If you’re looking to step up from working with headphones or laptop speakers, these small studio monitors from PreSonus will do the trick. With multiple input options, front-panel headphone output and EQ correction knobs.
They feature a small form factor which makes them ideal for smaller desks. They also offer an accurate and flat audio profile.
How to Choose the Best Budget Studio Monitors
Whether you’re a new producer building a home studio or a seasoned engineer with a professional project room, high-quality monitors are essential. Luckily, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get your first set.
A good pair of affordable monitors will allow you to create accurate mixes that translate well to any playback system.
A high-quality set of studio monitors can make the world of difference in your production and mixdown process. Those monitors don’t have to be expensive, however. In fact, hobbyists and recording musicians can get a pair for under $500 that will still perform well enough to provide audio guidance as they hone their craft.
Choosing the best budget studio monitors for your needs will depend on what you intend to use them for and how serious you are about your music production. Many beginner producers will find a comfortable home in monitors that cost less than $500, while seasoned professionals may choose to invest more in an industry-standard set of near-field or midfield speakers.
When you’re shopping for the Best Budget Studio Monitors, you’ll also need to take into consideration their frequency response and sensitivity. Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies a pair of speakers can reproduce at full output without distorting. The higher the frequency response, the more precise and accurate your mixes will be.
The Yamaha HS5s are a popular choice among home producers thanks to their flat frequency response and excellent bass performance. They also offer EQ controls for easy adjustments to your mix and room control features, making them a great option for beginners who want the best possible sound for their recordings.
The Edifier MR4s are another impressive set of budget studio monitors that challenge how low you can go with a pair of near-field studio speakers. They have a pint-sized footprint and a surprisingly flat frequency response (with the exception of a small dip around 2kHz). They’re also equipped with plenty of input options, including front-panel headphone output, and offer an excellent price-to-performance ratio.
Sound Quality
The monitors on our list provide really good sound for the money. Most are active which eliminates the need for external amplifiers – which is great for beginners. However, most of them are rear-ported which means the low-end will exit out the back, so they may not be ideal if placed close to walls and other objects.
The PreSonus Eris E3.5s are a really good set of beginner-friendly studio monitors. With smooth frequency response and faithful highs, they offer a great mix of bass and treble, making them suitable for a range of music genres. They also come with a headphone jack, aux input, and volume knob. The back also has a HF TRIM switch to fine-tune your sound and boundary EQ to adjust for the speaker’s position in your room.
Mackie are another big brand when it comes to audio, and their CR4-Xs are an excellent pair of monitors for the price. With a polypropylene woofer and silk dome tweeter, they’re capable of producing a range of different music genres. However, the bass doesn’t extend down to 53Hz, so they may require an additional subwoofer if you need deeper bass in your productions.
This is a great pair of studio speakers for home recording and podcasting. They have a large woofer for a compact speaker and deliver clear and crisp sound. They’re also easy to set up and have a simple interface. This makes them a good choice for beginner producers who want a painless setup experience. However, they don’t have the flat response needed for mixing if you plan to use them for commercial productions. That’s why it’s important to train your ears on a better quality monitor before you start using it for professional work.
Bass Response
A big factor that will impact your sound quality will be the bass response of a pair of studio monitors. It’s important to find a set that can handle a wide range of frequencies and music genres, and also has a decent flat response in the mids and highs. The best budget studio monitors will have a neutral response and a large sweet spot.
While a professional-level set may cost you more than you’d like, hobbyists and beginner producers can still get a pair of top studio monitors for under $500. Whether you’re mixing electronic music today, podcasting tomorrow, or recording a rapper the day after, you need reliable studio monitors that will help you create your best work.
The Mackie MR824s are a great example of the best budget studio monitors that offer a good balance between price and performance. With a polypropylene woofer and silk dome tweeter, the MR824s are capable of producing clear sounds that will accurately represent your music. Plus, they have a sleek wood cabinet design that will add some style to your recording space. And if you’re a Pro Tools user, you’ll also receive the 23-plugin Musician Collection for free.
Another option is the PreSonus Eris E4.5, which offers a neutral response at a beginner-friendly price point. These studio monitors come with a variety of connections and an onboard EQ correction, making them a great choice for someone who’s ready to move up from regular laptop speakers. Plus, they have a speaker mode that outputs a truer response for creation and production, as well as a music mode that allows you to listen at a more casual level.
