Kali IN 5 vs LP 6

[@Unders]

More info & Pricing for your region Kali In 5 - Kali IN5 - thmn.to/thoprod/511492?offid=1&affid=1190 Kali LP 6 - thmn.to/thoprod/528943?offid=1&affid=1190

[@MustacheVerra]

The in-5 clearly opens up. A lot of people criticize these videos where they mic and compere speakers but clearly, it can be useful like it was in this case. Thanks a lot for that.

[@Unders]

Fact is the only ideal way to test speakers is to sit with them. But as an alternative having some perspective even if it is via the colour of a mic in an unfamiliar room should be better that nowt. Glad it’s helpful for some 👍

[@kadiummusic]

I have a fully treated purpose built garden mixing studio, approx 4.5 x 3.5m. I have a pair of Kali IN-5's strapped to a Kali WS-6.2 subwoofer giving me a 4-way system for about £1500 and it sounds incredible! 😎

[@ikeperkins6558]

4:33 - woww, the IN’s are noticeably clearer. I love the LP’s I used to work with a pair in the blm innovation center. I’m upgrading my personal set from the presonus E5XT’s. I’m looking at kalis in UNF 3 way monitor system which has the same tweeters in the in5 and 8’s. I didn’t think I’d hear the difference through my phone speaker but it was clear as day. I’ve made my decision thank you

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

B is LP-6, and I'm listening on them rn

[@bobisadrummer]

It's weird, when I listen to A vs B, the A has much more high end, but when it's LP6 vs IN5, it's the IN5 that has much more high end.

[@TheSpeedyr6]

True this mutherfuker flipped it the lp6 on the purpose in reality lp6 is more clearer and more top end the afterward example he lied

[@kush9308]

@@bobisadrummer exactly! I still cant decide bw both of those

[@elmovdg]

I’ve heard some reviewers mention that the IN5s don’t deliver as much low-end as the LP6s. Is that really the case?

[@Unders]

Bigger cone, can move more air and genereate a louder volume. so the 6" can produce louder levels at lower frequency. As is the case with all larger monitors. Now unless you have a great treated or large room your seldom going to smack those levels. I opted for the better details in the upper mids.

[@claymusic640]

currently at 2:31 and I am guessing the A is the lp and the B the IN. I think it's because of those less clear and quality sounding high freqs on A...and the the louder mids on B

[@Unders]

It’s surprising how much additional information there is in the high end right.

[@claymusic640]

@@Unders definitely! Though, I think, for producer beginners or for someone who wants to buy his first pair of studiomonitors (especially in an untreated room) the lps will do it, and the extra dollars weren't probably even worth it.

[@Unders]

@@claymusic640 Id disagree in many cases. But yes, if your in say a shared bedroom / studio room etc. Anything is better than consumer level monitors. In those situations i honestly wholeheartedly recommend something way smaller though, like the iLouds i have as my second set. Theres very little benefit to a big driver in those circumstances and louder just equals more problems.

[@kravatapraimuu]

I am trying to make a decision for my home studio and it's making me financially unhappy that I can hear the difference in favour of the IN-5s

[@Unders]

😂 sorry. If it helps you could absolutely get a great mix on either. But yeeeeah there’s a reason the in5 are still up in front of me right now.

[@ikeperkins6558]

My paycheck is gone after this video lol

[@josuastangl7140]

The IN-5s sound a lot tighter in the low end and also brighter and more detailed in the top end. The LP-6s extend a bit further down, but were very muddy in the midrange and duller on top. I didn't think there would be this much of an obvious difference in such a primitive test. I own a pair of LP-6s and I'm looking for an upgrade. Just at 650€ for a pair of IN-5s, you almost get used Neumann KH120As (700-800€)... That makes the Kalis really hard to justify. Anyways, excellent video!

[@Unders]

not sure i fully understand the end there, the KH120a are over £1k for a pair. Personally id go for the genelec One if thats an option. They were fantastic. I however have kept the IN5 up to date.

