Choosing the 10 best studio monitors: floor-standing and bookshelf models
One of the important nuances when creating your own recording studio is the choice of a studio monitor. After all, it is they who form the final sound in the room, despite the initial characteristics of the acoustics. Studio monitors should not be confused with regular speakers. Unlike the latter, they allow you to hear the real, undistorted sound of the recording and find the smallest mistakes in it. The best studio monitors in various designs are described below.
Best floor-standing studio monitors
Floor standing models are devices whose distinctive quality is considered to be an ideal frequency response. They are used to check the balance of instruments and to check the sound quality. The main function of a quality studio monitor is to reproduce the highest quality sound. Bi-amplifying is a technology that optimizes sound performance. Its presence in the device is paramount.
Paradigm Monitor 7
Paradigm Monitor 7 v.7 guarantees the listener a wide stereo picture. The slim bodies of this slim model are very stylish. Handle almost any kind of music. The system is designed for 2.5 bands and consists of a tweeter, a mid and low frequency radiator and a woofer. The main driver is an aluminum cone with a diameter of 140 mm. The bass transducer has a polypropylene diaphragm. True, the sound is not entirely monitor sound, and is more suitable for home theater.
| Configuration | 2.5 bands, with bass reflex |
| Maximum input power | 130 watts |
| Sensitivity | 91 dBA |
| Resistance | 8 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 175 x 915 x 230 mm |
| The weight | 14.8 kg |
pros
- wide sound stage;
- suitable for home theaters and music systems;
- has a narrow body;
- stable;
- looks stylish;
Minuses
- bass sometimes sound inexpressive;
- lose in price to competitors.
Audio Bronze 5
The speakers are great for medium-sized rooms due to their small size. A distinctive feature of the Audio Bronze 5 is that the speakers are fixed to the front panel. This allows for greater rigidity and less stress on the front panel. The speaker is equipped with a C-CAM dome with a diameter of 25 mm and is covered with a thin layer of gold, which helps to dampen the resonance. The system is mounted inside an 18 mm thick fiberboard enclosure. The enclosure is additionally reinforced with mounting posts, which, combined with the reinforced bottom, results in a reliable and robust system.
| Configuration | 2.5 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 120 watts |
| Sensitivity | 90 dBA |
| Resistance | 8 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 215 x 898 x 282 mm |
| The weight | 11 Kg |
pros
- reinforced body;
- suitable for medium sized rooms;
- front mount;
- gold-plated speaker;
- classic design;
Minuses
- high price;
- weak bass.
Bose s1 pro
The original multi-position speaker system can become not only an excellent travel companion, but also a good stationary option. The speaker is equipped with a full-featured three-channel mixer, tone controls and line outputs to which other systems can be connected. The original enclosure is made in the shape of a polygon, which allows you to position the system in the desired angle for directional sound. The case has a convenient carrying handle. There is also a rechargeable battery.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 150 watts |
| Sensitivity | 70 dBA |
| Resistance | 8 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 332 x 240 x 282 mm |
| The weight | 7.1 kg |
pros
- mobility;
- many installation options;
- compatible with various systems;
- easy;
- wireless system;
Minuses
- plastic case;
- low sensitivity.
Audio Silver 200
The design of the body was carried out using laser scanning, which made it possible to achieve the exact location of the baffles and spacers.As a result, it was possible to completely eliminate the feeling of body sound. The thickness of the body plates is 20 mm. In the rear of the model, two ports of different diameters were placed to neutralize the effect of turbulence. The tweeter dome is made of gold anodized alloy. The frequency range of the model is raised to 35 kHz. The purity and richness of sounding at the highest level. An expensive status model for both amateurs and professionals.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 150 watts |
| Sensitivity | 89 dBA |
| Resistance | 8 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 885 x 165 x 269 mm |
| The weight | 29.2 kg |
pros
- clear and balanced sound;
- original design;
- high speed of sound transmission;
- installation flexibility;
- six body color options.
Minuses
- high price;
- great weight.
Audio Radius R270
Hi-Fi speakers with three drivers, two of which are 100 mm in diameter. The tweeter is a dome tweeter. All this is housed in a 15 mm thick MDF case. The loudspeakers emit a unique and clear sound with minimal uneven frequency response. Modest dimensions and relatively low weight make it quite easy to install this equipment.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 150 watts |
| Sensitivity | 87 dBA |
| Resistance | 6 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 177 x 102 x 208 mm |
| The weight | 9.9 kg |
pros
- the optimal combination of price and quality;
- light weight;
- high-quality speakers;
- ease of installation;
- pure sound;
Minuses
- simple design;
- slim body.
