TESZ: Behringer Nekkst K8

 Anyone who deals with the topic of music production for the first time will sooner or later be faced with the annoying issue of their monitor system. You somehow heard from friends that your home stereo system or your favorite headphones are not enough to mix a balanced sound.

But what if you only have a small budget and still don't want to be fobbed off with a PC speaker class monitor? The customer can be helped. It is not for nothing that many providers have a special segment dedicated to the so-called budget class. One of the market leaders in this segment is the company Behringer, which with the Behringer Nekkst K8 loudspeakers wants to give ambitious young people a near-field monitor with which they can gain their first experience.

In order to give the product an additional incentive to buy, KRK mastermind Keith R. Klawitter was brought on board as a designer. This test should show whether his design only focuses on the optics or whether his expertise covers the entire concept of the monitor.



construction

The Behringer Nekkst K8, manufactured in China, is the most voluminous version of the Nekkst class, which is supplemented further down by the products K6 and K5. As expected, the number after the K stands for the inch diameter of the woofer. There is also a subwoofer called K10 on offer. In terms of processing, there are no defects, everything is glued cleanly, no protrusions or anything similar.

The designer's KRK touch can be seen at first glance, as the woofer also has a deformation-resistant fiberglass membrane. His cooperation partner in the tweeter range is a 1" silk dome tweeter, which was recessed in an oval recess for better side radiation. The Class D power amplifier delivers a maximum of 150 watts, the crossover frequency is 3 kHz. According to the data sheet, the maximum sound pressure is 102 dB SPL at 1 m.

With dimensions of 393 x 261 x 315 mm and a weight of 8.7 kg, we are dealing with the normal dimensions of an 8" near-field monitor. However, you should clarify in advance whether you have enough space in your work area for this design. Loudspeakers of this performance class will probably never make it into professional recording studios with acoustically optimized rooms, so it must be clarified in advance whether the study or bedroom even has the space for these dimensions.

Behringer, on the other hand, is aware of its area of application and, in addition to a few other setting options, offers a so-called “room compensation”, which reduces the frequency from -2 dB to -6 dB at 300 Hz in order to counteract drone frequencies in unfavorable placement.


Setting options

In order to provide access to MP3 players or comparable devices, the Behringer Nekkst K8 also has RCA inputs in addition to XLR and TRS, which makes a lot of sense considering the target group. The input level can be reduced or increased by 6 dB using a trim pot set at 0 dB.

In order to simulate the sound on a smaller monitor, you can also use a mini switch to reduce the range below 60 Hz to -6 dB in -2 dB steps. If necessary, the high frequency range can be boosted by 2 dB or reduced by -2 dB or -4 dB. Attention, the boosting or lowering takes place with a slider in the same direction; here it would be better to set the 0 dB point in the middle rather than at the left end.


First impression

First of all everything is good, no hissing, no humming, the speakers are characterized by a barely perceptible amount of background noise. The glowing Nekkst K8 logo provides information about the operating status of the box.


Sound

Of course, with a retail price of 179 euros, you shouldn't expect miracles, but what Behringer offers here with neutral sound control takes some getting used to. The sound offered is very high-mid-heavy, not to say shrill. In addition, the 8-inch woofer has far less bass reproduction than what its size would suggest. Although the construction is very faithful to impulses and allows a generous design of the stereo triangle due to the tweeter concept, sound culture works differently.

Unfortunately, by lowering the treble (starts at 8 kHz) I was unable to get the problem, which is around 4-5 kHz, under control. Rather, the sound was now robbed of its “shine”, meaning the box sounded comparatively dull. Vocals, guitars, drums, all “natural” instruments were only rudimentarily reproduced acoustically in the quality in which they were recorded.

However, the whole thing changed when it came to “artificial” instruments. The Behringer Nekkst K8 handled hard techno beats or heavy sampler clatter much better, especially since the power of almost 150 watts had some power reserves. The only thing that clouded the sound here was the comparatively weak bass reproduction.


Conclusion

With the Behringer Nekkst K8, the manufacturer offers a near-field monitor in which light and shadow go hand in hand. For a retail price of 179 euros, the customer receives a powerful listening device that can show its strengths in DJ use, but unfortunately is not really convincing in regular studio use due to the shrill sound and low bass reproduction, especially with natural instruments.

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Additional Informations:

Behringer, founded by Uli Behringer in 1989, has become a significant player in the world of audio technology. Originally based in Willich, Germany, the company began its journey focusing on the design and manufacture of affordable audio equipment, which was then a niche in the market largely dominated by high-cost products.

Uli Behringer, an audio engineer and classical pianist, recognized the need for more affordable equipment for musicians and audio professionals. This insight led to the creation of the company's first product, the Behringer Studio Exciter Type F. This product, a signal processor designed to enhance audio quality, was a testament to Behringer's commitment to providing professional audio solutions at a fraction of the cost of competitors.

