It’s the audio equivalent of viewing the world through a clear window versus stained glass: Stained glass creates gorgeous colors and patterns, but sometimes you just need to see what’s on the other side, even if it’s ugly out there. Let’s peer at some top choices to bring this clarity home.
Best overall: Yamaha HS5Best for golden ears: Focal Alpha 80 EvoBest for DJ/producers: KRK ROKIT 8 Best for home recording studios: JBL LSR 305P MKIIBest portable: IK Multimedia iLoud Micro MonitorsBest budget: Mackie CR3-X
How we selected the best studio monitors
With hundreds of choices, we focused on the best studio monitors that balance proven performance, value, and universal appeal. All the brands here make a wide range of professional recording products; you’ll find their production tools in just about every recording studio. The monitors we profile here represent the culmination of decades of audio research and testing—a combination of personal experience, peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions. They’ve been established in the market for years, have earned the stamp of approval from pros we’ve consulted, and we like them, too.
The best studio monitors: Reviews & Recommendations
Wading through the options can be daunting. We’ve made it a little easier with our favorite picks for various content creators, from podcasters to EDM producers to mixers on the go. Our choices are self-powered studio monitors, meaning you won’t need a separate amplifier. With models starting at $99, there are bound to be monitor speakers that fit your budget. Oh, often pro studio speakers are sold as singles, so don’t forget to pick up a pair!
Best overall: Yamaha HS5
Why it made the cut: When you buy Yamaha studio monitors, you’re buying in to decades of R&D and experience producing some of the most neutral speakers in the industry. Specs
Frequency response: 54 Hz-30 kHzMax SPL: 90 dBPower rating: 70WI/O: 1 XLR, 1 TRSDimensions: 11.2 x 6.7 x 8.7 inches (HxWxD)Weight: 11.7 lbs.
Pros
Precise stereo imagingAccurate, pro-proven mix translationBuilt-in filters and level control
Cons
Built-in filters and level controlNo cables includedNarrow listening sweet spot
Since the 1970s, Yamaha’s iconic black NS10 studio monitors, with their iconic white woofers, have been recording studio standards, thanks to their unforgiving sonic accuracy. The HS Series, an evolution of that line, shares that same focus on transparency and achieves a smooth response over a wide frequency range. The best studio monitors for old-school truth seekers, these speakers are available in sizes ranging from 5-inch to 8-inch drivers and come in black and white finishes. The HS5, profiled here, is one of the most popular models for home studios. The HS5 is a bi-amplified nearfield studio monitor with 5-inch cone woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter that deliver a well-defined bottom end for its size, with clear and accurate mids and precise highs. The cabinet features three-way mitre joints, which eliminate resonances and improve durability. Built-in Room Control and High Trim Response functions help the HS5s compensate for unruly room acoustics. The HS5 offers a somewhat narrow listening sweet spot, which means you’ll need to pay extra attention to the locations of your speakers and listening position. But once you get it right, you’ll start hearing elements of your mix that you never noticed before—for better or worse. Tough love, indeed.
Best for golden ears: Focal Alpha 80 Evo
Why it made the cut: You can make world-class mixes with these monitors: From unprocessed guitar effects to vinyl albums to SACDs, the Alpha 80 Evos presents tracks with honesty and clarity, exactly as they were intended. Specs
Frequency response: 38 Hz to 22 kHzMax SPL: 108 dBPower rating: 115WI/O: 2 balanced XLR, RCA, TRSDimensions: 20 x 16.5 x 14 inches (H x W x D)Weight: 20.7 lbs.
