Please don't be alarmed by the high SPL numbers. These are not real (NFS does not know about the amplification gain in the speaker). Actual level is pretty close to what I measure most speakers at. The IN‑5 is slightly larger than I imagined when I first saw images online, though it still falls comfortably into nearfield monitor dimensions so shouldn’t present too many challenges to fit into even small studio spaces. At just over 8kg the IN‑5 is also unlikely to present any mounting structure problems — although, as with any monitor, it is important to provide a rigid, stable and non‑resonant mounting platform.

Kali Audio has solidified themselves as not only a contender in the pro studio monitor market, but a frontrunner in studio monitor technology and advancement." - Charles Hoffman for Sonic Scoop To test the speakers, I put them on Primacoustic Recoil Stabilizer platforms and then switched between them and my Event Opals, after setting the gains to get a similar level from each. This isn’t a fair comparison, of course — the Kali monitors cost a fraction of what the Opals do — but it proved useful nevertheless in showing how the Kali LP‑6s performed. With the EQ controls set flat, the mids and highs from the LP‑6s came over as smooth and detailed, with excellent stereo imaging. The low end didn’t come close to what the larger Opals are capable of delivering, and it didn’t sound quite as focussed, but for a six‑inch monitor the bass extension is perfectly fine and in a small room even preferable to something that over‑emphasises the lows. If you have a larger room, the eight‑inch version has a little more bass extension and might be a better choice. The waveguide on Project Lone Pine monitors allows you to hear spatial details and a soundstage that is wider, taller, and deeper than the space between the speakers themselves. High dynamic range, low distortion

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Note 2: I need to verify that the Klippel system did not limit the measurements on its own that way. When I test a passive speaker next, I will find out if this is so. Right now I don't think it is the limiting factor.

As well as the EQ controls, the rear panels feature a variety of analog connections. The LP-6 provides you with an array of inputs, comprised of XLR and TRS input, as well as an unbalanced RCA input. The RCA input even features a -10dBu sensitivity setting. You can use this to optimise the performance for use with laptops or smartphones. There has been some bad information about this, so we thought we'd clear some things up! The LP-6 and LP-8 and IN-8 do all hiss. The LP-8 is the worst of the bunch, about 2 dB worse than LP-6. IN-8 is the quietest, about 1 dB better than LP-6. In the entire time we've been making these speakers, we have not instituted any changes that would make this performance better or worse. We have done spot audits to see if any units were particularly worse than any others, and we have never found that to be the case. I tested for the audibility of hiss. Spectrally the noise is not as annoying as it is with some other active speakers. I measured with a ruler when the noise subsided and it was about 24 inches/60 centimeters. Even in my close in listening, it was not a problem. That said, I do wish that the noise was not there. This means that anywhere within that listening distance, you can listen for long periods of time at reference volume, and momentary peaks such as bass drops or explosion effects will come through clearly and with minimal distortion. The LP-6 has enough output for most 1-2 person setups, and the LP-8 can handle larger setups easily. Contrary one of quietest OEM amps in general with highest dynamic range are Class-D modules from Hypex, IcePower.. (those are being used in more expensive monitors)

Low Noise Port Tube

Founded by some former JBL staff, Kali arrived on the scene in 2018 with a range of inexpensive US‑designed and Far East‑manufactured monitors. It’s been an impressive effort so far. The subject of this review is the first of what Kali have christened their ‘second wave’, characterised by a host of technical improvements. These are said to comprise 12dB less amplifier noise, re‑profiled and lower‑mass driver diaphragms, improved cabinet construction, more precise DSP, revised EQ presets and, finally, a little less input sensitivity. The first of these improvements is particularly welcome because one of my criticisms of the IN‑8 was that amplifier hiss was audible. I may as well confirm straight away that this problem has been fixed. The IN‑5 is effectively silent when idling. Let’s Get Physical

Great horizontal directivity. Really, really good. The vertical directivity shows some vertical lobing resulting in a shift in the DI around 1.5 - 2.0kHz. The Early Reflections Floor Bounce and Ceiling Bounce data shows this as well and indicates we need to stay on-axis with the reference plane (the tweeter) and that you may want to put some ceiling absorption in place of your studio (floor absorption isn’t likely possible).

3-D Imaging Waveguide

Measurements that you are about to see were performed using the Klippel Near-field Scanner (NFS). This is a robotic measurement system that analyzes the speaker all around and is able (using advanced mathematics and dual scan) to subtract room reflections (so where I measure it doesn't matter). It also measures the speaker at close distance ("near-field") which sharply reduces the impact of room noise. Both of these factors enable testing in ordinary rooms yet results that can be more accurate than anechoic chamber. In a nutshell, the measurements show the actual sound coming out of the speaker independent of the room. The waveguide on the Lone Pine Series studio monitors ensures that the directivity of the loudspeaker is smooth throughout its frequency response. What’s more: it’s calibrated so that the sound power of the loudspeaker helps you to perceive sound accurately. The LP-6s deliver a sound that punches well above their price point. If you were to blind test them against speakers a lot higher in price tag, I’m pretty sure you’d be surprised as how well they stand up. Similarly, if you were to do the same against monitors at their price point, I think they’d stand head and shoulders above them. Based on my results above, it is obvious the output is limited (via internal DSP) somewhere above the 96dB @ 1m output level.

Kali Audio produce studio monitorsthat are all designed in California, USA. Created by a team of experienced engineers, many of whom previously worked for leading manufacturers, these high-quality speakers unleash incredible sound. I compared the LP-6s with a pair of RCF Ayra 5s that I’ve had for many years. They were my first reference monitor and a more apples to apples comparison. Also front-ported, they lose an inch to the LP-6s in the midbass driver but use a rectangular slotted port design, albeit less elaborate than the port of the Kali. The below graphics indicate how much SPL is lost or gained in the long-term as a speaker plays at the same output level for 2 minutes, in intervals. Each graphic represents a different SPL: 86dB and 96dB both at 1 meter. Acoustic measurements can be grouped in a way that can be perceptually analyzed to determine how good a speaker can be used. This so called spinorama shows us just about everything we need to know about the speaker with respect to tonality and some flaws:Combined with the LF and HF trims, this will ensure that the speakers sound their best no matter what room you’re mixing in, or where the speakers are placed. Pretty puzzled by the folks here saying that the hiss is barely noticeable. Either I got a faulty set or I'm concerned for these peoples' ears. Sound Power represents all the sounds arriving at the listening position after any number of reflections from any direction. It is the weighted rms average of all 70 measurements, with individual measurements weighted according to the portion of the spherical surface that they represent. We wanted to put a port on the front of the LP-Series studio monitors so that they could be used in small spaces where they’d be placed against walls. At the same time, we didn’t want noise from the front port to distract from the accuracy of the speaker, so we developed a special front port that doesn’t make noise. The Lone Pine Series is designed to allow you to hear every detail that's happening in your mix. This starts with an exceptionally accurate frequency response. Whatever is present on your mix is what you'll hear in these monitors. Nothing is boosted or suppressed to cover flaws or try to sound more pleasing.