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Last updated: 28 Apr 2021

Cheap Studio Monitors You Can Get On Amazon

Best Overall
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Edifier Powered Studio Monitor
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Runner-Up
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Presonus Eris Studio Monitor
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Honorable Mention
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M-Audio BX3 Studio Monitor
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Also Consider
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Mackie CR-X Series Studio Monitor
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By Camilla Haywood
Published 1:43 pm

If you’re tired of shelling out tons of cash for expensive studio monitors, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best studio monitors in 2021 at an affordable price on the market right now to help you find the right one for your needs.

Studio Monitor Top Picks

1

Edifier Powered Studio Monitor

– Best Overall
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Key Features

The Edifier R980T is an excellent mid-priced pair of bookshelf speakers with a solid sound. They’re not the most stylish, but they provide a lot of bass and a good, balanced soundstage. This bookshelf speaker system features a flared bass reflex port in front. The speakers are magnetically shielded to minimize acoustic resonance. It also comes with two AUX inputs, which can be connected to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. A universal 110V-240V power supply makes it easy to connect all your devices at the same time without having to plug and switch between them.

2

Presonus Eris Studio Monitor

– Runner-Up
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Key Features

The Eris E3.5 is an entry-level, pro-grade monitor that will give you a smooth response with a little help from your favorite software. This monitor is of studio-quality industrial design. It’s protected by RF interference, output-current limiting, over-temperature, turn-on/off transient, and power on/off. The 5-inch woven composite drivers produce a more powerful bass response with a more accurate overall sound than any other monitor in its class. Its crossover frequency allows you to get pristine sound quality in any room. Additionally, it has stereo AUX input, headphone jack, volume, and power on/off all located on the front panel for your convenience.

3

M-Audio BX3 Studio Monitor

– Honorable Mention
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Key Features

These M-Audio speakers deliver crisp and clear audio with an emphasis on clean and detailed listening. It has a frequency response of 20Hz to 22kHz and delivers rich and resonant bass sounds. The speakers are powered by 120 watts of power. They have an acoustically-inert MDF cabinet and bass reflex design for deep, rich sound. There’s a 3.5” kevlar low frequency drivers and 1” natural silk dome tweeters with computer optimized tweeter waveguide for precise imaging and high & low EQ for dialling in the perfect sound. There are rear ports for extended bass response and a 1/4” speaker cable is included to allow you to hook up multiple speakers at once. It also comes with 20 Avid effect plugins that can be used on your PC or Mac.

4

Mackie CR-X Series Studio Monitor

– Also Consider
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Key Features

This monitor’s sound is excellent, especially the bass, which isn’t too muddy or out of place. Its soundstage is large but not crowded, and it has a very pleasing stereo image that matches the overall quality of the music. These monitors have a front-facing headphone jack, auto-defeats speaker output, flexible inputs that are 1/4″, 1/8″, and 50 watts of clean, articulate stereo sound.

5

Edifier Studio Monitor

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Key Features

The Edifier R1280T delivers a realistic audio reproduction with balanced sound and clear highs, making it a great addition to a home audio setup. This speaker has a built-in AUX input, so you can connect to two devices at the same time. The remote control is located on the side of the main speaker and allows you to adjust volume easily. It’s also equipped with bass and treble controls that make it easy to listen to music while watching TV or playing video games.

6

Prosonic Active Studio Monitor

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Key Features

This is a great option for audio enthusiasts because it’s designed with an optical input and RCA, coaxial, or optical output. This Bluetooth speaker features a built-in amplifier, four full-range bass drivers, and 0.75 silk dome tweeter for high performance sound reproduction. It can also be controlled via remote control with the bass and treble controller located on the side of the main speaker. Built-in digital sound processor (DSP) and dynamic range control (DRC) provide enhanced audio performance. The speakers are made from MDF wood and a plastic face cover finish that looks nice next to any home decor. They also come with a 24-month warranty and lifetime technical support.

