11 best studio monitors

Anyone who appreciates the present sound of professional acoustics knows that only professional equipment can boast of truly realistic sound with maximum detail, a wide range of reproduction of sound shades, lack of distortion and other positive qualities. This category includes so-called studio monitors - loudspeakers with a perfectly smooth amplitude-frequency characteristic, which are used in recording studios. Those who are willing to spend a significant amount on such a purchase, purchase studio monitors just to listen to music. We present you a special rating review, where our specialists and consultants describe all the most important qualities of each of the 11 models presented.

Top studio monitors rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Top studio monitors rating	1	Focal SM9	236 200 ₽
	2	Mackie HR824	71 000 ₽
	3	Adam A8X	44 618 ₽
	4	Genelec 8030A	47 820 ₽
	5	Focal Alpha 80	21 423 ₽
	6	YAMAHA HS8	17 000 ₽
	7	JBL LSR308	16 999 ₽
	8	BEHRINGER Truth B2031A	14 936 ₽
	9	Axelvox PM-5A	15 265 ₽
	10	KRK ROKIT 5 G3	8 014 ₽
	11	Pioneer S-DJ50X	9 160 ₽

Focal SM9

Rating: 4.9

Let's start with the brightest and most expensive solution. All other studio monitors will be significantly cheaper than this, and further it will be clear why.

So, we are dealing with a reference control studio system, which from a technical point of view is not one, but a whole pair of monitors enclosed in a single package. One of them is three-lane, the second - two-lane. The manufacturer positions the device as a reference monitor due to the impeccable accuracy of the stereo picture, the ability to easily reproduce the most elusive details of the audio signal and an extremely adequate display of the original dynamics. The main and auxiliary monitors in Focus mode in the final stages of information can work alternately in two modes.

The individual characteristics of this system, which make it exclusively, are as follows. The high-frequency driver has a wide focus for optimal positioning in the studio along the working axis. The inverted dome of the driver is made of beryllium. The diameter of the passive bass emitter is 11 inches, contains a composite bass resonator in the form of the letter W. Here and in general in the emitters a special three-layer material Glass / Foam / Glass is used. To correct the system for a specific room, seven parameters can be adjusted. Input sensitivity is also adjustable. The total power of the three class AB amplifiers is 600 watts.

Studio monitor at work creates sound pressure up to 116 dB SP. The coverage of reproducible frequencies is from 30 to 40 thousand Hz. Emitters power: high-frequency - 100 W with a size of 25 mm, mid-frequency - 100 W with a size of 165 mm, low-frequency - 400 W with a size of 203 mm. Supported Bi-amping - separate adjustment of low and high frequencies. The frequency of the crossover is also regulated.

The device dimensions are 490x320x390 mm. Net weight - 35 kg. Made in strict black. Included is a removable grille.

Mackie HR824

Rating: 4.8

The second number in the rating is the model, which is several times cheaper than the previous one, but already not so impressive. Nevertheless, this is more than a decent system, over the years, has repeatedly proved its high quality and opportunities.

This device is a professional two-way studio monitor, focused on stereo or surround mixing. THX PM3 certification confirms its suitability for creating high-resolution audio for movies and modern video games. The system is equipped with a 8.75-inch subwoofer with a minimum level of distortion and a titanium dome tweeter for transmitting realistic sound throughout the perceived frequency spectrum. High performance is ensured by the built-in 250 W output power amplifiers (150 W - low frequencies, 100 W - high).

Diffraction in this model is minimized by Zero Edge Baffle cast aluminum shielding. Waveguide is optimized to provide wide coverage. The artifacts of the midrange range are reduced to zero due to high-quality internal damping.

Studio monitor is technically compatible with any professional equipment - you can connect via RCA, TRS and XLR connectors located on the rear panel. Low-and high-frequency filters are configured separately, so that the device can be as accurately as possible aligned with a specific workplace.

The size of the low-frequency radiator is 222 mm, the high-frequency one is 25.4 mm. The studio monitor develops a peak sound pressure of 120 dB SPL in the frequency range from 39 to 20 thousand Hz with a resistance of 6 Ohms.

To connect to an external power amplifier is a standard jack jack 6.3 mm. There are also balanced and linear inputs.

