Kali Audio IN-8v2 (Second Wave) 3-Way Studio Monitor Review

[thewas]

New colour option which I quite like, seems to be available in USA only through Sweetwater and in Europe through Thomann:

 

[Rednaxela]

Wow!

 

[sray1372]

Hello! Is it a good idea to apply the AutomaticEQ provided by spinorama.org to the IN-8 V2?

 

[Rednaxela]

That's an interesting question.

If so, why would Kali not have applied it themselves?

 

[sray1372]

That's an interesting question.

If so, why would Kali not have applied it themselves?

Based on my limited perspective, I think one reason might be that, due to the nature of hardware, it’s not easy to apply post-corrections to already-sold products in response to reviews. Additionally, the sound that the manufacturer aims for (which might differ from the completely flat response some users desire or from the Harman target) could be different. I also wonder if they intentionally left flexibility for users to later adjust the EQ themselves as needed. Personally, I’m aiming for a direction that can best compensate for the weaknesses identified in room measurements.

 

[Rednaxela]

Based on my limited perspective, I think one reason might be that, due to the nature of hardware, it’s not easy to apply post-corrections to already-sold products in response to reviews.

This suggests that the reviews in question reveal something that Kali didn't know before product launch. I'm not so sure about this.

Additionally, the sound that the manufacturer aims for (which might differ from the completely flat response some users desire or from the Harman target) could be different.

Agree. In theory, this could be a reason.

Another reason could be that they stopped chasing an even flatter curve because they felt there was no point. To be perfectly honest I am rather hard pressed to spot the difference between left and right here by eye:

Measurements for speaker Kali IN-8v2

www.spinorama.org

There is a possibility I would struggle even more by ear.

 

[Sokel]

from the Harman target)

For a millionth time, "Harman" response is not a target, is a result.
It's the ballpark result of a nicely made speaker in a decent room.

To force such is NOT the same thing.

 

[neRok]

If so, why would Kali not have applied it themselves?

I guess it's possible that the built-in DSP did not have any more "capacity". But I agree with your followup comment in that the in-room response is pretty good. The crappy response over ~13kHz is not that important, and there's always going to some level of "anomaly" in the range where the coax mid and tweeter x-over and physically interfere with each other.

 

[Jim Creek]

It seems the Kali 8s are sold out everywhere.

 

[Rednaxela]

Thomann NL has the black ones in stock and the grey version available in 1-2 weeks.

 

[Aurvandil]

crappy response

It is also recommended to listen to them not on the axis. This compensates for the curvature to some extent.

 

[amazingtazing]

Looks like Kali raised the prices here in the states like crazy, $1000 a pair. Rough...

 

[Ultrasonic]

Looks like Kali raised the prices here in the states like crazy, $1000 a pair. Rough...

You realise their speakers are manufactured in China?

 

[raykkho]

Pardon if this has been asked before but this is quite a long thread. Has anyone tried the In-8 V2 in a home theatre setting, such as centre channel?

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Pardon if this has been asked before but this is quite a long thread. Has anyone tried the In-8 V2 in a home theatre setting, such as centre channel?

No literal "home theatre" here -- but, in my rather unconventional 7.1 nearfield setup, I can testify that an IN-5 oriented horizontally is splendid as the "centre channel" speaker between my pair of IN-8v2s. If you can make the larger IN-8v2 work physically in your setup, I can't imagine it would have any problem in the "centre channel" role -- just remember to set the DIP switches appropriately for the orientation and position you choose..

 

[raykkho]

No literal "home theatre" here -- but, in my rather unconventional 7.1 nearfield setup, I can testify that an IN-5 oriented horizontally is splendid as the "centre channel" speaker between my pair of IN-8v2s. If you can make the larger IN-8v2 work physically in your setup, I can't imagine it would have any problem in the "centre channel" role -- just remember to set the DIP switches appropriately for the orientation and position you choose..

Thanks very much. Understanding it is designed mainly for nearfield monitoring, I was also wondering if the IN-8V2 can be played "reasonably" loud as a center channel, my main listening position is about 11' away. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

I was also wondering if the IN-8V2 can be played "reasonably" loud as a center channel, my main listening position is about 11' away.

Mine is roughly half that distance away, so I can't really say -- sorry!

Kali's tech support people have been very helpful to me, so you might want to consider asking them: [email protected]

 

[raykkho]

Mine is roughly half that distance away, so I can't really say -- sorry!

Kali's tech support people have been very helpful to me, so you might want to consider asking them: [email protected]

That's a very good idea, and thank you.

 

[neRok]

I was also wondering if the IN-8V2 can be played "reasonably" loud as a center channel, my main listening position is about 11' away.

The IN5 and IN8 actually have quite high max SPL specs considering that they are studio monitors. For example, check out the the dynamic-range test results for Kali IN5 versus JBL 305P, and you will see that 305's give up over 96dB @ 1m, whereas IN5 (and IN8) will keep outputting at 102dB @ 1m.

For listening volume at your distance, lets just use a max of 96dB @ 1m as a reference, then when you apply -6dB per doubling of distance, that would work out to 90dB @ 2m and 84dB @ 4m distance. 11 feet is 3.3m, so ballpark 86dB at your listening position. And in-room will likely be louder due to reflections etc.

I think the IN5 would be sufficient for a center channel, because you shouldn't need much bass output from a center channel that is crossed with a sub at around 90Hz. But if you find a bargain on IN8's, then why not get them!

 

[raykkho]

The IN5 and IN8 actually have quite high max SPL specs considering that they are studio monitors. For example, check out the the dynamic-range test results for [Kali IN5](https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kali_in-5/#dynamic-range-instantaneous-compression-test) versus [JBL 305P](https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/jbl_305pmk2/#dynamic-range-instantaneous-compression-test), and you will see that 305's give up over 96dB @ 1m, whereas IN5 (and IN8) will keep outputting at 102dB @ 1m.

For listening volume at your distance, lets just use a max of 96dB @ 1m as a reference, then when you apply -6dB per doubling of distance, that would work out to 90dB @ 2m and 84dB @ 4m distance. 11 feet is 3.3m, so ballpark 86dB at your listening position. And in-room will likely be louder due to reflections etc.

I would think the IN5 would be sufficient for a center channel, because you shouldn't need much bass output from a center channel that is crossed with a sub at around 90Hz. But if you find a bargain on IN8's, then why not get them!

Thank you for the useful information