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Studio monitors are one of the most important parts of any home studio setup.
Unless you’re tracking and mixing music exclusively on headphones, your studio monitors will be your main window into your tracks.
But there are more more monitors on the market than ever before. In this article I’ll break down the 40 best studio monitors for music production available today.
Since monitors are so crucial for mixing the price for a pair can get astronomical.
In this guide I’ll be focusing on accessible studio monitors from widely available brands.
Remember that the street prices listed here are for a single monitor only—you'll need a pair for proper monitoring.
There are plenty of great options on this list, but choosing monitors is a very personal decision. The only way to do it right is by listening.
Once you have some ideas about which monitors are out there, see if you can hear the pair you’re considering at your local pro audio dealer.
Getting to experience the sound in person will clear up a lot of the questions you have about them.
You’ll be listening to your studio monitors for hours on end so they have to work for you!
ADAM’s T series brings the same great sound quality and craftsmanship of the highly respected AX series to beginning budgets.
Street price: $199.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 4.5″
Power rating: 70 watts
Street price: $249.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 7″
Power rating: 70 watts
ADAM AX is one of the most trusted monitor lines for intermediate budgets.
The A7X has been a classic choice for small to medium mixing rooms for more than a decade now.
Street price: $349.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 4.5″
Power rating: 50 watts
Street price: $499.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 5.5″
Power rating: 100 watts
Street price: $749.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 7″
Power rating: 150 watts
Building on the legendary status of the classic NS-10 design, the Yamaha HS series promises the same neutral sound with modern build quality and accessible price.
Street price: $199.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 70 watts
Street price: $299.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 6.5″
Power rating: 95 watts
Street price: $349.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 120 watts
KRK is a popular manufacturer with producers of EDM and hip-hop. The ROKIT line provides an inexpensive, effective range of monitors in all sizes.
Street price: $179 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 55 watts
Street price: $239 USD
Speaker diameter: 7″
Power rating: 145 watts
Street price: $299 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 203 watts
Street price: $499 USD
Speaker diameter: 10″, 4.5″
Power rating: 300 watts
The V series is KRK’s premium offering. They’re a little more expensive that ROKIT models of the same size but their extra performance is worth the price!
Street price: $499 USD
Speaker diameter: 4″
Power rating: 85 watts
Street price: $599 USD
Speaker diameter: 6.5″
Power rating: 155 watts
Street price: $799 USD
Speaker diameter: 4.5″
Power rating: 230 watts
French manufacturer Focal has released many well-respected monitors for mixers mixers of all skill levels.
The Shape series is their most recent design that delivers excellent fidelity at a competitive price point.
Street price: $599 USD
Speaker diameter: 4″
Power rating: 50 watts
Street price: $799 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 85 watts
Focal’s Alpha range is accessible to even entry level budgets.
It’s hard to find such affordable offerings from a manufacturer this reputable.
Street price: $299 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 55 watts
Street price: $399 USD
Speaker diameter: 6.5″
Power rating: 105 watts
Street price: $549 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 140 watts
Mackie’s HR824 mk2 were one of the first low-cost powered monitors to gain widespread popularity.
With great, accurate low end the HR824’s have become a classic, and the other offerings from Mackie carry on the tradition.
Street price: $399.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 6.5″
Power rating: 160 watts
Street price: $499.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 6″
Power rating: 70 watts
Street price: $499.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 160 watts
Street price: $699.99 USD
Speaker diameter: 8.75″
Power rating: 250 watts
Presonus has entered the studio monitor marketplace and created some effective and inexpensive offerings that are worth a look.
The Eris line is perfect for beginner engineers who want to start mixing with monitors without breaking the bank
Street price: $149.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 5.25″
Power rating: 80 watts
Street price: $249.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 140 watts
Presonus’ R65 and R80 are a higher performance offering from Presonus’ portfolio with great sound and distinctive styling.
Street price: $399.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 6.5″
Power rating: 150 watts
Street price: $499.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 150 watts
Sceptre is Presonus’s top-end line.
The S6 and S8 offer impressive performance and sonics with their unique coaxial design that places the tweeter at the centre of the driver.
Street price: $499.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 6.5″
Power rating: 180 watts
Street price: $599.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 180 watts
Genelec is another highly trusted name in top-of-line monitors. You can get some of that magic for yourself with Genelec’s new cost-effective offerings.
Street price: $495 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 130 watts
Street price: $535 USD
Speaker diameter: 4″
Power rating: 100 watts
Street price: $625 USD
Speaker diameter: 4″
Power rating: 100 watts
Street price: $695 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 100 watts
Dynaudio’s BM5 (now on mkIII) is highly lauded mid budget monitor with a rich history. This classic affordable monitor is still a fantastic option.
Street price: $499 USD
Speaker diameter: 7″
Power rating: 100 watts
Dynaudio’s newest line, the LYD series bring top-level studio performance to intermediate engineers.
Street price: $599 USD
Speaker diameter: 5″
Power rating: 100 watts
Street price: $669 USD
Speaker diameter: 7″
Power rating: 100 watts
Street price: $789 USD
Speaker diameter: 8″
Power rating: 130 watts
Legendary German microphone builder Neumann recently acquired Klein and Hummel for its own line of monitors.
The K&H brand was a heavy hitter in the high-end market, but their partnership with Neumann has produced some fantastic mid-budget models as well.
Street price: $499.95 USD
Speaker diameter: 4″
Power rating: 70 watts
Street price: $699 USD
Speaker diameter: 5.25″
Power rating: 100 watts
Studio monitors are one of the most exciting pieces of gear to shop for.
Now that you have an idea of what’s out there, go figure out which studio monitors are for you try them out.