7

Yamaha Powered Studio Monitor

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Key Features

This Yamaha HS5 monitor delivers on its name, delivering strong, accurate sound with a rich mid-range and plenty of crisp high notes. This monitor features a high-performance bi-amp system with 70 watts of power amplification. It has five cone woofers and one dome tweeter, 54Hz-30kHz frequency response, 45W lf plus 25W HF bi-amp system for high-quality sound reproduction. The two-way bass-reflex Bi-ampified Nearfield Studio Monitor is compatible with both balanced or unbalanced signals. You can also use the phone jack inputs to set up your own audio setup.

8

Samson Studio Monitor

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Key Features

A good midrange monitor should be able to offer accurate sound reproduction, and this one delivers with great clarity and crisp highs. It’s also very easy to set up, so it’s a great buy. This pair of studio monitors features a 30W internal amplifier (10W per channel), 3” polypropylene woofers, bass boost switch, stereo RCA inputs, stereo 1/8” sub output, and 1/8” headphone output. They’re compact enough to fit in any area without taking up too much space.

9

Singing Wood Studio Monitor

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Key Features

This Bluetooth-powered speaker is a great way to give your home studio a more premium sound that’s backed by a solid, reliable Bluetooth connection. This Bluetooth speaker features a built-in amplifier, four full-range bass drivers, and 0.75 silk dome tweeter for high performance sound reproduction. You can also make an advanced sound adjustment with the bass and treble controller located on the side of the main speaker. Built in digital sound processor (DSP) and dynamic range control (DRC) provide enhanced audio performance.

10

Pyle Studio Monitor

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Key Features

The speakers are built to produce clear, well-balanced sound. Each one has a built-in microphone that allows for hands-free calling. These bookshelf speakers have a maximum power output of 300 watts and 150 watts RMS so you can play your favorite tracks as loud as you want to. They are equipped with 5.25 monitor speaker driver and 1 aluminum dome tweeter for full range stereo sound reproduction. The system is compatible with bluetooth for wireless audio streaming on devices like iPhone, iPad, Android, tablet or PC.

Studio Monitors Buying Guide

Buying a studio monitor? Choosing a quality one can be a challenge. You don’t want to spend a lot on a device that will disappoint you in the long run. Finding the right monitor that works for you and fits your needs is a lengthy process. There‘s a wide range of models on the market. How do you find the best one for your needs? We have been working on this article to make the process of finding the perfect monitor as easy as possible, and have included some of the brands and models we think stand out from the rest.

Tips

Before buying a new monitor, consider these tips. There are some big differences between studio monitor monitors and monitor speakers, and they can make a big difference in the sound of your music. It's worth considering the following before you buy a monitor:

Monitor speakers

When buying studio speakers for a home setup, make sure you’re getting a pair of the best speakers your money can buy. If you are working with a laptop or other portable computer, you may need speakers that are smaller and more portable. A monitor speaker is designed to sit atop an audio interface or soundboard, so it can connect directly to your computer.

Monitor outputs

If your monitor doesn t have built-in speakers – meaning it doesn't have a line out – you need to connect a power amp and speaker to get an adequate signal to the monitor. This is a good idea if your audio device won't automatically switch to an input.

Considerations

The first thing you’ll want to do is determine whether you need a monitor that‘s specifically designed for the recording of live shows or if you want something more basic to help you set up your laptop or computer while recording your own show. We recommend that you start with a basic monitor, one that offers decent sound control. That way you can fine-tune the monitor to the exact sound you intend to put out. If you just need to make recordings of your music, a more expensive monitor might be better. But if your primary concern is to use your monitor for music recording, you probably don t need one of the inexpensive options. Some studio monitor prices start at around $200. For this price, the included microphone will likely be a condenser microphone, which is better suited to studio use. More expensive monitors usually include an external microphone. This is a great feature, but it's also a bit of a trade-off: If the price is too low, your audio will be muffled and distorted. Instead, we recommend spending a little more for a good-sounding monitor with an internal mic. In this case, expect to pay $250 to $300. Many of these monitors include built-in microphones, so you don't need anything external to get a clear audio recording.

Price Range

Inexpensive

The cheapest studio monitor prices I found were around $100. For that, you get a basic stereo pair of speakers, an audio input, and a mic. These monitors will likely be on the small side, but if you want to record your voice or use the monitor to create mixdowns, they'll do fine.

