You can use KRK Rokits or any other type of studio monitor for vinyl. They may not be the highest quality studio monitors on the market. However, KRK Rokit studios are still a suitable pair of speakers for vinyl listening, especially for someone who is not a huge audio snob.
Vinyl Listening On KRK Rokit Monitors
Listening to your vinyl record collection on cheap speakers will result in poor audio quality and a less enjoyable listening experience.
Thankfully, if you have a pair of KRK Rokits, you can use these with your vinyl setup and your home studio rig.
I have a pair of KRK Rokit 5s, and they sound great for playing vinyl records!
In this article, we will take a look at using KRK Rokit for vinyl, as well as some other options for speakers for your vinyl record system.
Are KRK Rokits Good For Vinyl Listening?
Let’s start by seeing why KRK Rokits may or may not be suitable for listening to your vinyl record collection.
Why?
Here are some of some reasons why KRK Rokits are good for vinyl:
- KRK Rokits are an overall quality pair of active speakers, especially for someone who is not a professional audio engineer or music producer
- They offer an accurate representation of the music you play through them.
- They have ample treble and bass, in my opinion.
- You can make EQ adjustments to them using the settings on the back.
- They are pretty small and easy to place
- All you need to use them other than the speakers themself and a turntable is a phono preamp (lots of turntables even have built-in phono preamps)
Why not?
Here are some reasons why KRK Rokits might not be the best for vinyl music listening:
- Depending on your turntable and vinyl listening area, they might look out of place. Some speakers look more like home furniture and offer a more pleasing aesthetic appearance.
- There are higher quality speakers on the market if you are willing to invest more money.
Unless you are worried about appearance or have a very high-end audio system, KRK Rokits are an excellent option for vinyl music listening.
Phono Preamp
First things first, if you plan on using KRK Rokits for listening to vinyl, you will need a Phono Preamp.
A phono preamp is a small device that you can use to connect your Rokits and your turntable.
We need one because turntables usually have speaker wire or RCA outputs and active speakers have XLR/1/4″ inputs.
Because these input/output types are incompatible, we will use a phono preamp to solve the problem.
Because KRK Rokits are active speakers and not passive, you will not need a full amplifier setup to use them; just a phono preamp.
While we are on the topic, here are a few options for phono preamps that you can use with your KRK Rokits:
Remember that you might need different cables depending on your chosen phono preamp. Pay attention to the input/output types on the phono preamp!
Recommended Speakers For Vinyl
Although I recommend KRK Rokits for vinyl music listening, let’s look at some other speaker pairs to go with your turntable setup.
This section will be helpful for anyone looking to check out a few other options before making a decision.
Sony SSC53 3-Way-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System
This first speaker system is from the reliable audio equipment maker; Sony. The Sony SSC53 Speaker System is a very affordable option for turntable speakers.
This speaker system also has lots of positive customer reviews.
Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
This Edifier Speaker System is another low-cost option for turntable speakers for someone on a budget.
Although I have not heard of Edifier before, these speakers have great reviews and come highly recommended.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 Bookshelf Speakers
This set of turntable speakers is at a very similar price point to KRK Rokits, and it also comes with the cables you will need.
However, there is an apparent lack of reviews on these speakers, so tread carefully when buying them.
Klipsch RP-600M Reference Premiere Bookshelf Speakers
These Klipsch Speakers have a great midway price point for turntable speakers.
This speaker system also has solid reviews on Amazon.
KEF Q150B
This final set of turntable speakers is from KEF and features an ultra-sleek design. In my opinion, these speakers would look great in a home setup.
Also, these speakers have mostly positive customer reviews.
Can You DJ With Studio Monitors?
For all intents and purposes, yes, you can DJ with speakers with bass, treble, and enough volume to get the crowd jumpin’.
However, running your rig through a PA system is preferable if you are doing a live DJ set. This will give you much more volume for your performance, and you won’t have to risk damage to your studio monitors.
Are KRK Speakers Good For DJing?
I would argue that KRK speakers are good for DJing in the studio or for a small crowd. Still, if you are doing a big live set, you should be using a PA system that is large enough for the performance space.
KRK speakers are great for music production but are not designed for live performance.
KRK Rokit 5 Alternative
Here are some studio monitors comparable in price and quality to KRK Rokits:
Alesis Elevate 5
These active studio monitors are an excellent option for music production beginners who do not want to spend too much on their setup.
PreSonus Eris
These PreSonus Studio Monitors are another choice to consider for the modern music producer hobbyist on a budget.
M-Audio BX5
The last option I want to show you are these studio monitors from M-Audio.
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and music production gear is no different.
If you are serious about music production, I recommend you consider investing in high-end studio monitors.
Do KRK Speakers Have Bluetooth?
No, KRK speakers are for in-studio music production and not necessarily music listening for leisure.
For this reason, KRK Systems speakers do not have Bluetooth compatibility.
Do KRK Rokits Come With Cables?
The only cables that KRK Rokits come with are the power supply cables.
The cables that you need to connect your KRK Rokits to your audio device/recording rig are something that you must purchase on your own.
Check out this following article as we discuss all the cables you need for KRK Rokits.
Related Questions
Do You Recommend KRK Rokits?
Yes, I do recommend KRK Rokits, just not for everyone.
With the quality and price point of KRK Rokits, they are a great studio monitor option for music production beginners and hobbyists. However, I recommend investing in a high-end studio monitor set if you are a serious producer.
How Do You Connect Your KRK Rokit 5 To An Audio Interface?
To connect your KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors to your audio interface, you will need either ¼” TRS cables or XLR cables.
To start, connect one end of your cables to your KRK Rokit 5 speakers and the other end to the left and right outputs of your audio interface. Once you have made these connections, you can connect your active speakers to a power outlet using the included power cables.
Although this process might differ depending on your audio interface, connecting KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors is always very straightforward.
Do You Need An Amp For KRK Rokits?
No, KRK Rokits are active studio monitors, so they do not need an amp.
An Active studio monitor is a self-powered speaker, so you can use it without buying extra equipment.
Final Words
As you can see, it is more than possible to listen to vinyl records on KRK Rokits.
Although there are more high-end options for a pair of speakers to go with your turntable setup, KRK Rokits are a quality pair of speakers you will not regret using to listen to your vinyl record collection.
If you’d like to learn more, check out our complete KRK Rokit setup guide.
Want to connect with other music producers for help and guidance?