Best Studio Monitors For 200
The most common studio monitors are passive, and thus require a receiver to power them. But some monitors have built-in amplifiers and speakers, allowing you to connect by Bluetooth or 3.5mm cable. They’re a great option for those looking for a versatile speaker that can also be used as a portable PA system or music player.
Studio monitor design is important in terms of both sound quality and aesthetic taste. Monitors come in various sizes. The larger the monitor, the more air it can push, so they tend to have a greater low-end response. Smaller monitors are more portable and less expensive, but they can’t push as much air as larger models.
Active monitors have built-in amplifiers that produce heat, so these types of monitors can get quite hot if pushed hard for extended periods of time. To counteract this, many engineers place their monitors on stands to allow them to breathe in order to keep them cool and prevent damage.
The best way to ensure you’re choosing a studio monitor that sounds good is through research. Check out reviews online, read the manufacturer’s specifications, and see what other people have to say about them on social media.
We all want our music to sound good, right? Music on a computer isn’t bad, but it’s not perfect either. If you’re looking for perfect, you need a studio monitor. The Eris E4.5 2-way powered studio monitors are an excellent choice for home studios, project studios, and mobile rigs. These monitors deliver an accurate response with a tight bass and very clear upper end, so you can enjoy listening to your music as well as creating it.
The Eris E4.5 is the smallest member of the Eris family, yet delivers a balanced sound that’s unheard of in this class of speakers. This compact powerhouse features a 4.5-inch Kevlar low-frequency transducer that delivers tight, defined bass down to 70 Hz, plus a 1-inch (25 mm), silk-dome tweeter that provides smooth highs up to 22 kHz with virtually no distortion. And because they’re active (or “powered”) speakers, the built-in power amp is optimized for their design, which means you get even more accurate response from your mix than passive speakers can give you.
Whatever kind of music you make, you need to hear it through the Presonus Eris E4.5 Near-Field Studio Monitors! These quality reference monitors are great for small studios and home setups. They sport a 4.5-inch woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter; both drivers are powered by an internal Class A/B amplifier that delivers tight, clean, accurate sound reproduction.
DrawBacks
Unfortunately the low-end doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the mids and highs.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Great sound quality
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Neutral response
M-Audio’s BX4 speakers offer studio monitor performance, now with digital inputs for increased connectivity. The high-resolution 4.5” Kevlar low frequency drivers and 1” natural silk dome tweeters deliver immersive sound with a wide sweet spot, while the Class A/B bi-amplification allows for increased power and dynamic range.
Premium acoustics are key to any great listening experience, especially when working on music or gaming projects. The BX4 features a bass reflex cabinet design that optimizes low end frequency response, along with an acoustically inert MDF cabinet that eliminates unwanted resonance for uncoloured performance.
The speakers feature 1/4” TRS, 1/8” stereo, and RCA inputs for compatibility with virtually any audio source. With a compact form factor and integrated rubberized feet, the BX4 speaker monitors are perfect for desktop setups or shelf placement.
DrawBacks
The only thing that counts as a flaw is that it lacks the scale of larger near field monitors.
Pros
- Compact and stylish design
- Auxiliary input
- Headphone output
- Decent bass extension
Cons
- Lack the scale of larger near field monitors
When you want to hear your mix loud and clear, you need a great pair of speakers. Elevate 5 MKII delivers superior sound quality for recording studios, video editing suites, post-production facilities, and any other application that requires accurate reproduction of vocal and instrumental sources.
These active monitors feature separate high-and low-frequency drivers with crossover—an uncommon feature in this price range. Elevate 5 MKII is equipped with a 5-inch low-frequency driver in ported enclosure that delivers rich, tight bass; 1-inch silk dome tweeter provides smooth, clear highs.
The high-density wood cabinets suppress unwanted resonances; carefully formed baffle radiuses reduce edge diffraction to maximize sonic clarity. Elliptical tweeter waveguide optimizes dispersion and stereo imaging so that the spatial characteristics of your music are accurately reproduced regardless of where you are standing.
DrawBacks
The only disappointing fact about this high end audio monitor is that it doesn’t come with enough power to mix large spaces efficiently.
Pros
- Highly valuable
- Fabulous sound
- Decent pro features
Cons
- Not enough power for larger mixing spaces
- High end lacks detail
The KRK Classic 5 Professional Bi-Amped Powered Studio Monitor takes advantage of custom component design and advanced engineering to deliver a high quality, high value studio reference monitor. The Classic 5 features a bi-amped Class A/B amplifier offering large headroom and low distortion.
