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KRK RP8 Autopsy
So I bought a KRK RP8 monitor from some online retailer (which shall remain nameless). Unfortunately, one of the monitors was DOA... Dead on Arrival.
Well, it's not really DEAD, since I can hear some static sound from the speakers as soon as you flip the power on switch. i.e. even without any signal input, you can hear this crackling noise.
I called them and complained about waiting so many weeks for the monitors, and then receiving a broken monitor. They sent me a replacement, which entails several weeks of waiting again. I told them, I won't be shipping this broken monitor back to them on my dime. If they want it, they should send me a prepaid UPS label. Well... I got nothing. I waited for months hoping they'll call or email demanding the broken monitor be sent back, but no word from them.
In hindsight, I should have ordered instead from Zzounds. They have great service and would have shipped the product fast and be on top of things. Instead foolish me, trying to be penny-wise, went somewhere else and had to deal with all this headache.
So, that means I have an extra RP8 monitor in my possession.... except it's broke.
Well, it's a waste to have this RP8 just sitting in my studio not getting any use. So I decided to figure out what's wrong with it and try to fix it. This webpage is meant to document that process!
The RP8 is an 8" active monitor sold by KRK Systems. Here are the specs:
Input:
XLR, RCA & 1/4 in. TRS - 10k Ohm Balanced/Unbalanced
Dimensions (H x W x D): 15 x 10 7/16 x 12 in.
(38.1 x 26.5 x 30.4 cm)
Shipping Weight: 30 lbs. (15 Kg)
More Specs:
In case you want to know, it is made in China... not US of A. Well, it says in the box designed and engineered in the US.
Like what I said earlier, I can hear some static sound from the speakers as soon as you flick the power on switch. Here is an audio clip. (Somewhere in the middle of the clip, I turned up the gain so you can hear it more clearly.)
Picture below is the setup I used for the above recording. It was a dead monitor, so I used the DIE HARD Ultimate Collection as a mic stand/support!
Okay, after documenting the problem, it's time to play doctor and operate on this behemoth! Click on Next page for step-by-step pictures of it's dissection and autopsy!
Next Step... Remove the Back Cover
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