[@josuastangl7140]

​@@Unders The new and improved KH120 IIs are 1.400€ for the pair, but pairs of the original KH120As are widely available on the used market for 750-800€. The Genelecs you mentioned (8361A) are almost 10.000€ a pair. Obviously legendary speakers, but in a very different price category. I think the 8030s would be a more fitting comparison to the older 120s or the IN-5s. I'd love to hear some experience reports comparing either of those to the IN-5s, but I haven't found much so far.

[@Unders]

@@josuastangl7140 you can get the 8831a around £3k my argument really is that its all diminished returns beyond the price point of the IN5 unless you're in a spot on room. Even then the extra money spend (in my opinion) is better going on acoustics or room correction hardware. FYI Genelec wouldn't support any kind of comparison content video, even with loaned monitors and no costs. So id have to lay the money out to make the videos. Which just isnt viable as things are.

[@brianisbrined9255]

So the IN was noticeably clearer and had more high end, but did it translate better? Would you say a mix done on the IN would translate better to other playback systems?

[@Unders]

In my opinion one set of monitors alone won’t help you get a mix that always translates well. Or at least it’s not a skill I’ve ever managed to possess. What is clear to me here is that there’s more detail up there then other options might show. Which allows for better decisions over all. For me to translate across mediums I need to have a little listen on some average ear buds and some smaller desktop monitors (why I love the iLouds)

[@goldfingers8763]

I have both in5 and focal cms and the focal have much more clarity , you pay for what you get

[@Unders]

Great 👍

[@jimmyrustle6725]

No doubt the separation on the in5 is better. The lp6 struggled in the upper frequencies.

[@0072gldnfngr]

Okay. Back again, because this review is that damn good. Question (if you can recall), how big is the difference in peak volume? Asking because I sometimes use them for listening and referencing other tracks and like it loud.

[@Unders]

I didn't test peak volume, If i recall though the LP6 were capable of a few dB higher SPL. But bother were well in excess of 100, which i'm never going to be sitting in front of 😆

[@0072gldnfngr]

@@Unders that’s real. Lol I currently have an LP-6 which I love, but the woofer being smaller on the IN-5 is a bit of a concern. I’m sure the mid on it makes up for it but was curious. By the way, still working on the mix for that track?

[@anybody4802]

@@0072gldnfngrthat’s why IN-5 have more power

[@nw6066]

Do you actually need external dac for powered speakers to get better sound quality? Planning to get lp6 for nearfield listening and computer speakers. Or should i just get audio interface with rca(+trs/xlr) without improving signal from motherboard built-in DAC?

[@Unders]

If you mean coming directly out from a motherboard or built in audio on basically anything. The difference is night an day using a dedicated audio interface. Honestly its like someone turned the light on and you were trying to see clearly in the dark. Even the lower budget interfaces like the scarlet are good in this regard. But if you compare to a UAD or RME etc its just no going back.

[@nw6066]

@@Unders thanks! Some powered speakers have built-in DSP, like audio to digital converter and only analog inputs (adam t5v). Other powered speakers have USB input + DSP (airpulse 100). Will external DAC provide extra quality in both of those cases or just with adam speaker?

[@Unders]

So something that has a USB system has its own audio conversion. Like the airpulse 100 you mentioned. They might sound great, They might not is the truth. Im certain its possible do sound amazing with that built in conversion from a USB which sends pure data at a rate well enough for lossless 2 track audio. But its totally down to the monitor. An i've not experience to recommend them or not sorry.

[@nw6066]

@@DJMikeron I ended up with Kali LP Unf, with inbuilt DSP, so no need extra DAC. It sound just amazing and close to perfect for my needs (small room,monitors on hand reach)

[@Unders]

What made you go for that set up out of curiosity. I 100% amplified set ups, but they’re also so not convenient for home studio uses.

[@dumdubbs2427]

I would say the main improvement was separation and clarity throughout the whole spectrum.

[@Unders]

That’s interesting, me I don’t get much difference on the lows. But the upper mids clarity is night and day. Perhaps it’s just where my focus is. I think I should revisit this actually with the ARC 4 now installed 🤔

[@dumdubbs2427]

​​@@Unders yeah the main thing I noticed was the vocals had more space with the INs. Less competition and masking. Also, I love your song, I'm sharing "Light Me Up" to a friend. Who is the vocalist?

