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What Hi-Fi Thailand Test Report – Krix Equinox Mk5 Bookshelf Speaker

Read the full article on What HiFi here.

Krix has identified the "Equinox Mk5 " as a compact bookshelf speaker that is guaranteed to be a favorite among 2-channel music lovers by bringing their music collection to life by placing it on a stand or using the wall mounts as a surround effects speaker for multi-channel systems. The "Equinox Mk5" is one of Krix's three compact bookshelf speakers, namely the Esoterix Altum, Equinox Mk5 and Acoustix Mk2.

Scott Krix was the founder and designer of KRIX...Back as a teenager, Scott Krix was fascinated by music, experimenting with a kit amplifier in his garage and building experimental speakers using drivers collected from old radios.

After more than 30 years, Scott's dream has become a reality. The Krix team produces high-quality speakers for home and commercial use.

Krix is a leader in Australian speaker design, which is sold worldwide. Using the latest modern testing tools, 3D modeling, and computer simulation design technology. Krix's innovative R&D team is a major force in Australia's loudspeaker industry today.

Whether you're looking for your first pair of stereo speakers or your own ultimate home theater experience, Krix will exceed your expectations.

Introduction

Designed for 2-channel stereo sound (which could potentially be used as a home theater rear speaker), the "Equinox" is a compact speaker with a robust construction, reinforced internal bracing, and a standard Real Wood Veneers finish, and custom-made paint lacquers.

In fact, Krix deliberately developed the "Equinox" with a challenge and aimed to overcome the idea. Krix has designed the "Equinox" loudspeaker with the utmost dedication to high performance and high-fidelity sound performance, so that users can be assured that the "Equinox" will sound great. For applications that require high-quality sound.

"Equinox" is a major breakthrough in Krix's speaker design, proving that compact speakers can deliver an "unparalleled experience" without a doubt. Under the factor of more affordable prices. For those who want to experience high-quality audio. "Equinox" is an attractive choice because of its unparalleled combination of size, quality and performance.

"Equinox" has been a step forward with positive reviews since its inception, and as of now it has reached the MK5 version, highlighting its ability to deliver high-end speaker performance at a much lower price than expected. It challenges music listeners and audiophiles to find it difficult to identify any major shortcomings. However, the limitations of the "Equinox" seem to be due only to its physical size, which does not detract from the impressive sound quality of the speakers. "Equinox", which has to be attributed to the dedication of KRIX's design engineers to a rigorous tuning and development process, demonstrates the commitment to creating small speakers that exceed expectations.

After "Equinox" First launched in 1993, the Equinox Mk4 model was named 'Product of the Year' in the 2021/2022 Stereo+ category, decades away from its launch. Now has reached the Mk5 version, where the transition from MK4 to MK5 lies in modifying the new bass-midrange drivers (as is evident from the dust cover on the arcs. The use of Scan Speak's Ring Radiator tweeter, which is notorious for the difficulty of designing crossover circuits. The perfect network

Inside the cabinet of the "Equinox", you will find something special about the crossover. 'Real' means a properly designed crossover. It uses high-quality components consisting of 8 elements, including 3 inductors, 2 of which are air axes (the third is ferrite cores). All 3 inductors use large number wires, and they are all installed cross-sectionally, to avoid interfering with each other.

In addition, all crossovers are hard-wired soldered and all components are bonded and coated with epoxy to prevent vibrations that affect the incoming electrical signals, which is especially important for capacitors (where the Krix uses Bennic bipolar rated at 50 volts).

It is said that when the Equinox Mk4 was demonstrated at high-fidelity trade fairs in Horten and Copenhagen, In a room of about 45 square meters, there is a lot of interest, and the question is repeated: Where is the subwoofer?

