In the last article, I introduced you to the 9 best audio interfaces for home studios. Now let’s discuss the 8 best budget studio monitors for home studios.
Studio monitors are the second most important equipment in recording studios.
These professionally built speaker systems deliver a nearly flat frequency range without coloration in the sound. That’s why mix engineers and recordists can monitor the actual sound recorded.
That makes it more viable for post-production in audio mixing and mastering.
So, these are the second most important equipment in the home studios.
Let’s dive into the list of best studio monitors for home studios under $500 and under $1000.
Best Budget Studio Monitors For Home Studios Under $500
First off, let’s find some studio monitors under $500 that are suitable for small home studios.
1. Adam Audio T5V
Adam Audio monitors are known for their ribbon-type Tweeter technology and Adam Audio T5V carries on this gene.
Combined with a 5″ polypropylene woofer and a U-ART accelerated-ribbon tweeter this Studio monitor delivers the best audio frequencies required to monitor and mix in Home Studios.
The ribbon Tweeter provided in this Studio monitor comes with HPS waveguide technology modeled from ADAM’s premium S Series studio monitors that provides crystal clear nearly flat high-frequency audio up to 25kHz.
There is no compromise in the frequency response with the tweeter and woofer.
Thanks to its ribbon tweeter, It provides ultra-low distortion even in the high-frequency range after all these tweeter types are known for low distortion in audio.
The low-frequency 5″ driver delivers optimized low-frequency reproduction needed to mix and monitor in the semi-isolated rooms common in home studios.
You’ll get low frequency around up to 45kHz, perfectly optimized monitoring, and mixing kick drum and bass lines.
The problem with small studio monitors is handling low-frequency audio. Generally, you need a subwoofer to fulfill this need.
But thanks to Adam Audio T5V’s low-frequency driver that delivers this low-frequency audio, so you don’t need an extra subwoofer.
On the backside, you will get one RC input along with an XLR input, which can be connected to your audio interface easily.
You will also see the bass reflex tube on the backside, so don’t forget to keep this Studio monitor at least one and a half feet from the wall.
Also, a high-frequency and low-frequency cut-off has been given on the backside to adjust the monitor according to your reflection.
This monitor is perfect equipment for small Home Studios, due to its ribbon-type Tweeter, which prevents distortion in the high-frequency range, and also the broad sweet spot the monitor provides to the user.
2. Yamaha HS5
Yamaha HS series Studio monitors are my favorite ones. In fact, I have a pair of Yamaha HS8, the 8-inch studio monitor in my studio as you can see in my profile image.
Yamaha HS5 is a 5-inch Studio monitor suitable for small control rooms in Home Studios. If you have a small control room, then you can go for it.
It has really fantastic output that needs better mixing and mastering.
The legendary white-coned woofers have been used ever since the original NS-10s were so popular in the ’70s.
The 45-watt LF and 25-watt HF, a total of 70 watts output is sufficient for small home studios. The power amp is delicately powered up LF driver and tweeter separately which provides a smooth-sounding experience.
Manufacturer claims that it can deliver from 54Hz-30kHz frequency range which is ideal for a good quality studio monitor. You’ll get near flat frequency response that’s required for better mixing and monitoring.
The plus point of this studio monitor is you can get it below $200 that’s so affordable if you are just starting.
3. M-Audio BX5 D3
M-Audio BX5 D3 is another great but under-budget studio monitor for small-scale home studios.
This 100-watt active studio monitor comes with a 5″ low-frequency driver built with Keveler and a 1″ silk dome tweeter.
This combination provides durability with high sound levels. Well, when I used this monitor I got that it has some mid-boost around 1kHz which can be annoying if you are doing a precise mix.
The company claims that this studio monitor can deliver bass down to 52Hz. I don’t think so as I experienced that it’s around 85Hz.
Well, an acoustic space controller is a unique and useful feature given in this studio monitor. It can help you to adjust your monitor with your control room accurately to deliver better monitoring.
If you don’t want more accurate monitoring then this studio monitor is good for overall performance. But don’t expect pro-level mixing with this monitor. However, it comes to around $120 which is very affordable.
So, if you want to start a small one-table recording studio in your home then this one can be the best fit.
4. KRK Rokit 5 G5
KRK Rokit 5 G5 is one of the most trusted studio monitors in the world. This 5-inch studio monitor comes with DSP room tuning ideal for untreated rooms.
So, if you have not treated your room accurately then you can go for this studio monitor. This feature allows you to tune for 25 different EQ combinations which is unique in this price range.
If your room has an acoustic problem, then you can go for this Studio Monitor, and use its DSP room tuning feature to get the most out of it.
