7.1.4 Immersive Audio Studio Monitor System With Apogee Symphony I/O MKII 16X16 Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Perfectly compatible with a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos setup, this kit featuring Kali Audio studio monitors and Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II Thunderbolt audio interface is primed to impress. To fill out the main LCR, surround and ceiling, this kit includes seven IN8 V2 and four IN5-C 3-way powered studio monitors from Kali Audio, while a WS-12 powered studio subwoofer provides superb low end. Combined with a top-of-the line 16x16 Symphony I/O interface, these monitors deliver all the immersive detail needed for producing with—and enjoying—Dolby Atmos.

IN-8 V2 3-way Powered Studio Monitors

Kali Audio's IN-8 V2 is a 3-way studio monitor with an 8" woofer and a 4" midrange with a coaxial 1" tweeter. The unique architecture of the Midrange and Tweeter eliminates off-axis lobing, giving the IN-8 an incredibly accurate, lifelike stereo image. The strength of the stereo image, combined with the clarity of the speakers overall, make it extremely easy to build a complete, detailed picture of your mix. Every aspect of your mix is presented with clarity and accuracy, allowing you to dial in precisely the sound you want.

The IN-8 is part of Kali’s 2nd Wave of loudspeakers which allows for 12dB less self-noise, while increasing max SPL by 3dB. The tuning has been refined for smoother HF response and the boundary EQs have been updated to reflect common real-world use cases. Physical improvements include lighter transducer cones for better transient response and upgraded cabinet construction for greater reliability. Off-axis lobing that is unavoidable in a 2-way system is virtually eliminated with the IN-8. Substantial work was done to optimize the mid-range driver not only for its own acoustic performance, but also for its role as the waveguide for the tweeter. The shape is very precise to allow for controlled directivity at mid range to tweeter crossover, ensuring accurate summing both on- and off-axis. Excursion on the midrange is limited to less than 1 mm peak to peak, so that the oscillation of the mid-range does not have a negative effect on the tweeter. On top of this, the IN-8 incorporates all of the benefits of Kali's Lone Pine series monitors. These include optimized woofers for powerful bass, a front-firing port tube and boundary compensation EQs.

IN5-C 3-way Powered Studio Monitors

Kali Audio's IN-5-C is a 3-way studio monitor with a 5" woofer, 4" mid-range and a coaxial 1" tweeter—with a wall and ceiling adaptor. The unique architecture of the mid-range and tweeter eliminates off-axis lobing, giving the IN-5 an incredibly accurate, lifelike stereo image. The strength of the stereo image, combined with the clarity of the speakers overall, make it extremely easy to build a complete, detailed picture of your mix. Every aspect of your mix is presented with clarity and accuracy, allowing you to dial in precisely the sound you want. Because of the coincident placement of the mid-range and tweeter, and the crossover of the woofer to the mid-range (280Hz), the IN-5 is an acoustic point source. This gives it an ideal directivity characteristic for a studio monitor. You will be able to hear an excellent stereo image, with details placed clearly and consistently. Substantial work was done to optimize the mid-range driver not only for its own acoustic performance, but also for its role as the waveguide for the tweeter. The shape is very precise to allow for controlled directivity at mid range to tweeter crossover, ensuring accurate summing both on- and off-axis. Excursion on the mid-range is limited to less than 1 mm peak to peak, so that the oscillation of the mid-range does not have a negative effect on the tweeter.

The first in Kali’s “second wave” of loudspeakers, the IN-5 features a Class-D amp with a 12dB reduction in self noise, an upgraded DSP section and upgraded transducers for better reliability. On top of this, the IN-5 incorporates all of the benefits of Kali's Lone Pine series monitors. These include optimized woofers for powerful, clean bass, a front-firing port tube and their own boundary compensation EQs. Acoustically identical to the IN-5, the IN-5-C includes a mounting adapter for use with third party or DIY mounting solutions. No other Kali speaker includes this hardware, and Kali does not support mounting any other product in our line. Kali recommends using a Triad-Orbit SM-1 or SM-2 to mount the IN-5-C.

WS-12 Powered Studio Subwoofer

Kali Audio's WS-12 is a 1,000W, 12" powered subwoofer for studio and live use. With a frequency response down to 30Hz, it is an authoritative studio subwoofer. The 1,000W power amp allows the WS-12 to be used for bass management in 5.1 systems, and one WS-12 will be sufficient when using up to five of Kali’s IN-8s. The WS-12 can pull double duty as a studio and live subwoofer. An 18 mm wooden enclosure means that the WS-12 is rugged and portable, making it a perfect solution for use in small PA systems. The WS-12 is specifically designed to fit into small passenger cars, making it easy to carry to and from gigs.

