If you’ve ever used a pair of the best studio monitors under $300 or even some cheap Bluetooth speakers, you know how bad computer sound can be. I’ve been in this situation before, and it’s really annoying. To be honest, it can be hard to find good PC speakers that don’t cost a fortune. From my own experience, I can say that after a certain point, the audio quality starts to get significantly worse as you look into cheaper options.
This is where studio monitors come in. Most people think of these monitors as being for a professional environment, but they’re also great for home offices and gaming consoles. For about the same amount of money you would spend on a high-quality pair of computer speakers, you can greatly enhance your sound experience with a pair of studio monitors for less than $300.
Studio monitors are probably the most important piece of equipment in your studio because they are essentially your “ears” that allow you to hear what’s going on in the mix and make changes as needed. However, high-quality studio monitors tend to be very expensive, especially the high-end models. But the truth is that you can get a pair of studio monitors under $300, and they are already good enough to produce music that sounds professional.
Check the List of Best Studio Monitors Under $300
Mackie CR5BT
The unit has an aux input on the front for phones or tablets, headphones, and a volume control that can also be used as an on/off switch, which we really appreciate. The left and right speaker positioning switches also let you determine which side of your system gets the volume control. What a great example of user-friendliness. We also like that these studio monitors are Bluetooth compatible, because we all know how much we love streaming music wirelessly.
You might also notice how loud and clear these studio monitors are. The CR5BT is designed with precision and high-quality materials to deliver high-quality results. There’s nothing you could ask for more when it comes to high-performance drivers, precise Mackie Studio Monitor waveguide technology, and an all-wood enclosure. Stream music from any smartphone, tablet or other Bluetooth-enabled device; 50 watts of clean, articulate stereo sound; 5″ polypropylene-coated woofer.
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors
If you have a small home studio or workspace, these IK Multimedia iLoud Studio Monitors are a must-have. Acoustic problems are more common in small rooms, as echo fields and standing waves amplify bass response. When this is the case, precision becomes an issue, making mixing difficult. The good news is that the IK Multimedia iLoud are equipped with smaller speakers so these waves don’t affect sound quality and mixing. What we like most about these studio monitors is how attentive and sensitive they are to the user’s environment.
The IK Multimedia iLoud strives to produce an even and consistent sound quality regardless of how you place your studio monitors or transmitter. It’s a good choice for processing speech or vocals, especially in situations where space is limited. However, apart from the equalizer on the back, it is rather “consumer” when it comes to connections, as it does not have an XLR connector. However, it does have Bluetooth, which can be very useful.
Yamaha HS5
The Yamaha HS5’s 5-inch woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter are bi-amplified and have enough power to make a stereo pair of these little guys pretty loud, unless you’re deaf as a post. (A 45-watt amplifier powers the woofer, while a 25-watt amplifier drives the tweeter). A continuously variable level control is provided.
The monitor’s frequency response is quoted as 74Hz to 24kHz, -3dB (with 10dB cuts at 54Hz and 30kHz). If the HS5 is to be your only full-range monitor, you will need to add a subwoofer (such as the Yamaha HS8S) to properly blend bass instruments with anything that sounds higher.
JBL 308P MkII 8-inch
The 308P MkII with dual amplifier has the same enclosure size (16.5 x 10 x 12.1 inches) as its predecessor, a fairly typical size for an 8-inch monitor. It has been given a glossy, updated look, thanks to a shiny black plastic panel that surrounds the driver and covers the screws that were visible on the previous version, and is integrated into the waveguide, the design of which comes from JBL’s high-end M2 reference monitor.
The driver and 1-inch tweeter have been upgraded by JBL since the previous version and feature the company’s latest transducer technology. The monitor is equipped with two 56-watt Class D amplifiers, each driving the tweeter and driver.
Pioneer Pro DJ Studio Monitor DM40
The DM-40 also offers a high volume. They are great for connecting to your DJ controller for practice purposes at home. They aren’t loud enough for a party, but you shouldn’t use studio monitors for this type of performance anyway. The sweet spot is not large enough to fill a room with even sound.
The Pioneer DM-40s offer a compact 4-inch cone woofer. The two bass reflex ports work in tandem to provide the necessary low-end kick. The woofer is complemented by a ¾-inch soft dome tweeter. This is responsible for the mids and trebles and does a good job thanks to the large convex diffuser.
