When you’re building a home studio, one of the most important pieces of gear are your studio monitors. We’ve put together a roundup of the best studio monitors for home studios, accounting for sound quality, build quality, and budget considerations, so you can get your home studio sounding amazing!
In this article, we’ll review our top picks for home studio monitors, as well as some honorable mentions and budget picks, and then we’ll go over the basic setup for your home studio monitors!
Best Studio Monitors for Home Studios – Our Top 3 Picks
Focal brings their high quality speaker design into the home studio monitor budget range with the Aplha 65 Evo. Like all Focal speakers, these are easy to listen to without getting ear fatigue, and they sound amazingly transparent. These speakers don't hype up any frequencies, making them a top choice for home studio mixers. You may be wondering if Focal compromised on quality by creating such an affordable speaker, but rest assured that they did not. These home studio monitors will serve you for years to come!
YAMAHA speakers have been a staple in studios for decades, and for good reason. The HS5 is YAMAHA's entry level home studio monitor, and they bring the classic YAMAHA sound to life at a solid price point. These are a great Swiss Army Knife speaker for producers, songwriters, and mixers. A 2-band notch EQ means you can adjust the sound to match your room. You can't go wrong with these classic studio monitors! My only gripe with these speakers is that they are a little bit fatiguing to listen to for long periods of time.
Kali Audio offers a versatile home studio monitor with their LP-6! 80 watts of room filling sound means you won't need to upgrade these speakers, even if you move into a larger space. These speakers are highly customizable; you can select settings for the distance from your wall and for whether they're on a desk or stand, meaning they can adapt to nearly every studio application. Beyond the features, the sound of these monitors is transparent and flat, making them a great choice for producers and mixers alike.
YAMAHA HS5 Studio Monitors
- 70 watt, 2-way speakers
- High quality construction from YAMAHA, a trusted brand in audio
- Shape the sound to your room with the room control and high trim switches
YAMAHA’s HS5 are a home studio staple, with great build quality at an affordable price. With just a 5inch speaker size, these studio monitors are a great option for apartment and bedroom studios. They are compact, lightweight, and will fit on just about any desk or speaker stand, offering flexibility for producers and engineers looking to create a flexible home studio.
The sound quality of these speakers is great as well, but I find them to be a little hyped in the treble frequency ranges out of the box. Thankfully, YAMAHA includes EQ settings on the back of the speakers to allow you to customize the sound to your preferences. I typically turn the high freq trim to -2dB, and then experiment with the room control switch to find the best setting depending on the room. Combine that with the renowned build quality of YAMAHA products, and you can’t go wrong with these speakers!
Focal EVO 65 Studio Monitors
- 80W 2-way speakers
- Focal's entry into the affordable studio market with amazing, transparent sound
Focal is my personal favorite studio monitor brand, and I use their Alpha Twin EVO speakers every day in my studio. The EVO 65 are a similar speaker in a more compact package, making them a prime choice for home studios. The flat frequency response of the Focal speakers is the best in its price range, so if you’re primarily focused on mixing and mastering, these are the way to go. I find the aluminum tweeters in Focal’s speakers offer the most natural sound, at least to my ears, of all the metal options, so I can listen to these speakers all day without getting ear fatigue.
Focal’s build quality is also top notch, and these speakers have premium switches and knobs, showing that Focal didn’t cut any corners with this home studio friendly speaker. If your primary consideration is sound quality, these are the home studio monitors for you.
Kali Audio LP-6
- Robust SDP system for flat frequency response
- 80 watts of power for a room-filling sound
- Make sure to buy 2!
A newer option in the audio world, Kali Audio’s LP-6 may be the all-around best studio speakers for home studios, since they are configurable to your room setup. These speakers have dip switches that allow for several customization options, so you can set them up in just about any room. Set the switches for the distance from the wall, as well as the stand type that you’re using, and the speakers will adjust their sound to match.
That feature alone makes these a great option, but the sound quality of the LP-6 speakers is also fantastic. The accurate sound reproduction these speakers offer is surprising in such a feature-rich package, and the build quality is great as well. You can’t go wrong with these speakers no matter your room setup.
Honorable Mentions – Best Home Studio Monitors
If our top 3 isn’t striking a chord with you, check out our honorable mentions for the best home studio speakers!
The Premium Pick: Neumann KH 120-A Studio Monitors
- 5.25" Composite Sandwich Woofer Cone
- 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter
- 160 W Peak Analog AB Amplifier
- Elliptical Modeled Dispersion Waveguide
- Wide Horizontal Dispersion
These Neumann studio monitors are a fantastic pair of speakers for any studio, whether it’s a commercial studio or a home studio! The reason these don’t make the top 3 is primarily due to budget considerations; they’re an extremely high quality pair of speakers, and judging based on just sound quality alone, they would take the top spot. If you’re looking to build a top of the line, no holds barred home studio, the Neumann KH-120 are a respectable choice, and are one of the highest quality sub-6 inch studio monitors on the market today.
