May 2024
Studio Monitors: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of studio monitors rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2024.
Summary
On 3 May 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 100 studio monitor endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
55 studio monitors were endorsed in total, only 23 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 3 May 2024, Yamaha HS8 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed studio monitor with 5 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 5 recommended it as the '#1 studio monitor' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Focal: 6 studio monitors
(#1 is Focal Solo6 Be)
-
PreSonus: 5 studio monitors
(#1 is PreSonus Eris E.45)
-
KRK: 4 studio monitors
(#1 is KRK Rokit 5 G4)
-
Adam Audio: 4 studio monitors
(#1 is Adam Audio A7V)
-
Genelec: 4 studio monitors
(#1 is Genelec 8010A)
Price breakdown
At a glance - May Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Studio Monitor |
Music Critic
|
PianoDreamers
|
Music Radar
|
Careers In Music
|
Gearank
|
Hyperbits
|
Popular Science
|
woodandfirestudio.com
|
E-Home Recording Studio
|
Pocket-lint
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $399 |
Yamaha HS8
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
6
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $720 |
Neumann KH 120 A
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
6
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $149 |
JBL 305P MkII
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
-
|
5
|
1
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $159 |
KRK Rokit 5 G4
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $200 |
Yamaha HS5
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
6
|
+2 | $800 |
Adam Audio A7V
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
5
|
|
7
|
-1 | $514 |
Genelec 8010A
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
8
|
-
|
8
|
8
|
2
|
|
8
|
-1 | Check price |
KRK Rokit RP7 G4
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
9
|
- | $200 |
PreSonus Eris E.45
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
+2 | $350 |
Yamaha HS7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
11
|
- | $100 |
PreSonus Eris E3.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
12
|
-2 | $139 |
M-Audio BX4
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
- | $799 |
Mackie HR824 mkII
|
6
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
|
14
|
- | Check price |
Focal Solo6 Be
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
- | $249 |
KRK Rokit 8 G4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
- | $150 |
Presonus Eris E5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
- | $237 |
Adam Audio T7V
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
18
|
- | $400 |
IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
- | Check price |
Kali Audio LP-6
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
20
|
- | Check price |
Focal Twin6 Be
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
|
21
|
+1 | $2493 |
Neumann KH 310
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
22
|
+1 | $899 |
Focal Shape 65
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
23
|
+1 | Check price |
Genelec 8030C
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Yamaha HS8 #1 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yamaha HS8 as #1.
Music Critic
Best Overall
|
Has an 8” cone woofer and a 1” dome tweeter to provide you with the best quality sound.
Has a frequency response of 38Hz to 30kHz, so you get the ideal flat frequency response.
Equipped with a built-in amp and a bi-amp so you get the best sound resolution every time.
|
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitor under $500
|
Neutral response for critical listening
Excellent build quality
Versatile controls for different rooms
Still relatively affordable
|
May be too large for small studios
Not for those that want the biggest bass
|
woodandfirestudio.com
Best studio monitors for semi-professional use
|
Very honest & trustworthy sound
Good low end
Perfect for mixing and mastering
|
If you prefer bass-heavy studio monitors, there are better alternatives.
|
We ranked Neumann KH 120 A #2 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Neumann KH 120 A as #1.
Music Critic
Premium Quality
|
Class-AB analog amplifiers.
52 Hertz -21 kiloHertz.
Easy interface.
|
Careers In Music
|
Designed by mathematical modeling
Comprehensive acoustic controls
Reasonably priced
|
Odd looking
|
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors under $1000
|
Extremely critical sounding
Natural and lifelike sound signature
Premium components and build quality
Top choice for Mastering
|
Sound isn't for impressing clients in the studio
|
woodandfirestudio.com
Best Studio Monitors
|
High End Monitors
Neutral frequency response, so you can trust these monitors
Incredible detail and impulse fidelity
|
Not cheap
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend studio monitors.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of studio monitors, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2024 ranking
Music Critic
PianoDreamers
Music Radar
Careers In Music
Gearank
Hyperbits
Popular Science
woodandfirestudio.com
E-Home Recording Studio
Pocket-lint
We ranked JBL 305P MkII #3 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked JBL 305P MkII as #1.
