The Score Magazine January 2020 | Page 27

AKARSH SHEKHAR JBL Nano K3 & K4 Studio Monitors review The NANO K Series of monitors are active power monitors for use in professional studio, music class and home recording monitoring. These fantastic monitors have been designed by JBL Professional and are available in six model variants- K3 (3- inch) and K4 (4-inch) monitor pairs, K5 (5-inch), K6 (6-inch) and K8 (8-inch) standalone monitors, and KX Bluetooth receiver & controller. The K3 and K4 are sold in pairs, and the left channel speaker feeds signals to the right. Both monitors have an embedded Bluetooth modular for seamless wireless connectivity. Also integrated is an M8 thread nut for easy microphone stand mounting. JBL surprised us with the K3 and the K4 and we can't wait to tell you more about them. vlogger editing your own videos, these spectacular monitors will help you solve common video editing problems such as crossfade editing. We spent a few hours with these incredible monitors and they completely won us over. Let's take you through the features. The front of the speakers features a power button with the JBL logo on it. It looks good and has a nice tactile feel. Also featured on the front, is an Image Control Waveguide, which helps with directional sound. The volume control option of these speakers is also placed on the front. • Both transducers (Low Frequency and High Frequency) are carefully aligned to generate an aligned acoustic centre. Moving to the rear, there is a cool musician silhouette along with an auxiliary input port. The speakers also have Bluetooth connectivity which makes it very convenient for playing music through your smart devices. If someone walks in and wants to play some music through these speakers, all they need to do is take their smartphone out, activate Bluetooth, connect to these speakers and rock out (or analyse, depending on their mood). • Power switch (with the JBL logo) and volume control options are on the front panel. These monitors are priced very well and are almost a bargain at the entry level. The K4 costs less than Rs 20,000 while the K3 costs a little under Rs 15,000. Whether you are a bedroom producer or an up and coming artist who is interested in finding out how their sound translates at a professional level, these monitors are a great investment. • Embedded Bluetooth modular for seamless wireless connection with modern day music players. We were also extremely impressed by the crispness, neatness and the balance of the sound. The pop, boom and distortion were very apparent. Another great use of these monitors is for video editing. Whether you edit videos for someone or you are a Nano K3 The verdict: These monitors are spectacular and once you bring the price in the picture, JBL has truly knocked this one out of the park. Do try them out, definitely worth your money and time. JBL Nano K3 and K4: Features Summary • The legendary JBL sound is reproduced through a contemporary design cabinet. • Analyse high frequency ranges with greater depth and subtle details using the Image Control Waveguide. • Diminished distortion and higher levels of accuracy have been achieved with the help of a class AB power amplifier. • 3.5 mm headphone jack is also present on the front panel for plug & play monitors headphones. • The rear panel features an auxiliary input port and a cool musician silhouette. • Can be attached to a microphone stand via the M8 screwed pinhole, especially useful for keyboard monitoring. • Multiple listening position support (upright standing or backward tilting) because of the 12° angle placement bottom. Nano K4 The Score Magazine highonscore.com 25