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Kali Audio vs. Genelec for Home Studio?

Yeah, the IN-5 is an improvement in design. Smaller speakers usually require a higher wattage for similar SPL.
It is taller than LP6.
 
As a new (and impressed) IN-8 owner, I just posted this in another thread, and though I may as well echo it here...


Having just swapped mine in place of a pair of Presonus Sceptre S8s, and AB-compared through a mountain of wildly different test material, my results are as follows:

The Kali IN-8’s have a VERY similar sound and balance, but:

* Slightly superior imaging

* Noticably more detailed, transparent mids

* Marginally cleaner low-end



Downsides of the IN-8 are

* Less power (if that’s actually an issue for you)

* VERY slightly raised noise floor



Now, to be clear - The Presonus Sceptre is a phenomenal speaker, and retails for US$400 more per box.

I’ve AB-compared the Sceptre S8 to the Genelec 8341 in an excellent studio - and was just staggered how well the Sceptre held its own.

All the positive reviews of the IN-8 simply confirm what I’m hearing - That it punches WELL above its weight and is amazing value for money.

Eg:

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/kali-audio-in8

https://www.musictech.net/reviews/studio-recording-gear/kali-audio-in-8-monitors/

I haven't listened to the IN-8, though I can confirm that the low end of the S8 can be improved by converting it to a sealed box and adding damping material. There should be a thread here in the forum somewhere...

More interesting to me would be how the IN-5 compares to the more expensive S6. I like cheap stuff... as long as it performs well. :)
 
I was of course, referring to the woofer size, not cabinet size.
which one did you ended up buying? as always for me if your room is real small the arguement of better sized or powered sub don't work as that limits your placement possibility, and in a small room the extra headroom say 7050C don't matter yet they have similar lower -3db response (-33vs-30?)
 
which one did you ended up buying? as always for me if your room is real small the arguement of better sized or powered sub don't work as that limits your placement possibility, and in a small room the extra headroom say 7050C don't matter yet they have similar lower -3db response (-33vs-30?)

So far I've picked up the LP6s, actually. In a week or so I'm going to get the Kali WS-12. My thinking is that I may wait for Kali to offer the upgraded version of the IN-8s, or maybe go for a pair of Genelec 8331s. I can't decide.

I disagree with those who base speaker size on room size. A properly treated room is what matters, not the speaker size, since I use them as monitors and not loudspeakers.

The LP6s sound great for nearfield monitoring.
 
So far I've picked up the LP6s, actually. In a week or so I'm going to get the Kali WS-12. My thinking is that I may wait for Kali to offer the upgraded version of the IN-8s, or maybe go for a pair of Genelec 8331s. I can't decide.

I disagree with those who base speaker size on room size. A properly treated room is what matters, not the speaker size, since I use them as monitors and not loudspeakers.

The LP6s sound great for nearfield monitoring.

I'd return the LP-6 and get the IN-5 personally. Better vertical dispersion, much less hiss. Depends on where you want to go with the hobby/studio though... and if you can get an 8260 used, that is a better performing speaker and you may find you don't need a sub. Mine go flat to 18hz in room. It's not going to play that super loud, but you'll be able to get a feel for the bass with them no problem, especially with GLM.

-If you see your salary allowing it, I'd go with the 8331's and then turn them into surround speakers and upgrade to 8260/8351B/8361 monitors for the left and right in a surround system and calibrate them all with GLM (which saves you about $4000 compared to the gear required to do room correction with XLR outputs with other speakers.) If it's a home studio though, I don't know anyone who does surround mixes, as much as I wish the guy down the street would. (Look for "Bit Down" by Moodlight for an example of his work. He just upgraded to Barefoot monitors.)

-If it's a hobby you'll eventually see the end of and just enjoy the music, or you'd like to be more budget conscious to save money for elsewhere, I'd get the IN-5 and a subwoofer, or return it all and wait a year or two for the new amp platform from Kali to be used in whatever their next flagship is. If that has an edge to edge waveguide and minimal diffraction with a coaxial driver, it should approach Genelec quality for significantly less cost.
 
I'd return the LP-6 and get the IN-5 personally. Better vertical dispersion, much less hiss. Depends on where you want to go with the hobby/studio though... and if you can get an 8260 used, that is a better performing speaker and you may find you don't need a sub. Mine go flat to 18hz in room. It's not going to play that super loud, but you'll be able to get a feel for the bass with them no problem, especially with GLM.

