Studio monitors are speakers built to reproduce sound accurately for mixing, mastering and critical listening. Our range suits home producers, podcasters, video editors and professional studios. It covers active nearfield monitors from ADAM Audio, Kali Audio, KRK Systems and Focal, plus models from Neumann, JBL and PreSonus.
How to choose studio monitors
Room size and woofer size. Larger woofers move more air and reach lower bass, but they need space to work properly. In a small bedroom or desk setup, a 5 or 6 inch monitor is usually easier to control. An 8 inch model makes more sense in a larger, treated room.
Connections. Most studio monitors are active, so the amplifiers are built in and you do not need a separate power amp. Check which inputs you need: balanced XLR or TRS jacks reduce noise over longer cable runs and suit audio interfaces and mixers, while RCA inputs are handy for simpler sources.
Bass extension and subwoofers. A monitor that stops short in the low end can hide problems in kick drums and bass lines. Smaller models often pair with a subwoofer, while larger ones may cover the low end on their own. Compare the stated frequency response, but also consider the size of your room.
Tweeter design and room adjustment. Ribbon, dome and waveguide tweeters each shape the high frequencies and the width of the listening area differently. Many monitors add switches or DSP for adjusting the response to your room, which helps if your walls are untreated or the speakers sit close to a wall.
Placement. Nearfield monitors work best when you sit in an equilateral triangle with the two speakers, with the tweeters at ear height. Stands or isolation pads keep desk vibrations out of the sound, so budget for them when you buy.
Studio monitor brands we carry
- ADAM Audio: a Berlin company known for its ribbon tweeters, which give detailed high frequencies in its nearfield monitors.
- Kali Audio: known for the LP and IN series, designed to give accurate monitoring at an accessible level.
- KRK Systems: recognisable by the yellow woofer cones of its Rokit series, which are common in home and project studios.
- PreSonus: also makes audio interfaces and the Studio One recording software, so its Eris monitors fit neatly into a PreSonus setup.
- M-Audio: offers monitors alongside audio interfaces and MIDI keyboards, which suits compact beginner studios.
- Focal: a French maker known for beryllium tweeters in its higher-end monitors.
- JBL: its professional 3 Series monitors are known for the Image Control waveguide, which widens the usable listening position.
- Neumann: best known for studio microphones, and also makes the KH series of monitors used in mastering rooms.
Also in our range: Mackie.
Studio monitors: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between studio monitors and ordinary speakers?
Studio monitors aim for a flat, uncoloured response so that you hear the recording as it is. Ordinary hi-fi speakers often add bass or treble to flatter the sound. For mixing, a flat response shows flaws that you can fix before the music reaches other systems.
What size studio monitors do I need for a small room?
For a small room, 5 or 6 inch monitors are usually the sensible choice. Larger woofers can produce more bass than a small room can handle, which leads to boomy, misleading sound. If you want more low end, a matching subwoofer is easier to adjust than a bigger monitor.
Do I need an audio interface to use studio monitors?
Usually yes, if you connect them to a computer. Most studio monitors have balanced analogue inputs, and an audio interface provides these outputs with better conversion than a laptop headphone jack. Some monitors also accept RCA or other inputs, so check the connections before you buy.
Can I use studio monitors for listening to music?
Yes, studio monitors work well for everyday listening if you like a neutral, detailed sound. They tend to sound less bass-heavy than consumer speakers. Most are active, so they need a mains connection and a source with a suitable output.