Overall dimensions of the system - 427x274x351 mm, net weight - 15.7 kg.

Adam A8X

Rating: 4.7

Next in our ranking follows a striking example of the legendary German quality - the flagship of the AX series of monitors manufactured by ADAM Audio. This is an active two-way near-field monitor developed in Germany and produced there. Total power - 200 watts.

Despite the fact that this model is formally considered to be a near-field monitor, due to its sufficient power and radiation characteristics, it is also quite suitable for the middle field - very many sound-editing professionals confirm this. The device deserves special praise from the specialists for one of the best combinations of price and quality.

Studio monitor is equipped with X-ART type Twitter with a diaphragm diameter of 56 mm; and a subwoofer with a size of 220 mm. The upper corners of the case are bevelled, as with all other models of the AX series. This was done, of course, not for design purposes, but to minimize interference from the reflected signal. On the front panel there is a double phase inverter, which is responsible for maximum efficiency at the border of the low frequency range.

The most powerful in the entire AX series from Adam studio, this monitor is made by two amplifiers: 50 W for a high-frequency tape emitter and 150 W for a mid-woofer. It develops a peak sound pressure of 120 dB SPL in the range from 38 to 50 thousand Hz. The crossover frequency is 2.3 kHz. Built-in overload protection. High and low frequencies are regulated separately.

Line and balanced inputs are located on the rear panel. There are also two equalizing filters and an input sensitivity adjustment.

Overall dimensions of the device - 255x400x320 mm, net weight - 13 kg.

Genelec 8030A

Rating: 4.7

According to experts of expert.bigbadmole.com/en/, the rating of the best studio monitors is continued by an interesting production model of the Finnish company Genelec. It is a relatively compact but powerful enough near-field monitor, which is preferred by many professional studios and is also widely used to equip workstations and surround sound installations.

The case of the device with dimensions of 189x285x178 mm is made using the special patented Minimum Diffraction Enclosure technology, it has rounded corners, the front panel and sides are slightly curved - this form allows minimizing interference from the reverse signal and generally achieving the smoothest frequency response and overall high quality sound with minimized angular diffraction cabinet.

In this model, as in all monitors of the 8000 series, a progressive phase inverter design, an improved aluminum case with a characteristic matte surface are used, the air flow is optimized, the waveguides of the Genelec Directivity Control Waveguide trademark, a protective grid with its own acoustic optimization are installed.

Unlike the previous model, this monitor is equipped with full magnetic shielding, electronic circuits are protected against overloads. The maximum power of the device - 80 watts. It develops a maximum sound pressure of 108 dB SPL in the range from 58 to 20 thousand Hz. The frequency of the crossover is 3 kHz. The size of the high-frequency radiator is 25.4 mm, the low-frequency one is 127 mm.

Due to its low weight of 5.6 kg, the monitor can be easily mounted on the wall due to the integrated mounting on the back wall and the additional thread on the bottom. Another mounting option is a floor stand. Each device comes with a special Iso-Pod stand. The stand allows you to perfectly align the system for smooth sound in the vertical and horizontal directions. With its help, you can easily manually adjust the direction of the sound axes, “untie” the monitor from the surface where it is installed.

Focal Alpha 80

Rating: 4.7

There was a place in our rating for another monitor produced by the French private company Focal-JMLab. This time it will be a question of a much more affordable model of a different class, but still it’s the flagship in its lineup.

This is an active two-way near-field monitor with a 40-watt tweeter and a 100-watt woofer. Positioned by the manufacturer as one of the most "innovative" monitors in the range of Focal-JMLab.

Here we see a one-inch inverted aluminum tweeter with a dome membrane capable of reproducing not just high frequencies, but even minimal defects in equalization. Eight-inch woofer conical type made of polymer, reinforced with fiberglass. Such a membrane composition provides neutrality throughout the middle spectrum and bass, and at the same time, the transparency of the same mid frequencies. A characteristic feature of the model is a unique bass reflection design - large dual front ports that improve acoustic integration, including in confined spaces.

Studio monitor produces sound pressure of 109 dB in the range from 35 to 22 thousand Hz. Separate adjustment of high (4.5-22 kHz) and low (0-300 Hz) frequencies. There are inputs XLR, RCA. There is also a sensitivity toggle switch + 4 / -10. AutoStandby mode is supported with switching on the mode after 30 minutes of inactivity and switching off the mode when a signal is detected that is greater than 3 mV.