Best bookshelf studio monitors
Shelf studio monitors are in no way inferior in quality to floor standing monitors. If there is a small child or an active animal in the house, the choice in their favor is obvious. In addition, shelf monitors are easier to disguise in the interior if you do not want to draw attention to them. Placing the speakers higher than the height of a person allows you to get more surround sound with the same initial characteristics, which is another plus of such monitors. They also have a lot more design options.
Mackie CR3
A great option with clear highs and balanced mids. Monitor cabinets have specially configured bass reflex ports on the rear panel. This avoids distortion from air currents. The transducers are unrestricted by pressure, so cables resonate at low frequencies for deeper bass. The response from ultra-low to ultra-high is smooth without artifacts and distortion at different volume levels.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 28 watts |
| Sensitivity | 50 dBA |
| Resistance | 6 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 140 x 208 x 158 mm |
| The weight | 4.1 kg |
pros
- great sound;
- suitable for medium-sized rooms;
- foam coasters;
- ease of installation;
- cables included;
Minuses
- weak bass;
- slim body.
YAMAHA HS5
They are characterized by amazing sound accuracy. The quality of this model fully complies with YAMAHA standards. HIGH TRIM and ROOM CONTROL controllers are used to control the monitors, which greatly simplifies the process. The innovative design of audio channels minimizes noise and other negative effects. To reduce resonances inside the case, the classic connection of the sides of the speaker at an angle of 45 degrees is used. Separate amplifiers are ideally matched to each speaker. This allows you to create the perfect union of instruments for linear and clear sounding over a wide frequency range.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 70 watts |
| Sensitivity | 50 dBA |
| Resistance | 6 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 170 x 285 x 222 mm |
| The weight | 5.3 kg |
pros
- high-quality sound;
- options in black and white;
- lack of noise;
- ease of installation;
- cables included;
Minuses
- the logo is too bright;
- moderate bass.
PreSonus Eris E4.5
Allows you to adjust the listening position yourself, which helps to make the space as comfortable as possible.In addition, the system is designed for several types of user settings. The monitors are equipped with a thermal insulation system that protects the speakers from overheating. Silk dome speakers are ultra-low weight. The phase inverter allows for optimal reproduction of bass frequencies. The volume control is located on the front panel.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 100 watts |
| Sensitivity | 100 dBA |
| Resistance | 10 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 163 x 180 x 241 mm |
| The weight | 5.9 kg |
pros
- stylish appearance;
- customization for the user;
- reliable case;
- clear, juicy sound;
- compactness;
Minuses
- background noise;
- no protective screens for speakers.
M-Audio BX8-D3
Ideal for small recording studios. The power of the structure reaches 150 watts. The rubberized housing helps to reduce resonance and remove extraneous noise. The rear port is optimized for low frequency response. Using the volume control, you can choose the optimal sound strength. The broadband frequency response of 37-22 kHz covers the full musical spectrum. The clarity of the sound and the clarity of the sound will amaze users.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 150 watts |
| Sensitivity | 100 dBA |
| Resistance | 10 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 250 x 302 x 384mm |
| The weight | 10.5 kg |
pros
- reliable case;
- high quality sound;
- comfortable control;
- multichannel;
- ideal for creating a recording;
Minuses
- heavy weight;
- high price.
JBL 308P MkII
High quality monitors. The improved system features new dynamic drivers. There is also an EQ mode for low frequencies. The acoustic design of the monitors is a bass reflex circuit. The speakers are uniquely designed with an eye-catching glossy plastic bezel finish. A special feature can also be considered a waveguide with a unique system. It allows you to create a more even sound field. You can connect monitors using balanced XLR or TRS connectors. Lower registers are best tuned with the BOUNDARY EQ system. It will help with delicate signal rejection of 1.5 dB and 3 dB.
| Configuration | 2 stripes |
| Maximum input power | 112 watts |
| Sensitivity | 100 dBA |
| Resistance | 10 ohm |
| Dimensions (edit) | 419 x 254 x 308mm |
| The weight | 8.1 kg |
pros
- high-quality sound;
- convenient control;
- ease of installation;
- stylish design;
- innovation system;
Minuses
- hiss of tweeters;
- great weight.
Conclusion
The modern market offers a huge selection of monitors of various configurations. Most of them successfully combine the functions of a system for both home theater and recording. The floor structures are rather bulky, but they add modernity and style to the interior. Shelf systems are more compact and are well suited for small spaces and home recording studios. All rated models from budget to expensive offer decent sound quality for their value.
