5 Affordable Audio Monitors For Producers In 2023

When producing music, it’s essential to hear every detail of the mix, including the balance of instruments, the clarity of vocals, and the overall frequency balance.

Regular consumer speakers, such as those found in home theaters or desktop computer setups, are often designed to boost certain frequencies, such as bass or treble, to make movies or music sound more exciting. However, this boosted sound can be misleading when producing music since it doesn’t accurately represent the true sound of the mix.

Studio speakers, on the other hand, are designed to provide a neutral and transparent sound, without any added coloration or frequency boosts. This allows music producers to hear the true sound of the mix and make accurate adjustments to levels, EQ, and other effects to achieve the desired sound.

In addition, studio speakers are often designed to provide a wide frequency response, including low-frequency reproduction, which is essential for accurately hearing bass and sub-bass frequencies in the mix. This is especially important for genres of music such as electronic dance music (EDM) and hip hop, which often rely heavily on bass-heavy production.

Using studio speakers for music production is crucial for achieving a professional-sounding mix that accurately represents the intended sound of the music.

But don’t panic if your budget is limited. And especially if you limit yourself to a make music in your home studio, then you don’t need to invest a lot of money. In this article you will find 5 models of studio speakers (audio monitors) that are very good but not very expensive.

1. JBL Professional 305P MkII

These are highly regarded as one of the best budget-friendly monitor speakers in the market. JBL Professional 305P MkII is a popular choice among music producers and audio engineers who are looking for an affordable yet high-quality set of monitor speakers.

The 305P MkII has a sleek, modern design that looks great in any home studio or professional setup. They are built with high-quality materials, and the cabinets are made from a dense MDF material that minimizes resonance and distortion.

The 305P MkII features a 5-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter, which deliver a frequency response range of 49Hz – 20kHz. This driver configuration ensures that you get clear, accurate sound across the entire frequency spectrum.

Patented Image Control Waveguide – The Image Control Waveguide is a unique design feature that improves the imaging and soundstage of the speakers. It ensures that you hear the same sound, regardless of where you are in the room, which is essential for accurate mixing and mastering.

The 305P MkII has a rear-firing port that is tuned to deliver a deep, powerful bass response without any distortion or unwanted resonances. This acoustic tuning ensures that you get a clear, balanced sound, even at high volumes. These studio speakers has balanced XLR and 1/4″ TRS inputs, which provide a noise-free signal path and are compatible with a wide range of audio interfaces and devices.

Overall, the JBL Professional 305P MkII is an excellent choice for music producers and audio engineers who are looking for a high-quality set of monitor speakers that won’t break the bank. They are built to last, sound great, and come from a trusted brand in the audio industry.

Also read: JBL 305p MkII vs. KRK Rokit 5

2. KRK RP5 Rokit G4

These speakers are known for their accurate sound reproduction and are commonly used by music producers, podcasters, and gamers alike. They have a great soundstage and bass response for their size.

The RP5 Rokit G4 has a sleek, modern design that looks great in any home studio or professional setup. They are built with high-quality materials, and the cabinets are made from a solid MDF material that minimizes resonance and distortion.

These audio monitors from KRK features a 5-inch Kevlar® aramid fiber woofer and a 1-inch Kevlar® aramid fiber tweeter, which deliver a frequency response range of 43Hz – 40kHz. This driver configuration ensures that you get clear, accurate sound across the entire frequency spectrum.

The RP5 Rokit G4 features a built-in LCD screen and DSP-driven EQ that allows you to adjust the speaker’s output to suit your room and preferences. This feature is essential for accurate mixing and mastering, as it compensates for any acoustic deficiencies in your listening environment.

The built-in Class D power amplifier that delivers 55 watts of power to each speaker. The amplifier also features onboard signal processing, which ensures that you get a clean, accurate sound, even at high volumes.

The RP5 Rokit G4 has balanced XLR and 1/4″ TRS inputs, which provide a noise-free signal path and are compatible with a wide range of audio interfaces and devices. They also have a built-in Bluetooth 5.0 receiver, which allows you to stream audio wirelessly from your phone or other compatible devices.