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $500 (for intermediate studios)
|
Nice low-end response
Hi-tech image control
Durable
|
Potentially difficult to balance
|
Music Radar
The best studio monitors for beginners
|
Bargain price point
Clear and detailed sound
Wide sweet spot
|
Lacking low end
|
Gearank
Author's Pick
|
Neutral frequency response
Fast transients on high and midrange
Wide sweet spot
Top tier sound at a good price
|
Bass not its strong suit
Sounds "boring" to unaccustomed ears
|
Popular Science
Best for home recording studios
|
Wide soundscape
Broad listening sweet spot
Room-tuning features
|
Glossy finish isn’t for everyone
Audio cables not included
|
We ranked KRK Rokit 5 G4 #4 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked KRK Rokit 5 G4 as #1.
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $500 (for intermediate studios)
|
Great flat frequency response
Great value for money
Comes in two different designs (black and white)
|
Rear mounted volume and trim controls
|
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors Under $300
|
Extended bass response
More neutral than its predecessors
Includes ISO-foam pads
|
Digital controls feel gimmicky
|
We ranked Yamaha HS5 #5 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yamaha HS5 as #1.
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $500 (for intermediate studios)
|
Really affordable price point for the quality you receive
Ideal flat frequency response
Legendary heritage; an aspiring mixing engineer’s perfect companion
|
Not quite stellar low-frequency response on the HS5 model
Volume and trim controls on the rear
|
Music Radar
The best for a true representation of your recordings
|
A budding mix engineer's dream
Iconic design
Amazing value
|
Controls located at rear
|
Popular Science
Best overall
|
Precise stereo imaging
Accurate, pro-proven mix translation
Built-in filters and level control
|
Built-in filters and level control
No cables included
Narrow listening sweet spot
|
We ranked Adam Audio A7V #6 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Adam Audio A7V as #1.
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitors Under $1000 (for the serious home studios)
|
Great transient response
High-end sounds crisp and clean
Front bass ports and front panel controls
|
A little more expensive than other monitors on this list
May take a while to get used to if you have listened to other monitors
|
Careers In Music
|
Versatile
Sonically clean and precise
|
Expensive
Probably too powerful for smaller rooms
|
Pocket-lint
Best mid-priced studio monitors
|
Unique mineral woofer provides extended low frequencies
DSP engine for fantastic crossover
Room adaption
|
Struggling to think of one
|
We ranked Genelec 8010A #7 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors under $500
|
Portable
Surprisingly robust sound
Great Imaging
|
Awkward XLR jack positioning
|
woodandfirestudio.com
Best portable studio monitors
|
Exceptional portability
Very good construction quality
Very good sound for the size
|
High price for 3-inch monitors
|
Pocket-lint
Best compact studio monitors
|
Ideal for tight spaces
Extremely well balanced
Bi-amping provides great headroom
|
Some may prefer more power
|
We ranked KRK Rokit RP7 G4 #8 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Radar
The best studio monitors for home use
|
Graphic EQ at this price-point is fantastic
Bass sounds are quite phenomenal
|
There are monitors better suited to non-electronic music production
|
Careers In Music
|
DSP driven room tuning
Thumpingly good bass
Iso-foam pad for great isolation
Great value
|
Not as distinctive looking as they were
|
Pocket-lint
Best studio monitor for bass
|
In-built graphic EQ
Incredible bass response
Ideal for electronic music
|
Better options out there for different genres
|
We ranked PreSonus Eris E.45 #9 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked PreSonus Eris E.45 as #1.
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $200 (for beginner studios)
|
Easy to tweak the sound
Acoustic switch
Multiple I/O
|
Bass may be a bit weak
Some might find the highs a little harsh
|
Gearank
The Best Cheap Studio Monitors Under $100
|
Neutral sound and clear high end
Includes useful accessories
Many input options
Lightweight and portable
|
Limited headroom
Limited bass response, slightly congested mids
Pots get scratchy after a while
|
We ranked Yamaha HS7 #10 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yamaha HS7 as #1.
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitor under $500
|
Exceptionally neutral
Mixes translate well to different devices
Built to last
|
Bright power indicator light
Size not for untreated rooms
|
Pocket-lint
Best studio monitors overall
|
Well balanced between frequencies
Room control and high trim controls
Bi-amp system
|
Clarity suffers at really high volumes
|
We ranked PreSonus Eris E3.5 #11 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked PreSonus Eris E3.5 as #1.
