KRK GoAux 3 Personal Monitors Review

These compact monitors have a well-balanced soundstage and aren’t fatiguing to the ears when listening at high levels

By Art Thompson
published
KRK GoAux 3
(Image: © KRK)

GuitarPlayer Verdict

A great low-cost choice when you want quality sound in any environment where space is limited

Pros

  • +

    Excellent sound in a portable package

Cons

  • -

    None

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Travel can afford one the opportunity to employ gear that might not be as useful at home. Such was the case this summer when I needed some compact monitors to carry along for listening to mixes and live recordings, and playing music on my phone.

Conveniently, I’d been sent the KRK GoAux 3” Personal Monitors for review, and they fit the bill perfectly. The system comprises a pair of small rear-ported speakers, each featuring a bi-amped power section that pumps 22 watts into a three-inch woofer and eight watts into a one-inch soft-dome tweeter.

The back of the left-hand unit has a power switch, a pair of RCA inputs, an 1/8-inch aux in, a Bluetooth pairing button and a pair of LF/HF EQ buttons, each with an LED that indicates selections for -3dB, flat and +2db settings.

There’s also an AC power-in jack and a proprietary jack for connecting the right-hand speaker via the included eight-foot cable.

Everything packs into a padded carry bag with shoulder strap, including the cables and adjustable tilt-back iso stands, which are secured to the speakers with machined-aluminum knobs.

The front of the left speaker has a volume knob with a lighted push on/off switch and a 1/8-inch headphone jack. (The slightly larger and more powerful AuxGo 4” system costs only $40 more and adds a balanced ¼-inch TRS input, a USB audio input and Auto ARC automatic room correction.)

With a frequency range of 60Hz to 22kHz, the GoAux 3” speakers sound very clear and detailed and offer good bass response and a nice stereo presentation when placed the recommended three to five feet apart.

Auditioned at various volume levels, they have a well-balanced soundstage and aren’t fatiguing to the ears when listening at high levels.

The included isolation stands have six tilt-back adjustment stops to angle the speakers for optimal positioning, even on the floor. They also paired easily to Bluetooth with any device I used, and had very low operational noise.

Overall, I’m impressed by the performance and value of the GoAux 3” speakers. They’re certainly a great low-cost choice when you want quality sound in any environment where space is limited.

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KRK GoAux 3
(Image credit: KRK)

Specifications

  • CONTROLS: Volume knob with push on/off function
  • CABINETS: ABS, rear ported. 6.8” x 4.37” x 4.72” (HxWxD)
  • DRIVERS: 3” woofer, woven glass aramid. 1” tweeter, soft textile dome
  • I/O: (Inputs) Dual RCA stereo, 1/8” aux.
  • OUTPUTS: 1 x 1/8” headphone
  • POWER AMP: Bi-amped, 22 watts low frequency; 8 watts high frequency. Total power 60 watts per side
  • SPL: 99dB maximum, peak
  • EXTRAS: Bluetooth. Low- and high-frequency EQ (both with settings for -3dB, flat, +2db ). Padded travel bag, isolation stands and cables
  • WEIGHT: 8.04 lbs (as tested), including stands, carry bag and included accessories
  • BUILT: China

Visit KRK for more information.

Art Thompson
Art Thompson
Senior Editor

Art Thompson is Senior Editor of Guitar Player magazine. He has authored stories with numerous guitar greats including B.B. King, Prince and Scotty Moore and interviewed gear innovators such as Paul Reed Smith, Randall Smith and Gary Kramer. He also wrote the first book on vintage effects pedals, Stompbox. Art's busy performance schedule with three stylistically diverse groups provides ample opportunity to test-drive new guitars, amps and effects, many of which are featured in the pages of GP.