As the company grew, Behringer expanded its product range to include a wide array of audio equipment. This included mixers, amplifiers, loudspeakers, microphones, and later, digital audio processing equipment like digital mixers and interfaces. Behringer's mixers, in particular, gained widespread popularity for their affordability and functionality. Products like the EURODESK and the X32 digital mixer revolutionized the market by making professional features accessible to a broader range of users.

Innovation has been a key factor in Behringer's success. The company has consistently invested in research and development, leading to numerous patents and proprietary technologies. These innovations often focused on reducing costs without compromising quality, which aligned perfectly with Behringer's mission to democratize professional audio equipment.

The global expansion of Behringer was marked by the establishment of manufacturing facilities in China. This strategic move allowed Behringer to leverage lower production costs, resulting in more competitive pricing for its products. The company's presence in China also facilitated easier access to emerging markets in Asia, further boosting its global reach.

Behringer's marketing strategies have been as unconventional as its business model. The company has often been at the forefront of utilizing the internet and social media to engage with its customers. This direct engagement has not only provided valuable feedback but has also created a community of loyal Behringer users.

The company has also faced its share of controversies and challenges. It has been involved in legal disputes over intellectual property and has faced criticism over the quality of some of its products. However, Behringer has addressed these issues head-on, often using customer feedback to improve and refine its product offerings.

In recent years, Behringer has ventured into new territories, such as synthesizers and electronic music equipment. The company's reproduction of classic synthesizer models at affordable prices has been both praised and criticized. While some see this as making vintage technology accessible to the masses, others view it as a lack of originality.

Behringer's impact on the audio industry is undeniable. By making professional audio equipment more affordable, the company has opened up opportunities for a wider range of artists, producers, and audio engineers. Whether it's a home studio or a professional concert setting, Behringer's products have found a place in numerous audio setups around the world.

As Behringer continues to evolve, it remains committed to its founding principle of providing high-quality, affordable audio equipment. This commitment, coupled with a continuous drive for innovation and improvement, suggests that Behringer will remain a key player in the audio industry for years to come.

**Behringer: A Comprehensive Overview of Their Products**

Behringer is a German audio equipment manufacturer that was founded in 1989. The company is known for its affordable and high-quality products, which are used by musicians and audio professionals all over the world. Behringer offers a wide range of products, including mixers, amplifiers, speakers, microphones, effects pedals, and synthesizers.

**Mixers**

Behringer mixers are some of the most popular and affordable mixers on the market. The company offers a wide range of mixers to suit every need, from small home studios to large concert venues. Behringer mixers are known for their reliable performance and intuitive controls.

Some of Behringer's most popular mixers include the Xenyx QX1202USB, which is a 12-channel mixer with USB audio interface, and the X32, which is a 32-channel digital mixer with a wide range of features.

**Amplifiers**

Behringer amplifiers are another popular line of products from the company. Behringer offers a wide range of amplifiers for both live sound and studio use. The company's amplifiers are known for their powerful performance and affordable price.

Some of Behringer's most popular amplifiers include the Europower EP4000, which is a 4000-watt power amplifier, and the Ultradrive DDM4000, which is a digital mixer with a built-in amplifier.

**Speakers**

Behringer speakers are a great option for musicians and audio professionals who are looking for affordable and high-quality speakers. Behringer offers a wide range of speakers to suit every need, from small PA systems to large concert sound systems.

Some of Behringer's most popular speakers include the Eurolive B215D, which is a 15-inch PA speaker, and the Truth B215A, which is a 15-inch powered speaker.

**Microphones**

Behringer microphones are a great option for musicians and audio professionals who are looking for affordable and high-quality microphones. Behringer offers a wide range of microphones to suit every need, from vocal microphones to drum microphones.

Some of Behringer's most popular microphones include the XM1800S, which is a dynamic vocal microphone, and the C-1U, which is a condenser microphone.

**Effects pedals**

Behringer effects pedals are a great option for musicians who are looking for affordable and high-quality effects pedals. Behringer offers a wide range of effects pedals to suit every need, from distortion pedals to delay pedals.

Some of Behringer's most popular effects pedals include the Ultra Metal, which is a distortion pedal, and the VD400, which is a delay pedal.

**Synthesizers**

Behringer synthesizers are a great option for musicians who are looking for affordable and high-quality synthesizers. Behringer offers a wide range of synthesizers to suit every need, from analog synthesizers to digital synthesizers.

Some of Behringer's most popular synthesizers include the DeepMind 12, which is an analog synthesizer, and the Crave, which is a digital synthesizer.

**Other Products**

In addition to the products mentioned above, Behringer also offers a wide range of other products, including headphones, cables, and accessories. Behringer is a great option for musicians and audio professionals who are looking for affordable and high-quality audio equipment.

**Conclusion**

Behringer is a leading manufacturer of audio equipment that offers a wide range of products to suit every need. Behringer products are known for their affordable price, reliable performance, and intuitive controls. If you're looking for affordable and high-quality audio equipment, Behringer is a great option to consider.