General

The hyper-popular fourth-gen KRK Rokit has gone into retirement, ushering in the age of the fifth-gen KRK Rokit 7 G5. Believe the hype: this fan-favourite should never, ever be underestimated. Just like the studio monitors that came before it, this model grants musicians, producers, beat-makers and writers affordable access to the quality of sound demanded by both the production and mixing process. While the 5 inch edition is the most popular model going, if you're in need of a little more low-end 'oomph' and have the space for it, this 7 inch Rokit will definitely do it for you.

The KRK Rokit 7 G5 Studio Monitor

The larger 7 inch woofer is able to dive 9 Hertz deeper than the 5 inch model, which might not sound like much, but remember: as the frequency gets lower, the volume gets louder. Basically, the numbers are good - especially if you want to work on full-bodied EDM or even orchestral music as well as pop. Just be aware that more bass demands more space, so make sure that you're working in a room that's big enough to handle that 7 inch woofer, otherwise you'll be looking at mix-warping wall-reflections, so it might be worth investing in some absorber panels and bass traps while you're at it.

High-End Options

This monitor comes with three different operating modes: Mix, Focus and Create. The Mix setting is ideal for the mixing phase, which will probably be the most-used mode. The Focus setting, meanwhile is an ultra-valuable yet more specialised mode that emphasises the mid-frequencies, where the more critical instruments in your production are likely to sit, so it's usually the area of your mix that requires the most attention. To finish, the Create setting supports more casual listening, so is perfect for the writing process (the bit before the more critical mixing phase). Another handy feature is the bank of EQ settings which, in earlier times, you wouldn't even touch since neutral sound during mixing used to be considered a must, but because more and more producers are aware of the acoustic colouring of the space they work in, some EQ settings are pretty useful when it comes to compensating for any less-than-optimal acoustics.