FWIW, if you want to send me your modified speaker I’ll be happy to put it on my $120k USD Klippel Near Field Scanner and provide the community with anechoic (objective) data. We can compare that directly with my existing measurements of the LP8v2. Then you’ll know for sure what impact your mod has. Let me know. - Erin

First of all, we absolutely do not endorse any of the modifications that are suggested in this video. In addition to the concern (more below) that you might break something while attempting these modifications, we have no data to suggest that the addition of cross-bracing or extra mass would be beneficial. A problematic resonance would be clear to see in the speaker's directivity index measurement. Unaffiliated reviewers have collected this data on their own, and it's not clear that any such resonance exists. You can peruse this data for yourself: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g9homKmi28qzYJc.html Now, why is it a bad idea to modify your speakers in the manner suggested? For starters, any time you take apart the product, you risk breaking something. Maybe you strip a screw, maybe you slice a wire, maybe you bend a component on the amp. You've voided your warranty to make a broken speaker. Adding things inside the speaker also introduces the risk that those things are going to move around and buzz. More importantly, speaker manufacturers who know what they're doing (and I would happily include any of our serious competitors in this statement) have taken careful time to engineer the loudspeaker system for a certain amount of acoustic volume. By adding things inside the speaker cabinet, you're taking away from that acoustic volume. This can negatively affect the frequency response of the speaker and the behavior of the port tube. In other words, you're taking a carefully engineered system and adding unknown factors that work against that careful engineering. We've taken the time to measure the average response in this video of the original speaker and the modified version. The modified version is 2-4 dB hotter between 200 and 700 Hz, with a ~10 dB spike at 600 Hz. Interestingly, if your concern was "boxiness," this is exactly the region that you'd want to be less pronounced. This could simply be from the difference of the speakers' position in the room relative to the microphone. But the takeaway is this: the best case conclusion from what's being presented here is that uncontrolled factors in capturing the sound make for an invalid comparison between the two speakers. It is entirely possible that the modifications that were made have negatively affected the performance of the modified speaker. We are happy to share this data via email upon request. Finally, we have to take umbrage with the suggestion that the measurement data that we present publicly in inaccurate. As far as we are aware, Kali Audio is the only manufacturer at this price point that supplies full resolution measurement data of our systems. We also HEAVILY encourage the collection and presentation of measurements by 3rd parties, because we know that our systems will stand up to this kind of scrutiny. Our published data matches that of these 3rd parties very well. We also have good psychoacoustic science on our side to suggest that the anechoic and in-room behavior of our speakers correlates to a standard which makes them highly useful studio tools as well as generally pleasant speakers for listening. We're always open to feedback, and we take criticism seriously. Any time we can make an improvement in regards to the value of our products, we strive to do so. That said, the suggestion that improvements are necessary has to be supported by actionable measurement or demonstration. That is not presented here.

Your ears are certainly better than mine! I can definitely tell that my LP-8s are WAY better than my old KRKs. I have zero complaints about them. For the price they're absolutely incredible. I do think they're the best value.

I have the 3-way IN-5's (£500) in a fairly small room and I absolutely love them, would be really interesting to see you review them or the IN-8's.

Thank you so very much for all your videos! Always helpful!

The bit with the spoon made me fall off my chair! Love you guys!

I think what makes them so great for starters is that they are so adjustable to the room. That's just a great feature which not many monitors have...

I just got the Kalis after extensive review. They punch out of their league. Very happy with the decision.

Thank you so much for your honesty..... instantly subscribed after that video...

I must say that seems the problem you have on your LP8s doesn't happen to my LP6s. Maybe it's because the front baffle and cabinent are not big enough to resonate. According to my poor knowledge of speaker design, the bigger cabinet, the thicker material and more reinforcement inside should be used. And since opening the speaker will break your warranty and adding material inside the cabinet will affect the low-end frequency, maybe making a bigger box with some thick plywood and putting the LP8 inside to reinforce it is a better idea?

I'd love to see a review of the HEDD Audio type 07 mk2 monitors. They seem to have a lot of features to them. Great video as always!

