Kali Audio LP-8 2nd Wave Review: Heavyweight Contender

Kali Audio’s LP-8 monitors pack a heavyweight punch at a lightweight price.

Founded in 2018, Kali Audio has gone from a new kid on the block to a respected competitor in the audio world in a bafflingly short amount of time. The Burbank, California-based company makes everything from subwoofers and multimedia speakers, but their most intriguing products may very well be the monitors. We were lucky enough to get our hands on 2 LP-8 speakers, and after spending some quality time with them, the verdict is clear: Kali Audio have got a real heavyweight in their lineup.

Design & Features

Well worth making space for, the LP-8 is the bigger of the two options from Kali Audio’s Lone Pine series, weighing in at almost 20 pounds and featuring a 1-inch tweeter and an 8-inch woofer. Standing out visually with a low noise front port (designed with the help of airflow simulations) featuring a 3D-imaging waveguide, the monitors show their maker’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail even before you plug them in and turn them on.

The port was put in the front with bedroom producers in mind, as putting them there allows them to be used in smaller spaces where they might be directly up against the wall (as in my case). The concern there is pretty obvious, but an ingenious design makes all of the air leave the port tube at the same velocity, improving low end while keeping the bass sound clean and noise-free. The waveguide ensures smooth frequency response and accurate sound perception: sitting there in front of them, you can figuratively place the sounds around you, giving you a natural and pleasant sense of space and depth.

Coming to the rear panel of the LP-8, you’ll find a series of switches called “Boundary EQ Control” to control the EQ of the monitors. There’s also a visual guide to help in setting up the EQ parameters based on where the monitors have been placed. Apart from the EQ control section you get XLR and 1/4” TRS balanced inputs and RCA unbalanced inputs.

Obviously, with stereo monitors, you want the greatest accuracy possible for your sound, and with the LP-8, Kali Audio did not play around. A lower frequency response of 37 Hz gives plenty as far as range, a system THD of less than 2.5 percent is great, and 117 max dB lets you get pretty loud. The 2nd wave also introduces a more powerful DSP, giving you flatter top end frequency response.

In practice as on paper, the LP-8 delivers: it sounds crisp and transparent across a range of frequencies and volumes, even in cramped spaces. The boundary compensation EQ settings really make a difference, thankfully now including a setting for having your speakers on a desk with monitor stands. With it, your sound comes through nicely regardless of how much space you have at your disposal.

Specifications

Key specs for the LP-8 include:

1. 100w of total power (40 HF, 60 LF)
2. High-frequency driver (Tweeter): 1-inch textile dome
3. Low-frequency driver (Woofer): 8-inch optimized paper
4. Frequency response (-10 dB): 37 Hz to 25 kHz
5. Frequency range (±3 dB): 45 Hz to 21 kHz
6. Height: 16.5 Inches (41.9 cm)
7. Width: 10 Inches (25.4 cm)
8. Depth: 11.25 inches (28.6 cm)
9. Weight: 19.8 lbs (9 kg)

With Kali Audio, it’s clear that the people behind the product understand the art of making equipment that is versatile, easy to use, and, most importantly, gives you value for money. Frankly, most of us can’t afford to splash thousands on monitors alone. If you’re looking to furnish the absolute best studio you can you’d surely spend more money, but it’s difficult to look around and find more bang for the buck at this price point. The company likes to say that the LP-8 is the best monitor you can buy for less than $500 a pair- they may very well be right.

Price & Availability

The Kali Audio LP-8 is available from approved dealers all around the world: click here to see a full list of retailers. The monitors will cost you about $249 apiece in the US, around €239 apiece in Europe, or around £195 apiece in the United Kingdom.

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