When the Equinox Mk4 was replaced by the MK5, the "Equinox Mk5" delivered even better bass quality than the Mk4 in terms of smooth frequency response. Smooth and deeper than before. It also has better bass clarity than the Mk4. It is fitting that "Equinox" has been recognized as an excellent speaker and has the prestige of a legendary speaker for more than thirty years.

The Equinox Mk5, the latest evolution of the Equinox series (32 years of generational succession), also features Ultra Low Flux Leakage Shielding for both the 130mm bass-midrange drivers and the 26mm tweeter, allowing the Equinox Mk5 to be placed close to a television without interfering with the visual system. This feature not only enhances the versatility of the "Equinox Mk5", but also demonstrates the meticulous attention to detail that Krix has devoted to its development.

The cabinet of the "Equinox Mk5" has an internal volume of 7 liters and is molded from real wood panels that are beautifully lacquered. in addition The front and rear panels are also made of custom-made plywood 17 mm thick, which reinforces the internal joints between the side and top panels. The lower half of the cabinet body is fastened with expanded foam. U-shaped, which serves to reduce standing waves inside the cabinet, with bass reflex vents. Install the open pipe on the rear panel. The open tube is 79 mm long and 42 mm in diameter (so the "Equinox Mk5" is not suitable for wall mounting unless a bracket can be found to hold the cabinet away from the wall or placed in a bookcase).

The 130 mm (5 inch) bass-midrange driver chosen by Krix is a doped curvilinear paper cone that has been "doped" or pressed into the paper tissue. To strengthen the mass even more. Without affecting the weight of the cone. As a result, this 130mm bass-midrange driver has better acceleration or responsiveness than ordinary ones. The mounting edge around the cone or roll surround is made of soft and highly flexible rubber material, and the bracket or basket is also cast aluminum molded from aluminum material, which is stronger than ordinary steel pump frames. This makes the moving part such as the voice coil and the cone have a completely symmetrical movement in the piston motion. There is no problem of shaking or swinging.

In addition, the voice coil is as large as 30 mm (1.2 inches) and is wrapped around the high temperature Kapton Kapton former with a vented magnet system to facilitate ventilation, and a copper shorting ring that controls the intensity of the magnetic line. It reduces distortion by working in tandem with a tweeter. Scan Speak's 26 mm (1 inch) Dual Concentric Diaphragm 'Ring Radiator' with 'Wave-Guide' Center Plug (which controls the broadcast pattern) is Neodymium Magnet. Magnetic Structure Krix has specified the sound sensitivity of the "Equinox Mk5" at 88 dB SPL at a distance of 1 m for an input of 2.83 V and impedance. Therefore, it is recommended to pair the "Equinox Mk5" with an amplifier with an output of 50 watts or more (if it is suitable, it should be 100 watts RMS) and "Equinox Mk5" is suitable for small rooms with a normal size of 10-15 square meters. to a large room of 50 sq.m. (but it should be suitable for a room of 25-35 sq.m.).

Listening quality

As for the small speakers, it seems to be a challenge to the ability of engineers to design. We have come across small speakers that sound amazing when listened to, such as the LS3/5 from Roger, Diamond from Wharfedale, Tablette from ProAc, 5C Super Sound Cube from Auratone, AX-ONE from Audio Note, Model 7 Metronome from Pyramid Speaker System, etc. So a small, good-sounding speaker is always a very challenging arena, and you have to be cool enough to create something very special to make any impact in the speaker world. The newest "Equinox Mk5" in Krix's Equinox series really presents a special expression.

AFTER LISTENING TO KRIX-ESOTERIX ALTUM TWO YEARS AGO (https://www.whatgroupmag.com/krix-esoteric-altum/#), THE GOODNESS OF SOUND QUALITY IS STILL REMEMBERED. This is once again where listening to "Equinox Mk5" will be recorded in memory. However, the performance and sound quality are not as small as the size, and the sound is not easy to overlook...

