March 2023
Studio Monitors: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Studio Monitor rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.
Summary
Between 6 Mar 2023 and 8 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 105 Studio Monitor endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
61 Studio Monitors were endorsed in total, only 22 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 8 Mar 2023, Yamaha HS5 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed studio monitor with 6 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 6 recommended it as the '#1 studio monitor' this month. It is followed by Yamaha HS8 and Neumann KH 120 A , with 5 and 5 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
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Mackie:
6 Studio Monitors
(#1 is Mackie XR624 )
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KRK:
5 Studio Monitors
(#1 is KRK Rokit 8 G4 )
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PreSonus:
5 Studio Monitors
(#1 is Presonus R80 V2 )
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Focal:
5 Studio Monitors
(#1 is Focal Trio6 Be )
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Adam Audio:
4 Studio Monitors
(#1 is Adam Audio T5V )
Price breakdown
At a glance - March 2023 Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Studio Monitor |
Old Time Music
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Hyperbits
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Gearank
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PianoDreamers
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Music Radar
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E-Home Recording Studio
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Careers In Music
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Music Critic
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MusicAlley
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Popular Science
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1
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- | $200 |
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9
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4
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-
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4
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5
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-
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-
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-
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1
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1
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2
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- | $300 |
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4
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6
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9
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-
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-
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3
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-
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1
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-
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-
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3
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- | $710 |
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1
|
-
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12
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-
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-
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6
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4
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2
|
-
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-
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4
|
- | Check price |
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-
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1
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5
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5
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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5
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5
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- | Check price |
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-
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7
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-
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-
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1
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-
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2
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-
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-
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-
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6
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- | Check price |
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6
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-
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-
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-
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-
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1
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-
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4
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-
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-
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7
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- | $189 |
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-
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2
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3
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6
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16
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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8
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- | $575 |
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-
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8
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8
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-
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3
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8
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-
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-
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-
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-
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9
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+1 | $800 |
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5
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-
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-
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9
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-
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5
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-
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6
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-
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-
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10
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+1 | $199 |
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-
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-
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2
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1
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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11
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New * | $795 |
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-
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-
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-
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8
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-
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-
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1
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-
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-
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-
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12
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-3 | Check price |
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3
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11
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-
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-
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-
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7
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-
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-
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-
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-
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13
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-1 | $100 |
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-
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-
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1
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-
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14
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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14
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-1 | Check price |
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-
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14
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-
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-
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-
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-
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7
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5
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-
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-
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15
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-1 | $149 |
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5
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-
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-
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-
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-
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3
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-
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-
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-
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16
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- | Check price |
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2
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10
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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17
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- | $400 |
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-
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-
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-
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4
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-
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5
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-
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-
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-
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18
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- | $999 |
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12
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-
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2
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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19
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- | Check price |
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8
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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8
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-
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-
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20
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- | $350 |
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-
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-
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-
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11
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-
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-
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-
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6
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21
|
- | Check price |
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11
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10
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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22
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- | $100 |
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17
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7
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Sorted by price:
Position in ranking | Price | Studio Monitor |
---|---|---|
#13 | $99.99 | PreSonus Eris E3.5 [buy] [more info] |
#22 | $99.99 | Mackie CR3-XBT [buy] [more info] |
#15 | $149 | Kali Audio LP-6 [buy] [more info] |
#7 | $189 | KRK Rokit 5 G4 [buy] [more info] |
#10 | $199 | PreSonus Eris E.45 [buy] [more info] |
#1 | $199.99 | Yamaha HS5 [buy] [more info] |
#2 | $299.99 | Yamaha HS8 [buy] [more info] |
#20 | $349.99 | IK Multimedia iLoud Micro [buy] [more info] |
#17 | $399.99 | IK Multimedia iLoud MTM [buy] [more info] |
#8 | $575.26 | Genelec 8010A [buy] [more info] |
#3 | $710.12 | Neumann KH 120 A [buy] [more info] |
#11 | $795 | Adam Audio A7V [buy] [more info] |
#9 | $799.99 | Mackie HR824 mkII [buy] [more info] |
#18 | $999 | Focal Shape 65 [buy] [more info] |
We ranked Yamaha HS5 #1 in March 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Yamaha HS5 as #1.