Individual features of the model: low directivity, in which sound is distributed evenly throughout the room; neutrality without distortion; minimal sensitivity to wall effects; equal sound balance at high and low volumes; the ability to connect two sources; optimal acoustic integration.

The case of the device is made of MDF with a thickness of 15 mm.Dimensions of the device - 287x397x348 mm, net weight - 12.8 kg. The hue is vinyl black.

YAMAHA HS8

Rating: 4.6

Now in our ranking, we consider the studio monitor production of the famous Japanese company YAMAHA. This is the oldest model of active near-field devices of the HS series updated in 2013. Together with the younger models HS5 and HS7, the monitor replaces the HS50M and HS80M series.

Here we see an interesting decision of the manufacturer - a complete replacement of the dynamic heads with a different type. According to the company, such processing was dictated by the desire to provide increased returns at low frequencies and a more even frequency response. Also, Twitter has undergone a change - increased from 3/4 to 1 inch.

Traditionally, white subwoofer diffusers are made of polypropylene. Dome fabric twitter is fenced off by a metal grill protecting it from damage.

The overall acoustic design of this model, as well as the entire HS series, is a circuit with a phase inverter and a port FI displayed on the back panel. Available hardware settings - two filter cutoff frequency switches, sensitivity control. If you need to suppress the bass, you can use a special mode ROOM CONTROL. High frequencies are cut off with the HIGH TRIM switch.

The gain power of 120 watts is distributed between low and high frequencies as 75 and 45 watts respectively. Studio monitor reproduces sounds in the range from 38 to 30 thousand Hz. Amplification of low and high frequencies - separate. Twitter size - 25 mm, low-frequency emitter - 203.2 mm. The connectors are XLR and TRS (balanced and unbalanced sources).

The case of the device is made of MDF. Dimensions are 250x390x334 mm. Net weight - 10.2 kg.

JBL LSR308

Rating: 4.6

An interesting production model of the well-known American company JBL, famous for its high-quality acoustics and audio equipment, continues the rating. This is a two-way active near-field monitor with a total power of 112 watts.

In this model, as in the entire series, the manufacturer introduced its own patented innovation - Image Control Waveguide. The technology is designed to achieve the highest quality sound without spatial distortion, even in rooms with a large area and high ceilings. The horn engineers developed the company specifically to equip the flagship of the M2 series, and now it has received this budget model.

Among other noteworthy qualities of the model, which professionals have already managed to evaluate, can be identified such moments as: an accurate sound picture, in which an imaginary center is clearly visible; ability to select the incoming sensitivity through a special switch (- 10 dB / + 4 dB); adjust high and low frequencies to compensate for room acoustics (TRIM switches).

The diameters of the neodymium speakers: 8 inches (203 mm) - low frequency, 1 inch (25 mm) - high frequency. The device develops sound pressure up to 112 dB SPL in the range from 37 to 24 thousand Hz. The amplification power for LF and HF is the same - 56 W each. Supports separate gain control of high and low frequencies. Interfaces - balanced XLR and TRS inputs 6 mm jack.

Monitor overall dimensions - 254x419x308 mm, net weight - 8.6 kg, weight together with packaging - 10 kg.

BEHRINGER Truth B2031A

Rating: 4.5

The next position in the ranking of the best studio monitors according to expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ is the production model of the German company BEHRINGER, and at a price this option is comparable to the previous two.

This is a two-way active phase inverter-type monitor, which objectively deserved high marks from many specialists due to the advantageous combination of price and quality and a number of successfully implemented proprietary innovations of the manufacturer. This series has existed for a relatively long time, but in the last two years BEHRINGER engineers have made a series of improvements in the series.

The updated B2031A series has received improved materials and components - a woofer with a Kevlar membrane installed in an aluminum chassis, die-cast; two-inch tape emitter high resolution "Velocity Ribbon". To obtain additional power reserve, the developers have implemented a double gain technology in the system. Coming into the series, each instance during assembly is manually corrected to achieve the most even frequency response. A measurement protocol is supplied for each specimen individually.