The Wild Card: Adam Audio T5V
- 5" polypropylene woofer with rear-firing bass reflex port
- U-ART accelerated-ribbon tweeter with precision HPS waveguide
- Highly efficient 70W Class D bi-amplification
Adam Audio creates high quality studio gear that lasts a lifetime. The T5V is their newer 5 inch speaker, which is perfect just about any home studio. My main gripe with Adam Audio’s speakers is the ribbon tweeter; something about them just feels a little unnatural to me, making it harder to nail a mix the first time. However, there are lots of engineers who love these tweeters, so don’t rule them out completely.
Budget Picks
When it comes to setting the budget for your home studio monitors, it’s crucial to keep in mind that these speakers will be the primary tool you use to listen to all the music you record and mix. They play a central role in the entire process. While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest options, it’s worth noting that, in most professional studios, monitors are one of the most expensive pieces of gear for good reason. That said, the studio monitors in this section strike the balance of affordability and build quality that we look for in our “budget picks”, coming from reputable brands in the pro audio space.
PreSonus Eris E.45 Home Studio Monitors
- Acoustic Tuning Adjustment Controls
- 1" Silk Dome Tweeter for Treble
- 4.5" Kevlar Woofer Cone for Bass
- 25W Class AB Amplification
The PreSonus Eris 4.5 are a beginner-friendly set of studio monitors at a great, approachable price point. Surprisingly balanced, the neutral response of these make them great for mixing and mastering. The highs are well-defined with precise, well-rounded mids. The lows do lack a little warmth and fullness, but overall the PreSonus Eris E4.5’s offer a great soundscape. Just be sure to pay attention to the lows a little more.
What the PreSonus Eris E4.5 studio monitors lack in bass they more than make up for in other areas. Overall build quality is excellent for the price and they look good too. The PreSonus Eris E4.5 monitors punch above their weight and certainly above many other studio monitors at this price point. Building out your first home studio or just getting into music production in general can get expensive quickly, so it’s nice to see a solid option like this available that won’t break that bank.
Mackie CR5-XBT
- Professional studio-quality sound
- Flexible inputs - 1/4”, RCA, and Bluetooth
- 80 watts of clean, articulate stereo sound
- All-wood cabinet provides a natural sonic character
- Hookup cables and isolation pads included
The Mackie CR5-X studio monitors offer impressive sound performance and versatility. With a 5-inch polypropylene woofer and 0.75-inch silk-dome tweeter, they deliver clear and accurate audio reproduction. These monitors feature convenient front-panel controls for volume, tone, and input selection. The CR5-Xs also come with a headphone output and an aux input for easy connectivity. With their sleek design and affordable price, they are a popular choice for multimedia applications.
If you want even more budget picks, check out our Best Budget Studio Monitors Roundup here!
Other Considerations when Buying Studio Monitors for your Home Studio
Acoustics: Home Studio Acoustic Treatment Matters
Choosing the perfect studio monitors might seem like the ultimate game-changer for our mixes, but the truth is, their performance is heavily dependent on the acoustic treatment of our room. Without proper acoustic treatment, even the most high-end studio monitors won’t reach their full potential. The untreated room introduces all sorts of sound reflections and resonances, which can trick our ears and lead to inaccurate judgments during mixing. These reflections muddy the waters, making it difficult to discern the true qualities of our music. On the other hand, when we invest in acoustic treatment, we tame those unruly reflections and create a balanced and controlled listening environment. This allows our studio monitors to shine, delivering accurate sound reproduction, and giving us the confidence to make informed decisions during our mixing process. So, remember, the magic lies not just in the choice of studio monitors, but in how well we set the stage with proper acoustic treatment. Check out our tutorial on proper home studio acoustic treatment to make sure your room is set up for success!
Room Size and Speaker Size
In smaller home studio spaces, like bedrooms or compact studios, speakers within the 5-7 inch range prove to be an ideal choice. These speakers strike an excellent balance between bass response and overall clarity, ensuring that your room’s dimensions won’t negatively impact the listening experience. Larger speakers might overpower smaller spaces, leading to undesirable resonances, while extremely compact speakers might struggle to reproduce low frequencies, compromising mix accuracy. By carefully matching the speaker size to your room dimensions, you can create a harmonious listening environment that enhances audio fidelity and elevates your overall music production experience. All of the suggestions in this article are appropriately sized for a typical home studio!
Listening Volume
Another critical aspect is the importance of listening volume in achieving proper mixing. The volume level directly impacts your ability to discern subtle nuances within your mix. In smaller rooms, like those often found in home studios, it becomes even more crucial to strike the right balance. Opting for smaller speakers, such as those within the 5-7 inch range, can be a wise decision for these compact spaces. These speakers deliver clear and accurate sound reproduction while operating efficiently within the room’s dimensions. To avoid distortion and ensure optimal performance, it’s best to keep the volume at a level where the speaker operates near the middle of its capabilities. By combining appropriately-sized speakers with mindful listening volume, you gain the precision and confidence needed to craft well-balanced mixes that make your home studio setup a formidable force in the music production world.