PreSonus Eris E5 5 inch
The E5 monitors are in a highly competitive market. While there are plenty of options at this price, there aren’t many monitors that can do the job without major drawbacks. Fortunately, with technological advancements, we are getting a much better product at a lower price.
KRK Rokits are known for their distinctive bass and are popular in EDM and hip-hop. And the Yamaha HS5 may be great monitors, but they gain much of their reputation by association, by the power of their brand, and by their popular use.
KRK ROKIT 8 G4 8 inch
The KRK Rokit 8 G4 offer excellent sound quality. As with many other speakers, you have to break them in before they can deliver their full performance. The balance is decent. However, as usual with KRK, the bass is a bit more pronounced. This is great if you don’t want to add a subwoofer to your setup.
The sweet spot is also generous, making these speakers an excellent option for producers moving around their studio. The large 203-watt Class D amplifier delivers an impressive 111 dB SPL. More than enough volume for studio use. Even at higher volumes, clarity and balance are good.
JBL Professional 1 Series 104-BT
The 104-BTs won’t be entirely unobtrusive with their distinctive oval design. Available in black or white, these rugged and solidly built speakers each house a 12cm woofer and a 20mm soft dome tweeter, fueled by a combined amplifier power of up to 60W and tuned via a rear reflex port on each JBL speaker.
Since this is a master-slave relationship, all the action takes place in the left speaker, where the physical connections are also located. RCA and TRS jacks are located on the rear, above the power button and cable jack, while the 3.5mm input is found on the front.
KRK ROKIT 5 G4 5
While the previous 3rd generation ROKITs used a glass-aramid woofer construction, KRK relies on woven Kevlar for the new RPG4 models. Previously, this material was reserved for the midline and high-end V and Expose series models.
The ROKIT 5 G4 is a dual-amplified amplifier with 55W of combined Class D power. It offers a frequency range of 43Hz-40kHz and a maximum SPL peak level of 104dB. Previous ROKIT models offered separate input jacks for balanced XLR, 1/4-inch and RCA inputs.
Monoprice Stage Right Series SV28
SV monitors are no-frills loudspeakers with a feature set that rivals that of other professional monitoring solutions. These active monitors from Stage Right excel in sonic performance, allowing you to create mixes that are exceptionally consistent across different playback media.
Mixing with SV monitors ensures that your tracks maintain their studio quality across various headphones, speakers, car stereos, or even televisions. Bi-amplified design: SV monitors feature a bi-amplified design that delivers the perfect amount of power to each of the drivers at the perfect crossover point.
PreSonus Eris E8 XT 8
The E8XT are capable of playing loud, and their generous output, both in terms of volume and frequency range, is best suited for larger rooms. Still, all is not lost if you crave the spacious sound that many smaller nearfield designs struggle to achieve, as the monitors can be adjusted to compensate for less-than-ideal workspaces using the extensive user-adjustable controls.
Among the E8XT’s customizable settings is the Acoustic Space control, which reduces the level of frequencies below 800 Hz by either -2 dB or -4 dB to compensate for the bass overdrive that occurs when the monitors are placed close to a rear wall or corner.
Pioneer DJ Studio Monitor (VM-80)
The largest model in the VM Series, the VM-80 features an 8-inch aramid cone woofer and a maximum SPL of 115 dB that will rock the block at your next livestream performance or intense studio session. With the ability to reproduce even club-level sound, the Pioneer DJ Studio Monitor VM-80 is the perfect choice for those who know that bigger is indeed better.
With the VM Series, Pioneer DJ proves why it remains at the forefront of audio equipment brands, delivering a user-friendly line of professional studio monitors that are perfect for producers and DJs looking to improve their sound.
Final Words
There are many different studio monitors, each with its own characteristics and functions. The most popular variety, with which practically everyone is familiar, follows one basic rule: it should deliver the highest sound quality. However, if you want to record your own music or create mixes for other multimedia projects, a good-sounding speaker is not necessarily what you are looking for.
The sound quality of speakers for home use and entertainment has improved. They are designed to make listening fun for everyone, even if that means compromising the original sound quality.
