Studio Monitors: Mackie MR5 vs. KRK RP5 G2

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Studio Monitors: Mackie MR5 vs. KRK RP5 G2
Posted on: 14.01.2010 by Maynard Tusa
Hey guys,

Im getting my hands on studio monitors and I want to remain in the $300-400 (pair) range. The only two that jumped out at me in this range are the Mackie MR5s and the KRK RP5s. This will be my first pair of studio monitors and I don't want anything crazy. Im getting mixed reviews online for both, so if anyone has had first hand experience with them, please do share. I'll be using them for electronic music (house, tech house, etc).

Which one would you get?

Thanks again
Linda Chavda
23.01.2013
Originally Posted by Johnv
I haven't read the whole thread, but this is a horrid idea because the OP won't get a full stereo image.
Okay... One single better monitor would give you benefits greater than a stereo image and it gives you the option to add an extra at a later date, ala stereo. A lot of club systems are in mono anyway, and obviously mono is the devils work isn't it?
Tiara Bastarache
23.01.2013
Originally Posted by elliot1106
It might be worth considering buying a single monitor of a higher quality with your money... for some reason it might be a totally stupid idea, but it works well for me
I haven't read the whole thread, but this is a horrid idea because the OP won't get a full stereo image.
Arcelia Siebeneck
19.01.2013
Originally Posted by 3heads
Could you elaborate on that? Might be my lacking understanding of acoustics, but why should the space needed for the "basssound to form properly" be dependent on the woofer size? The wavelength should only be dependent on the frequency of the sound produced, right?

Btw, I don't doubt that the MR5s are great speakers, and I know that woofer size certainly is not the only thing figuring into the bass produced by a speaker (for example, the HR624 with their 6,7" woofers have a good bit more - and nicer - bass than my HS80M, while the rest of the sound seems quite similar to me). I just don't particularly like extreme generalized statements, especially if I don't understand them
The HR624's, which I have, are only able to accurately reproduce frequencies down to around 52Hz. I often wish I'd saved up the HR824's - especially as I produce drum'n'bass. If you want decent sub, and you have a big room, then I would personally go for some monitors with 8" transducers. Or get a matching subwoofer.
Random X
18.01.2013
Originally Posted by 3heads
But the size of the woofer is not only important for volume, but rather for the rendering of the low end frequencies. And I have my doubts, how much 5" woofers can deliver there.
Trust me on this one, I know several professionals who deliver on 5 and 6 inch monitors.

If you take 8 inch woofers, you need space for that prolonged soundwave to form. If your walls are too close, your basssound will not be able to form properly.
Celestine Porebski
18.01.2013
Originally Posted by tekki
5 or 8 inch all depends on the room you are using them in. If it's less than 5 by 5 meters, don't bother buying 8 inch monitors, otherwise you will be blowing your ears in no time.

Quality over quantity also counts when talking sound volume.
But the size of the woofer is not only important for volume, but rather for the rendering of the low end frequencies. And I have my doubts, how much 5" woofers can deliver there.
Marybeth Viscione
17.01.2013
Originally Posted by tekki
Got MR5s in my attic studio as well, I have tested more than 30 pairs of monitors in this price range, and for me these came out teh best on every genre I pitched at them.

They even ended up holding their ground properly against more expensive monitors easily.
(Sound quality even comes close to the highly acclaimed Mackie HR-624.)
Good to hear that my ears are still in tact after 19 years of raving
Maynard Tusa
14.01.2010		Hey guys,

Im getting my hands on studio monitors and I want to remain in the $300-400 (pair) range. The only two that jumped out at me in this range are the Mackie MR5s and the KRK RP5s. This will be my first pair of studio monitors and I don't want anything crazy. Im getting mixed reviews online for both, so if anyone has had first hand experience with them, please do share. I'll be using them for electronic music (house, tech house, etc).

Which one would you get?

Thanks again
Tiara Bastarache
23.01.2013		I currently have the hs50's and they are Meh for the most part. Good on highs and ok on mids, but there is a huge lack of bass. You'd need a sub with them to make them worth while.

I'm about to try out the Equator D5's. I'm reading great things about them and for 300$ for a set its hard to go wrong. Also Equator has a 60 day money back guarantee on them.

Edit: the Hs50's also give me some quick ear fatigue.
Linda Chavda
23.01.2013
Originally Posted by Johnv
I haven't read the whole thread, but this is a horrid idea because the OP won't get a full stereo image.
Okay... One single better monitor would give you benefits greater than a stereo image and it gives you the option to add an extra at a later date, ala stereo. A lot of club systems are in mono anyway, and obviously mono is the devils work isn't it?
Tiara Bastarache
23.01.2013
Originally Posted by elliot1106
It might be worth considering buying a single monitor of a higher quality with your money... for some reason it might be a totally stupid idea, but it works well for me
I haven't read the whole thread, but this is a horrid idea because the OP won't get a full stereo image.
Linda Chavda
23.01.2013		It might be worth considering buying a single monitor of a higher quality with your money... for some reason it might be a totally stupid idea, but it works well for me
Random X
22.01.2013		I found these a bit boxy.