The KRK RP5 Rokit G4 is an excellent choice for music producers, podcasters, and gamers who are looking for a high-quality set of monitor speakers that are affordable and versatile. They are built to last, sound great, and come from a trusted brand in the audio industry.

3. Presonus Eris E5

The Eris E5 has a simple, no-nonsense design that looks great in any home studio or professional setup. They are built with high-quality materials, and the cabinets are made from a dense MDF material that minimizes resonance and distortion.

The Eris E5 features a 5.25-inch Kevlar® low-frequency transducer and a 1-inch ultra-low-mass silk-dome tweeter, which deliver a frequency response range of 53 Hz – 22 kHz. This driver configuration ensures that you get clear, accurate sound across the entire frequency spectrum.

The Eris E5 has a rear-firing port that is tuned to deliver a deep, powerful bass response without any distortion or unwanted resonances. This acoustic tuning ensures that you get a clear, balanced sound, even at high volumes.

These studio speakers features three-position Acoustic Space switch, which allows you to adjust the speaker’s output to suit your room and preferences. They also have a High Pass Filter switch that can be used with a subwoofer to ensure that the speaker reproduces only the frequencies above 80 Hz.

They are an excellent choice for music producers and home studio enthusiasts who are looking for a high-quality set of monitor speakers that are affordable and versatile. They are built to last, sound great, and come from a trusted brand in the audio industry.

4. Mackie CR-X Series

The Mackie CR-X Series is a popular line of affordable monitor speakers that are designed for music producers, content creators, and gamers who want high-quality sound without breaking the bank. These studio speakers comes with a modern design that looks great in any home studio or professional setup. They are built with high-quality materials, and the cabinets are made from a solid MDF material that minimizes resonance and distortion.

The CR-X Series features a range of driver configurations, including 3-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch, and 8-inch options, depending on the model. Each driver is made with high-quality materials, including polypropylene, paper, and silk, to ensure that you get clear, accurate sound across the entire frequency spectrum.

Features a rear-firing port that is tuned to deliver a deep, powerful bass response without any distortion or unwanted resonances. This acoustic tuning ensures that you get a clear, balanced sound, even at high volumes. Some models of the CR-X Series feature room control switches that allow you to adjust the speaker’s output to suit your room and preferences.

They also have a High Pass Filter switch that can be used with a subwoofer to ensure that the speaker reproduces only the frequencies above 80 Hz. The CR-X Series has a range of connectivity options, including balanced TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs, and some models have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming.

Overall, the Mackie CR-X Series is an excellent choice for music producers, content creators, and gamers who are looking for a high-quality set of monitor speakers that are affordable and versatile.

5. M-Audio BX4

The M-Audio BX4 are a pair of compact studio monitors that are designed for music production, mixing, and multimedia playback. These speakers have a total power output of 120 watts peak (60 watts RMS) which is more than enough for most studio and home uses.

The M-Audio BX4 speakers features a 4.5-inch Kevlar woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter to produce accurate and detailed sound across the frequency spectrum. M-Audio BX4 have two 1/4-inch TRS inputs and one RCA input, allowing you to connect them to a variety of audio interfaces, mixers, and devices.

The speakers feature a built-in Acoustic Space Control switch that allows you to adjust the frequency response to compensate for the positioning of the speakers in your studio or room. They have a sleek and modern design with a black vinyl finish and a matte black front panel.

M-Audio BX4 speakers come with a set of isolation pads that help to reduce unwanted resonance and vibrations, as well as a speaker wire to connect the left and right speakers. These studio speakers are a great option for home studios, video editing, and multimedia playback. They offer a combination of accurate sound reproduction, flexible connectivity, and compact size, making them a versatile and convenient choice for many applications.

Where to buy studio speakers?

You can purchase studio speakers from online retailers such as Amazon, Sweetwater, B&H Photo Video, and Guitar Center. These retailers offer a wide range of options, competitive pricing, and convenient shipping. Local music stores often carry a selection of studio speakers that you can demo and purchase in person.

This allows you to hear the speakers and get advice from knowledgeable staff.

And if your budget is real tight you can also find good deals on studio speakers on second-hand marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb, and Craigslist. However, make sure to do your research and buy from a reputable seller to avoid scams or defective products.