KRK Kreate Series: The Wireless Monitor Revolution Begins
We're often asked: Why don't most active monitor speakers have Bluetooth inputs?
Actually, they do exist, but they're mostly found in entry-level products, and they all use a "master/slave" design where the "master speaker" outputs both signal and power to the "slave speaker."
This way, you only need to design the Bluetooth chip into the primary speaker, but the drawbacks are obvious:
Since all the circuitry is concentrated in the master speaker, the salve speaker is essentially hollow inside. This causes slight tonal differences between the two speakers.
There's only one way to solve this discrepancy: make the left and right speakers completely independent - which is also the mainstream design approach for professional studio monitors.
However, you might find yourself puzzled at this point: We've been using "TWS (True Wireless Stereo)" earphones for years now (like AirPods, which have identical structures for the left and right earpieces), so why can't independent speakers achieve wireless connectivity?
Initially, this was likely due to power requirements, signal levels, and most critically, latency issues. However, last year, the industry saw a new design emerge: the industry's first "independent" wireless monitor speaker, AIAIAI UNIT-4.
The UNIT-4 didn't quite "blow up" in the global market, possibly due to its price point (currently selling for £680/pair)...
However, for our purposes, we just need to focus on how it manages to be both "independent" and "wireless". It uses Bluetooth 5.2, which has an important feature called AURACAST.
Those interested can ask ChatGPT about it... In simple terms, it's a "broadcast" system that can connect not only multiple speakers but various types of Bluetooth devices. And...
There's theoretically NO LIMIT to the number of devices that can be connected!
Let's get back to today's main topic: KRK's new Kreate series.
Three models have been released: Kreate 3 / Kreate 5 / Kreate 8
The Kreate 3 still uses the "main/satellite" design, whilst both the Kreate 5 and 8 are "independent."
Official website - https://www.krkmusic.com/collections/krk-kreate-series
Currently, the series appears to be available in three colours:
Black, white, and cream white
The Kreate series uses a very current Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.3.
Compared to version 5.2, it offers more refined support for multi-speaker systems.
Based on our testing, Bluetooth 5.3 devices generally manage to keep latency around 40ms, which can already meet some professional application requirements.
Another thing to note is the price advantage!
The Kreate 5 isn't expensive, so it has the potential to become the first...
Mass-market Independent Wireless Monitor~
Now, here's the question...
Since the ROKIT 5 lacks wireless functionality... why can it sell for more than the Kreate 5?
So here's what we need to point out: Whilst the Kreate 5's bass power of 45W is fairly reasonable, the tweeter power is only 15W.
Moreover, it uses Class AB amplifier, and following the conventional 60% efficiency calculation, the effective power is only 9W...
It's one of the "lowest" powered 5-inch monitors we've seen.
Let's quickly compare the treble power of similar 5-inch monitors:
- YAMAHA HS5 is 25W (AB)
- KRK Rokit 5 is 20W (Class D)
- JBL 305 MkII is 41W (Class D)
- PreSonus Eris Studio 5 is 35W (AB)
That said, lower power does result in "lower" noise floor, making it suitable for pure "desktop" monitoring.
Of course, it can only be used as "ultra-nearfield"; trying to use it for "nearfield" applications would be rather challenging.
Regardless, KRK has set a good precedent for professional audio manufacturers, and we believe...competitors will likely follow suit soon. But it might still be until the end of the year, or even next year.
2026 will become the breakout year for "wireless independent monitors".
We really must complain about the pace of professional manufacturers here, considering Bluetooth 6.0 is already here...
