Home Studio Monitors Good Cheap Studio Monitors | GREAT OPTIONS!!

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Yo homie G’s, it’s Stu Pickles here, the guy from Rugrats in the flesh. No Just kidding.

But seriously, today I’m gonna go over a few of your best options regarding Good Cheap Studio Monitors. It’s gonna be the bomb diggity. By the end of this article, you will have a much better idea of what to buy!! I’ve done a lot of research on the best budget monitors, and the following have appeared the most times and have the best reviews:

1) JBL LSR 305 [TOP PICK]

  • Price (single): check amazon!!
  • Frequency range: 43 Hz – 24 kHz
  • Woofer: 5″
  • Tweeter: 1″
  • Wattage: 82w (total)
  • Balanced inputs: 1 x 3-pin XLR, 1 x 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS
  • Weight: 10.12 lbs.

These are near flawless, monitors, and have the reviews to back ’em up. They pretty much have an impeccable rating on amazon (and everywhere else).

These are simply some of the best you can buy for their price. Probably THE best. If you’re just starting out, you really can’t go wrong in picking up a pair.

The flat response is perfect for mixing, and the bass is punchy but not overpowering. I could mix all day on these. If you can get a good mix from the JBL’s, rest assured it will translate pretty amazingly on regular speakers.

If you need an interface to power these, check out my Scarlett 2i2 review!

SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF!!

OR

CHECK OUT MY OFFICIAL JBL LSR 305 STUDIO MONITOR REVIEW!!

2) Presonus Eris E5

  • Price (single): check amazon!!
  • Frequency range: 53 Hz – 22 kHz
  • Woofer: 5.25″ Cone (Kevlar)
  • Tweeter: 1″ Silk-dome
  • Wattage: 80w (total)
  • Inputs: XLR, 1/4-inch, and unbalanced RCA
  • Weight: 10.2 lbs.

Another great option, (and similar to the JBL’s) is the Presonus Eris E5. These monitors are purely reference as well. They don’t color the sound at all and are meant to give the best and most accurate representation of your mix possible.

There aren’t a TON of reviews out there for this product, but if you search long enough you will find that they are all consistently good. Every site that I have come across would recommend these to an amateur audio enthusiast with a tight budget (but still in need of quality).

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEWS ON AMAZON!!

Pros

  • good bang for buck/great value
  • HONEST sound
  • no overpowering/over-hyped low end

Cons (mostly isolated cases)

  • Bass is a little Thin
  • tweeter stopped working (sent in for repair after a year)
  • blown fuses
  • issues powering on
  • slight hiss after plugging them in

3) Yamaha HS5

  • Price (single): check amazon!
  • Frequency range: 54Hz-30kHz
  • Woofer: 5″ Cone
  • Tweeter: 1″ Dome
  • Wattage: 70w (total)
  • Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4″ TS
  • Weight: 11.7 lbs.

A little more expensive, but a little flatter and definitely more honest. Not quite as much power as the above options, but the clarity of sound and accurate reproduction makes up for the lack of punch that some people have pointed out.

Yamaha has a long history of developing quality products, ever since the 70’s with their introduction of the NS10’s, which are some of the most well-regarded pieces of equipment ever.

The HS5’s are best suited for mid’s and highs but can be complemented with a subwoofer to enhance the low end.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEWS ON AMAZON!!

Pros

  • Brutally Honest and revealing
  • great in a small studio setting
  • pristine clarity and sound
  • transparent and natural mids
  • You will hear things you’ve never heard before in a mix
  • tiniest details become apparent

Cons

  • good enough for hip hop, but not particularly recommended
  • low end is lacking a little (remedied with the HS8S amp)
  • could use an amp, or upgrade to the HS8’s
  • will not register certain deep frequencies

 *Honorable Mention*

KRK Rokit 5 G3

  • Price (single): check amazon!
  • Frequency range: 45Hz-35kHz
  • Woofer: 5″ Cone
  • Tweeter: 1″ Dome
  • Wattage: 50w (total)
  • Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x TRS, 1 x RCA
  • Weight: 17 lbs.

I’ve included these based purely on hype, popularity, affordability, and reliability. Chances are if you have ever searched for a studio monitor, this is one of the first things that pops up. That distinct yellow dot is unmistakable and has become sort of the default logo for studio monitors (a sort of universal branding image if you will).

The difference between these and the above recommendations is the low end. It is well known that the Rokit line over-hypes the bass and mid frequencies, and seems to be targeting the more casual mixer/listener.

Don’t be mistaken, across the board these are still a solid and reliable option and are a bit less expensive than a more honest monitor.

Pros:

  • decent value for a limited budget
  • decent sound
  • look good in the studio

Cons:

  • harder to mix on than flat monitors
  • over-hyped low and mid frequencies
  • difficult to accurately judge the low-end
  • not accurate
  • lack of clarity in the mid-range

Conclusion

Just a word of advice: It can be very tempting when starting out to buy really powerful monitors that tear the house down. Keep in mind though the size of the room that you will be using them in. This has a profound effect on how your mix will translate. I mix in a relatively small room, so accurate and flat speakers actually sound a bit louder and more powerful, which is perfect for what I’m going for. Though it can be tempting to buy an amp or upgrade, right now I do not need to. The bass on the JBL’s is more than enough to satisfy.

Thanks for reading!! If you guys have any questions or comments regarding these good cheap studio monitors, please don’t hesitate to ask or Contact me! I look forward to speaking with you.

All the best and God bless,

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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4 comments

Tina February 6, 2015 - 12:21 am

Hi Stu. These are some great-looking speakers! I like how the pictures are sharp and in nice, big sizes. Good reviews… not too long.

Reply
Stu February 6, 2015 - 2:15 am

Thank you Tina!! I tried to condense them to give the reader an overview 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
-Stu

Reply
tony February 6, 2015 - 2:56 am

Outstanding review of products. your site places a high priority on customer needs!

Reply
Stu February 6, 2015 - 7:55 pm

Thanks Tony! Glad you stopped by..
-Stu

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