Description

Kali Audio’s IN-UNF  is an ultra-nearfield desktop studio monitor system. It’s designed to be used in small spaces where the ability to get loud is limited, either by room acoustics or the tolerance of neighbors. The IN-UNF presents full-range audio at reference levels at .8 meters, or about arm’s length.

The entire system sits on your desk, and provides the same full-range, low distortion listening experience as a pair of IN-8s at standard listening distance. Flexible setup options allow users to easily integrate the IN-UNF in their existing deskscape; the bass unit can be placed vertically to sit behind a laptop or display, or horizontally to be used as a monitor riser for a display.

The IN-UNF consists of three main pieces: a bass unit and two satellites. The bass unit houses two high-excursion 4.5-Inch woofers as well as the amplifier and other electronics for the system. The two woofers are horizontally opposed, so no net vibration is transferred to the desk or to anything sitting on the bass unit.

The two satellites use the same coaxial midrange and tweeter as Kali’s acclaimed IN-5 and IN-8 studio monitors. The architecture of this element has been praised for its excellent stereo imaging capabilities. At the close range of the IN-UNF, the intimacy and detail of the stereo image is unrivaled. You’ll hear a more engrossing, lifelike picture of your mix than you’ve ever heard before.

The bass unit also features a variety of inputs to meet all your audio needs. Via the USB-C connector, which supports 24-bit resolution and 48k sample rate, you can connect computers, phones, and tablets without the need for an outboard interface or DAC. Optical and 3.5mm inputs provide support for both digital and analog connection to consumer devices like game consoles and receivers. For connection to standard pro audio devices, stereo TRS inputs are provided.

The IN-UNF is uniquely tuned for its role as a desktop speaker. The desk is accounted for as an acoustic element of the system, solving some of the problems that are typically presented with putting speakers on a desk. DIP switches are provided to account for the position of the system in a room, and for you to dial in bass, mids, and treble to your preferences.

The IN-UNF is part of Kali’s 2^nd Wave product family, utilizing low noise-floor technology, upgraded drivers, and an advanced limiter circuit to maximize output and fidelity while keeping noise to a minimum.

Features & Benefits

Full-range sound at reference level. 

The IN-UNF provides full-range audio at reference-level at .8 meters, or about arm’s length. This gives you a complete picture of your mix that allows you to make critical decisions and feel confident that your mix will translate to other systems.

When listening, the IN-UNF provides engrossing, detailed sound that brings out every detail of the recording.

USB-C Input

The IN-UNF features a USB-C input which supports 24-bit resolution and up to 48kHz sample rate. Connect your computer, laptop, tablet, phone, or other USB-capable audio devices.

iOS devices with a lightning connector will require Apple’s Camera Adapter Kit, sold separately.

TRS, 3.5 mm, and Optical Inputs

The IN-UNF offers TRS, 3.5mm, and Optical inputs to connect to a wide array of devices, including gaming consoles, televisions, consumer electronics, and pro audio gear. Whatever you’re connecting to the IN-UNF, it has an appropriate input to support it!

Coaxial Midrange and Tweeter

The unique architecture of the Midrange and Tweeter eliminates off-axis lobing, giving the IN-UNF an incredibly accurate, lifelike stereo image.

The midrange is profile optimized to act as the waveguide for the tweeter, and the entire system acts an acoustic point source due to the 280 Hz crossover between the woofer and the midrange.

The midrange is also specifically designed for very low excursion, eliminating air distortion from the interaction between the tweeter and midrange.

The 3-way design unburdens the bass unit, allowing for high dynamic range with minimal distortion.

Horizontally opposed dual 4.5-inch long-excursion woofers

The IN-UNF produces bass with two horizontally opposed 4.5-Inch long-excursion woofers found in the bass unit. These woofers provide clean, powerful bass while cancelling each other’s back-and-forth momentum, meaning no mechanical energy is transferred from the bass unit to the desk, or to anything placed on the bass unit.

Flexible setup options

The IN-UNF can be configured in a number of ways to blend seamlessly into your deskscape.

With the bass unit in the vertical position, it takes up just the back 5¼ inches of your desk, and your display or computer can be placed in front of it.

In the horizontal position, the bass unit can be used as a monitor riser. The monitor or anything else that you set on top of the unit will not buzz or vibrate, thanks to the horizontally-opposed woofers in the bass unit.

Boundary EQ and Trims

A speaker’s given position in a space can drastically change its frequency response. Happily, most of the common positions are fairly predictable and easily corrected.

Kali’s team came up with boundary compensation EQ settings at the Village Recorder in Los Angeles to help you get the optimum sound for where you need to put your speakers.

There are EQ settings for using the system on a desk:
-In the middle of the room
-against a wall
-in a corner
-In a nook or carrel (walls on either side of the system)
-with the woofer vertical or horizontal

There are also +/- 2 dB trims for the woofers, the midrange drivers, and the tweeters, so you can dial in bass, mid, and treble response even further. Also included is a +4 dB bass setting in case you want to party.

Rotatable satellites

The satellites sit in silicone stands and can be rotated so that they’re aimed directly at the listener’s ears. 

Quickstart guide

The IN-UNF is precision-tuned for desktop reflections, and that tuning relies on an exact distance from the bass unit to the satellites. The included quickstart guide has measurement diagrams that allow users to place their speakers in a ideal position without hassle. 

Class-D amplifier featuring Kali’s 2nd Wave technology

The integrated power amp provides clean power with very low self-noise to the system. At arm’s length, you will not hear noise from the IN-UNF’s electronics at all.

The digital amplifier also houses the DSP that Kali is using to control the system, which includes the loudspeaker tuning, the limiter circuit, and the user-selectable boundary and EQ presets. 

Low Noise Port Tube

On most port tubes, air leaves at different speeds from different points of the opening, creating noisy turbulence. This turbulence can be heard as “chuffing,” or an audible air sound coming from the monitor. This sound will add to the noise floor and obscure the details of the low end.

The port tube on IN-UNF was designed to ensure that all of the air leaves the port tube at the same velocity. This helps add to the low end response of the speaker, while keeping the bass clean, tight, and devoid of extra noise.

Quick Specs

• Desktop speaker system with bass unit and 2 x satellites
• USB, Optical, 3.5mm, and stereo TRS inputs
• Full-range, reference level output at arm’s length.
• Frequency Response (-10 dB:) 39 Hz-25 kHz

Full Specs