Pros
Expansive, detailed soundstagePowerful, tight bassConsistent sound at any volume
Cons
Pricey for some
French manufacturer Focal has been making professional studio monitors for decades; its speakers are mainstays in many of the world’s leading music and mastering studios. Top-of-the-line Focals run well into the six-figure range; fortunately for the price-conscious prosumer, its Alpha Evo line provides an entry point into professional Focal technology at a fraction of that cost. Each Alpha 80 Evo ($549) houses a 1-inch aluminum inverted dome tweeter with custom dispersion-controlling waveguide and an 8-inch woofer with composite slate fiber/thermoplastic polymer cones, which Focal says lowers weight and improves speed, rigidity, and damping. An internally fluted laminar port optimizes airflow for more efficient low-end performance and ease of integration into small spaces. Inputs are level-compensated to ensure consistent volume when switching sources. High and low shelving filters tailor your response to your room and taste; a sensitivity switch matches monitors to system levels. Everything’s housed in vinyl-covered 5/8-inch MDF cabinets with diffraction-taming rounded corners. Regarding a studio monitor, neutral response is paramount—but the Alpha 80 Evos proved they check all the boxes in our hands-on review. Neutral isn’t the same as dry and analytical, however; the sound presentation is so richly detailed that you can feel it move the air through the room. The Alpha 80 Evo’s sound stage is expansive, with a wide, consistent sweet spot; and sonic images are presented with pinpoint precision. Transients are crisp, with no harshness or breakup. These speakers are truly linear, delivering a consistent sonic presentation at any volume. Midrange is deep; bass is big, full, and lush yet focused and well-articulated. A subwoofer is unnecessary but—for those mixing bass-heavy genres, game soundtracks, and immersive content, or who just want more thump and thunder in the room—Focal’s 200-watt Sub One ($999) pairs nicely with Alpha Evo Series models.
Best for DJ/producers: KRK ROKIT 8
Why it made the cut: This fourth-generation icon is favored by home producers for its deep, definitive bass and room-correcting DSP. Specs
Frequency response: 36 Hz-40 kHzMax SPL: 111 dBPower rating: 203WI/O: 1 XLR-1/4-inch comboDimensions: 15.8 by 10.5 by 12.2 inches (HxWxD)Weight: 45.2 lbs./pair
Pros
Powerful, punchy bassBuilt-in room-tuning DSP with free appAcoustic pads on bottom help with decoupling
Cons
DSP can be complicated for novicesBass-forward signature is not ideal for all genresHeavy
Chances are you’ve seen KRK Rokits, with their iconic yellow cones, gracing YouTube videos and Instagram posts by your favorite producers. These legendary monitors, now in their fourth generation, are pro favorites thanks to their solid build quality, natural sound, and built-in room-correcting signal processing. Rokits are particularly beloved by DJ and EDM producers because of their deep, full bass response. Rokit G4s feature two-way, bi-amped designs and are available in 5-inch, 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch versions; here, we’re focusing on the 8-inch Rokit 8. The Rokit 8’s 8-inch Kevlar woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter reproduce sound over a broad frequency range of 36 Hz–40 kHz. Its ultra-efficient Class D amplification ensures powerful, clean sound at any volume. An optimized high-frequency waveguide provides precise imaging and a wide listening sweet spot, and a low-resonance, ported enclosure delivers enhanced bass performance. The Rokit line’s bass-forward signature might not be ideal for every genre of music, but if you’re creating club bangers, it’ll bring you closer to the sonic experience of DJing in the venue. Rokit 8 offers built-in digital signal processing including EQ, signal generators, analyzers, and speaker-placement tools. Make adjustments using the speaker’s built-in LCD or with KRK’s free app for iPhone or Android. All Rokits include acoustic isolation pads that help dampen monitor vibrations. Livestream (or even just record) DJ sets? Consider the Pioneer DJ VM-50, which comes from a brand synonymous with festival headlining sets and that can pull double duty as a “booth monitor” of sorts. According to our reviewer, it not only looks good, but it can also get reasonably loud while delivering distortion-free dynamics.
Best for home recording studios: JBL LSR 305P MKII
Why it made the cut: Borrowing design innovations from JBL’s higher-end studio monitor lines, the LSR 305P MKII brings professional technologies to an accessible price for home studios. Specs
Frequency response: 43 Hz-24 kHzMax SPL: 108 dBPower rating: 82WI/O: 1 XLR, 1 TRSDimensions: 11.75 x 7.3 x 9.9 inches (HxWxD)Weight: 10.43 lbs.
