Kraken-MK3 Quad 21" Subwoofer
A mobilized monster that packs a punch you'll come back for again and again.
Crushing, Inescapable
You’ll love every minute of it! The most extreme bass output we can pack into the smallest footprint. The Kraken-MK3 offers the highest SPL on the market from an equivalent cubic volume. The output of 4-5 BASSBOSS double 18” subs are packed into a cabinet roughly the size of just two.
Lose Your Ship!
Engineered to dominate large-scale festival touring systems, high-intensity nightclubs, art cars/festival floats, and the insatiable hunger of bass enthusiasts seeking an unparalleled audio experience. This beast will captivate your senses with body-quaking, face-melting bass.
Family Stories
I want to mix all my music on The Kraken
BASSBOSS sound is incomparable. You can have the #1 artist performing at your event, but if the sound system is not up to par then neither is your performer. When you are in front of a BASSBOSS system you can carry out a conversation with the person next you while you still fill the bass hitting you in the chest. From the high to low frequency it’s all super clear and defined.
BASSBOSS are all good vibrations. Physically and metaphorically speaking. They’ve poured all their time into something that was really lacking, Low End, and it really shows. Not only do their subs look good on paper but they sound and feel even better.
Monstrously Beautiful
Capable of almost brutal force, it hits so well. Excellent transient response is delivered by the efficient performance of short horns at the upper end of the subwoofer range. The extended depth is delivered by the large, vented volume, long excursion drivers, and prodigious power.
Innovation Implemented
Because you need the BIIIIIG guns tonight! 10,000 watts of pure bass in one epic cabinet.
Power of MK3
MK3 Amp Update
There are all-new amplifiers in the MK3 series. Total power has increased, however, power allocated to woofers increased substantially. The higher output voltages provide more impact. Universal input voltage compatibility of 90-250V provides more flexibility. Waterproof connections provide more peace of mind.
MK3 Enhanced DSP
The MK3 features an all-new 96kHz DSP. The pushbutton presets have doubled, from 4 to 8, and up to 100 presets can now be stored in the DSP and loaded via LAN. The comprehensive suite of processing includes meticulously tuned equalization, all necessary high-pass and low-pass filters, as well as multiple protection systems and limiters to prevent driver overload in as many ways as possible.
ControlBASS Software
ControlBASS software supports an essentially unlimited number of possible BASSBOSS-developed or customized user presets which integrate seamlessly and coherently with all other BASSBOSS products for effortlessly perfect setups. The latest in DSP programming developments can be added via easy remote updating.
Loudspeaker Description
Frequency Response (±3 dB)
Maximum Sustained Output
Max SPL (Peak)*
Nominal Dispersion (H° x V°)
Amplification
Processing
Electrical Connector Amp
Electrical Connector Mains
Voltage Operating Range
Current Draw 120V
Current Draw 240V
Signal Input Connector
Signal Output Connector
Enclosure Type
Transducer Low Frequency
Transducer Mid Frequency
Transducer High Frequency
Cabinet Construction
Exterior Finish
Grille
Dimensions (HxWxD)
Net Weight
Shipping Weight
What's Included
Optional Covers
Optional Dollies
Optional Hardware
True Specifications
At BASSBOSS, with the MK3 line we have stopped using “Peak” and “RMS” power ratings for our amplifiers because those numbers alone are not an accurate representation of the real-world performance you can expect from our powered loudspeaker systems.
Peak Watts:
- Essentially a theoretical maximum that the amplifiers could output for an instantaneous moment under ideal conditions with no load.
- However, this peak power is not sustainable and has little practical relevance for how the loudspeakers will actually perform.
RMS (root mean square) Watts:
- A measure of continuous power output, but even this figure doesn’t account for the true efficiency of how that power is converted into acoustic output by the transducers and overall speaker design.
- The number of watts a loudspeaker “uses” is constantly fluctuating based on the impedance curve, frequency response, and heat generated in the voice coils.
- Simply looking at how many watts an amplifier can produce on a test bench doesn’t translate to its real-world sound output capability.
What matters most is the complete integrated loudspeaker system and how efficiently it can convert the amplifier’s power into acoustic output while maintaining flat frequency response and headroom. Two loudspeakers with the same wattage ratings could have vastly different real-world sound pressure levels and clarity.