The KRK Classic 5 has consistently been the most used studio monitor in the world. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is that KRK’s Rokit series delivers results on any budget. Musicians and engineers can trust that their mixes will translate from their studios to other listening environments.
KRK provides an affordable solution with professional performance and accuracy for recording, mixing, mastering and playback. The goal of this design was to provide more accurate audio reproduction for any style of music, in any kind of environment. The result is a more efficient system that requires less power to deliver higher SPL levels than previous systems.
KRK’s ROKIT 5 G3 (Generation 3) powered studio monitors offer professional performance and accuracy for recording, mixing, mastering and playback. The system consists of a 1″ soft-dome tweeter and 5″ glass-Aramid composite woofer. It delivers high frequencies up to 35kHz, vocal clarity and extended bass.
DrawBacks
Most costumers find problems with the LF controls which is the only flaw in this otherwise pretty amazing audio monitor.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Affordable
- Easy to tune
We are excited to introduce the LP-6. The LP-6 is a 6.5” studio monitor that features our 3D imaging waveguide, Dual Concentric driver, and Boundary EQ technology. It is designed for small to medium sized project studios, or anywhere you need high output levels on a budget.
The 3D imaging waveguide allows you to hear a 3-D soundstage from a stereo pair of speakers. This gives you the ability to mix in mono and still have full control over the stereo image. The unique shape of the waveguide also increases dispersion and reduces internal reflections that color the sound of an instrument.
The Dual Concentric driver combines the tweeter and woofer into one unit, which results in better dispersion and time alignment between drivers. This makes it easier for your brain to separate different elements in your mix so you can make better mixing decisions.
Our signature Boundary EQ settings help you achieve optimum sound in your recording environment while maintaining neutral sonic reproduction in a variety of settings. These settings make it easy for you to balance your nearfield monitors with your.
DrawBacks
The high quality audio quality has everything you would want to have except for its inadequate cord quality.
Pros
- Equipped with 3D imaging wave-guide that provides 3D sound quality
- Comes with dual layer voice coil that offers clearer sound with lower disturbance
- Offers 85dB of sound range that can reach up to 6 feet making it loud enough
Cons
The studio sound quality of the R1280T bookshelf speakers make them a standout option for your home entertainment system.
With 42 Watts RMS, these active bookshelf speakers boast impressive power output and high-quality sound reproduction, making them ideal to use with computers as well as home entertainment systems.
The Edifier signature sound delivered by these active bookshelf speakers comes from the 4-inch bass driver and 13mm silk dome tweeter. The front-facing bass reflex port allows for the deepest low frequencies to be produced even in small rooms.
The side panel of the active speaker has controls for volume and tone adjustment, allowing you to tailor the sound to your liking easily. A wireless remote control is also included so you can control these powered speakers from anywhere in the room.
The R1280T also features both cables and Bluetooth connectivity options. Cables are included for connecting to almost any audio source including PC, Mac, PS4 or TV. Alternatively, connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.0 or above for a seamless experience with any compatible device including smartphones, tablets and laptops.
DrawBacks
The bass of the speakers lacks in terms of depth and that too after being such an expensive unit is quite a disappointment.
Pros
- Active unit
- Balanced and loud sound
- Separate bass & treble controls
- Excellent build quality for the price
- Easy to hook up & comes with remote
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Lacks clarity on high notes
Creative Reference monitors deliver the performance you expect from a professional studio monitor in sleek, small-footprint designs. Ideal for desktop or multimedia workstations, they are designed to allow you to hear every nuance of your recording accurately. With all-wood cabinets, premium components and consistent performance that is second-to-none, Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors inspire you to create your best work.
The Creative Reference Series delivers professional sound quality and features perfect for work, play and everything in between. These studio monitors deliver a tight low end and clear upper midrange that packs a punch and is perfect for use as DJ speakers or for playing back music. CR3 speaker monitors are popular with podcasters; video editors; and other content creators who need great sound without sacrificing their workspace.
CR3s come equipped with a convenient front panel volume knob that is easy to access when making quick adjustments. Plus, there’s also a headphone output and auxiliary input so you can hook up your MP3 player or other audio source easily.
The CR3 speaker monitors come equipped with a simple three-band EQ so you can adjust the high, mids and lows to compensate for placement or personal taste.
DrawBacks
The sound is clear and loud but the build quality of the Mackie CR3 studio monitor is questionable.
