Compare Studio Monitors
15 studio monitors side by side, with their published specs and typical prices. Our picks come first; our studio monitors guide explains why we chose them.
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All Studio Monitors
Spec Sheet Score (0–10): Based only on published specs like protection ratings and features. It doesn't measure sound, comfort, or fit, so it isn't our recommendation. How we calculate the spec sheet score
Showing all 15 products
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| JBL 305P MkIITop Pick | 6.3 | Not yet tested | 5 | 1 | 82 | 49 | 108 | XLR, TRS | Yes | Single speaker | $130–170 each ($260–340 a pair)£110–150 each (£220–300 a pair)View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edifier MR4Budget PickLimited Data | 2.0 | Not yet tested | 4 | 1 | 21 | Not published | Not published | TRS, RCA, 3.5 mm | Not published | Pair | $100–130 a pair£90–110 a pairView on Amazon |
| Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave)Step-Up Pick | 8.4 | Not yet tested | 6.5 | 1 | 80 | 47 | 115 | XLR, TRS, RCA | Yes | Single speaker | $249–259 each ($500–520 a pair)£200–250 each (£400–500 a pair)View on Amazon |
| Yamaha HS8 | 8.9 | Not yet tested | 8 | 1 | 120 | 47 | Not published | XLR, TRS | Yes | Single speaker | $330–400 each ($660–800 a pair)£280–340 each (£560–680 a pair)View on Amazon |
| JBL 306P MkII | 7.7 | Not yet tested | 6.5 | 1 | 112 | 47 | 110 | XLR, TRS | Yes | Single speaker | $180–230 each ($360–460 a pair)£150–190 each (£300–380 a pair)View on Amazon |
| KRK Rokit 5 Generation Five | 5.2 | Not yet tested | 5 | 1 | 55 | 54 | 104 | XLR/TRS combo | Yes | Single speaker | $170–200 each ($340–400 a pair)£140–170 each (£280–340 a pair)View on Amazon |
| IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro | 5.0 | Not yet tested | 3 | 1 | 50 | 50 | 107.3 | XLR, RCA, USB-C | Yes | Pair | $450–500 a pair£400–450 a pairView on Amazon |
| Neumann KH 80 DSP | 5.0 | Not yet tested | 4 | 1 | 140 | 57 | 108.8 | XLR/TRS combo | Yes | Single speaker | $500–600 each ($1000–1200 a pair)£400–480 each (£800–960 a pair)View on Amazon |
| Mackie CR4.5 | 3.3 | Not yet tested | 4.5 | 1 | 25 | 65 | 101 | TRS, RCA, 3.5 mm | Yes | Pair | $130–160 a pair£110–140 a pairView on Amazon |
| Yamaha HS5 | 2.5 | Not yet tested | 5 | 1 | 70 | 74 | Not published | XLR, TRS | Yes | Single speaker | $180–230 each ($360–460 a pair)£150–190 each (£300–380 a pair)View on Amazon |
| Genelec 8010AHard to Find | 0.8 | Not yet tested | 3 | 0.75 | 50 | 74 | 96 | XLR | Yes | Single speaker | $400–500 each ($800–1000 a pair)£330–400 each (£660–800 a pair)View on Amazon |
| Limited Data. These makers publish under 60% of the specs we score, so their scores rest on fewer numbers. | |||||||||||
| ADAM Audio T7VLimited Data | 6.2 | Not yet tested | 7 | 1.9 | 70 | Not published | 104 | XLR, RCA | Yes | Single speaker | $250–300 each ($500–600 a pair)£200–250 each (£400–500 a pair)View on Amazon |
| M-Audio BX5 D3Limited Data | 4.0 | Not yet tested | 5 | 1 | 100 | Not published | Not published | XLR, TRS | Yes | Single speaker | $130–150 each ($260–300 a pair)£100–130 each (£200–260 a pair)View on Amazon |
| ADAM Audio T5VLimited Data | 3.2 | Not yet tested | 5 | 1.9 | 70 | Not published | 100 | XLR, RCA | Yes | Single speaker | $200–250 each ($400–500 a pair)£150–200 each (£300–400 a pair)View on Amazon |
| PreSonus Eris 3.5 (2nd Gen)Limited Data | 1.2 | Not yet tested | 3.5 | 1 | 25 | Not published | 98 | TRS, RCA, 3.5 mm | Yes | Pair | $100–120 a pair£89–110 a pairView on Amazon |
| No products match these filters. | |||||||||||
How We Calculate the Spec Sheet Score
three published specs count. Bass extension (weight 3) is the lowest frequency the maker quotes at −3 dB or tighter, scaled from 80 Hz (0 points) to 40 Hz (10 points). Makers quote bass at different tolerances (−3 dB, −6 dB, −10 dB or with no tolerance at all), and those figures cannot be compared, so we only score a −3 dB (or tighter) figure and leave the factor out otherwise.
Woofer size (weight 2) runs from 3 inches (0 points) to 8 inches (10 points), because bigger woofers can play low notes louder. Maximum SPL for one speaker (weight 2) runs from 95 dB (0 points) to 115 dB (10 points). The score is the weighted average of the factors a product has data for: unpublished specs are left out and the remaining weights rescaled.
Amp wattage is shown but not scored because makers rate it in incompatible ways, and every model here has some room or boundary EQ, so that is shown but not scored either. The score measures bass reach and loudness headroom, not accuracy or sound quality, and price is not part of it. If a product's published specs cover less than 60% of the total weight, its score is marked "limited data" and it is listed after the products with fuller data.
| Factor | Weight | How It Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Bass Extension (−3 dB Point) | 3 | Only makers' −3 dB (or tighter) figures are scored, so different tolerances are never compared. 80 Hz scores 0, 40 Hz scores 10. |
| Woofer Size | 2 | A larger woofer moves more air, so it can play bass louder and cleaner. Published for every model. 3 inch scores 0, 8 inch scores 10. |
| Max SPL | 2 | Headroom for louder rooms and dynamic material. 95 dB scores 0, 115 dB scores 10. |
- Tested Score: our own score from a hands-on review. It says "Not yet tested" until we've tested that product.
- Limited Data: the maker publishes under 60% of the specs we score, so the score rests on fewer numbers. These products are listed after the rest.
- Pro Reference: a professional model, far above the others on price, shown for comparison.
- Prices: typical ranges when we checked, not live prices. Amazon's price can differ.
Sources
Every spec comes from the maker's own product page, spec sheet, or manual. A spec shows as "Not published" when the maker doesn't state it.
- JBL 305P MkII: jblpro.com
- Edifier MR4: edifier.com, audiosciencereview.com, erinsaudiocorner.com
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave): kaliaudio.com
- Yamaha HS8: usa.yamaha.com
- JBL 306P MkII: jblpro.com
- KRK Rokit 5 Generation Five: krkmusic.com
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro: ikmultimedia.com
- Neumann KH 80 DSP: neumann.com
- Mackie CR4.5: mackie.com, mackie.com
- Yamaha HS5: usa.yamaha.com
- Genelec 8010A: genelec.com, assets.ctfassets.net
- ADAM Audio T7V: adam-audio.com, adam-audio.com
- M-Audio BX5 D3: m-audio.com
- ADAM Audio T5V: adam-audio.com, adam-audio.com
- PreSonus Eris 3.5 (2nd Gen): presonus.com