For these reasons, we believe wattage ratings alone are not a reliable metric. Listening tests and measurements of the overall system’s output capabilities like maximum SPL and distortion are far more telling than any peak or RMS wattage number viewed in isolation.
Our goal is to provide outstanding performance through intelligent system design, not just big wattage numbers.
Why the Kraken-MK3?
You're equal parts demanding and practical, but you're also in it to win it. You can see the genius in the craziness that is the Kraken. You know victory favors the bold.
You understand that the Kraken-MK3 is tiny. Pound for pound, cubic foot for cubic foot, dollar for dollar, the Kraken-MK3 packs more SPL into less of... everything.
Whether you show up with one or with a squad of Kraken-MK3, you're definitely making a statement. Once you harness the power of the Kraken, plenty of people are gonna lose their ship!
Straight Specs
At BASSBOSS we believe in power, precision, and practicality. While others in the industry may rely on theoretical calculations or skewed metrics, we provide real-world performance measurements. Performance claims that can't be met are worse than irrelevant, they are deceptive.
If you compare our specs to many in the loudspeaker industry, our specifications might seem rather unimpressive. That's certainly not because the products are underperforming, it's because we choose to tell you the truth instead of marketing hype. We bring you the reality of what our products can actually deliver in real-world conditions. We believe that should matter most to anyone who actually lives in the real world.
Many manipulate data in order to paint an exaggeratedly rosy picture of their products. Things like calculating peak output instead of measuring it, or quoting peak output figures based on output at frequencies outside the operational range of the loudspeaker, or quoting output that's achieved without the necessary processing having been applied. These methods churn out inflated specifications that don't match up to any actual, achievable levels. At BASSBOSS, we like to keep it real. We provide our “Maximum Measured Output" ratings, reporting the levels that we have actually measured our products reaching, and that's with all the filters and limiters in place, exactly the way you receive them. In our book, authenticity always wins.
Champion Components
Every single item in the BASSBOSS lineup echoes our unwavering dedication to superior quality. From the awe-inspiring capacity of our largest festival rigs to the compact portability of our smaller systems, each piece is crafted to meet the same standards, to be exceptional on its own merits. This guarantees that every beat you feel and every song you hear is delivered with the clarity, power and steadfast reliability that are the hallmarks of the BASSBOSS experience.
As part of our commitment to exceptional quality, BASSBOSS goes the extra mile to ensure the components we use are the very best in every application. The best, in this context, doesn't always mean the most exotic, the most expensive, or having the most impressive specifications. It means the best for that particular purpose. Factors like frequency response and efficiency have to be backed up with long-term consistency of performance, long-term reliability, and fitness for purpose. We source top-tier components, from the best-reputed suppliers in the industry, just like every other high-end loudspeaker manufacturer.
If there is a difference between BASSBOSS and the other buyers of these same premium components, it's in the expectations we have for our systems. We didn't grow up on rock-n-roll, we grew up in the age of electronic instruments, digital recordings and deep bass. The demand for more and more SPL at lower and lower frequencies isn't something we're trying to catch up with, it's something we've been leading for years. Those bigger competitors eventually try to build products to do what we do when the demand gets big enough for them to do it. Meanwhile, for years we've been building the products that created that demand. By the time you're able to buy anything similar from them, we're already making the next insanely powerful product they'll eventually try to compete with. They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Deep Design
BASSBOSS is an investment into your creative identity. When you join the BASSBOSS Family you don't just get world-class audio equipment, you get something even more valuable: The BASSBOSS experience. Our products are designed for you to be able to make the most of them from the moment you take them out of the box.
Each element is purposefully crafted. Everything has a reason and a purpose, and that purpose is to make getting consistently great results easy and trouble-free. Whether you're a sound enthusiast or an audio professional, BASSBOSS lets you take control, effortlessly. To begin with, it's as simple as plug-and-play. No complicated setups, no fiddling around with complex controls. Connect directly to your mixer with just a signal cable, switch on, and the BASSBOSS experience means you're ready to deliver powerful soundscapes that move your audience.
