TEST: KS Digital C-88 Reference

Oha, I thought the DHL delivery included near-field monitors and not the all-tube SVT bass stop part from Ampeg. It is really rare that the parcel carrier pushes 2 boxes with a total of almost 50 kg in the hand and the inscription on the package promises a near-field monitor as content. Be that as it may, KS Digital must have thought of something when manufacturing its KS Digital C88-Reference to equip this monitor with such a high weight.

The setup of the KS Digital C88-Reference test

The first thing to do is to find the right speaker for the right side, as the speakers come in a left and a right version, but this is very easy to figure out. As always when positioning a monitor vertically, place the tweeters to the outside and in this case make sure the KSD logo is placed at the bottom. The speakers are placed on Gravity Stand monitor stands at a height of about 1 meter. The distance to the monitoring position is 150 cm, the distance to the wall behind is 200 cm. A Palmer Monicon acts as the master volume control, and all the cabling is from Cordial. The control room is moderately damped with Basotect panels and was covered with a short-pile carpet.

The concept of the KS Digital C88-Reference

The KS Digital C88-Reference is an active, 3-way nearfield monitor, which features an 8-inch Kevlar woofer with 175-watt Class-D power amp, an 8-inch midrange driver, also made of Kevlar with 175-watt Class-D power amp, and a 1-inch fabric dome tweeter with 80-watt Class-D power amp (all peak values), and according to the manufacturer, has a frequency response of 32 Hz - 22 kHz. The midrange and tweeter are coaxial in design to come as close as possible to the ideal of a point source of sound. The sound pressure of the system is specified at 118 dB SPL. To protect all components against overload, the system was equipped with electronic peak/thermal limiter protection circuits, separately for all drivers.

The weight of the speakers is 22 kg per speaker, which makes the loudspeaker with dimensions of 480 mm x 240 mm x 310 mm one of the real heavyweights, but at the same time minimizes the cabinet bounce. The system is designed for small to medium-sized control rooms, whereby there should be a minimum distance of 50 cm to the speaker in the listening position. The speaker does not have a bass reflex port and can therefore be positioned comparatively close to a wall without having to interfere with the system's sound control.

The actual special feature of the KS Digital C88-Reference is the digital processing of the signal, which is done with Finite Impulse Reponse Technology, or FIRTEC for short. The internal processor constantly checks the system and tries to minimize distortion and ensure maximum phase fidelity. Furthermore, the processor manages six user-defined memory locations, which can be accessed via an optionally available remote control called KSD-RC. A delay correction can also be called up via this. An additional remote control called KSD-VOL, which can also be purchased as an option, allows direct volume control by +/- 6 dB without an additional monitor controller.

Optics and connections of the KS Digital C88-Reference

The first impression of the KS Digital C88-Reference is really very good. All components give a high-quality impression, all screw connections and transitions are clean and professionally executed, as is to be expected in this price range, the cherry wood veneer provides a dignified appearance. If you activate the box, a glowing KSD logo informs you about the status of the system. Unfortunately, the KS Digital C88-Reference does not have an auto-standby function.

The rear panel of the KS Digital C88-Reference is very clearly laid out, although appropriate for its field of application, somewhat unusual in comparison to a home recording speaker. On the one hand, the system does without an additional input jack beyond XLR, since no other format is used in the professional field anyway. Also, the use of an RJ45 jack will probably only be found very rarely in the budget sector, but in this case it only serves to connect the already mentioned remote controls. Behind a small, transparent plastic disk are 3 small thumbscrews, with which the high and low range, both as shelving filters, and a volume control, with which a volume balance can be carried out with unbalanced set-up.

Also worth mentioning is the very tight suspension of the woofers, which in the passive range means either a reduced bass response, or a safeguard for very high volumes. To what extent this suspension should affect the sound characteristics of the system remains to be seen in the practical test.

The KS Digital C88-Reference in practice

Already the first tones from the system provide a real ohhh effect. Without any further sound corrections, the KS Digital C88-Reference already delivers an excellent basic sound that can easily compete in the next higher league from €2,000 per speaker in terms of reproduction.

Starting with a bass reproduction that makes the listener constantly search for a subwoofer without finding it. Quite contrary to the hard suspension of the woofer, the system offers a balanced, neutral and, above all, tight bass foundation even below 100 Hz, which never loses definition at any time or at any volume. In general, the goal of the Saarland company, a neutral reproduction of the source material without "sounding" has been achieved here across the board.

Accompanied by an even midrange reproduction, which even the extremely difficult-to-define high-gain guitars master well up to the treble range, which draws attention neither by an exaggerated silkiness, nor by sharp or harsh scratching. Even after a short time, one notices how relaxing it is to work with the KS Digital C88-Reference speakers. Due to the high resolution, you don't have to explicitly send your hearing in search of the instrument / frequency or similar to be analyzed, it is virtually delivered on a silver platter by the system.

Let's move on to the spatial resolution and depth gradation. Here, too, the system convinces with a convincing performance, from the clean puncturing of the phantom center to a very even staggering of the sound material. Not only is a real band captured very nicely in the stereo image with the appropriate sound material, even outdoor recordings made with high-quality stereo technology leave a very vivid auditory impression. It would be interesting to test the KS Digital C88-Reference in a 5.1 environment, but unfortunately I was not able to do so.