Pros
Wide soundscapeBroad listening sweet spotRoom-tuning features
Cons
Glossy finish isn’t for everyoneAudio cables not included
JBL has been in the speaker business for 75 years, with hundreds of offerings for recording, touring, cinema, broadcast, and casual-listening scenarios. The 3 Series MkII is the company’s midrange studio reference monitor line, with models ranging from 5-inch to 8-inch drivers. The best fit for most home recording studios is the LSR 305P, a bi-amplified monitor with a 5-woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter enclosed in an MDF cabinet with a black PVC finish and a slick injection-molded ABS front baffle (a white version is also available). The enclosure features JBL’s rear-firing Slip Stream bass port design, engineered to produce accurate bass at low playback levels. This speaker’s highlight is JBL’s patented Image Control Waveguide, adapted from JBL’s top-line pro studio monitors. This bowtie-looking beveled panel housing the tweeter is designed to deliver a very wide stereo soundstage, precise imaging, and increased high-frequency detail. It also provides a broad sweet spot, which means you’ll have more leeway to move around at your listening position and still experience an accurate soundstage. (The “LSR” in the name stands for Linear Spatial Reference, JBL’s design process in which 72 measurements are taken in 360 degrees around the speaker to optimize its off-axis response, which is what you hear when you’re out of a speaker’s main line of fire.)
Best portable: IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors
Why it made the cut: This small-and-mighty cousin of IK Multimedia’s flagship iLoud will pack a punch in any portable rig. Specs
Frequency response: 54 Hz-30 kHzMax SPL: 90 dBPower rating: 70WI/O: 1 XLR, 1 TRSDimensions: 11.2 x 6.7 x 8.7 inches (HxWxD)Weight: 11.7 lbs.
Pros
Built-in DSPBluetoothWeighs less than 4 pounds
Cons
Controls are all on rear panelNo battery power optionLimited bass by design
IK Multimedia hails from Modena, Italy, the birthplace of balsamic vinegar, so good taste is clearly at its core. The company started making software that emulates legendary recording studio equipment; its speaker line launched later with its now-classic iLoud monitor for mobile mixers. The iLoud Micro Monitor, a spin-off of its larger, more expensive namesake, is touted as “the smallest active studio reference monitoring system in the world.” It’s easy to see why: Unlike most speakers of this size, the iLoud Micro Monitor is designed to offer flat, neutral response without the hyped lows and highs you’ll find in comparable consumer speakers. IK Multimedia says the monitor is optimized for “makeshift spaces”—and because it’s so small, you can sit closer to your speakers, minimizing the impact of bad room sound. It’s based on a bi-amplified design featuring a 3-inch woofer and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeter in a ported enclosure for smooth, natural frequency response extending to 55 Hz. Internal 56-bit DSP handles room correction and optimizes driver performance. An integrated isolation base keeps your speakers from coupling with the surface they sit on. Use built-in Bluetooth for wireless casual listening; some engineers will also reference their mixes over Bluetooth to evaluate the lossy transmission’s sonic impact. Not too shabby for a set of speakers clocking in at less than 4 pounds. Available in black and white.
Best budget: Mackie CR3-X
Why it made the cut: The most affordable studio monitor on this list, the full-featured Mackie CR3-X makes a great entry-level speaker or real-world reference. Specs
Frequency response: 70 Hz-20 kHzMax SPL: 97 dBPower rating: 50W (pair)I/O: 2 x 1/4″ TRS, 1 x stereo RCA, 2 x push terminal, 1 x 1/8″/3.5 mm TRS in, 1 x 1/8″/3.5 mm TRS outDimensions: 8.1 by 5.5 by 7.1 inches (HxWxD)Weight: 7.8 lbs./pair
Pros
Loud for its sizeFlexible inputsIncludes workstation software and plug-ins
Cons
Bass distorts at moderate volume levelsNo DSP/tuningDistinctive visual design (though that may be a pro, depending on the user)
Mackie’s CR Series Creative Reference Multimedia Monitor line is available in sizes from 3 to 8 inches, with available Bluetooth options. Here, we’re looking at the 3-inch CR3-X, the only monitor in this roundup that retails for less than $100. The CR3-X has a solid build, striking looks, and offers clear, accurate audio for its small size and low price. Its solid MDF cabinet features a brushed-metal front panel with a distinctive lime-green trim that looks straight out of a Tron movie (Bluetooth models are available in white). The CR3-X comes in a pair comprising one passive speaker and one speaker containing a 50-watt power amplifier that drives both units. Unlike the sea of sonically hyped speakers in this price range, the CR3-X is designed to present a clear, accurate sound signature, with a 0.75-inch silk-dome tweeter and 3-inch polypropylene-coated woofer providing full-bandwidth fidelity down to 70 Hz. The speaker is loud for its size, with a max SPL of 97 dB. The cabinet is rear-ported to help extend smooth low-end (this also means you shouldn’t place the speakers flush against a wall). The speaker’s low-end response is decent for its size, but you won’t experience the detail necessary to make critical mix decisions in genres that emphasize big bass. You’ll probably be fine for podcasts and YouTube videos, but if you’re looking for a little more thunder, Mackie offers the matching CR8S-XBT 200W sub with Bluetooth. The CR3-X offers tons of I/Os: Rear-panel inputs include balanced 1/4-inch TRS and 1/8-inch stereo I/Os for connecting various devices. A front-panel knob controls power and volume, and a convenient front-panel headphone output makes referencing on headphones fast and easy (plugging in headphones automatically disables speaker driver output). At $99, the CR3-X is already a very good value. Mackie sweetens the deal by including a free copy of Pro Tools First and Mackie Musician Collection of 23 plug-ins and all the cables you need to get a starter digital audio workstation up and running. It’s a great entry-level studio monitor that can serve as a great “real-world” reference if you upgrade later.