Pros
- Affordable entry level studio monitor
- Good sound quality
- Quite loud for its size
- Front input ports
- Aesthetically pleasing design
Cons
- Poor build quality
- Lacks in bass
This speaker is designed for a wide range of users, from individuals creating music on their laptops to professional producers and engineers recording in state-of-the-art studios. It’s designed for the way we work today.
The JBL 305P is an ultra-modern 5″ powered studio monitor that builds on the success of the LSR305. The new MkII series features next-generation JBL transducers, new Boundary EQ, and a sleek new design. These monitors are perfect for home studios as well as professional spaces like broadcast studios and post production facilities.
The 305P MkII offers accurate reproduction thanks to its 3-Series transducer design which incorporates a 1″ silk dome tweeter for crisp high notes, a 5″ woven composite woofer for rich mid frequencies, and an acoustic lens waveguide with JBL’s patented Slip Stream low frequency port for deep bass response. It delivers best in class performance across the frequency spectrum.
DrawBacks
Despite being a great studio monitor in terms of sound quality and bass output, the ergonomics of the unit is not great.
Pros
- Exceptional bass output
- Great sound quality
- Latest technology
- Great build quality
Cons
- Poor ergonomics
- Slight issues with sound on high volume
The Pyle Home Dual 5.25” Active + Passive Bookshellf Speaker System – Bluetooth Wireless Streaming Ability, 300 Watt Digital Amplifier, AM/FM Radio, MP3/USB Reader, Aux Input Jack – Includes Remote Control and Power Cable (PDWR42BT)
Powerful Sound: The bookshelf speaker system features a built-in 300 Watt digital amplifier which effortlessly drives the two 5.25’’ woofers and 2 midrange speakers. Complimented with 1″ aluminum dome tweeters for crisp highs.
Bluetooth Wireless Streaming Ability: This active + passive bookshelf speaker system is equipped w/ Bluetooth wireless streaming ability. Works with iPhone, Android mobile phone, iPad, tablet, PC. Ideal for personal indoor home use or for outdoor DJ party.
AM/FM Radio: Features a built-in AM/FM radio w/ digital LCD display and 50 station memory presets to quickly find your favorite channel in seconds. It also features an auxiliary input jack for connecting external devices like iPhone, MP3 player, etc..
DrawBacks
The fact that it’s an inexpensive unit, the sound quality is immaculate, however, the build quality is not that great.
Pros
- Remote controlled
- Powerful sound
- Digital 300 watt amplifier
- Blue tooth wireless steaming ability
- Built-in AM/FM radio w/ digital LCD display
The Eris E3.5 BT is a compact, two-way, near-field studio monitor that delivers an accurate response ideal for small studios. This active monitor’s 3.5-inch woven composite woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter produce a transparent sound that allows you to more easily mix and master your music to translate well to other listening systems.
The rear-panel volume control offers easy access to level adjustments, while the high and low frequency controls let you tailor the speaker’s response to your room. Additionally, the E3.5 BT features Bluetooth 5.0 so you can stream music from your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device without cables or wires.
The Eris E3.5 BT offers broad frequency response, excellent transient response and stereo imaging in an affordable speaker that’s perfect for small studios or as an addition to a larger studio setup.
The Eris E3.5 BT is part of PreSonus’ line of professional multimedia reference monitors for home recording, broadcast/podcasting, mobile live sound reinforcement, DJ monitoring, video post production, mastering and more.
DrawBacks
Poor ergonomics is a major problem of these otherwise pretty amazing desktop speakers. Also, bass could be fuller, it’s pretty solid though.
Pros
- Great value
- Fantastic sound quality
- Ideal desktop choice
Cons
- Bass could be fuller
- Poor ergonomics
Samson’s MediaOne BT4 Active Studio Monitors are a striking new addition to the MediaOne family, providing you with the same professional sound quality and features as their powered counterparts in a stylish, compact design. These 2-way active studio monitors incorporate Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect directly to your smartphone, laptop or another wireless music source without having to worry about compatibility issues.
The rear-vented, precision-tuned port enclosures are designed to provide an accurate low-frequency response and optimal bass performance. The MediaOne BT4’s feature 4″ carbon fiber/paper composite drivers for full-range audio reproduction and 1″ silk dome tweeters for smooth, natural high-frequency reproduction.
Samson’s MediaOne BT4 Active Studio Monitors are perfect for home studios and multimedia production setups. With their unique design and advanced features, the BT4s will enhance the look and sound of any desktop or workspace.