Mid-range

Between $150 and $300, the stereo monitors get bigger and come with more inputs and additional features like an ambient light feature and input for a laptop.

Expensive (and better quality)

The best audio studio monitorsstart at about $500 andcan cost well into the $1000 range. You’ll pay top dollar for these, and will get high-quality speakers. Monitors in this range can be great for mixing and recording vocals, instruments, or even just for watching movies or playing video games.

How Do We Chose Our Selection of Studio Monitors?

Brand

There are plenty of well-established brands in this niche, including BenQ, Benox, Sennheiser, Yamaha, Avantree, and many more. However, we’ve also checked out some lesser-known brands, like EIZO and Benq as well as some newer brands that have had great results with their products.

Price

Price is always a crucial factor when it comes to any product. We understand that everyone has a different budget, so we also considered the price of each monitor as part of our selection process.

Reviews

Whenever we write a Buying Guide like this one, the first thing we do is read the product reviews. That lets us know what the majority of customers say about each product, which is usually pretty good at predicting the quality of the item.
What Are Some Features To Look For In Studio Monitor?
Before you go ahead and click ahead to check out the perfect monitor for your needs, check these factors out.

Connectivity

The connectivity of your monitor is going to be the most important feature. Studio monitors should feature HDMI, DisplayPort and USB connectivity as standard. If you have lots of project requirements, then you should opt for a monitor with more ports so that you can work with all your devices at once.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is also going be something that will affect your decision. Some monitors give you amazing sound quality, while others don‘t give any sound at all. To find the best sound for you, look out for monitors that offer balanced audio and also have a headphone amp included.

Size

Remember that size is important when you're choosing a studio monitor. You need a large monitor so you don't have to position everything so it takes up too much space in your room. Likewise, if you want a small monitor, you shouldn't be buying a monitor that is way too tiny for your room.

Connections

You will also need to make sure that the connections on your studio monitoring device are compatible with your audio equipment. This is especially important if your music has been recorded to a DAT tape. Check to see if the connection is compatible. Features – If your new monitor doesn‹t have all the features that are ideal for recording in a live environment, don ’t buy it. Look for the monitor where you will actually get to use those features most often, such as the Benqs S95.

Color Accuracy

This will impact the sound of every song that is played. Make sure your monitors are accurate to within 1% of what you hear when the drums hit, or the bass sounds right.

About

A good pair of studio monitor monitors should be of good quality and sound the way you want them to. It’s not enough for the monitor to sound good – they also need to fit the space you have available, and be easy to set up as well. Studio monitors are a staple every musician should own, but it can be tough finding the correct once. To help you with these issues, we‘ve compiled the following buying guide to help give you an overview of what to look for in a good set of monitors.

 

Studio Monitor FAQ

Q: What is a studio monitor?

A: A studio monitor is a speaker that represents the purest sound possible. They are a necessity in any recording studio and are a great purchase for audiophiles.

Q: How do I choose a good monitor?

A: When it comes to choosing a great monitor, there are quite a few things you need to consider. While there is no set formula for finding the perfect monitor for you, here are a number of features that you may want to look for in your ideal option: Size – You’ll want your monitor to have the exact dimensions you require. As a general rule of thumb, you should measure your desk space and compare it with the width of your preferred monitor‘s stand. Sound Quality - Your monitor needs to output crisp and clear audio to ensure that it creates the best sound effects when playing audio files. In general, sound quality is graded on a scale of A-F, with A being the lowest and F being highest. The higher the sound grade, the better. If you want a perfect audio experience, opt for an audio grade of 100. Sound Options – Most users do not need a lot of sound options. Instead, they tend to prefer the surround sound option. Therefore, users that prefer to listen to music will want sound settings such that the monitor can create a surround effect.

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By Camilla Haywood
Within the city limits of NOLA, you may find Camilla hammering away on her 88, playing anything from old jazz to modern country music. Camilla's goal is to one day open a piano studio in New Orleans where she can teach the black and whites and other common jazz instruments to enthusiastic students. Ms. Haywood hopes to bring instruments to old and new musicians alike, reviewing pianos, orchestral instruments, and other products that make her tap her fingers to the beats.
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