Great review. Please do the new Kali IN-8 V2!

Looking forward to the IN-8 2nd Wave review!

Thats a great advice for a huge improve

I've only had mine for 2 weeks but absolutely love them so far.

Loving your diplomatic way of saying they're shit, without saying they're shit haha

I have used two versions, I wish they would share what frequencies the dip switches actually affect. I can mix on them but i have issues in the 200 to 300 hz. Area..

There's a massive difference in the video!!

thanks alot, if possible, can you review one from the newer Tannoy Gold 5"-8" series they look so sexy !

do you recommend a 2.0 kali lp8 system vs a 2.1 kali lp6+ a $100 10 inch powered subwoofer for the same total price ? (with the advantage of a total of 5 drivers to reproduce sound and lower real estate on the desk for the 2.1 setup (sub being placed under the desk) ?) thanks

Oh I've GOTTA try THIS :) .. When I got LP6's on ol Glenn's recommendation, I liked 'em - a lot - but as someone who makes amps (& sometimes speakers) i sure noticed exactly those limitations The plus side, mid-treble sounded better, with better dispersion than any of the ok-ish HiFi speakers i used to monitor on (the nice curvy waveguide, one advantage of a plastic baffle) better than KRK's which I always thought were competent - but KRK's use heavier wood, and the lightweight construction meant damping and bracing sure was on my to do list Thanks a bunch for tearing in there! Reality check: they can only give you SO much for you 500 (or whatever) bucks, but now I've seen this I'm gonna like them even more - 'some assembly required!'

So going upwards from budget to pricey which is the first speaker that meets your criteria, for a small room. Would be good to know. Thanks.

Gettin’ me a pair!

I do wonder what you think about the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM s. So not the very tiny iLouds, but the little less but still tiny iLouds. Do they compete with regular-sized-monitors of ~ their pricerange in your opinion? Yes? No? Why?

*Rebelling and sneaking out (at night?) of the "Death Star" ------- legendary behemoth JBL ------- and deftly Euro-stepping the Superlaser.* *Then becoming Jedi-fied (?) and returning to fight the behemoth! POPCORN TIME!* *Saving up for a pair of IN-5 or LP6v2.*

so happy that i bought yamaha hs8😁

would these be more detailed and transient then my HS-8’s or dynaudio bm5a’s? worth the upgrade or should I go to genelec or something in the $2000 a pair range? I can also get 1037c’s for $2500 a pair right now

I was waiting for that since when you put concrete in adam.

I'm going do that to my LSR 305's. They've got similiar problems and your result really convices me to do the same, it's quite audible on headphones. In addition to the cabinet resonances my speakers also have a nasty port resonance. Can I add weight to the bass reflex tube to fix this? Thank you very much for this informative video!

You guys are brilliant! You always give the best advice without any B.S .... thanks for what is an amazing resource and entertaining channel, I've just subscribed!

I did this mod on my IN8 and I am happy I did it. Low end is way better, tighter. But still not great. I use Kali in8 as my 3d monitors to check my mix and low end translation, definitely not for critical listening or reference monitoring, nether mixing.

I didn't watch this one yet James, other then the intro, but the review from you guys I'd like to see is with the Kali Audio IN-8 (v2) 3 way monitors. I have been considering those monitors since V2 was released. Be well...talk soon. Phil NYC Area

OMG! What shall I do? Kali IN 5 (3way) or...???? :) Love Yr video and great contents even more when you guys r going bunker(?) X

Another great video, I've been waiting for you guys to do this review. Looks like I will have to find a shop with both the kali and Adam monitors to hear before I buy a pair

Could you do the Yamaha HS8s as they are so incredibly popular?

heard a lot of difference there after filling, much more punch and throw, energy out I guess instead of staying in?

So? Is it better than the other with dampening?

I’ve got the mk1 IN8’s paired with the Kali sub as an extra pair of reference monitors. Cracking sound for the price. But the hiss is an absolute pain in the a*rse.

Finally somebody who doesn't get blinded by money (like 99% of the youtubers) and tells the truth.

