Your mixes could be turning out muddier than you realize, if you're mixing without a dedicated sub. Add precise, tight bass to your setup with the KRK 12S subwoofer -- the perfect match for KRK's hugely popular Rokit and VXT monitor series. With a sweepable crossover set anywhere from 55 to 170 Hz, the 12S adds flexible, accurate low-frequency extension to any stereo or surround system. If you're rocking larger full-range speakers, eliminate muddy low-frequency buildup with corner bass traps and add the KRK 12S to shore up your ultra-lows. And if you're using smaller monitors, the KRK 12S fills in what you've been missing with 225 watts of dedicated low-frequency power.
Unmistakable KRK Design
KRK is a "do one thing, do it well" kind of company, which is why their studio monitor speakers are ubiquitous in home project studios and professional setups alike. If you've been in your share of studios, you're likely to recognize the KRK 12S sub's trademark yellow Kevlar 12-inch woofer cone, mounted discreetly behind its removable black grill. Like KRK's full-range Rokit and VXT monitors, the 12S also has a sleek curved baffle and front-firing port shaped to reduce turbulence. But unlike most studio monitors, the 12S is voiced to produce accurate, clear bass down to a deep 32 Hz.
Simple Steps To a Stereo Setup
If you're adding a sub to your stereo monitors, setup couldn't be simpler: run a pair of cables (XLR, 1/4-inch, or RCA) from the stereo outs of your console or audio interface, to the stereo inputs on the KRK 12S. Next, run another pair of cables from the 12S's XLR, 1/4-inch, or RCA outputs to the line-level ins on your stereo monitors. You'll want to try moving your subwoofer around the room to find the right spot, and use pink noise and test tones from KRK's website to make sure your levels are properly matched -- and if they're not, adjust the sub's -30 to +6 dB volume knob. Set the sub's low-pass filter to 170 Hz, its highest setting, and flip its phase inversion switch to the position loudest in your room. Then set the sweepable low-pass filter to 80 Hz -- the 12S' built-in crossover will send everything higher than 80 through its outputs to your main stereo speakers. And that's it: you've got a properly calibrated subwoofer holding down the low end on your mixes.
Bypass Footswitch: Hear The Difference
You'll hear the difference your subwoofer makes in your system immediately -- but KRK also makes it even easier to "A/B" your system. The Bypass feature lets you send the full-range stereo signal to your main monitors, bypassing the sub entirely, with no plugging or unplugging of cables. Just plug in a standard 1/4-inch latching footswitch like the Boss FS-5L to the back panel and "click" it to toggle Bypass.
Sweepable Low-Pass for Surround Monitoring
Accurate sub-bass monitoring is key for mix-to-picture applications. It's an obvious must if you're building a real 5.1 surround setup. And when you're doing audio post on a stereo system, a KRK 12S sub can help you zero in on undesirable noise like air-conditioner rumble and pops on voiceover tracks, as well as set precise levels on low-frequency effects. After all, if you're mixing a soundtrack that will be reproduced on theater systems with sub-bass capabilities, you need to have those frequencies represented in your studio. Luckily, setting up your 12S for 5.1 mixing is easy, with a dedicated XLR input for low-frequency effects (LFE), and a low-pass filter sweepable from 55 to 170 Hz. You can set the low-pass frequency depending on the size of your left, right, center, and surround speakers, and what your bass-management hardware or software requires.
Send In The Sub!
Small stereo monitors such as KRK's Rokit RP6 have become increasingly popular in budget-minded home studios -- and compromised low-end is unavoidable when you're using small speakers. Do the math: for every octave lower, a speaker needs to push four times as much air to maintain the same volume. Fortunately, the KRK 12S saves the day with a beefy 225 watts of power and a 12-inch high-excursion speaker cone -- more than enough to shore up your low end. The 12S is one of the most affordable-yet-professional subwoofers on the market -- and the ideal solution for a mid-sized studio that needs serious bass.
Features:
- 225-watt built-in amplifier
- 12-inch woven Kevlar high-excursion woofer
- XLR, 1/4-inch, and RCA stereo inputs and outputs
- Dedicated low-frequency effects (LFE) balanced XLR input
- Bypass switch input to send full-range signal to the stereo outputs
- 55 to 170 Hz variable low-pass filter
- Ground lift switch
- Adjustable volume from -30 to +6 dB
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Product Description
The KRK12S powered subwoofer is the perfect complement to KRK VXT series, KRK Rokit series, or any other 6"-10" studio monitor. The KRK12S is designed to extend the response of an existing monitor system so that the low-frequency portion of the mix can be engineered. The KRK12S features the powerful accurate and low distortion sound that is the hallmark of all KRK monitor systems.
An efficient and low distortion 225-watt amplifier makes the KRK12S perfect for project and professional studio applications that require increased signal pressure. The front-firing bass port and KRK's light weight and high strength Kevlar woofer ensure a dynamic low-end punch. The KRK 12s has extensive bass management utilizing a full phase adjust and reverse, LFE input capability, Internal and defeatable Limiter, and both balanced and unbalanced inputs. In addition the subwoofer has an internal crossover which can be switched in and out of the path when muting the sub which allows full range material to be compared with and without subsonic content. A sturdy grill protects the driver cone and adds to the sleek appearance of the unit.
While subsonic frequencies are heavily implemented in some musical genres, all studios benefit from the use of a sub to monitor this low frequency content. With the prevalent use of home theater systems, as well as commercial systems in clubs and cinemas - production studios require the capability to identify and correct problems such as unwanted low frequency components, exterior noise, microphone rumble and vibrations. The increase of home and project mastering means many potentially great pieces of music are being poorly represented when played back on a larger system. When dealing with subsonic frequencies if they cannot be heard accurately they cannot be mixed accurately.
For decades, KRK subwoofers have been the choice for high definition low frequency monitoring including some of the most prestigious studios across the world. Now, the KRK12S provides a larger low frequency driver for enhanced performance that is within the budget of even the most modest home, or project studio. Whether you are mixing in any surround environment (up to 10.2) or just looking to upgrade the low frequency extension of your existing stereo monitors, the KRK12S is designed to meet the task.
This performance is brought to you by drivers, enclosures and technology which is custom-designed by KRK's world-class studio monitor engineering team.
Features:
- Curved Baffle: Curved front plate design virtually eliminates diffraction distortion- Front-firing Port: provides low frequency extension while reducing boundary coupling and the unique shape is optimized to avoid port turbulence- Bypass Footswitch Control: allows you to defeat the sub and provide full range audio to your recording monitors for use with a standard latching inch mono footswitch- Kevlar 12": Driver -High Excursion woven Kevlar driver cone- Thermal and Overload / Clip Protection: to prevent damage- Volume Control: on rear of unit allows a high resolution gain range from -30 dB to +6 dB.- Metal Grill: is standard to protect the driver from damage
