KRK KNS-8400

KRK Systems KNS-8400

KRK Systems is a brand better known by studio engineers and musicians than consumers, but the company's popular recording studio monitors have sat atop consoles at pro and home studios alike for over two decades. KRK's first foray into consumer headphones, the $149 (list) KRK Systems KNS-8400 is a simple, no frills offering that packs surprising range and power. Studio headphones need to withstand deep low end and high volumes without distorting, and the KNS-8400 has no issues with this task. The overall response is quite balanced, with a healthy-but-not gratuitous low-end. Home studio musicians, as well as pro studios looking for quality headphones at a reasonable price, should definitely audition the KNS-8400 before immediately jumping to more established studio headphone brands. For non-studio listeners who simply want a pair of quality circumaural (around-the-ear) headphones in the $150 range, the KNS-8400 is also worth a listen. No one said the KNS-8400 was a looker - but then, studio headphones rarely depart from the typical black plastic and foam uniform, and thus, none of them are terribly attractive.