Rule of thumb - if mixes done with those modifications are better and translate better to other systems, they're worth it. If you really don't like something about these monitors in particular, you would probably end up messing with those frequencies during mixing. Hence monitor is also a personal choice. Even if they broke something VS the stock sound on measurements, theoretically you can always use e.g. Soundworks, perform measurements, and equalize it (even only in a specific range). Better acoustic reserve potentially eliminating resonants might be beneficial for the correction in the end too. Still, it's possible the company could take these rumbling cases into account while designing the speakers, hence their "careful design" statement, but how bald statement is that you can only find yourself if you don't believe.

Thanks for the valuable tips and opinions! After the video I feel confident to mod my LP6 (and wish you'd review them as well). Cheers from Brazil!

@PresentDayProduction, on a serious note, will you recommend those Kali LP6/8 V.2, and/or the Kali I.N.5 3 way, if you had the chance to check these out as well, to add as extra pair of monitors to my set up? I got Y.HS7 And Focal Shape 65. Thanks! X

Thanks chaps that was a very interesting review. Could you possibly link the sticky backed plastic stuff please? I'm retiring in 2 months and was planning on investing in some decent speakers then. Not wanting to be pushy but if you can get hold of the IN8s before then I'd be very grateful. If you can't and I get them anyway i'd be happy to lend them for you to review as I seem to be only 5 miles away from you (in Ongar), and will obviously have a lot of time on my hands. Still waiting to hear about the adjustable desk, but if I'd known you were so close I would have picked it it up for free!

Well i heard the diff on my headphones !

What is better then adding mass to a front baffle? Add even more mass!

I subscribed. can you review the eve sc207 ?

Hello kali lp 8 V2 vs Yamaha hs8 ,I'm producing edm music, currently I have krk rokit

Incomplete construction of front panel, or should I say lack of one would turn me off from buying ones and considering them as good. I have presonus eiris 8, first thing what I did, was to take them apart, solid mdf front panel was there, class d amp. But I'm not mixing and mastering on them, just listening while recording.

I say, chaps, as far as on-board EQ-correction goes, does “Super Kali’s” fragile dip-switch expel bally low-mids..? Even though the sound of them is something quite Adam-id. ‘All’ monitors can make my own music better... if they’re switched off. Severe over-hyping (similar to that of Aston mics being better supposedly than classic high enders..?) can do harm in the long term, with folks feeling disappointed rather than appreciating that such equipment is actually fine, for the money.

This is why Genelec build their speaker cabinets from cast aluminum that's completely curved all around inside and bolted together with rubber seal (that you can't replace if you take it apart. you need to send to for servicing). It's heavy and non resonant in the frequencies we're interested. :) Even their subwoofers have steel enclosure that works as a baffle at the same time, sandwhiched between two very thick MDF panels and secured with long bolts. Heavy, non resonant. Perfection :)

Please do a Genelec version

This speaker, among many others, has been measured by Erin's Audio Corner and Klippel Scanner indeed found that there is a resonance in the midrange, around 500-1000 Hz, so nothing new here. Perhaps this accounts for the perceived "boxiness" or the "chesty" sound as the other reviewer described it. Cabinet or baffle resonances are very easy to show in a simple FR or waterfall graph. So yes, the LP series is overly hyped but I don't think that anyone claimed that these are among the best budget monitors from a build quality point of view (which is indeed similar to other brands like T series Adam) but rather that there is some excellent engineering going on, especially in the IN series (these being three-way coincident monitors, thus having better imaging, wider sweet spot, better vertical directivity, lower IMD e.t.c.) which retails for 600-800 USD a pair and at this admittedly low price point is incredible what one can buy nowadays. If there is real competition for that amount of money for a three-way coaxial, I would like to know! I am pretty sure that the IN-8 has the same cheapish construction and resonant cabinet and plastic front baffle and I know because I own one! But sound wise they are an upgrade over typical two-way monitors and much more fun to not just mix but also listen to.