A new player on the scene is Kali Audio, who’s challenged how low you can go with their Project Lone Pine LP-6 and LP-8. These pint-sized studio monitors have a surprisingly flat frequency response, with only a slight dip around 2kHz. This makes them a great pick for a small studio or home studio.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of studio monitors is an important factor to consider. It determines how loud the speakers can get without producing distortion at high volumes. Low-sensitivity monitors require a higher output from your audio interface or power amplifier to reach the same level of sound pressure. High-sensitivity monitors are easier to drive and can handle higher input levels without distortion.
One of the most popular budget studio monitors on the market, these Edifier R1280DB powered speakers offer great sound quality in a compact package. They are suitable for a range of applications including music production and video editing. They also provide an excellent upgrade from standard hi-fi computer speakers. They have a nice, deep bass response and are clear and detailed with excellent stereo imaging. They are versatile and have an additional Bluetooth option that makes them suitable for use outside of the studio.
A great choice for a beginner, the Mackie CR3-X monitors offer excellent performance for the price and will help you build up your studio setup over time. These speakers are also ideal for YouTubers, podcasters and other content creators who need a reliable pair of affordable studio monitors that can be used for different applications.
These KRK Classic 5 Powered Studio Monitors are not the cheapest option when it comes to budget studio monitors, but they do offer incredible value for money. They are ideal for professional mixing and provide a flat frequency response that gives you the insight into your mix that you need. They also come with a boundary EQ control that allows you to adapt the monitors to a variety of room environments even if the studio isn’t treated.
Connections
Studio monitors are a critical piece of audio equipment for any producer and even aspiring ones can get a pair for an affordable price. Powered studio monitors deliver a balanced and flat response that is ideal for music production, audio editing, and broadcast production. These speakers are designed to eliminate any distortion and provide a clear sound so that you can hear the exact sound that you will ultimately be producing for your clients.
When choosing a pair of budget-friendly studio monitors, it is important to look at the overall performance and not just the specifications alone. You will want to consider the connectivity options, acoustic treatments, and the overall quality of the build. You will also want to use an acoustic measurement program such as SonarWorks Reference, FuzzMeasure, or RoomEQWizard to optimize your monitoring environment for the best results.
The PreSonus Eris 3.5 is an excellent entry-level set of studio monitors that will provide great sound and functionality. These monitors are compatible with most common consumer-grade audio devices and have both XLR and TRS connections for the most flexibility. Additionally, these monitors have a built-in headphone output for quick and convenient access to your mixes.
Another great option for a beginner is the Edifier R1280DB. These monitors offer an impressive range of features and have a high-quality finish that will add some serious style to your studio. These speakers have a polypropylene woofer and silk-dome tweeter for an accurate and balanced response and they can handle most musical genres. The speakers also have a long Bluetooth range and flexible sound modes to meet the needs of different music producers.
Our Selection for the Best Budget Studio Monitors
1. KRK Rokit 7 G4
The KRK Rokit 7 G4 is a great choice for beginners and experienced producers alike. These studio monitors feature a compact, yet powerful design, and offer exceptional sound quality. They are also bi-amped, meaning that the woofer and tweeter are powered by separate amplifiers, which helps to ensure accurate frequency response. These studio monitors are also ideal for anyone who is looking for a versatile set of speakers that will provide high-quality sound in any working environment.
The Rokit 7 G4 is a step up from previous generations of the KRK series, which were popular for their excellent value and performance. The new generation has a slightly improved design, as well as a more balanced sound that is better suited for modern production styles. This model is also a bit more compact than the older models, making it easier to fit them into your studio setup.
With a wide sweet spot and an impressive 104 dB SPL, these monitors can easily reach loud volumes without producing any distortion. The bass is deep and tight, and the highs are crisp and clear. The new angled design of the bass port enhances the low-frequency response, which is another major improvement over previous versions.
These monitors are recommended for those who want to produce hip-hop, EDM, and other contemporary styles of music that favor bass heaviness. They are also ideal for home recording enthusiasts who want to get their feet wet in music production, but don’t have the budget to afford a more expensive pair of studio monitors.
The Mackie CR-X is a great option for those who are just starting out in the world of music production and need a versatile set of monitors that will suit any kind of production environment. The monitors are lightweight and easy to transport, so you can even take them with you to your living room when you’re done with your work for a relaxing listening session. They are also affordable and come with an array of useful features, such as an LCD display, a range of input connections, and a real-time analyzer that will help you optimize the sound in your space.