Old Time Music
Pros
Compact for small spaces.
Room control and High TRIM controls available.
Lots of connectivity.
Decent sound.
Affordable.
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Cons
Small with a 5-inch woofer.
Not great bass pitches.
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PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $500 (for intermediate studios)
Pros
Really affordable price point for the quality you receive
Ideal flat frequency response
Legendary heritage; an aspiring mixing engineer’s perfect companion
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Cons
Not quite stellar low-frequency response on the HS5 model
Volume and trim controls on the rear
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Music Radar
Familiar white cone delivers the harsh truth on your recordings
Pros
A budding mix engineer's dream
Iconic design
Amazing value
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Cons
Controls located at rear
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Popular Science
Best overall
Pros
Precise stereo imaging
Accurate, pro-proven mix translation
Built-in filters and level control
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Cons
Built-in filters and level control
No cables included
Narrow listening sweet spot
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We ranked Yamaha HS8 #2 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yamaha HS8 as #1.

Old Time Music
Pros
Amp is high performance.
Lots of available controls for mixers, keyboards, and audio interfaces.
Noise reduction technology.
Easy to install.
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Cons
Very similar to Yamaha’s other products.
Not very crisp.
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Gearank
The Best Studio Monitor under $500
Pros
Neutral response for critical listening
Excellent build quality
Versatile controls for different rooms
Still relatively affordable
|
Cons
May be too large for small studios
Not for those that want the biggest bass
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Music Critic
Best Overall
Pros
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.
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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 March 2023 ranking










We ranked Neumann KH 120 A #3 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Neumann KH 120 A as #1.

Old Time Music
Pros
Compact.
Completely customizable sound.
Tracks, mixes, and masters music.
.5 dB tone accuracy.
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Cons
Expensive.
Sounds best in a multi-channel system.
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Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors under $1000
Pros
Extremely critical sounding
Natural and lifelike sound signature
Premium components and build quality
Top choice for Mastering
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Cons
Sound isn't for impressing clients in the studio
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Careers In Music
Pros
Designed by mathematical modeling
Comprehensive acoustic controls
Reasonably priced
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Cons
Odd looking
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Music Critic
Premium Quality
Pros
Class-AB analog amplifiers.
52 Hertz -21 kiloHertz.
Easy interface.
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We ranked JBL 305P MkII #4 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked JBL 305P MkII as #1.

Gearank
Author's Pick
Pros
Neutral frequency response
Fast transients on high and midrange
Wide sweet spot
Top tier sound at a good price
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Cons
Bass not its strong suit
Sounds "boring" to unaccustomed ears
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PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $500 (for intermediate studios)
Pros
Nice low-end response
Hi-tech image control
Durable
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Cons
Potentially difficult to balance
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Popular Science
Best for home recording studios
Pros
Wide soundscape
Broad listening sweet spot
Room-tuning features
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Cons
Glossy finish isn’t for everyone
Audio cables not included
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We ranked KRK Rokit RP7 G4 #5 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked KRK Rokit RP7 G4 as #1.

Music Radar
Affordable nearfield monitors that are perfect for electronic music
Pros
Graphic EQ at this price-point is fantastic
Bass sounds are quite phenomenal
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Cons
There are monitors better suited to non-electronic music production
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Careers In Music
Pros
DSP driven room tuning
Thumpingly good bass
Iso-foam pad for great isolation
Great value
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Cons
Not as distinctive looking as they were
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We ranked KRK Rokit 5 G3 #6 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked KRK Rokit 5 G3 as #1.

Old Time Music
Pros
Comes in set of two.
Waveguide has great imaging.
Clear and crisp sound.
Affordable.
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Cons
Auto standby feature annoying.
No sub out option.
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Music Critic
Pros
It comes in a complete bundle with two of these amazing speakers.
Low distortion and large headroom thanks to the bi-amped, class A/B amplifier.
Also comes with a high-frequency adjustment so that you can mold it according to your personal taste and requirements.
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We ranked KRK Rokit 5 G4 #7 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors Under $300
Pros
Extended bass response
More neutral than its predecessors
Includes ISO-foam pads
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Cons
Digital controls feel gimmicky
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PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $500 (for intermediate studios)
Pros
Great flat frequency response
Great value for money
Comes in two different designs (black and white)
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Cons
Rear mounted volume and trim controls
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Music Radar
Serious budget speakers for serious work
Pros
Active room tuning
Incredible sound
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Cons
Not enough for bigger rooms
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We ranked Genelec 8010A #8 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors under $500
Pros
Portable
Surprisingly robust sound
Great Imaging
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Cons
Awkward XLR jack positioning
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Music Radar
Best compact mid-range 2-way design monitors
Pros
Accurate frequency response
A large sound for a tiny monitor
Rugged aluminium enclosure
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Cons
Pricey, but a solid investment
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We ranked Mackie HR824 mkII #9 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Old Time Music
Pros
Large 8 3/4 -inch LF driver.
Curves make great sound.
Passive radiator design.
Active amplifiers and precision woofer and tweeter.
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Cons
Maintenance an issue.
Not great for mixing or mastering.
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PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $1000 (for the serious home studios)
Pros
Highly accurate
Passive radiator for accurate low-end frequencies
Wide-dispersal of high-end frequencies
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Cons
A little more expensive
Some people experience longevity issues 4-5 years down the line
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Music Critic
Pros
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.
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We ranked PreSonus Eris E.45 #10 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked PreSonus Eris E.45 as #1.