Under the 295×175×235 mm (H×W×D) cabinet size of the Equinox Mk5, the back-open cabinet system is able to deliver a response frequency range of 45Hz-40kHz in an approximate 15-30 m² room. It is revealed, clear, and blooming, as if hearing the sound of magic spells. The low-frequency sound with a clear cone, and the soundstage is scaled in the right place. The "Equinox Mk5" is a compact speaker that will surprise you and even more so when you listen to it over and over again, with a stunning range of delicate highs. Powerful low sound and quality over weight, including brightness. It is clear and vibrant, which is the perfect combination of mid/bass drivers. A high-quality, 5-inch rounded paper cone with a voice coil larger than an inch and a powerful magnet and a 26mm Ring Radiator tweeter that delivers high-frequency response that extends as far as the hemp line. Combined with the operation of the cabinet that is bass-reflex (tuned with the rear open tube). The result is expansive, detailed highs with powerful, well-balanced bass that delivers superior overall performance. Compared to the size of the speaker cabinet, which is considered to be compact.

From the position of the speakers in the listening room of What Hi-Fi? Thailand at the distance from the wall behind the speakers = 1.38 m - the distance between the left/right speakers = 1.87 m - the distance from the listening position to the vertical placement of the speakers = 2.65 m and the toe-in angle is about 2 degrees (Note: The greater the toe-in angle, the more detailed the high-frequency sound end will be noticed where the clarity decreases. Setting up for near-field listening that requires to-in) has created an amazing listening experience from the "Equinox Mk5", especially the details in the female vocals and the subtle detail classification recording (the tail of the voice gradually fades). If you aim to use a low-spec amplifier, you can sing the "Equinox Mk5" just by seeing that it is a small speaker, because the "Equinox Mk5" will reveal the weakness of the inferior amplifier used for singing.

But if you don't lose sight of the "Equinox Mk5"'s low-key speakers, pair it with a moderately good system. The "Equinox Mk5" will show you its strengths in superb bass. Compared to the size of the cabinet, you will fall in love with the harmonious sound balance and harmony from one octave to another. Demonstrates a smooth, pleasant transition from bass/midrange to tweeter, as well as very fast (good) dynamic power and open, vivid and realistic voice. Delivering a perceived low frequency below 45 Hz as specified. At the same time, you can feel the ability to elevate the high frequency band to the extreme end with surprising clarity.

In particular, the midrange of the "Equinox Mk5is clear and realistic. The sound quality is called a monitor, that is, "straightforward", providing both accurate, precise, and clear, delivering a consistent naturalness. The recorded vocals sound like the singer is actually in that room, regardless of whether the voices of the singers, both male and female, are conveyed realistically. I listened to it over and over again with a feeling of wonder at the difference that I had never heard before.

While the high-frequency range is full of clarity and transparency, very sharp, this clarity is not rough. Any coarse impurities. It is a high-pitched range full of subtle details and makes an impression on the long-lasting high-end end that can be perceived as the high-pitched tail gradually fades naturally.

Norway's Audio Magazine has mentioned the "Equinox Mk" as follows: "A High End Loudspeaker For A Bargain Price-The question must be: what faults has this little boy? My skilled and experienced friend has also had problems to point out any serious faults in the three weeks while the Krix Equinox have played daily, both as a test object and purely and simply as a music promoter.

Conclusion

Krix is one of the best quality loudspeakers on the market, 100 per cent Australian-based in Adelaide, and has proven itself with excellent, quality, cost-effective and reliable speakers for both music and home theatre. The bass is tight, deep, and loud. Compared to a small speaker, it also has an excellent perception of imagination and sound stage... 2-Many models that I have heard and cost more.

For me, I think that this speaker has a lot of performance and quality for the money. It can be said that the "Equinox Mk" is a very special and outstanding product in the Krix all speaker family.

Read the full article on What HiFi here.

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What Hi-Fi Thailand Test Report

The Equinox Mk5 is a testament to its strengths with its bright, clear and natural highs, without any harshness.

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