What to consider when searching for the best studio monitors
Above all, studio monitors need to be honest and accurate. It’s easy to be tricked by speakers with a signature “sound.” Imagine that you’re listening on a very bright system: You think you hear too much treble in your mix, so you cut the highs. But when you play that same mix on a balanced system, it sounds murky and muddy. Or, let’s say you’re creating club mixes on a bass-heavy system. Things sound boomy, so you dial back the low end. But when you take that same mix to the venue, it sounds like it’s playing out of a tin can. Other monitor considerations depend on the style of content you’re creating, the size of the space you’re working in, and your room acoustics.
Match your studio speakers to the size of your space
Generally speaking, the bigger the monitor, the more power it can put out, and the deeper the bass it can produce. In the case of studio monitors, however, more isn’t always better. You want monitors that are small enough to operate efficiently in your space; if your monitors are too powerful for the size of the room, you can’t run them at their optimal levels and they can sound boomy. On the other hand, your monitors need to be robust enough to reproduce your most dynamic content effortlessly. Generally, monitors with 5- to 8-inch drivers are good fits for home studios.
Assess your room acoustics
Speakers interact with the space they’re in. If your room has a lot of acoustic anomalies, it can color the sound of your monitors. Some speakers are designed to sound great without any adjustments—for example, they might be acoustically optimized to sit on a desktop. Other monitors feature built-in signal processing designed to minimize the influence of your space; some speakers can even self-adjust to compensate for room problems. While these features can be helpful, they’re not miracle workers and even the best speakers can’t compensate for uncontrolled acoustics. If you’re serious about choosing the right monitor, you should be serious about taming the sound in your space—like soundproofing. (Space just can’t be tamed? Check out our guide to the best mixing headphones.)
Consider your content
Choose a monitor size that complements the type of content you create. Are you a podcaster or into acoustic music? Five-inch speakers might be fine for you. Are you a DJ or EDM producer, making music that will end up in a club? You might want to consider bigger monitors that deliver deeper bass.
When to add a subwoofer
Sometimes it makes sense to bring in a subwoofer to extend the low-end range of your system. This can be very revealing if you have smaller monitors or you’re producing bass-heavy dance or hip-hop tracks. Note that low-end sound waves travel right through the walls of home studios—something to consider if you’re trying to keep the neighbors happy. You can certainly mix and match speakers and subs, but most of the product lines here feature subwoofers—including ones from Yamaha, JBL, KRK, and Mackie—designed to pair with monitors in the series.
The final word on choosing the best studio monitors
It doesn’t matter how much you invest in condenser microphones, dazzling effects, and other recording equipment if you can’t hear a true, accurate representation of a vocal in the mix, etc. Besides your ears, your studio monitors are the most important part of your studio, the one constant and the lens through which you evaluate your work. More than other studio equipment, monitors are an investment in your craft, and using great studio monitors will help make you a better mix engineer. Choosing a monitor is a personal decision; no single model is right for everyone. Ultimately, talent trumps technology, and audio products are tools that serve your creative vision, which is what it’s really all about.