However, the impulse behavior has to be considered the highlight of the system. It is more than just impressive how fast the speakers react to the delivered signal. Which of the installed components is exactly responsible for this, or the final combination of them, I can't say exactly. However, it is a fact that the comparatively hard suspension of the speakers in cooperation with the FIRTEC system enables a very high impulse fidelity.

Hard and fast following signals such as kick drums or even percussive elements from the keyboard faction manage the KS Digital C88-Reference with unprecedented ease even at high volumes. Reference productions such as Peter Gabriel's "So" appeared with their opulent, slightly overloaded eighties clutter in a very transparent sound garment, while many competitors completely go to pieces here in terms of resolution.

Whether the impulse fidelity can also be attributed to the comparatively high weight of the speaker cannot be determined exactly. However, it is certain that with a correspondingly high potential energy, the resonator does not move as fast as a body with a correspondingly lower weight, even with strong impulses.

Conclusion

With the KS Digital C88-Reference, the Saarland-based company has succeeded in creating a real highlight in the near-field monitor sector. The system sounds much higher quality than the price of just under 1,300 euros would suggest.

With a very neutral sound reproduction, a very balanced frequency response, an excellent depth gradation and a phenomenal impulse behavior, the digital system plays in a league that is otherwise only available for 2,000 euros and more per speaker.

The system convinces with a universal suitability for all music genres, whereby especially percussive-heavy productions with great depth staggering benefit from the concept. It's just a pity that the advanced functions, such as saving and calling up the parametric presets and the extended volume control, can only be managed via an optionally available remote control.

Additional informations:

KS Digital is a reputable company in the audio industry, specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-quality studio monitors and related audio equipment. With a strong focus on precision, accuracy, and innovative technologies, KS Digital has earned a solid reputation among professionals in the music production, broadcasting, and post-production sectors. This report provides a detailed overview of KS Digital, covering its history, product line, technological innovations, reputation, and contribution to the audio industry.

History and Background KS Digital was founded in 1992 by Jürgen and Peter Kienast, two audio enthusiasts with a shared passion for creating exceptional audio equipment. Their mission was to develop studio monitors that offered unparalleled accuracy and transparency in sound reproduction. Over the years, KS Digital has become known for its commitment to innovation and its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of audio professionals.

Product Line KS Digital offers a diverse range of studio monitors and audio equipment that cater to the demanding requirements of professional audio production. Their product line includes:

C-Series: The C-Series comprises compact nearfield monitors designed for critical listening and accurate sound reproduction in recording, mixing, and mastering applications. These monitors feature advanced coaxial driver technology, ensuring excellent phase coherence and precise imaging.

b. A-Series: The A-Series consists of active monitors that provide high-resolution audio playback with extended frequency response. These monitors incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as Acoustic Reality Modeling (ARM), to deliver an exceptionally detailed and immersive listening experience.

c. E-Series: The E-Series offers high-quality passive monitors, subwoofers, and amplifiers suitable for professional applications where external amplification is preferred. These products are designed to work in harmony, allowing for a customizable and scalable audio system.

d. Digital Converters: KS Digital also offers digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) renowned for their exceptional sonic performance and high-resolution audio conversion.

Technological Innovations KS Digital is known for its relentless pursuit of technological advancements to enhance audio quality and user experience. They have developed several innovative technologies that set their products apart:

Coaxial Driver Technology: KS Digital's coaxial driver technology ensures precise alignment of the tweeter and woofer, resulting in accurate time and phase coherence, as well as improved imaging and stereo localization.

b. Acoustic Reality Modeling (ARM): ARM is a proprietary technology developed by KS Digital that simulates the acoustic characteristics of different listening environments. It allows users to optimize the monitor's response to match their specific studio or room acoustics.

c. Advanced DSP and Room Correction: KS Digital integrates advanced digital signal processing (DSP) into their monitors, enabling precise control over frequency response, equalization, and room correction. This feature ensures accurate sound reproduction in diverse acoustic environments.

Reputation and Industry
Recognition KS Digital has earned a strong reputation within the audio industry for its commitment to precision and sonic excellence. Their products have garnered praise from professionals worldwide, and KS Digital has been recognized with numerous industry awards and accolades for their innovative designs and technological advancements. Their monitors are widely used in professional studios, broadcast facilities, and post-production houses.

Contribution to the Audio Industry KS Digital has made significant contributions to the audio industry by consistently delivering high-quality studio monitors that meet the stringent demands of professionals. Their commitment to accuracy, transparency, and innovation has raised the standard of audio reproduction and inspired other manufacturers in the industry. KS Digital's technological advancements and attention to detail have played a crucial role in enabling audio professionals to achieve exceptional sound quality and accuracy in their work.

Customer Support and Service KS Digital is known for its excellent customer support and service. They provide comprehensive technical assistance, product documentation, and troubleshooting resources to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, KS Digital offers warranty coverage on their products, further establishing their commitment to customer support.

Conclusion
KS Digital has established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality studio monitors and audio equipment. With a rich history, technological innovations, and a strong reputation for precision and accuracy, KS Digital continues to be a trusted choice for audio professionals across various industries. Through their dedication to pushing the boundaries of sonic excellence and providing outstanding customer support, KS Digital has made a significant impact on the audio industry and continues to shape the future of professional audio production.