Your sound, your way. Our Digital Signal Processing is comprehensive yet accessible. With a variety of inter-compatible presets and the ability to seamlessly switch between them, you can adjust and fine-tune your sound with just the touch of a button, or, if you prefer, the click of a mouse. Everything you need, nothing you don't. The integrated processing allows you to make changes so you can achieve the sound balance you want. And if you're wondering, no, it doesn't allow you to make changes that shouldn't be made, of the type that could cause damage or a deterioration of quality. One more benefit of the experience.
Prodigious Power
The Kraken-MK3 features 10,000W of amplification, with an auto-sensing, globally compatible power supply that can run on input voltages anywhere between 90 and 250 Volts. Full output power is available on anything over 110V. The amplifier's peak-output voltage provides intense, high SPL hits while its sustained output is unparalleled in its ability to deliver the liquid lows. The amplifier is passively cooled via its external heat sink and by woofer-generated air flow through the port. When necessary, four radial fans will engage to provide additional forced-air cooling capacity in more extreme conditions.
Every BASSBOSS product comes equipped with amplification, and in every case, a generous supply of power is provided. Headroom is the term used to describe the power that's still available when the sound is at the level required, and the BASSBOSS amps provide ample headroom. While it's necessary to have limiters in the DSP to prevent driver overload, those limiters aren't there to prevent amplifier clipping. There is enough power in every product to reach its maximum SPL without the risk of clipping the amplifier.
In other words, the amplifier is never the bottleneck in delivering powerful low frequencies, dynamic impact and clear sound. This abundant power capacity not only keeps overheating at bay but also eliminates the potential for damage caused by clipping an underpowered amp. With BASSBOSS, you've got the power to keep your sound pumping.
Thumping Transducers
Amplifier power is converted into the much more desirable acoustical power by four high-sensitivity, neodymium motor, 21-inch woofers with 4.5-inch (115mm) high-BL voice coils. Neodymium magnets are lighter, and their higher intensity provides higher efficiency, so the result is a lighter and louder cabinet than those with ferrite drivers.
Our split-wound woofer coils create a more consistent force throughout the cone's range of movement, minimizing distortion and enhancing linearity at peak output.
The protection systems involve several techniques running simultaneously to effectively prevent thermal overload of the voice coils and limit excessive excursion. Reducing thermal saturation not only prevents burned voice coils, it also minimizes long-term thermal compression. Due to the sophistication of these multiple, independent yet simultaneous processes, the drivers can be protected while the actions of the limiters have virtually no noticeable effect on the transient response of the loudspeaker. Peak output can be achieved consistently, repeatedly and safely.
We understand that real-life situations can sometimes be messy. That's why we've waterproofed our cones to withstand accidental exposure to moisture – whether it's an unexpected rain shower or a spilled drink.
Choice Cabinets
The Kraken-MK3 is a hybrid 6th-order bandpass cabinet, utilizing a large vented volume and four short-horn sections to increase sensitivity in its upper operating range. The best way to describe the Kraken experience is "violent". (We say that because it's a good thing). It very likely will redefine your definition of "punch" from a subwoofer. The four drivers are loaded into a large acoustical volume that is tuned to a low frequency, and each is front-loaded onto a short horn. The vented enclosure section provides extended deep bass performance and the horn section provides increased upper-frequency sensitivity and improved transient response.
BASSBOSS cabinets are designed to endure for a very long time. Built from robust Birch plywood, our construction process involves precise dado joints, cleverly integrated bracing, and cutting-edge adhesives to create sturdy, rigid cabinets that stand the test of time. With maintenance and good moving techniques, BASSBOSS cabs can look new years down the line, even after many demanding environments and less-than-ideal locations.
The enclosures feature UHMW Polyethylene sliders on all four sides, with corresponding recesses in the opposite sides to facilitate interlocking the boxes when stacked. The available transport carts also feature recesses for the sliders to facilitate secure transporting.
The cabinets are protected by a rugged black polyurea coating that's specially formulated to bond to wood. Amplifiers are recessed into the back of the cabinets, safeguarding them from impact damage, with the cabinet recesses also functioning as structural braces. Powder-coated, perforated steel grilles protect the woofers. Every effort is made to create a physical enclosure that will stand up to whatever you throw at it, giving you years and years of solid service.
