Short answer: the HS5, and the Rokit 5 G4’s own review says why. The HS5 ranks #66 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers at $399.98; the Rokit 5 G4 ranks #59 at $337, $62.98 less. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is discontinued; its replacement is the KRK Rokit 5 G5. If you are buying new, get the KRK Rokit 5 G5.
The Rokit 5 G4’s cons name the HS5 directly. Our notes describe it as not quite as detailed as the HS5 and not as good for mixing, calling it a little more hifi sounding by comparison. That’s the tradeoff in one sentence: warmer and more forgiving against flatter and more analytical.
The Rokit 5 G4 does have real advantages. Deeper bass than the HS5, good horizontal directivity from its waveguided tweeter, and onboard DSP that can correct its own 680Hz port resonance are all genuine strengths our notes credit it with.
Buy the HS5 for the more neutral, better-regarded reference monitor. Buy the Rokit 5 G4 if you want deeper bass and app-adjustable EQ in exchange for slightly less analytical detail.
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A 5 inch studio monitor with fairly deep bass for its size, low hiss, and onboard controls to tune its balance.
A popular 5 inch studio monitor with balanced inputs and room placement controls for a home studio.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Rokit 5 G4 | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $337 per pair Discontinued | $399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #66 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) each | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 55w Per Speaker | 45w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.29 | 6.32 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
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