Studio monitors are a necessity for any studio. If you’ve taken the time to build a home recording studio, why not get a high-performance set of studio monitors? On this in-depth buying guide, we’ll go over some of the best studio monitors under 1000 dollars.
Studio monitors reproduce an accurate sound that will help you mix a track that retains a consistent quality on anything from earbuds to stadium loudspeakers. A consistent, accurate sound is important to ensure your music gets the recognition it deserves. With studio monitors, you’re often getting what you pay for. In this article, we will examine the best studio monitors under 1000 dollars.
The Best Studio Monitors Under 1000 Dollars
The $1000 price point is one of the intersecting points of price and quality. You can pay a lot more than $1000 for a set of speakers, but after the $1000 price point, the percentage increase in sound quality decreases dramatically.
There are some great monitors in the “above $1000” range. The Adam Audio a7x, for example, features a top-notch ribbon tweeter, bass reflex ports, and a powerful bass and midrange driver. The even design gives the monitors a wonderful balance between the high frequencies and bass frequencies. But this particular pair of studio speakers will usually run about $1500 (for a set of two). There’s a point at which you have to make some decisions about how much to spend––for some producers, this level of quality along the frequency range will be worth the extra $500 …and for others, it won’t.
For our list of the best studio monitors under 1000 dollars, we examined the overall sound quality, basic design, cabinet size, frequency response, and our general impressions. Any of the speakers on our list will allow you to create fantastic mixes, but one did emerge as our favorite.
The Best Studio Monitors Under 1000 Dollars | Frequently Asked Questions
Although we have our favorites on this list, it is certain that some readers will have different opinions based on the needs of their own personal studio. For some, a lightweight pair of studio monitor speakers will be necessary. For others, it will be all about the richness of the sound. Here are a few pointers for choosing the right speakers for your own needs.
- How Are Studio Monitors Different From Normal Speakers
- What Is Frequency Response?
- What Is a Nearfield Monitor?
- How Many Studio Monitors Do I Need?
- Why Do I Need a Subwoofer?
- What Is SPL? Is it Important?
- What Type of Headphones Should I Get With My Studio Monitors?
1. How Are Studio Monitors Different From Normal Speakers?
Since not everyone is familiar with the basics of studio monitors, it’s a good idea to make sure we’re all on the same page.
Studio monitors are a specific type of speaker system.
These studio monitors are designed to give a “flat” playback, which means that they are as faithful as possible to the way a track naturally sounds.
Commercial speakers don’t do this.
If anything, most commercial speakers for the consumer market actually try to change the sound you’re hearing.
Commercial Speakers Aren’t “True” Sound
Speakers sell better if they sound a certain way on the sales floor, and that isn’t always giving you a natural representation of a song. When you buy a normal pair of speakers at an electronics store, you are probably going to have some of the frequencies accentuated.
Great for casual listening, but unhelpful for the type of critical listening needed for music production.
Studio Monitors Provide an Accurate Sound
Studio monitors are aimed at keeping their presentation unaltered. They are also designed for richness of sound quality rather than volume (although they can often get quite loud).
But the point is they can fill a room with sound without simply cranking up the decibels. Because they give the most accurate playback of a track, they are the favorite method of listening for anyone who is mixing or mastering music.
2. What Is Frequency Response?
Frequency response refers to the range of sound frequencies that can be generated by a particular set of monitors, and how much each speaker boosts one frequency or another.
The average human hearing usually is capable of detecting sounds between 20Hz and 20kHz. While this is the usual auditory range for most speakers, it is frequently the case that they have a wider response than this. That’s because some frequencies can be felt as vibrations, even if they aren’t exactly “heard.” These frequencies can have a big impact on the overall listener experience.
Why Studio Monitors Are Better
Frequency response is also the key to understanding the difference between commercial speakers and studio monitors. Studio monitors achieve their accurate sound by having something called a “flat frequency response.” This means that they don’t push the high end for pop songs, or highlight the low frequencies for a deeper bass sound. They simply present all the frequencies as they are: low, high, and mid-range.
This is crucial for mixing because it doesn’t minimize irregularities. It makes it easier to hear where edits need to be made.