The nominal power of the monitor is 140 W, the maximum is 265 W. The device develops sound pressure up to 116 dB SPL in the range from 50 to 21 thousand Hz. The crossover frequency is 2 kHz. Separate high and low frequencies are supported.

The size of the high-frequency radiator is 25.4 mm, the low-frequency one is 222.3 mm. In the design of the monitor integrated magnetic protection.

Overall dimensions of the studio monitor - 250x400x290 mm, net weight - 15 kg.

Axelvox PM-5A

Rating: 4.5

The studio monitors of the Axelvox brand PM-5A open a conditional group of budget models in our rating. Unlike all others, this model was originally supplied as a pair at once.

This model is positioned by the manufacturer as oriented to “compact” project-studios. In developing the efforts of engineers were aimed at maximizing the purity of sound and detail in the middle and high ranges. This was fully possible due to the careful selection and adaptation of mid / low drivers with appropriate frequency response parameters - maximum evenness in the desired ranges.

In the monitors installed twitter with fabric domes. They easily cope with the subtle and accurate transmission of high frequencies, producing a pleasant, non-cutting sound. Thanks to careful design of the circuitry, overload capacity is sufficient for comfortable audio production. Through the use of fourth-order filters in crossovers, it was possible to eliminate the likelihood of failure of the frequency response at the frequency section of the filters.

The power of the studio monitor is 75 watts. Crossover frequency - 2.6 kHz. Reproduction of a sound in the range from 70 to 20 thousand Hz. Separate bass and treble amplification is supported. Amplifier power: LF - 50 W, HF - 25 W.

The physical characteristics of the devices are as follows. The size of a mid-low-frequency radiator is 127 mm, the material is cellulose; high frequency - 25.4 mm. Slot-mounted phase inverters on the rear panel. Interfaces - linear and balanced inputs jack 6.3mm.

Overall dimensions - 185x280x225 mm, net weight - 11 kg. The body is made of MDF with a wall thickness of 17 mm.

KRK ROKIT 5 G3

Rating: 4.4

Another inexpensive, but quite worthy model of a studio monitor in our rating is a representative of the third generation of the ROKIT series manufactured by the famous company KRK Systems.

This is a compact active two-way near-field monitor with a total power of 50 W with a 5-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. In the updated series, the developers raised the upper range to 35 kHz through the use of 1-inch twitter. The shape of the slotted phase inverter was also improved, which gave a more detailed and accurate low frequency broadcast. Class A / B amplifiers have been updated, due to which max SPL values ​​have been increased.

The metric dimensions of the high-frequency emitter - 25 mm, LF - 127 mm. The device produces sound pressure up to 106 dB SPL in the range from 45 to 36 thousand Hz. Supported Bi-amping (separate amplification of the bottoms and tops). The power distribution gain: LF - 30 W, HF - 20 W.

Body material is made of MDF. Overall dimensions - 188x284x246 mm, net weight - 5.9 kg.

Pioneer S-DJ50X

Rating: 4.4

The model of the brand, which in itself is so “speaking” and legendary, completes the ranking of the best studio monitors from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/, that there is no doubt about the device itself, even despite the budget class of this particular solution.

This is an active near-field monitor, which is positioned by the manufacturer as “for DJs and producers.” The total power is 80 W, the size of the speakers is 5 inches LF and 1 inch HF, respectively.

The device is equipped with special TAD tweeters with convex TAD diffusers and a soft dome. In their development, DECO technology was used, which the company used to create its most famous monitor models. Diffusers are spatially oriented, which allows precise and easy control of high frequencies.

Also, this monitor is characterized by a fairly powerful base due to the frontal NP reflection system and the use of aramid fiber in membranes. Actually, this model was developed taking into account the quality and realistic playback of the low frequencies, regardless of the volume.

The size of the woofer - 127 mm, HF - 25 mm. Studio monitor develops sound pressure up to 107 dB SPL in the range from 50 to 20 thousand Hz. Amplification LF and HF separate. Gain power: HF - 26 W, LF - 54 W.

Bass reflex port is located on the front. The main interfaces are linear and balanced inputs with standard connectors. There is a standby mode, activated after 25 minutes of no signal.

Overall dimensions of the device - 197x301x262 mm, net weight - 6.5 kg.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.