[@Unders]

Vocalist didn't want to be credited, not to be associated with her other work.

[@07wrxtr1]

I own the A5v's and the Kali W6-2... would love to have the IN-5's... that will be next!

[@Unders]

Nice! still using the IN5 every day

[@swapnilpradhan5417]

In 5 has more details lp 6 sounds like its scooped and missing detail in the high midd

[@Unders]

agreed, I believe i had more or less the same conclusion in the video. The detail i get in the highs is great with them.

[@Hankblue]

I dunno, I'm pretty sure you could get those recordings to sound almost identical by just adding around +4db high shelf to the LPs sections. There may be more detail in the IN 5s, but it shouldn't have anything to do with frequency balance, because that can just be manipulated with DSP or room EQ. A better test would be to use something like REW to make both speaker's frequency responses perfectly flat, only then would a recording really help figure out if one sounds more clear.

[@Unders]

I disagree. But please do sharing your findings.

[@Slicktune]

So is there a v2 of the in5 or only for the in8? Thanks in advance

[@Unders]

the Kai In-5 an 8 are both current

[@Slicktune]

@@Unders yeah but there's a version two of the eight inch speaker

[@Unders]

@@Slicktune right I see what you’re talking about now. Yes the LP6 here is the v2. The V2 was out a good while before I put this together

[@riffer-t]

that last comparison I could not even hear a difference. lol LP6 for the win.

[@Unders]

Glad it was helpful

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

Thanks. I have had the LP 6's for 2 yeas and I find them to be too bassy and kinda muddy. Was thinking of going to something smaller perhaps. I was monitors that are clean and clear sounding. Room is 10 x 12 and studio desk is in the corner. Gotta work with the same I got. Thoughts and suggestions?

[@0072gldnfngr]

LP-6 is B. I was wrong. That’s what I get for not waiting and thinking I’m cool. I IMMEDIATELY noticed I was wrong after the second A/B loop. 😂😂😂

[@princessl.d.g.]

B is the IN5?

[@0072gldnfngr]

What song is that?

[@Unders]

its one of my tracks, one im super unhappy with the final mix a year later. Classic. its here if you like - distrokid.com/hyperfollow/unders/light-me-up

[@0072gldnfngr]

@@Unders sweet! I love this song. Thanks!

[@Unders]

Thank you 🙏 that means a lot

[@0072gldnfngr]

@@Unders no problem!

[@davidcarr2216]

Thanks for this . Your demo makes the difference quite obvious.

[@Unders]

Glad it was helpful to you

[@davidcarr2216]

Probably my next speaker 😊@@Unders

[@144K_IMMORTALS]

@@Undershey brother. I am trying to choose between the lN5s, the lN8s and the lN-UNF system… If It were up you which one would you buy for a bedroom setup?

[@vaelwow643]

Nice vid! Whats the Song called?

[@Unders]

Just an untitled beat i'm afraid.

[@sturman.dejvid]

@@Unders That’s too bad, sounds so good!

[@anon3606]

Unders - Light Me Up

[@cremersalex]

More mids with the IN 5.

[@rivdell4151]

LP 6 sounds better

[@Unders]

Alright. I’m preferring the details on the IN5. But both are surprisingly good for the prices.

[@Slack-The-Ripper]

I have the LP6's, best thing I did for them was buy Sonar Works Sound ID reference. Takes a great sounding speaker and flattens out the signal and gets rid of all those nasty room accoustics. Works great for your headphones as well. Great review btw

[@Unders]

@@Slack-The-Ripper I used to use ARC personally. But I’ve found that using a reference and switching between a few sources works best for me. Also considering I slammed the level to record the monitors the room sounds alright in my headphones which is good to know.

[@Slack-The-Ripper]

@@Unders oh yeah, variety of speaker outputs is always best . Even the dreaded car stereo check.

[@Unders]

@@Slack-The-Ripper 😬😬😬