They are set up now though... It's like an IN-5 clone. Don't think I could tell the difference besides a little more bass. I put it side by side with the IN-8 V1 that I have. Hard to tell the difference there too. Likely placebo, but maybe the treble is a touch brighter? (But not bright per say.)

Unplugged one at a time to try mono testing but since I can't switch instantly my aural memory isn't likely accurate.

Anyhow, the hiss is drastically improved. I like the small amount of extra bass vs the IN-5, and now have the IN-8 v2 nearfield instead of my HiVi DIY 3.1a with a terrible amp that I need to replace.

 

[stevenswall]

Anyone directly compared that one against the JBL 308p?

The 308 sounded bass lite to me with hard treble when I had it for a few weeks. I don't hear either of these things on the IN-8v2. Better all around to me.

Also better handling of the bass at 2:20 in Jamie XX Reconsider.

 

[HammerSandwich]

Unplugged one at a time to try mono testing but since I can't switch instantly my aural memory isn't likely accurate.

Hook 'em both up to something with a balance control.

 

[stevenswall]

Hook 'em both up to something with a balance control.

I'm too minimalist for my own good. Don't have anything with balance control knobs. Maybe the MiniDSP could do something like that.

 

[sweetchaos]

By the way, Kali IN-8 v2 seems to be in stock now from major retailers (bhphoto, sweetwater, etc).

Who's shipping a unit for review?