Kali Audio LP-UNF

[Dom83.xyz]

Here you go:

Kali Audio LP-6v2 (Second Wave) 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

Kali Audio LP-6v2 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Kali Audio LP-UNF Desktop Speaker Review

Kali Audio LP-UNF Desktop Speaker Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

The LP-6 has deeper bass extension, lower distortion, and can play louder without compression/limiting.

Thanks but these data don't talk to me much. How does it translate in real life for someone who wants to use them for making music? Would you say they are significantly less good for that than the LP-6 or practically as good? And how do they compare to ~similarly priced 5'' monitors such as KRK Rokit RP55 G5 and Presonus Eris Studio 5 etc? LP-6 are better overall than these, but what about the LP-UNF?

 

[roladyzator]

We don't have measurements for the Presonus Studio 5 and KRK RP55, but the Presonus E5 and KRK Rokit 5 G4 that were measured are worse because they have prominent resonances in the frequency response. The sound will be colored in a way that will affect your judgement. If music sounds right on those, it will sound wrong on better speakers.

LP-UNF is better than those and competes with well-received studio monitors like JBL 305P or Adam T5V.
They can't go quite as loud and have less deep bass though.
The Adam T5V have exaggerated treble. It means if you make the treble sound just right on the Adams, it might sound too dark for users of more neutral speakers.

For making music, neutral frequency response, deeper bass extension, lower distortion, and ability to play louder without compression/limiting is what you want.
For personal listening, we generally prefer neutral speakers but some deviations from that are not deal-breakers.
The monitors you've mentioned (at the their earlier revisions that we have measurements for) don't have desirable deviations from neutrality, though - KRK shows some strange peaks around 700 Hz and the Presonus have a narrow-band bass boost at about 90 Hz, a dip at 3 khz and boosted treble.

If price or space are a concern, the LP-UNF great. Although there's also the Adam D3V is you need even smaller speakers.
You can always plan out your purchases and buy smaller speakers now and add a subwoofer later to get usable output down to 30-40 Hz range.
Still, the Adam D3V or Kali LP-UNF are probably the least you should do for work.

 

[roladyzator]

I think that the USB input also works in favor of LP-UNF or Adam D3V. Speakers with 3-pin power plugs (all active speakers except maybe the cheeapest ones like Edifier MR3 and similar) will introduce ground loops if there is anything else in the chain with such a plug (like your monitor or stationary PC). You'd need an audio device with balanced output and will have to use balanced cables.

 

[Dom83.xyz]

youtu.be/OBkB7uMSihY at 6'35 :

First of all, do not buy these speakers if you're gonna be mixing solely on these. You're not going to get away with that. That's first and foremost. You're going to need to use headphones or another set of monitors to really check your mixes.

How much do you guys agree with this statement?

 

[incursore61]

Reading this thread made me want to try the Kali speakers! They arrived yesterday, and I'm quite pleased with the initial impression. I'm wondering if it's possible to make them turn off at the same time as my Mac Mini, and what equalizer app to use. Thanks.

 

[Scoobz1]

re turning off I went for something like this to make it easier - annoying that they have no 12 trigger or auto turn-off
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR188K5N?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[Jiraya369]

Thanks but these data don't talk to me much. How does it translate in real life for someone who wants to use them for making music? Would you say they are significantly less good for that than the LP-6 or practically as good? And how do they compare to ~similarly priced 5'' monitors such as KRK Rokit RP55 G5 and Presonus Eris Studio 5 etc? LP-6 are better overall than these, but what about the LP-UNF?

flat FR = neutral uncoloured sound = any change in the mix translates to all other sound sources.

You'd ideally get a full range speaker or sound system as, without sufficient bass you can make errors in the mixing process by putting too much bass, highs or something else.

 

[Elin]

Hello all
Here a brand new LP-UNF owner. Windows 11 25H2 Dutch, USB-C connected, on speakerstand close to wall.
I used to have a pair of iLoud Micro Monitors but got a bigger desk, so thought to up also in speaker format
For me it's purely as desktop speaker. So listening to HQ music, movies, some gaming, etc.
Got 2 questions and maybe you have some feedback on it?

1. The LP-UNF sound is great and for sure an upgrade compared to the iLouds ... but only on high(er) volumes? I know this of course is a personal experience but on low(er) volumes the LP-UNF sounds "boring", there is no punch. The iLouds though are way more present on low(er) volumes, especially with bass.
   The dipswitches on the back do not change that experience.
   I tried to alter the sound somewhat with the FxSound software and that helps a small bit but still ...
   An option to replace the LP-UNF are the Adam Audio D3V's. I presume those are a bit more present at lower volumes. But I don't know if those are an upgrade compared to the normal iLouds?
   I also could go for the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro but that's way more expensive and I also have to get an audio interface for those.
   Opinions?
   