3. What Is a Nearfield Monitor?
Near-field, mid-field, and far-field are all terms describing the distance that the speaker is meant to cover. Near-field means that the listener is expected to be situated close to the speakers. Far-field means that they’re at a greater distance, and mid-field might mean they’re in the middle of those two extremes.
For instance, far-field monitors might be used in a large movie theatre, where the speakers need to cover a lot of area and provide deep sound. Near-field monitors simply wouldn’t be able to fill that space.
For home studios, near-field monitors are standard. A listener is usually expected to be within six feet of the speakers, and probably not significantly more or less.
4. How Many Studio Monitors Do I Need?
Since you’ll most likely be dealing in stereo, the easy answer here is: you need two monitors (unless you’ll be creating or mixing surround sound mixes, in which case you need at least a few more).
Of course, you could buy more, but that’s generally not going to help you significantly, and it can quickly get expensive.
Don’t Go Mono
You could try to get by with just one studio monitor, but—it’s not the 60s. If you do that, you’re not going to be mixing in stereo anymore. You’ll be mixing in mono, and sacrificing the depth of the sound you’re creating/mixing
2 $500 Monitors Are More Useful Than One $100 Monitor
What about price? What about quality? Don’t just buy one high-end monitor. You could spend $1000 on a single amazing studio monitor, but it’s better to get two good studio monitors for $500 each, and retain the stereo sound. The overall experience will be enhanced.
After that? You don’t really need a third for most home studio purposes. If you have extra money to burn, consider getting a subwoofer to better monitor your low end.
5. Why Should I Consider a Subwoofer?
You don’t technically need a sub woofer. Any of the studio monitors on this list will provide solid low-end frequency and a good bass sound. But depending on the size, it still might not be all that audible. So, there is an advantage to hooking up your woofer with a pair of monitors.
When you use a separate subwoofer, it frees up your monitors to focus on the higher frequencies and the midrange. This change will give you a better overall sound. Many manufacturers include woofers or make their own that integrate very nicely with their studio monitors. The KRK Rokit monitors are a great example of monitors that pair well with the company’s woofer unit.
Basically, you can mix without a woofer. But if you have the option, go for it.
Definitely get two monitors. But if you have extra cash to spend, consider a sub monitor instead.
6. What Is SPL?
SPL is a commonly-used acronym that you see all the time in these situations. But it’s so common that it’s sometimes assumed everyone knows what it means, and people don’t always explain it.
SPL means sound pressure level. It can give you a sense of how loud a set of speakers is going to be. This is really important if you want to crank your speakers for effect, at a party or for some event… but it’s not really as important for studio monitors. When you’re mixing, you don’t need volume as much as you need clarity. If anything, too much volume can reduce the clarity of what you’re hearing.
7. What Type of Headphones Should I Get With My Studio Monitors?
So this is an interesting question that generates a lot of confusion.
It really depends on what your goals are with music production, what your environment is like, and what your personal preferences are.
There are two sorts of headphones that are commonly used for home studios.
Open Back Headphones
Open-back headphones have, well, open backs on their ear cups. They are open to the outside world. This means that when they play music, that music can be heard by anyone sitting nearby. It also means that if you are recording a track and using your headphones to listen along, you’re going to leak sound onto right into your microphone and into your recording… not good!
It also means that your open-back headphones won’t protect your ears from outside noises like background noise, loud neighbors, etc.
Closed Back Headphones
Closed-back headphones are better for recording, because they have closed backs that keep the noise from leaking. All that sound is reflected back toward the listener’s ears. The closed-back design also keeps external sound to a minimum. For this reason, noise-cancelling headphones are closed-back.
The downside here is that when the sound is reflected on closed-back headphones, it winds up getting distorted a bit.
Open-back is better for mixing and accurate playback.
Closed-back is better for recording and for blocking out external sound.
So, if you are buying a good pair of studio monitors, and plan to use headphones to record, you probably want closed-back headphones. You might not need a pair of open-back headphones at all.
You’ll be able to get that “flat response” reference point by using your monitors. The open-back headphones would be nice in some situations, if you want the complete package, but they’re not as important once you have the monitors.
When I have long mixing sessions, I switch back and forth from my monitors (a pair Rokit 8s & a KRK 10s Sub) and open back headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 990s).
I have a 3rd set of closed back headphones (a 12-year old pair of Sony MDR-XB300 headphones) for when I have clients recording.