Gearank
The Best Cheap Studio Monitor Under $100
|
Surprisingly good sound for critical listening
Great treble response
Portable
Tight bass
|
Cheap build
Low end lacking
|
Pocket-lint
Best budget studio monitors
|
Excellent value for money
Mid-range and treble clarity
Ideal for those looking to get started
|
Bass response is a little weak
|
We ranked M-Audio BX4 #12 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked M-Audio BX4 as #1.
Music Radar
The best compact, affordable option
|
Reasonably compact
Great low-frequency response
Well built
|
Lack the scale of larger nearfield monitors
|
Careers In Music
|
Affordable
A great first step into proper speakers
Look great
Useful minijack input on front
|
Single amp driving both speakers
|
We ranked Mackie HR824 mkII #13 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Critic
|
Class A/B amplifiers so that you can hear the highs and the lows simultaneously.
The 8.75" woofer that you get with this studio monitor enables you to get a sound that is high-precision and low-distortion at the same time.
|
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $1000 (for the serious home studios)
|
Highly accurate
Passive radiator for accurate low-end frequencies
Wide-dispersal of high-end frequencies
|
A little more expensive
Some people experience longevity issues 4-5 years down the line
|
We ranked Focal Solo6 Be #14 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Critic
|
W composite sandwich cone gives you unparalleled frequency response.
Has an inverted-dome tweeter to provide you with the utmost of precision and high efficiency.
It also comes equipped with a potentiometer so that you can easily adjust the tweeter and woofer levels according to your liking.
|
We ranked KRK Rokit 8 G4 #15 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Popular Science
Best for electronic producers
|
Powerful, punchy bass
Built-in room-tuning DSP with free app
Acoustic pads on bottom help with decoupling
|
DSP can be complicated for novices
Bass-forward signature is not ideal for all genres
Heavy
|
woodandfirestudio.com
Best Studio Monitors for EDM/Trap Producers
|
Music is very bass-heavy, which makes it more enjoyable to listen to
Well suited for DJs
Room correction using the built-in EQ
|
Not transparent
Therefore not optimal for mixing & mastering
|
We ranked Presonus Eris E5 #16 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
woodandfirestudio.com
The best studio monitors for beginners
|
An enviable price-performance ratio
Relatively well balanced sound
|
Less faithful reproduction of the original sound than more expensive speakers
|
We ranked Adam Audio T7V #17 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors Under $300
|
Amazing stereo imaging
Airy but neutral extended highs
Excellent midrange
Great overall value
|
No power indicator light
|
woodandfirestudio.com
|
Very good monitors for relatively little money
Ears do not get tired with intensive use
|
Not as transparent as the Yamaha's
|
We ranked IK Multimedia iLoud MTM #18 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Radar
Best compact monitors for small rooms and travel
|
Affordable and compact
In-built calibration system
Perfect for home studios
|
Possibly lost in a large control room
|
Careers In Music
|
Great for small rooms
Versatile
Self-tuning
Good value
|
Not enough power for larger rooms
Could be lacking in bass
|
We ranked Kali Audio LP-6 #19 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Radar
The best studio monitors for use with guitars and amp modelling
|
Fantastic value for money
Easy to set up
Useful dip switches
|
Limited bass response
|
We ranked Focal Twin6 Be #20 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Radar
The best for balance and clarity
|
Peerless construction and finish
Huge sound stage, and gorgeously smooth
Focus mode will appeal to many
|
Relatively large for small home studios
|
We ranked Neumann KH 310 #21 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Pocket-lint
Best premium studio monitors
|
Tri-amplification system sounds outstanding
Wide dispersion
Performs fantastic at loud volumes
|
Price point out of reach for most
|
We ranked Focal Shape 65 #22 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
Music Radar
The best value for money high-end studio monitors
|
Passive radiators give you flexibility
Rear EQ controls
Easily tweaked to your room
|
Automatic bypass function
|
We ranked Genelec 8030C #23 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best studio monitors” rankings.
PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $1000 (for the serious home studios)
|
Clean sounding and incredibly accurate
Durable and reliable
Solid
|
Only XLR inputs
|
Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors under $1000
|
Extremely clear transient response
Neutral sound signature helps mix translation
Topnotch build quality
Waveguide provides a wide sweet spot
|
None aside from price
|