Processing Perfection
Proprietary DSP design techniques are at the core of the BASSBOSS line. Every BASSBOSS product features dedicated and integrated signal processing. Proprietary measurement and processing systems allow BASSBOSS products to deliver superior performance and value compared to others of similar size, price or coverage. The innovative, sophisticated protection in the DSP allows the drivers to run louder and longer and remain reliable. The nature of the processing, along with the proprietary limiters, allows the speakers to maintain their character and sound quality to a level higher than you might believe possible.
The protection systems involve several techniques running simultaneously to effectively prevent thermal overload of the voice coils and limit excessive excursion. Due to the sophistication of these multiple, independent yet simultaneous processes, the drivers can be protected while the actions of the limiters have virtually no noticeable effect on the transient response of the loudspeaker. Reducing thermal saturation not only prevents burned voice coils, it also minimizes long-term thermal compression. Peak output can be achieved consistently, repeatedly and safely.
Insane Improvements
The MK3 series, available now, brings an upgraded DSP with an immense boost in processing power. Operating at a sampling rate of 96kHz, it delivers double the resolution of its predecessors, resulting in increased fidelity and a lower noise floor.
The MK3 series doesn't stop there. It provides you with eight meticulously tailored preset alignments, all readily available at the click of a button. Further improving your user experience, the system now enables immediate preset switching with zero signal dropouts, ensuring smooth transitions even if you choose to make preset changes during performances.
This is where excellence meets simplicity: our systems can be connected directly to your mixer, requiring nothing more than a signal cable for you to have all the control you need to achieve great sound. The eight directly accessible presets are compatible with all the presets in all MK3 Boxes and are also compatible with previous generation tops and subs.
For those who need more control, there is more available.
Functionality Fortified
The new DSP features an Ethernet interface. Connecting via the ControlBASS software offers remote control and monitoring from a computer, and allows access to essentially unlimited presets through updates and new releases. With a computer connected, the MK3 DSP features access to a storage capacity of up to 100 on-board presets.
Within the software, multiple cabinets can be grouped together, allowing them to respond to commands simultaneously. This permits the levels of multiple loudspeakers to be adjusted together, and yet independently from the levels of other groups of loudspeakers. In addition to individual and grouped level controls, presets can be loaded and signal levels and temperatures can be monitored.
The MK3 series further expands its functionality with an integrated 2-port network switch, enabling cascaded LAN configurations to easily group loudspeakers for centralized control, making the MK3 series the ultimate tool for taking the reins of your sound experience.
Our systems are designed to grow with you. Want to add more BASSBOSS products to your setup? With inter-compatible tops and subs, cascading LAN configurations, network switches and ControlBASS software, expansion is a breeze. System simplicity, scalability, and sonic excellence: The experience becomes yours.
Let's Talk about Peak vs. RMS
At BASSBOSS, with the MK3 line we have stopped using “peak” and “RMS” power ratings for our amplifiers because those numbers alone are not an accurate representation of the real-world performance you can expect from our powered loudspeaker systems.
Peak watts is essentially a theoretical maximum that the amplifiers could output for an instantaneous moment under ideal conditions with no load. However, this peak power is not sustainable and has little practical relevance for how the loudspeakers will actually perform.RMS (root mean square) watts is a measure of continuous power output, but even this figure doesn’t account for the true efficiency of how that power is converted into acoustic output by the transducers and overall speaker design.
The number of watts a loudspeaker “uses” is constantly fluctuating based on the impedance curve, frequency response, and heat generated in the voice coils. Simply looking at how many watts an amplifier can produce on a test bench doesn’t translate to its real-world sound output capability.
What matters most is the complete integrated loudspeaker system and how efficiently it can convert the amplifier’s power into acoustic output while maintaining flat frequency response and headroom. Two loudspeakers with the same wattage ratings could have vastly different real-world sound pressure levels and clarity.For these reasons, we believe wattage ratings alone are not a reliable metric.
Listening tests and measurements of the overall system’s output capabilities like maximum SPL and distortion are far more telling than any peak or RMS wattage number viewed in isolation. Our goal is to provide outstanding performance through intelligent system design, not just big wattage numbers.