2. Mackie MR824
Mackie is a brand that excels in making high-quality audio equipment affordable. The MR824 studio monitors are no exception and deliver great sound at an attractive price point. The MR824 features Mackie’s proprietary technologies that are designed to bring detailed and accurate monitoring to desktop studios. These include Mackie’s logarithmic waveguide to minimize diffraction and reflections for consistent accuracy across a wide listening area as well as the Acoustic Space control which allows you to adjust the monitors frequency response based on room placement. The MR824 also includes an integrated subwoofer to add extra low-end punch to your mix.
The MR824 boasts an 8-inch polypropylene woofer that delivers responsive dynamic lows as well as extreme clarity. A 1′′ silk-dome tweeter is supported by 85 watts of bi-amplified Class AB amplification. This produces a powerful output that can be heard over a large listening area thanks to its wide sweet spot. This is a great feature that will help you achieve a more uniform response throughout your room and ensure that you can hear your music as intended.
Another useful feature of the MR824 is its HF filter which gives you the option to tune the highs down by -2dB, up by 2dB, or off entirely. This can be helpful to prevent the monitors from ringing in your ears which is often a result of too much high-frequency energy. The MR824 also has a level knob as well as a power button and an input jack. The monitors have a unique design aesthetic with green coloring that may not appeal to all users.
Whether you’re mixing hip-hop, rock, or any other genre of music, the MR824 will provide superior translation that you can trust. Its premium features and budget-friendly pricing make this a top pick for any producer looking to take their music production to the next level.
3. Dynaudio BM5
The Dynaudio BM5 is one of the best near-field monitors for music creation, especially if you’re into songwriting and beat-making. Their fulsome low midrange and strong upper bass make them an excellent choice to open up and present mixed material. This makes them an ideal choice for radio studios and the like, where it’s important to have a full soundstage to allow the listener to hear if mixes are over-or under-compressed. However, this acoustic character does come with some drawbacks if you’re using them to mix, as it can obscure details such as room ambiance or the shell tones of snare drums.
Nevertheless, the BM5 is a great budget monitor for home studios or professional smaller-to-medium studios. Its unique driver technologies are hand-crafted to produce a performance level that would normally only be found in larger, more expensive monitors. The patented low-mass voice coil and aluminum voice-coil former provide superior linearity for quick, accurate transient response. The diaphragm and dust cap are moulded together in a special, high-precision magnesium silicate polymer for an exceptionally rigid and lightweight driver.
The cabinet design is also highly effective at controlling resonances, making the BM5 an exceptionally stable and neutral monitoring speaker. This is not only an advantage for audio engineers, but it also helps the listener to focus on the content of their recordings and the production process itself.
The BM5 has been given a refresh (or tweak) recently, resulting in the BM5 mkIII model. It now features greater SPL and a wider frequency response than its predecessor. Its outstanding performance level, combined with a compact and stylish cabinet design, means it is equally well-suited for small to medium-sized studio environments as it is to use in more professional applications.
4. Genelec The Ones
The Genelec 8331 is one of the most remarkable studio monitors available. It’s a testament to the design prowess and technical know-how of the team that created it. The 8331 is a three-way point-source monitor that delivers stunning stereo imaging and controlled directivity for a truly holistic sound field. The 8331 has an astonishingly detailed low end that rivals much larger monitors, making it easy to hear even the most subtle nuances in your mixes. The midrange is lush and accurate, with a precise top end that’s crisp without being brittle.
The 8331’s innovative design is both stylish and futuristic, with an aluminum enclosure that’s both lightweight and durable. It has rounded edges that aren’t just for aesthetics; they help to tame box reflections and deliver a flat frequency response. The 8331 also features Genelec’s Minimum Diffraction Enclosure, which eliminates diffraction effects that negatively impact the speakers’ frequency response.
Unlike many other studio monitors, The 8331’s bass drivers are hidden in the cabinet to allow for a slimmer profile. It’s also designed to perform just as well vertically or horizontally, and it comes with mounting points and an IsoPod for easy placement.
The 8331’s unique features make it one of the best studio monitors for the money in the world. It’s a perfect choice for project studios, but it can also be used in professional mixing environments. It can be paired with a Genelec IsoPod to provide additional isolation, improving its performance even further. The 8331’s amazing sound quality is why it was chosen by Italy’s Aret as the first-ever OB van to feature high-end outside broadcast technologies and surround sound integration. It’s also been used by numerous professional audio production companies around the world.