-If you see your salary allowing it, I'd go with the 8331's and then turn them into surround speakers and upgrade to 8260/8351B/8361 monitors for the left and right in a surround system and calibrate them all with GLM (which saves you about $4000 compared to the gear required to do room correction with XLR outputs with other speakers.) If it's a home studio though, I don't know anyone who does surround mixes, as much as I wish the guy down the street would. (Look for "Bit Down" by Moodlight for an example of his work. He just upgraded to Barefoot monitors.)

-If it's a hobby you'll eventually see the end of and just enjoy the music, or you'd like to be more budget conscious to save money for elsewhere, I'd get the IN-5 and a subwoofer, or return it all and wait a year or two for the new amp platform from Kali to be used in whatever their next flagship is. If that has an edge to edge waveguide and minimal diffraction with a coaxial driver, it should approach Genelec quality for significantly less cost.

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate it!
 
Not sure if the OP is still looking, (I took over a year to keep something I liked,) but if hiss is a concern and you'd like the larger monitor, they made some improvements to the IN-8 and self noise is reportedly down -12dB which might sway you one way or another.


If this was out prior to me getting my Genelec's, I think I'd be quite happy with a 5.1 system using Kali speakers, and it would cost significantly less in the US, even compared to the used price of my Genelecs. Unfortunately the hiss was too much for me with the original IN-8 and I returned them, tried a pair of Devialet Phantoms which were excellent minus the horrible connectivity and app, and ended up with 8260 monitors.
 
Not sure if the OP is still looking, (I took over a year to keep something I liked,) but if hiss is a concern and you'd like the larger monitor, they made some improvements to the IN-8 and self noise is reportedly down -12dB which might sway you one way or another.


If this was out prior to me getting my Genelec's, I think I'd be quite happy with a 5.1 system using Kali speakers, and it would cost significantly less in the US, even compared to the used price of my Genelecs. Unfortunately the hiss was too much for me with the original IN-8 and I returned them, tried a pair of Devialet Phantoms which were excellent minus the horrible connectivity and app, and ended up with 8260 monitors.

Yes, I've been waiting for this, and am thrilled. Thanks for the update!
 
Yes, I've been waiting for this, and am thrilled. Thanks for the update!

Picked up a pair myself. Very satisfied for the price!
 
I'm in the same boat for 2-3m listening: Kali IN-8 v2s or Genelec 8030Cs.

In Canada these 2 speakers are much closer in price than in the US.
IN-8 v2 - US$399, CA$569 (US$472)
8030C - US$695, CA$789 (US$653)

The Genelecs cost 75% more than the Kali's in the US, yet they're only 33% more than the IN-8s in Canada.
The Genelecs are cheaper in the Canada than in the US, and the opposite is true for the Kalis.
 
I'm in the same boat for 2-3m listening: Kali IN-8 v2s or Genelec 8030Cs.

In Canada these 2 speakers are much closer in price than in the US.
IN-8 v2 - US$399, CA$569 (US$472)
8030C - US$695, CA$789 (US$653)

The Genelecs cost 75% more than the Kali's in the US, yet they're only 33% more than the IN-8s in Canada.
The Genelecs are cheaper in the Canada than in the US, and the opposite is true for the Kalis.
I

I think IN-8 is the better speaker. The genelec doesn't work with DSP, lacks bass extension, total output, and coaxial drivers.

The Kali has basic placement DSP correction, more bass extension, higher output, and coaxial drivers.

If there is a GLM capable 8330 and you can afford a subwoofer and GLM kit, that would likely close the gap in a few areas, but cost even more.
 
For my implementation, they would also be used with DSP (MiniDSP), and dual subwoofers for the low end.
 
For my implementation, they would also be used with DSP (MiniDSP), and dual subwoofers for the low end.

Definitely the Genelecs in that case unless vertical dispersion is a need.(EX: if you do yoga in a living room or play games on the floor sometimes and sit on the couch sometimes.)

Other than that, those Genelecs supported by a sub and well integrated should be excellent: more accurate and better treble horizontal dispersion without starting to beam at the very top end.
 
For my implementation, they would also be used with DSP (MiniDSP), and dual subwoofers for the low end.
Genelec 8030c + miniDSP SHD + 2 x subs is à killar combo. I’m one sub short of it ;)
 
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