Focal brings their high quality speaker design into the home studio monitor budget range with the Aplha 65 Evo. Like all Focal speakers, these are easy to listen to without getting ear fatigue, and they sound amazingly transparent. These speakers don't hype up any frequencies, making them a top choice for home studio mixers. You may be wondering if Focal compromised on quality by creating such an affordable speaker, but rest assured that they did not. These home studio monitors will serve you for years to come!
YAMAHA speakers have been a staple in studios for decades, and for good reason. The HS5 is YAMAHA's entry level home studio monitor, and they bring the classic YAMAHA sound to life at a solid price point. These are a great Swiss Army Knife speaker for producers, songwriters, and mixers. A 2-band notch EQ means you can adjust the sound to match your room. You can't go wrong with these classic studio monitors! My only gripe with these speakers is that they are a little bit fatiguing to listen to for long periods of time.
Kali Audio offers a versatile home studio monitor with their LP-6! 80 watts of room filling sound means you won't need to upgrade these speakers, even if you move into a larger space. These speakers are highly customizable; you can select settings for the distance from your wall and for whether they're on a desk or stand, meaning they can adapt to nearly every studio application. Beyond the features, the sound of these monitors is transparent and flat, making them a great choice for producers and mixers alike.
You’re now ready to make an informed decision about your home studio monitors! If you want to learn more about what goes into picking the right studio monitors, check out our home studio monitor buyers guide below!
Studio Monitors for Home Studios Buyers Guide
Let’s take an in depth look at even more factors that go into selecting a pair of studio monitors!
1. Tweeter Material: The tweeter is responsible for reproducing high-frequency sounds in studio monitors. Different tweeter materials can significantly impact the monitor’s performance and sound characteristics. Here are some common tweeter materials and their characteristics:
- Soft Dome Tweeters: These are made from lightweight materials like silk or fabric. Soft dome tweeters offer smooth and warm sound, making them ideal for extended listening sessions. They are suitable for various music genres and are less fatiguing to the ears.
- Hard Dome Tweeters: These tweeters are made from materials like metal or ceramics. They provide precise and detailed sound, making them great for critical listening and mixing. However, they might be less forgiving of poorly recorded material.
- Ribbon Tweeters: These are made from a thin, folded strip of material. Ribbon tweeters offer exceptional transient response and extended high-frequency reproduction. They are often found in high-end studio monitors.
- Planar-Magnetic Tweeters: Similar to ribbon tweeters, planar-magnetic tweeters use a thin film instead of a dome. They excel in clarity and resolution, making them suitable for professional studios and audiophile applications.
2. What Are You Using Them For? Before purchasing studio monitors, consider your primary use case:
- Music Production and Mixing: If you’re a music producer or mixing engineer, accuracy and detail are crucial. Look for monitors with a flat frequency response and detailed mid-range to ensure you make informed decisions during mixing.
- Content Creation and Gaming: If you’re primarily creating content or gaming, you may prioritize a more enjoyable and immersive listening experience. Studio monitors with a slightly colored sound signature may be suitable for this purpose.
- Casual Listening: If you want studio monitors for general music enjoyment and entertainment, a more consumer-oriented monitor with a pleasing sound signature could be a good fit.
3. Budget Considerations: Studio monitors come in a wide price range, so consider your budget carefully. Keep in mind that investing in quality monitors is essential for accurate sound reproduction. Consider the following factors:
- Entry-Level Monitors: These are budget-friendly options that offer decent sound quality for beginners and casual users. They may lack some advanced features but can be a good starting point.
- Mid-Range Monitors: This category offers a balance between price and performance, providing better sound quality and additional features like room calibration.
- High-End Monitors: For professionals and audiophiles, high-end studio monitors deliver exceptional sound accuracy and premium build quality, often with advanced calibration options.
4. Stands vs. Desk: The placement of studio monitors can significantly affect their performance. Consider the following options for mounting:
- Monitor Stands: Using dedicated stands helps to position the monitors at ear level and provides a more accurate soundstage. Stands also reduce vibrations and reflections, resulting in a clearer sound.
- Desk Mounting: If space is limited, desk mounting is a viable option. Look for monitors with front-facing ports or features like foam pads to minimize resonance when placed on the desk.
5. Connectivity and Additional Features: Consider the connectivity options and any additional features that may enhance your experience:
- Analog and Digital Inputs: Ensure the studio monitors have the necessary inputs (XLR, TRS, or RCA) that match your audio interface or playback devices.
- Built-in DSP and Room Correction: Some monitors offer built-in digital signal processing (DSP) and room correction features, allowing you to optimize the sound according to your studio’s acoustics.
- Amplification: Choose between active and passive monitors. Active monitors have a built-in amplifier, simplifying the setup, while passive monitors require external amplification.
6. Aesthetics and Build Quality: Consider the appearance and build quality of the studio monitors, especially if they will be a prominent part of your studio setup. High-quality construction materials can enhance durability and longevity.
Remember to audition the studio monitors whenever possible before making a final decision. Listen to familiar tracks across different genres to evaluate their performance accurately. Ultimately, finding the right studio monitors is a crucial step in setting up a home studio that allows you to produce and enjoy music at its best.
If you’re building a home studio, check out our Best Laptops for Music Production list next!
