Best sound studio monitors on the market 【2020】?
Table of contents:
- Types of monitors
- According to the type of power supply
- According to its type of sound field
- Other factors to consider
- Best low-end studio monitors
- Mackie CR Series CR3
- JBL 3 Series 305P MkII
- Presonus ERISE 3.5
- Best mid-range studio monitors
- Yamaha HS5
- Yamaha HS7
- KRK RP5G3
- Yamaha HS8
- Best high-end studio monitors
- Focal Alpha 80
- Adam Audio A7X Powered Studio Monitor
- Focal Solo6 Be
- General comparison table
- Conclusions about sound studio monitors
Studio monitors are something like the Clean Gift of speakers. The sound they emit is totally flat and pure with hardly any alterations. We say only because the existence of a certain margin of error is inevitable even within a hi-fi sound system. If you are a lover of good music or quality sound, this list of best sound studio monitors is for you. Let's see it!
Index of contents
Types of monitors
Before moving on to show you the list here without rhyme or reason, let's briefly introduce you to the type of monitors we can buy and what benefits each of them offer.
According to the type of power supply
- Active: they present the amplifier integrated inside the box itself. They are the most suitable type of studio monitor since they generally emit better quality. Liabilities: they have an external power supply with a power stage. The sound emitted may be of a slightly lower purity and also take up more space.
According to its type of sound field
- Close: They are used in tight spaces and do not need a very high volume due to resonance. Its speakers are around 4-6 inches in size. Medium: the following in size and also with a greater bass spectrum. The format of these speakers increases to 8 or 10 inches and we can find them available for wall mounting and larger environments. Far: undoubtedly the model with the best sound quality, but also the largest and most budget-friendly. These types of studio monitors are usually installed flush with the wall and emit almost all of the tonal perceptible to the human ear.
The type of field influences the choice of speakers since their reverberation and loudness maintain a direct relationship with the size of the room where they are located and the proximity to the listener. Those in the near field are designed to be placed in front of us at the same table or on podiums with a distance of less than one meter. The media are wider and can be located at a greater distance and even on a shelf in our room. Finally, far-field study monitors are often installed on walls or on podiums close to them.
Other factors to consider
Besides the active or passive character and the different types of sound fields that we can look for, there are also other questions that you should have in mind before launching to buy:
- Maximum equipment size: the space you have at your table is important, as is the weight of the speakers. Remember that they must be in an approximate position at the height of our head once we are seated. Connectivity: many teams no longer only have a 3.5 jack, but also a Bluetooth or USB port in addition to the presence of a headphone jack. If any of these ports is relevant to you, watch the connectivity specifications. Bass presence: in terms of sound there is something for everyone. Many teams can bring integrated a regulator dedicated exclusively to bass for the most demanding users. Sound type: studio sound monitors are in stereo par excellence. However, the distribution of sound they can emit varies between surround, linear and wave. If what you are looking for is to dedicate yourself to sound editing and recording, linear should be your priority. Recommended brands: if you do not have much knowledge, the advantage of sound is that generally quality and price tend to go hand in hand in this world. Some of the best-known brands in the industry are ADAM, Yamaha, KRK, Focal, Presonus and Neumann
Best low-end studio monitors
Mackie CR Series CR3
Modest in appearance, the Mackie are efficient and functional sound studio monitors with which to begin your wanderings in sound recording. Its structure is plastic and the drivers have a polypropylene exterior. On the front they have a volume controller and two 3.5 jack inputs, while on the back we have an on / off button, TRS with or without balance and RCA without balance. Something to keep in mind is that its type of emission sound is wave, so it presents worse quality than if it were linear.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 80Hz - 20kHz Sensitivity: 97dB Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
JBL 3 Series 305P MkII
Also more advanced than conventional speakers but within a low range for sound studio monitors we have the JBL 305P Series. Interesting questions about this monitor is its proprietary Image Control Waveguide controller, a technology developed by JBL that ensures a seamless transition between bass and treble frequencies. Features dual amps, three option HF Trim switch and three option equalizer. As a paste, the volume controller and on / off button are located in the rear area. It does not have a 3.5 jack input.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 43Hz - 20kHz Sensitivity: 92dB Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 75dB
Presonus ERISE 3.5
This studio monitor is very versatile and is designed for a user who is fond of both recording music and video and playing and watching series on the computer. It has an auxiliary input for headphones and integrated volume controller. In the rear area it is possible to adjust the highs and lows individually. External finishes are matte plastic and features balanced TRS and unbalanced RCA ports .