If you are planning on recording as well as mixing, then you will definitely want a pair of closed-back headphones. Studio monitors can’t do what they do in that situation.
Overall Price Range of the Monitors on This List
The price range from the studio monitor speakers we reviewed was $700 to $1000. For this article, the price point represents a SINGLE monitor, not an individual unit. BUT, some of the pairs are still less than $1000 for both.
When making a selection, always verify whether the price you are paying is for a pair of monitors or a single monitor.
If you spend your whole monitor budget and accidentally end up with only a single monitor, you’ll be forced to mix in mono until you can afford to get the matching speaker.
What We Reviewed
Neumann KH 80 DSP 4″ Powered Studio Monitor (SINGLE MONITOR)
This is a compact monitor that packs a lot of sound into a small package. This monitor is ideal if you have limited space in your recording area. The 1-inch tweeter and the 4-inch woofer are up to the task of matching the sound wave replication of much larger monitors.
Neumann has been making world-class sound equipment for a long time. Although the smaller KH 80 isn’t quite as impressive as the Neumann KH 120 a, it does have a more affordable price tag. It’s ideal if you need to place your monitors on shelves, or lack the extra wiggle room to purchase monitor stands for them. The Neumann name is synonymous with quality, and the KH 80 does not disappoint.
The unit is 13.75 x 11.25 x 9.5 inches and weighs only 9.15 pounds. Network accessible DSP-regulation gives you all the sound control you could ever ask for. The frequency response is 57Hz to 21kHz with 108.8 dB SPL. Terrific for mixing.
Pros
- Compact
- Effective monitor for mixing
- DSP-regulation
Cons
- 4-inch woofer moves less volume of air
- Low-end frequency response is lacking
Price $$$
Focal Alpha 65 Studio Monitor (PAIR)
The Focal 2x Alpha 65 Studio Monitor is a nice, solid monitor that looks like it could survive a nuclear assault. Each cabinet is 9.9 x 12.2 x 13.7 inches and weighs 20.7 pounds.
Sold as a set, you get a great monitor pair for a reasonable price. The 6.5-inch woofer moves a solid amount of air, and the 1-inch tweeter is crisp and clean. The frequency response is 40Hz to 22kHz, which is more than adequate for mixing and accurately replicating sounds. Peak SPL is 103 dB.
If you are looking for a set of battle-tested speakers ready to go the distance, look no further.
Still, there is more to the Focal 2x Alpha 65 Studio Monitor than durability. Yes, it’s built to go into battle like an armored tank––but it’s the sound quality that you really care about here. When it comes to these monitors, one of the things you’ll notice is the low directivity. If you move around in your studio while listening to these, you may be surprised that the sound doesn’t really change that much. That’s on purpose, and it’s not something that you find in every studio monitor.
In addition, the front-facing bass ports allow you to place the monitors close to the wall if you so desire. Many studio monitors have back-facing ports that make it difficult to get them situated, especially if you are fighting for a few inches of space on a shelf, or you’re placing the monitors on a desk in a cramped room.
The unique inverted dome tweeter gives the speakers a rich and balanced sound, while the quality remains high both with soft and loud volumes.
Pros
- Good frequency response
- Excellent low frequency driver
- Compact
- Front-facing bass ports
- 6.5-inch woofer
Cons
- Heavy
- Susceptible to mid-tone burnout
Price $$
Yamaha HS8 Powered Studio Monitor (PAIR)
This one made our list of best studio monitors under 1000 dollars for a few reasons. Featuring the iconic white woofer that has been the hallmark of Yamaha since the 70s, the HS8 powered studio monitor provides an accurate, full sound ideal for mixing or casual listening.
The Yamaha HS8 is one of the larger studio monitors in this list, which can have its advantages and disadvantages. The smaller versions in the line include the Yamaha HS5, which is more compact and easier to work with, but also doesn’t qualify for this list for a number of reasons.
Obviously, finding space for the Yamaha HS8 may be a challenge for some smaller home studios. The speakers themselves are also on the heavier side. However, the sound is undeniably exceptional.
The 8-inch cone woofer is an ideal size and allows the bass line to strike your skin like raindrops. The 1-inch tweeter is crisp and provides an accurate sound reproduction. The medium-density fiberboard cabinets are 9.8 x 15.4 x 13.1 inches, and each speaker weighs 22.5 pounds.