5. PreSonus Eris E3.5
The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is one of the best budget studio monitors out there. Its nearfield design features robust woven Kevlar woofers for deep low frequencies and a smooth silk-dome tweeter for high frequencies that are easy to hear and reproduce.
These features, combined with the monitors’ wide optimal listening area and large sweet spot, ensure that you can easily find a good position in your room to listen to your music and mix with accuracy. The Eris E3.5s also have a pair of high and low EQ controls on the back that give you more flexibility to tweak the frequency response to fit your particular mix.
One of the most important factors in a studio monitor is how much power it has, and these babies are packed with 50 watts of Class AB amplification. This extra headroom gives you more volume to work with, which makes it easier to avoid clipping and distortion. It’s also a big advantage when mixing on lower-resolution sources, because it allows you to listen at a comfortable level without having to turn up the volume to hear everything.
Another useful feature is the Eris E3.5’s acoustic tuning controls. These let you compensate for acoustic anomalies in your room, like putting your speakers close to walls that can cause the walls to vibrate and create false harmonics that affect your mixes. These controls are simple to use and help you achieve a more accurate sound, which is essential for making professional-sounding mixes that translate well across stereo systems.
The Eris E3.5’s rear panel has a variety of input connectors including RCA, TRS and 1/8″ (stereo minijack) inputs. If you have an audio interface, using the TRS connectors instead of the RCA ones will give you a more balanced and clean signal that’s less susceptible to interference from other equipment.
Top 5 Best Budget Studio Monitors For Mixing Music
If you are a beginner in the music-making world, finding good studio monitors that suit your budget is critical. Getting a set of good-sounding speakers that allow you to accurately mix your tracks will give you the best results and make your music-making process feel more exciting and creative.
Look for a pair that has flexible connection options like an RCA audio cable and a balanced output such as TRS. These will offer more flexibility and are ideal for any workstation.
Edifier R1280DB
The Edifier R1280DB are an excellent pair of studio monitors for mixing music at a budget price. They have a flat frequency response and offer exceptional clarity and high resolution. They also have a large sweet spot, making them great for home studios. They can be used with a variety of home and professional audio interfaces and have multiple input and output options, including RCA and mini-jack. They are also compatible with Bluetooth devices, which makes them a great choice for mobile producers.
They are ideal for beginner musicians who are looking to purchase their first pair of studio monitors. They offer a great sound for their price and are compatible with many recording and music production gear. They have a range of features that make them stand out from the competition, such as onboard DSP and different outputs. They also have an EQ control and are suitable for both DJing and music production. Their compact design and affordable price make them an excellent option for new producers.
These speakers have a very good signal to noise ratio at 85dBA, which is similar to the sound of a lawnmower. They also have a front-panel 1/8 inch stereo line input and rear-panel 1/4 inch TRS inputs, which means they can be connected to any line-level device. However, they lack RCA stereo inputs, which may be an inconvenience for some users.
Unlike cheaper consumer headphones, studio monitors are designed to reproduce sounds accurately. This is essential for mixing because adding warmth and brightness to your music can skew the overall sound of your mix. A good set of studio monitors will show you exactly how your mixes will sound on other devices, which is important for the quality of your final product.
Studio monitors come in two types: active and passive. Active monitors have built-in amplifiers, which make them easy to set up and use. They are also less expensive than passive monitors, which require an external power amp and can be difficult to set up. In addition, active studio monitors are more reliable than portable consumer speakers, which can distort over time.
Alesis Elevate 5 MKII
If you’re a beginner producer looking for a reliable studio monitor that won’t break the bank then the Alesis Elevate 5 MKII is an excellent choice. This matched stereo pair offers impressive clarity and a flat frequency response, which is essential for mixing. They also offer a bass boost option for added low end oomph.
Alesis has been creating studio monitors for nearly a quarter century, so they know a thing or two about maximizing sound and sonic clarity. This matched stereo pair uses technology adopted from their award-winning Monitor One and M1Active professional studio monitors, which is why they deliver such amazing clarity. They feature a custom-designed wooden cabinet that stays natural and neutral, even at high volumes.
These speakers can handle up to 80 Watts total power, which means they can get quite loud without distorting. They have a wide 56Hz-20kHz frequency response, which is perfect for mixing and multimedia content. They use a powerful five-inch woofer and crisp one-inch silk-dome tweeter, which work in concert to provide crystal clear audio with full lows and clean highs.