   
2. The volume adjustment with the Windows Volume Control is a bit weird? When I use that (either onscreen or with the volume keys on my keyboard), the volume change steps do not change equally all the time. For example, when going from 10 to 12, there is a small change. 12 to 14, there is no change. But then going from 14 to 16, there suddenly is a rather big jump in volume?
   The volume on the speaker itself doesn't matter: I set that to Step 27 (0 dB) and tried others but the same problem. And using each time the volume on the speaker is just not practical (that touch volume is the only negative about the speakers).
   This is not so with the iLouds: each volume change with Windows volume control is noticeable.

Thanks in advance for any info and/or opinion.

I recently got the Adam D3V's. At low to medium volume the tweeter cuts out and in. Stuff like ambient sounds and orchestral music is what I have noticed this happen on. Here is an example I found online (use headphones) youtubec.om/shorts/SdBlhy-1fOo

The D3V's also make a loud pop sound when turning PC on or off and the front LED cannot be turned off

I'm going to return them and I'm considering the Kali UNF or iLoud Micros, which would you recommend?

 

[Dom83.xyz]

I decided to try the Kali LP-UNF. At first I found their sound way too dark. Then my ears quickly got accustomed. But it's been over a week now and I still find their sound a bit too dark for my taste. I use the appropriate boundary settings though. Maybe you can help.
Each monitor is sitting on top of a pile of books on the desk, with some foam to isolate, 25cm from the wall, with a 50x50cm panel of alveolar foam on the wall behind each monitor, they are 85cm from each-other and me.
So my settings are: 1: off 2: on 3: on. I also set a boost for the high frequencies: 6: on 7: on and an attenuation for the low frequencies: 4: on 5: off. But I wish I could boost the medium between around 4KHz~6KHz and attenuate the low frequencies a tiny bit more. Is there another setting I can do?

 

[staticV3]

I decided to try the Kali LP-UNF. At first I found their sound way too dark. Then my ears quickly got accustomed. But it's been over a week now and I still find their sound a bit too dark for my taste. I use the appropriate boundary settings though. Maybe you can help.
Each monitor is sitting on top of a pile of books on the desk, with some foam to isolate, 25cm from the wall, with a 50x50cm panel of alveolar foam on the wall behind each monitor, they are 85cm from each-other and me.
So my settings are: 1: off 2: on 3: on. I also set a boost for the high frequencies: 6: on 7: on and an attenuation for the low frequencies: 4: on 5: off. But I wish I could boost the medium between around 4KHz~6KHz and attenuate the low frequencies a tiny bit more. Is there another setting I can do?

What I'd do for good sound is:

-buy some monitor stands so that the monitors are level with the ground, and the tweeters are at ear height.

-use Parametric EQ with Equalizer APO (Windows), SoundSource (macOS), or CamillaDSP (Linux) to correct the Kali's on-axis response.
For this you can use the Parametric EQ (IIR) preset found on Spinorama: https://www.spinorama.org/speakers/Kali LP-UNF/ErinsAudioCorner/index_eac.html

-lastly, measure the in-room frequency response using the Moving Microphone Method, smooth out the bass response by cutting down room modes like you see in the graph, and finally, add a Low Shelf filter at 110Hz, Q 0.71 where you shape the bass response to preference by adjusting the filter gain.

 

[Dom83.xyz]

What I'd do for good sound is:

Thanks for these detailed info.

I don't get why monitor stands would be better than my piles of books, except looking less ghetto of course.

I already tried Equalizer APO, it only works with Windows's sound, not with ASIO. I tried Voicemeeter Banana as well, which does work with ASIO but doesn't work well on my computer, it eats a constant 10% CPU resources and causes cracks and parasites in the sound.
I do have parametric EQs included directly in my audio interface's software however, but there is no Q setting, instead there is a bandwidth setting with a value between 0-1 octave or 0-36 semitones.
I applied a Shelf EQ as you said (but again, no Q setting) and it solved my bass issue.

 

[db602]

Just wanted to show you my eq preset for when listening to music.
I use another one thats basically the same except its only +3db bass and no treble boost.
I have all my presets setup on keyboard shortcuts so I can quickly switch without opening Peace (ctrl+alt+1 for example).
I have the speakers on my table where I can just about touch them when reaching my arms out.
They are sitting on some replica IsoAcoustics stands I got off Aliexpress for $35 total, this was before tariffs.
The speakers are plugged into a Fosi Audio DS2 2024 Dac/Amp. I use soundkeeper to keep the sound always active to avoid fade/ins.
I leave the pc volume on 100% and on the LP-UNF I have it on 3 dials. I added +2db bass on the back of the speakers for even more bass.
For the 8db boost the volume on media players cant go past 45% or else itll clip.
I use all my presets on 0db pre amp so I can really hear the difference when switching presets/on/off.
I just use media players volume slider to control clipping.
I also use Erins flat presets for different scenarios.

 

[staticV3]

I think about: Kali LP 6 mkII, Adam Audio T7V, KRK Rokit 7 G5/4 or Focal Alpha 65 Evo (higher price), new or use.

Not the LP-UNF, which this thread is about?

 

[Gabrik]

Not the LP-UNF, which this thread is about?

I didn't want to start a new thread

 

[tw99]

I didn't want to start a new thread

I recommend you get the LP-UNF. If you don't want those, start another thread