Frequency response is 38Hz to 30kHz. Purchase price includes monitor pair and cables.
Pros
- 8-inch woofers
- Excellent frequency response
- Includes cables
Cons
- Heavy
- Medium-density fiberboard cabinets
- Big
Price $$
Mackie HR624mk2 (SINGLE MONITOR)
Solid aluminum zero-edge baffle help to give the Mackie HR624mk2 great, accurate sound ideal both for mixing and casual listening. The 6.7-inch woofer moves enough air to allow you to feel the bass, and the 1-inch titanium dome tweeter creates a crisp and accurate sound.
The cabinet sits at 13.1 x 8.6 x 12.6 inches and weighs 23.4 pounds. The frequency response of 49Hz to 20kHz is a little cramped at the high end but still falls within the auditory range of human beings.
These studio monitors are particularly strong with regard to their bass and mid-range frequency. Such a clear and deep sound is rarely expected from speakers that are this small, but the technology delivers. The accuracy isn’t quite as close as some of the others on the list, but it’s certainly within acceptable limits.
The Mackie is a solid, compact, highly functional, and good looking speaker.
Pros
- Aluminum zero-edge baffle
- 6.7-inch woofer
- Titanium dome tweeter
Cons
- Cramped high-end frequency response
- Heavy
Price $$$
KRK Rokit 10-3 G4 10″ Class D Active Studio Monitor (SINGLE MONITOR)
The KRK Rokit line has always been a great seller, and the 10″ Class D continues the tradition of excellent build quality and top-notch sound. Our list of best studio monitors under 1000 dollars wouldn’t be complete without a KRK model on the list.
The Class D power amplifier helps produce an even and accurate sound, with minimal distortion and at a lower temperature. These popular active monitors are well-known not only for their distinctive yellow and black design, but for their wide “sweet spot” for listening. Another fantastic choice for mixing.
The depth of sound on the Rokit is part of what sets it apart from its competitors. The 3D soundstage extends well in all directions, giving the speakers a theatrical feel. For mixing, this element is particularly attractive. If your soundstage is of particular interest to you when you’re mixing, then these monitors will be able to give you a quality reference point for making sure it sounds top-notch. The versatile KRK Rokit series have been a favorite for years, and will continue to be so for some time to come.
Pros
- Excellent build quality features tweeter made of Kevlar
- Accurate low-frequency response and low-end performance
- Minimal ear fatigue; easy to mix and listen for hours on end
Cons
- Higher price point
- Heavier than some other models
Price $$$
PreSonus Sceptre S6 CoActual 2-Way Studio Monitor
The PreSonus Sceptre S6 produces its accurate sound with a 6.5-inch woofer constructed of glass-reinforced paper. The tweeter is a 1-inch diaphragm compression driver that is crisp and clean.
The compact, attractive cabinet is 13.2 x 9 x 12.2 inches and weighs 18.8 pounds. The frequency response is 42Hz to 23kHz, and the SPL is 109 dB. You’ll get quality mixes with the accurate sound of this excellent coaxial monitor.
PreSonus is probably best known for the PreSonus Eris series (this is a very affordable line of studio monitors that get consistently good reviews). The PreSonus Sceptre series is a step up from these, with a wider sweet spot and superior imaging. The PreSonus S6 is a particularly sweet deal, and enthusiasts have widely lauded it for including such a high level of sound quality for such a price. The soundstage stands out as a highlight as well.
While it is a bit more expensive than some of the other monitors on this list, it is amazing what you get for the amount spent.
Pros
- 6.5-inch woofer
- Diaphragm compression tweeter
- Good frequency response
- Reasonably priced for the quality
Cons
- Sold as single rather than pair
- Heavy
Price $$$
The Verdict: The Focal 2x Alpha 65 Studio Monitors
Our choice from our selection of the best studio monitors under 1000 dollars is the Focal 2x Alpha 65 Studio Monitor. The frequency response of this monitor allows you the sensory overload of feeling your music as you listen to it.
The 6.5-inch woofer is big enough to move a serious volume of air but small enough to allow the cabinet to be a compact, convenient size. We appreciated the sturdy design of the Focal. The Focal 2x Alpha 65 studio monitor is a great choice for a high performing monitor at a reasonable price.
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