For mobile performers such as singer-songwriters, solo artists and DJs, transporting gear to gigs can be hard work. Live sound gear can be heavy and take up a lot of room in a vehicle. Equipment that is compact and easy enough for one person to carry can be worth its weight in gold. The Kali Audio WS-12 gives performers on-the-go maximum impact with minimal size. When used for studio applications, the WS-12 powered subwoofer is an excellent complement to any set of near-field studio monitors. The only way to truly hear the low end of the track you’re mixing is to employ a studio subwoofer.

Symphony I/O Mk II 16x16 Thunderbolt Audio Interface

Symphony I/O Mk II is a multi-channel audio interface featuring Apogee’s newest flagship AD/DA conversion, modular I/O (up to 32 inputs and outputs), intuitive touchscreen display and optional world-class microphone preamps. Designed to deliver professional sound quality for audio recording, mixing and mastering, Symphony I/O Mk II is the ultimate music production centerpiece for any modern studio. The new Symphony I/O Mk II comes with direct connectivity to one of three different platforms: Thunderbolt, Pro Tools HD or Waves SoundGrid network. There is a Symphony I/O Mk II solution for everyone; the home studio, project studio, commercial recording studio and scoring stage. Choose from four base I/O configurations, 2x6, 8x8, 16x16, or 8x8 with eight mic preamps and easily expand as your studio grows. With two module slots and the capacity for up to 32 inputs and outputs of A/D & D/A conversion per unit, Symphony I/O Mk II offers the best per-channel value of any interface in its category.

Apogee engineers have made it their passion to improve every new flagship product by using the latest in electrical components and designing optimized circuitry that often exceeds the expectations of the component manufacturer. This is the Apogee Advantage. Symphony I/O Mk II is the culmination of this 30-year commitment and raises the bar on all Apogee products before it with even better audio clarity and sonic transparency. In fact, when equipped with either the new 8x8 or 16x16 Mk II I/O modules, Symphony I/O Mk II outperforms all other multi-channel audio interfaces available for Pro Tools HD or Thunderbolt based systems, making it the flagship audio interface for the entire professional audio industry and the obvious choice for countless GRAMMY winning artists, producers, songwriters and engineers.

For connecting to a Thunderbolt equipped Mac running Logic Pro X or any other Core Audio compatible DAW. Up to 32 simultaneous inputs and outputs per unit/system and latency as low as 1.35ms in Logic Pro X (96kHz/32 buffer). For connecting to an existing Pro Tools HD Accel, HD Native or HDX system via Digilink connector. Up to one Symphony I/O Mk II unit connected to each HD Digilink port (max. 32x32 per unit).Connect to the Waves SoundGrid System for studio, live and post-production audio networking with real-time DSP for Waves and SoundGrid compatible third-party plug-ins.

All of Symphony I/O Mk II’s essential input and output settings can be accessed from the front panel touchscreen. Change your input selection, monitoring levels, mic pre gain or calibrate your Symphony I/O Mk II to match the levels of the other analog gear in your system. A high-resolution TFT display delivers all the visual feedback critical for recording and monitoring. Without looking at your computer, Symphony I/O Mk II lets you see metering for up to 64 channels of I/O, 32 in x 32 out—signal levels, polarity, muting, phantom power and Soft Limit.

Whether you record with a vintage Neve console, the best Neumann microphones or colorful mic preamps, a high quality AD converter is imperative to capture every nuance of your analog gear into your DAW. Without this, you will miss many of the subtleties and details that simply cannot be added back later with plug-ins. Similarly, the DA stage is essential to your perception of the recorded audio tracks. When mixing, regardless of what speakers you are using, if the converter is masking or having any effect on your audio, you could end up overcompensating with EQ, compression or other effects and failing to address other problematic details. With Symphony I/O Mk II, you will hear more definition in each track and instrument of the mix, making it easier for you to make intelligent adjustments and achieve the ideal balance. Tracks will blend more harmoniously and mixing will simply be easier. The high end will be clear and not as brittle while the low end will be tighter than ever and more defined. This sort of unmatched audio quality can be noticed and appreciated by any listener.