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 80Hz - 20kHz Sensitivity: 100dB Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 75dB
Best mid-range studio monitors
Yamaha HS5
Yamaha is a brand with very good qualities when it comes to sound monitors, and the HS5 is no exception. Positively we have that its frequency range is very reduced, from 54Hz to 30kHz, which generates a very linear sound to record and edit. We can manually set the decibel level in the rear zone, room control for resonance and HighTrim at various levels. However there are no integrated volume settings or 3.5 headphone jack.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 54Hz - 30kHz Sensitivity (input): -10 dBu / 10k ohms Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
Yamaha HS7
An improved version of the HS5, with an even tighter frequency response. Includes all the points of its younger brother but a larger woofer size, 6.5 "and more power.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 43Hz - 30kHz Sensitivity (input): -10dBu / 10k Ohms Signal to noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
KRK RP5G3
These dual amplifier sound studio monitors are built to last. It has a glass and aramid woofer and tweeter made with a soft dome; Low resonance box with bass reflex output, KRK has provided the RP5G3 with minimal interference with sound quality. The volume controller is located in the rear area and for all other configurations we have the KRK brand application. Through it we can adjust the equalizer, DSP controller and frequencies.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 45Hz - 35kHz Sensitivity: unspecified Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
Yamaha HS8
Again Yamaha presents itself to us, this time with the HS8. Here it continues with the specifications included in the H5 and HS7 models (room control, High Trim, low and high regulation) as well as Phase exclusively for HS8. The frequency response here is even lower than the previous ones, but increases the power index of the amplifier up to 120W.
- Amplifier: active Field type: medium Frequency response: 38Hz to 30kHz Sensitivity: unspecified Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
Best high-end studio monitors
Focal Alpha 80
Alpha 80 is the highest model in the Alpha series and is especially suitable for music compositions that are rich in low frequencies or that require a large reserve of energy. Features an 8-inch woofer and midrange woofer with Polyglass cone and 1-inch tweeter with an inverted aluminum dome. With 40W amplifier power for treble and 100W AB amplification for bass, it has a frequency response of 35Hz to 22kHz (+/- 3dB).
- Amplifier: active Field type: medium Frequency response: 35Hz - 22 KHz Sensitivity: adjustable Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
Adam Audio A7X Powered Studio Monitor
The Adam A7X is the brand's best-selling near-field monitor, being one of the most balanced and versatile monitors on the market. The X-ART tweeter produces uncompressed, detailed highs and high mids that blend very well with the woofer. Its ability to reproduce exactly all the details of the sound no matter how small and tonal depth make the Adam Audio A7X a great choice within the high range.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 42Hz - 50kHz Sensitivity: 106dB Signal-to- noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
Focal Solo6 Be
We continue to raise the level with the Focal brand, which offers us a studio monitor made of wood, Focal 6W4370 woofer and Focal TBE Pro tweeter with inverted beryllium dome. This is the latest model on the list and represents a radical jump in budget. We've included it here because it's probably the best-performing top-of-the-line model for € 1, 000, which is considerable.
All of this is due to its very neutral bass response range (40Hz to -3dB) and very low midrange cone (6.5 inches in "W"). Its compact structure, together with the choice of a front bass-reflex tube guarantee an easy integration in those studios that need a near field monitor without acoustic impediments. It has adjustments on the back to regulate according to the acoustics of each studio.
- Amplifier: active Field type: close Frequency response: 40Hz - 40khz Sensitivity: unspecified Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): unspecified
General comparison table
| Sound studio monitors comparison | ||||||
| Frequency range | Frequency response | Sound Pressure Signal (SPL) | Root mean square value (RMS) | Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) | Total power | |
| Mackie CR Series CR3 | 80Hz - 20kHz | 60Hz - 20kHz | 97 dB | 25 + 25 W | Y / N | 50W |
| JBL 3 Series 305P MkII | 43Hz - 20kHz | 49Hz - 20kHz | 108 dB | 41 + 41 W | 75 dB | 82W |
| Presonus ERISE 3.5 | 80Hz - 20kHz | 80Hz - 20kHz | 100 dB | 25 + 25 W | 75dB | 50W |
|
Yamaha HS5 |
54Hz - 30kHz | 74Hz - 24kHz | Y / N | 45 + 25 W | Y / N | 70W |
|
Yamaha HS7 |
43Hz - 30kHz | 55Hz - 24kHz | Y / N | 60 + 35 W | Y / N | 95W |
|
KRK RP5G3 |
45Hz - 35kHz | 45Hz-35kHz | 104 dB | 30 + 25 | Y / N | 55W |
| Yamaha HS8 | 38Hz to 30kHz | 47Hz - 24kHz | Y / N | 75 + 45 W | Y / N | 120W |
| Focal Alpha 80 | 35Hz - 22 KHz | 35Hz - 22kHz | 103 dB | 100 + 40 W | Y / N | 140W |
|
Adam Audio A7X |
42Hz - 50kHz | 42Hz - 50kHz | 114dB | 100 + 50 W | Y / N | 150W |
|
Focal Solo6 Be |
40Hz - 40khz | 40Hz - 40kHz | 113dB | 150 + 100 W | Y / N | 250W |
Conclusions about sound studio monitors
Acquiring a sound studio monitor is more expensive than speakers, even of high quality, but it is generally a justified expense. Users looking for this type of product are more specialized than the average and often look for or need very specific sound characteristics.
You may be interested in reading: Best speakers for PC.
Whether you are recording live music or have a small editing studio, the guide we have set out here covers models with a price range between € 90 to € 1, 000. You should also know that of course it is possible to find even more specialized (and expensive) professional teams with budgets that can exceed 2, 000 and 6, 000 euros. This of course is not the norm, but if we observe that many users show interest we can expand the list and add some of those bad beasts.
Fortunately, in the world of sound, quality and price usually go hand in hand. We should not always stay in the aesthetic section of the speakers, but observe details such as the materials used and the available connections they present. Each user has their priorities when buying, so we hope that this ranking has helped you clarify ideas and find what you are looking for.
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