Also, the minimal project we threw at them wasn't reproduced properly. (Bass sound was not accurate and became messy/somewhat distorted)
Kandra Fagler
22.01.2013		what about the yamaha HS50m's? have you tried those?
Janyce Henningson
20.01.2013		I have MR8's and love them - not as bassy as KRK but I believe they sound clearer - imo.
Arcelia Siebeneck
19.01.2013
Originally Posted by 3heads
Could you elaborate on that? Might be my lacking understanding of acoustics, but why should the space needed for the "basssound to form properly" be dependent on the woofer size? The wavelength should only be dependent on the frequency of the sound produced, right?

Btw, I don't doubt that the MR5s are great speakers, and I know that woofer size certainly is not the only thing figuring into the bass produced by a speaker (for example, the HR624 with their 6,7" woofers have a good bit more - and nicer - bass than my HS80M, while the rest of the sound seems quite similar to me). I just don't particularly like extreme generalized statements, especially if I don't understand them
The HR624's, which I have, are only able to accurately reproduce frequencies down to around 52Hz. I often wish I'd saved up the HR824's - especially as I produce drum'n'bass. If you want decent sub, and you have a big room, then I would personally go for some monitors with 8" transducers. Or get a matching subwoofer.
Celestine Porebski
18.01.2013		Could you elaborate on that? Might be my lacking understanding of acoustics, but why should the space needed for the "basssound to form properly" be dependent on the woofer size? The wavelength should only be dependent on the frequency of the sound produced, right?

Btw, I don't doubt that the MR5s are great speakers, and I know that woofer size certainly is not the only thing figuring into the bass produced by a speaker (for example, the HR624 with their 6,7" woofers have a good bit more - and nicer - bass than my HS80M, while the rest of the sound seems quite similar to me). I just don't particularly like extreme generalized statements, especially if I don't understand them
Random X
18.01.2013
Originally Posted by 3heads
But the size of the woofer is not only important for volume, but rather for the rendering of the low end frequencies. And I have my doubts, how much 5" woofers can deliver there.
Trust me on this one, I know several professionals who deliver on 5 and 6 inch monitors.

If you take 8 inch woofers, you need space for that prolonged soundwave to form. If your walls are too close, your basssound will not be able to form properly.
Celestine Porebski
18.01.2013
Originally Posted by tekki
5 or 8 inch all depends on the room you are using them in. If it's less than 5 by 5 meters, don't bother buying 8 inch monitors, otherwise you will be blowing your ears in no time.

Quality over quantity also counts when talking sound volume.
But the size of the woofer is not only important for volume, but rather for the rendering of the low end frequencies. And I have my doubts, how much 5" woofers can deliver there.
Random X
18.01.2013		5 or 8 inch all depends on the room you are using them in. If it's less than 5 by 5 meters, don't bother buying 8 inch monitors, otherwise you will be blowing your ears in no time.

Quality over quantity also counts when talking sound volume.
Orlando Koldys
17.01.2013		Yo ! I'm also looking for some monitors on these range. I did a search in all the trusted websites that i know, and i found the m-audio bx 8a and samson resolv a8 for about 260€, and krk rpg5 for about 300€. Thing is, everybody tells me that i should buy a 8" monitor, because otherwise i wont be able to feel the bass in my mixes. Is this true? Or should i go for 5"s or 6"s instead? I mainly mix deep, and tech house, and sometimes hiphop classics.
Marybeth Viscione
17.01.2013
Originally Posted by tekki
Got MR5s in my attic studio as well, I have tested more than 30 pairs of monitors in this price range, and for me these came out teh best on every genre I pitched at them.

They even ended up holding their ground properly against more expensive monitors easily.
(Sound quality even comes close to the highly acclaimed Mackie HR-624.)
Good to hear that my ears are still in tact after 19 years of raving
Random X
17.01.2013		Got MR5s in my attic studio as well, I have tested more than 30 pairs of monitors in this price range, and for me these came out teh best on every genre I pitched at them.

They even ended up holding their ground properly against more expensive monitors easily.
(Sound quality even comes close to the highly acclaimed Mackie HR-624.)
Marybeth Viscione
17.01.2013		I have been to the music store today.

Tested three products.

KRK RP5 Rocket
Mackie MR5
Sennheiser HD25 C-II

You can't go wrong with the Sennheiser HD25 C-II. Realy light headphone with exellent build quality. But you are intrested in the speakers.

First I heard the Mackie's. Good overal sound. Good balance in high and low. They are a little bit bigger then the KRK RP5's but that's just not an issue for me.

Now the KRK's. I immediately hear the difference. And it is not what I expected. The KRK's sounded less good. Not the low sound that I read about in all the reviews.

So for me it is a clear choice. Mackie MR5 it is

Good luck with your orientation!
Marybeth Viscione
17.01.2013		I'm also looking at the exact same speakers. Today I will go to my local speaker dealer and listen to both. I also dig in to some reviews. Turns out that allot of people have the krk's. Most are very happy with them. But on the Dutch eBay site all you can find are krk's.

One ad for the Mackie MR5. Less reviews but all reviews were positive. I believe that the krk's are overrated and hyped.

But then again I have to go and listen. That is the only advice I can give you at the moment. GO out and listen.

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