HS8 vs Kali LP-8 v2 please

I'm looking to replace my ancient Dynaudio BM5's + S9 sub at some point. This video crosses-off one potential candidate. Any tips on upgrades? or shall I just buy the current version of the BM5's because I do like the sound.

I really enjoyed this review and did learn quite a bit about the Kali. I'd wondered what they sound like. I liked your description before the modification after modification. It really helps to see the construction of a monitor, and in this case changing it for the better. Keep up the great videos!

Honesty is the best policy. Thanks, guys.

Are you going to review the Kali IN-8's, too? They are double the price (300€ street price) and I'm considering to buy them over the Yamaha HS-8's.

I got the T8Vs.

the video everyone wanted to see well done...

Finally

Right in time before I buy one of these. Would be nice for you guys to do monitor shoot-outs in all price ranges. Would go a long way in helping us noobs.

I hope you guys operate a pun bonus scheme

Thanks for this. I'm thinking about replacing my old Mackie 624s with the Kali 3 way system. Not totally sure about it yet though. Some things for a future video: Mixing out of the box. What is your take on this? Also, what is mid/side processing all about? My Pro-Q 3 has it and I think I understand but an explanation from you would be worth having. Cheers. Say hi to the cat.

What would you guys recommend as best pair of speakers for under €1000 and then under €2000?!? (Focal, Adam, Neumann KH120, Yamaha HS7/8, Presonus S8/S6???) Great channel, love the content!

Will this be a good modification for their 3 way version the IN-8’s??? I have V1 of the IN-8 in my studio

Trinnov :)

Review for this review: 7/10. Could have used more cement.

Is that a Trinnovon in the back? Video Soon?

Love everything you guys are doing! Finding everything very helpful. I ultimately would like to build an OWL system, but not sure if I can afford that in the near future. What under $500/speakers would you recommend? Any plans on looking at the Kali IN-8 V2?

A shame to go thru all the personal improvement mods to get it to sound better! I'm all for improvements as a DIY'er but what's my time worth?

Ya well my JBL 2305s were still better for the same price over 10 years ago. It's interesting how easily it is to forget or simply not have ever known about earlier project studio monitors from JBL. The engineers who started KALI came from JBL - so there's that.

Thanks so much for this review guys. The Kali 8s were on my shortlist for the home studio I have planned for next year. But this gives food for thought. I also noticed a big improvement in the sound after you'd damped the front baffle and enclosure. It sounds like a useful technique for improving cheap monitors.

Best review of the LP 8 I've seen so far !! Well done guys!

Please I will like see your honest review on the IN8 v2 3-way speakers. I trust you guys so much. Great job by the way🔥

Oh, one more thing, I don't know how to "cement" the inner... lol!

I purchased these to replace my version ones. However I noticed a major issue. I was hearing a crackling/clipping sound on bass tones at all volumes. I received a replacement pair only to find the same issue. Kali has admitted the issue and offered very little to do anything about it. Did you notice this on yours?

The inside of my little Japanese shit box is lined with this exact same material(boot and doors, yet to do the roof), it made so much difference to the sound, before it sounded thin and boomy but now it sounds tight in the mid, much less harsh in the high and the very low lows sound defined and much less like a fat bloke being deflated. After seeing this I am tempted to have a look inside my Adam A7x's to see if i can get away with the same, or I may just cover my whole living room in the stuff, well maybe not that extreme but you know.

Ok...then what are your top 10?

Very interesting, and as always a very truthful and informative review. I'm really interested in the 3 way In-8's, however, now I'm concerned that these will have the same issues as highlighted in this video. Have you's any plans to review them in the very near future? Thanks.

The thing I love about this series is how you do some modifications to improve the speaker.