Gearank
The Best Cheap Studio Monitors Under $100
Pros
Neutral sound and clear high end
Includes useful accessories
Many input options
Lightweight and portable
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Cons
Limited headroom
Limited bass response, slightly congested mids
Pots get scratchy after a while
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PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $200 (for beginner studios)
Pros
Easy to tweak the sound
Acoustic switch
Multiple I/O
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Cons
Bass may be a bit weak
Some might find the highs a little harsh
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We ranked Adam Audio A7V #11 in March 2023 because:
- 2 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)
Pros
Great transient response
High-end sounds crisp and clean
Front bass ports and front panel controls
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Cons
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
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Careers In Music
Pros
Versatile
Sonically clean and precise
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Cons
Expensive
Probably too powerful for smaller rooms
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We ranked Adam Audio A7X #12 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Old Time Music
Pros
Huge frequency range.
Award winner.
Great depth of sound.
Expressive and sensitive sound reproduction.
|
Cons
Expensive.
Best in a small studio.
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We ranked PreSonus Eris E3.5 #13 in March 2023 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
Pros
Surprisingly good sound for critical listening
Great treble response
Portable
Tight bass
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Cons
Cheap build
Low end lacking
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Music Radar
Affordable nearfield monitors that are an ideal upgrade from laptop speakers
Pros
Great value
EQ tuning
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Cons
Bass reproduction comes up short at volume
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We ranked Focal Solo6 Be #14 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Music Critic
Pros
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.
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We ranked Dynaudio BM5 mkIII #16 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Old Time Music
Pros
Broad frequency.
Great SPL and dynamic range.
Drivers are hand-made.
Relatively light.
|
Cons
Sound can be too bright or harsh.
Long travel time from Denmark.
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We ranked IK Multimedia iLoud MTM #17 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Music Radar
The best home studio monitors if you're looking for an all-rounder
Pros
Affordable and compact
In-built calibration system
Perfect for home studios
|
Cons
Possibly lost in a large control room
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Careers In Music
Pros
Great for small rooms
Versatile
Self-tuning
Good value
|
Cons
Not enough power for larger rooms
Could be lacking in bass
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We ranked Focal Shape 65 #18 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Music Radar
Best mid-priced nearfields
Pros
Passive radiators give you flexibility
Rear EQ controls
Easily tweaked to your room
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Cons
Automatic bypass function
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We ranked Genelec M040 #19 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Old Time Music
Pros
Amplifiers optimized and high functioning.
Compensates for each new room environment.
Laminar Integrated Port Technology.
Compact, 6.5-inch woofer.
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Cons
Not as large a frequency response range as the Yamahas.
Hard to find.
|
Music Critic
Pros
It is a near-field studio monitor that is good for rear uses as well.
Has an extended frequency response.
Phenomenal value for money.
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We ranked IK Multimedia iLoud Micro #20 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Music Radar
Best studio monitors with a portable 2-way design
Pros
On-board 56-bit DSP
Bluetooth
Portable
|
Cons
No battery-powering option
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Popular Science
Best portable
Pros
Built-in DSP
Bluetooth
Weighs less than 4 pounds
|
Cons
Controls are all on rear panel
No battery power option
Limited bass by design
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We ranked Genelec 8030C #21 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Gearank
The Best Studio Monitors under $1000
Pros
Extremely clear transient response
Neutral sound signature helps mix translation
Topnotch build quality
Waveguide provides a wide sweet spot
|
Cons
None aside from price
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PianoDreamers
Best Studio Monitor Under $1000 (for the serious home studios)
Pros
Clean sounding and incredibly accurate
Durable and reliable
Solid
|
Cons
Only XLR inputs
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We ranked Mackie CR3-XBT #22 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Studio Monitors” rankings.

Music Radar
Affordable offering from the studio specialists
Pros
Wide range of connections
Look great
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Cons
No attenuation controls
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Popular Science
Best budget
Pros
Loud for its size
Flexible inputs
Includes workstation software and plug-ins
|
Cons
Bass distorts at moderate volume levels
No DSP/tuning
Distinctive visual design (though may be a pro, depending on user)
|