While these speakers may look like the hi-fi computer speakers you’d find at big box stores, below the surface there’s a world of difference. Most consumer speakers are designed with what we at Sweetwater call a “smily-face” EQ curve, which means they boost the highs and cut the midrange slightly. This may sound flattering to your ears, but it’s not accurate and can cause bad mixing decisions.
The Alesis Elevate 5 MKII uses a flat response EQ so your mixes will translate well on other systems. You can also adjust the voicing to suit your room and preferences. They also come with a variety of inputs, including RCA and 1/4-inch TRS connections. They also use balanced connections, which eliminates cable interference and improves audio performance.
These speakers are very lightweight and can be easily transported. They’re also easy to set up, making them an ideal choice for any home recording project. They’re also a great choice for smaller spaces that aren’t suitable for larger monitors.
M-Audio BX5-D3
This M-Audio monitor is a follow-up to their BX-D2 speakers, and they have been well received in the recording community for their flat, accurate sound. They also have a great amount of clarity, and they can be used in any room without causing any coloration.
When you are working on your music, you need to know exactly what it will sound like when it is finished. This is why it is important to invest in a pair of good studio monitors. The right pair of speakers will save you a lot of time in the future when it comes to mixing, as they will make sure your tracks will sound good on any device.
The M-Audio BX5-D3 is one of the best budget studio monitors for mixing, and it can be found at an affordable price. It has a large woofer that delivers a powerful sound, and the tweeter is designed to produce nuanced high frequencies. It also has an acoustic space control that adjusts the bass response to fit your studio’s environment. It is a great choice for beginner producers who are looking for an affordable pair of studio monitors that will help them get the most out of their music production.
Another good budget option is the Pioneer DJ DM-50D. These monitors are made by a company known for their DJ gear, and they are perfect for DJing and music production. They have a wide range of inputs and outputs, including RCA, 3.5mm mini-jack, and TRS jacks. They are also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can listen to your music on any device.
The KRK RP5 G4 is another popular option for those who are on a budget. These studio monitors have a Kevlar driver with a five-inch woofer and a one-inch dome tweeter. They have a frequency response of 25Hz to 40kHz and offer impressive depth and detail. They are very easy to use, and they are a great choice for any beginner producer who is on a tight budget.
The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is a compact pair of monitors that will allow you to create and mix your music with great precision. It is a good choice for any home studio or bedroom producer, and it will provide you with an accurate sound that will give you the best possible results. This small pair of studio monitors is also great for travelling, and they will easily fit in your luggage. The PreSonus Eris E3.5 has a 3.5″ woofer and a 1″ tweeter, and it also has headphone and aux inputs.
PreSonus Eris E3.5
The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is a pair of compact nearfield monitors designed for musicians, producers and audio engineers in home setups, project studios, or even professional facilities. They feature a 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter powered by a 25W class AB amplifier capable of producing a frequency response of 80 Hz to 20 kHz.
The sound quality is pretty impressive for such a small speaker. The frequency response is smooth and they can handle high and low frequencies fairly well. The one-inch tweeter also provides a crisp and clean sound, with accurate reproduction of transients. This is particularly important for mixing because it will allow you to hear all the details in your production without over-emphasizing anything.
These speakers are ported, meaning that they produce more bass than un-ported speakers. However, it’s worth noting that this can lead to some harmonic distortion at higher volumes. While this isn’t a huge problem for most users, it’s worth keeping in mind if you plan on using them at louder volumes.
Another advantage of these speakers is their relatively narrow sweet spot. This means that they’re best used as near-field monitors and should be placed in front of your computer screen or laptop. The small size also makes them ideal for use in smaller rooms.
In terms of features, these speakers are very similar to the Mackie CR3-X monitors. They have a similar range of connections ports and a headphone output socket. They’re also both only around $100 for a pair. However, the Mackie monitors have a slightly smaller 3 inch woofer which translates into less bass extension.
If you’re going to be connecting your new pair of studio monitors to an audio interface, I highly recommend using TRS cables. These are different from RCA connectors in that they have two black lines, rather than just one. The extra lines are for shielding, which means that they’ll be less likely to pick up unwanted interference from other gear in your setup.
Choosing the right pair of budget studio monitors can make all the difference in how your music sounds when it’s played back on other systems. It’s worth taking the time to properly calibrate your monitors so that they match the rest of your system. This will ensure that your mixes will sound good on all devices, including headphones and other studio monitors.