When purchasing my newest set of monitors I spent many hours at Andertons music trying pretty much everything in my price range. And each time I’ve gone with an idea of what I want to buy I’ve walked away with a different product that beats it and I wouldn’t of had a clue if I didn’t try before I buy. I tried the LP-8 and IN-8 and was really let down on hearing them as I was captivated by the marketing hype. I’ve ended up with a pair of Focal Alpha 65 EVO and I swear they are the best at this price range. Any chance you could check them out? Thanks

Get that pesky XLR cable Flopkat. Meow : )

Great review. Like 90% of the other reviews are only about positive aspects. That continues with all these reviewers other videos. I like the honesty and the experience you guys have with more expensive solutions. You know your shizz and you don't need to sugarcoat anything. That helps me more than all these "hype" videos. I have been thinking about these monitors for a long time. Since the 2nd Wave LP8 cost about 280€ and the IN-8 (first wave) cost 290. I think that will choose the IN-8s. I like front ported speakers because I can have less distance to the back wall. After all, if you guys find a better front ported pair in that price range, I'm still open for something different. 500-600€ The biggest challenge for me is to find any kind of store that has these speakers and being able to listen to them before buying them. I would love to, but its not that common as you might think.

Great video as always guys, but that’s a lot of work to get them sounding good and requires some level of skill to do that!! Although, I guess you get what you pay for:-)Do you think that the the noise deadening adhesive material you used could be placed on the underside of desk, to stop speaker vibrations travelling to floor perhaps? Particularly for speakers that are placed on a desk (despite being on stands vibrations can be felt on floor in seating position). When I saw your use of it, it really got me thinking?!!!

Can you guys do a review of the Dynaudio LYD 5 or 7 / LYD 48? :)

Thank you so much for the review. Unlike many other reviewers, I feel like I can actually trust you guys. Very entertaining too. I hope you get your hands on the IN-8s aswell

Lol @ the currency exchange rate when this vid was made

"No monitor makes your music better".... so true. I really was in doubt, if i should buy a pair of these. But finally i've decided, to stay with my good old Alesis Monitor One. Thanks for your objective review!

Crap, now I want a "Music of Africa" played by Mark on traditional audio engineer instruments such as monitor baffles.

The poweramp in Kali speakers are all using DSP, and don't provide digital input like S/PDIF or AES/EBU makes me feel unprofessional. I don't want the unnecessary DA-AD convert, just like EVE product.

honestly i've never found sub 500 current production monitors that beat my 90's Event 20/20 BAS, they're slightly unreliable, i've had to replace the amp board on the right one, but overall the sound is just incomparable to anything i've heard

no one think of doing a sealed box conversion? block the port and fill the internal volume with correct stuffing, anything is better than bassreflex.

How do they compare to your ATCs? :P

TWENTY FIRST!

I'm very curious to try adding mass to my IN-8s now. I've been very happy with them so far and noticed a significant improvement in the accuracy of my gut reactions while both tracking and mixing, but I'm all for additional improvements whenever possible.

I'd love to hear your opinions of the Fluid Audio FX-80 monitors as well as the Kali IN-8. Cheers from South Wales, NY, USA! -chazroot

answer: a) you've got used to it (Kali have done a video about burn-in - they said any change is negligible, and in fact, there is more difference between different examples of the same speaker, than burn-in)

I think pound for pound compared to the monitors people were hyping before these are still an impressive step up. I got the jbl lsr305s because of the hype and they sound pretty good, but I got my buddy set up with the lp6s and even in an untreated room his bass response was pretty good when using dip switches and the upper mids were significantly clearer than my jbls. I am hoping to snag the IN5s at some point. The jbls are problematic for me because they are rear ported, considering the lp6s sound better than my jbl after a lot of testing, I think the in5s might be the way. After this video though, considering having my significant other resin pout the plastic pieces to add weight that is symmetrical and can be accurately be identically installed to both front covers, along with some kind of baffling and weight to the enclosures themselves. Thoughts?

What about IN-8 (v2)?

Another great video, thanks for this. It seems a shame that manufacturers can't spend just a little bit more and sort these pretty basic things out. From even my basic understanding of helping mates build Hi-Fi speaker enclosures back in my yoof I recall the importance of the weight in the cabinet and sorting out resonance. Surely it must be a priority even more for a studio monitor? Boxiness is one of the commonest problems with us amateurs and our mixes, would be good if the speakers we were relying on didn't being their own. Shirley!