The custom Class D amplifiers remain cool even in hot temperature environments. So you don’t need AC in your room.
A total power output of 55W (35W+20W) gives it the power to deliver precise performance even in high volume, without distortion.
I really like KRK’s precise sound and durable build quality along with the beautiful sleek design.
If you don’t want to spend more money on a studio monitor yet want a good one, then this is specially built for you.
Best Studio Monitors For Home Studio Under $1000
Above we’ve discussed the 4 most popular studio monitors under the range of $500 suitable for those who don’t want to spend much money on home studio equipment. Now it’s time to discuss the Next 4 budget studio monitors under $1000.
These monitors are built for professional Home Studios and deliver precise sound better for pro mixing and mastering.
Let’s dive into the list.
5. IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro
IK Multimedia is known for its small-format audio devices like audio interfaces and other solutions. Now they have released their studio monitor called IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro a professional studio monitor for medium-range studios.
However, you can’t get big-size woofers on this Studio monitor.
This powered studio monitor comes with a 2-way amplifier with a 3-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter which you may think is tiny. Well, they can deliver 109dB maximum SPL levels.
This studio monitor delivers ultra-accurate and flat sound suitable for better mixing and monitoring.
The low end goes down to 42kHz which is great for low-frequency mixes like kick drums and bass lines.
The best thing is you’ll get X-Monitor software that’s an emulation of industry-grade studio monitors and you can use this feature to get better mixes from your home studio.
The ARC auto-calibration feature allows it to calibrate with any room acoustics.
Overall, this studio monitor is specially built for better industry-grade mixing. So if you are a mixing engineer and want an ideal studio monitor then this one is built for you.
However, it’s not built for monitoring purposes so you’ll not get enough output.
6. Neumann KH 80
This nearfield studio monitor is built by Neumann- the legendary manufacturer of vocal condenser mics.
The combination of a 4-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter powered by a bi-amplifier of 120 watts for the lows, and 70 watts for the highs delivers the ultra-high volume suitable for big-size control rooms.
This Studio monitor is not only suitable for Home Studios but is widely used in professional-grade Studios.
The DSP management feature is great for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound mixing and mastering projects.
This Studio monitor delivers smooth and natural frequency response with ultra-low frequencies to remarkably high ones (57Hz-21kHz) that makes it ideal for any type of audio mixing and monitoring.
This studio monitor delivers 108.8 dB SPL which is enough for Home Studios. You will also get an Ethernet control network used to connect with your computer and control the DSP features.
So, if you want to upgrade your home studio monitor, then you can go with the Neumann KH 80 and you will not be disappointed by this upgrade.
7. YAMAHA HS8
Yamaha HS8 is the bigger version of the Yamaha HS5 studio monitor. The main difference between t them is the woofer size.
Yamaha HS8 has an 8″ woofer powered by a two-way amplification system of 75-watt LF and 45-watt HF.
This legendary studio monitor is great for big-size studios. Its 8″ woofers deliver enough SPL required for large spaces.
It can deliver 38Hz to 30kHz frequency response, which is beyond a sound engineer’s need.
You’ll also get Room control and high-trim response controls the same features provided in the HS5 monitor.
So, if you have a large control room in your home studio and want to go with Yamaha studio monitors then you should prefer HS8 instead of HS5.
In fact, I also use an HS8 pair in my home studio and it delivers extraordinary performance.
8. EVE AUDIO SC208
EVE AUDIO SC208 is a compact yet powerful studio monitor ideal for home studios. It has an 8″ woofer along with a 1″ tweeter powered by a two-way amplification system.
This amplification system combined with the SilverCone woofer and tweeter delivers precise and flat-frequency sound.
With a total RMS power of 100 Watts, it’s one of the best studio monitors for large format home studios.
It has an internal DSP processor that can convert with 24 bit/192 kHz and sends the output signal.
If you are searching for a high-performance studio monitor for your home studio then this one is worth considering.
Well, one thing I didn’t like about this monitor is no magnetic shield. Magnetic shield minimizes the interference in audio signals from RF and other types of signals. Unfortunately, It does not have any magnetic shield.
Overall, it’s a good monitor for home studios in this price range.
Conclusion
Studio monitors are a very important part of recording studios. As display monitors deliver output on the screen, studio monitor works the same in the case of audio output.
That’s why we need them to listen to what is going on.
As a beginner, you may be confused about choosing the right equipment for your home studio. Where this list of best budget studio monitors can help you out.
Let me know which one you are choosing for your home studio. Your comment will help others to choose better equipment in our music producers and sound engineers community.
In the next article, we’ll see the best budget microphones for home studios.
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