In today’s time, you can pick up the best studio monitor speaker within the price range of $500. These products offer the pro-grade quality at such a price that will not bankrupt you. While you will not be able to get the high-end products, these studio monitors under $500 are some of the best monitor speakers for smaller studios.
Below are some of the best studio monitors under $500:
- JBL LSR305
This studio monitor by JBL is great for completing any task that requires accurate sound like editing videos or mixing music. The JBL LSR305 features several advanced features like the company’s proprietary Image Control Waveguide that can create a wide stereo panorama with a solid-footing phantom center, JBL’s flagship M2 speakers, and a lot more. These studio monitors create the most detailed sound and you will definitely love working on it. Several acclaimed sound engineers like Frank Filipetti recommends the JBL LSR305.
- KRK ROKIT 5
This is one of the most popular studio monitors on this list. Known for their distinctive yellow woofers, the KRK ROKIT 5 can be found in most studios around the world. It is packed with a 1” soft-dome tweeter (20 Watts) and a 5” composite woofer (30Watts), capable of producing low-distortion, high-headroom performances that you need to hear while mixing. This studio monitor offers amazing accuracy and sound quality. Its trademark low-end sound makes it a favorite among hip-hop and EDM producers.
- Yamaha HS5
This studio monitor by Yamaha can be recognized by its iconic white-coned woofers in the middle. The Yamaha HS5 has been an integral part of a sound studio since the days of its predecessor, the NS-10. This HS5 is the improved version of the NS-10 and makes use of a ported enclosure and bi-amplified drivers to supply you with amazing low levels of coloration and incredible accuracy. This studio monitor features 1” dome tweeter (25 Watts) and a 5” cone woofer (45 Watts). The Yamaha HS5 is great and well-known for its translatability.
- Mackie MR5mk3
A decade ago, a company called Mackie started revolutionizing the field of studio monitors. Today, the Mackie MR5mk3 is a prime example of how far the company has come. This studio monitor provides you with more sweet spots with the help of its custom-made rear porting that will provide you with extended bass. On top of that, the frequency controls are all customizable and control the dials to produce the most perfect sound that you are looking for. Overall, this is a great studio monitor with 1” silk-dome tweeter (20 Watts) and a 5.25” polypropylene cone woofer (30 Watts).
- PreSonus Eris E5
The PreSonus Eris E5 might be the on the expensive side on this list, but the specs of this studio monitor make it up for it. Each monitor is equipped with a Class AB amp of 70 Watts each that powers a Kevlar woofer that measures about 5.25”. This spec offers a very accurate low frequency that is incomparable with other monitors of the same price range. The acoustic tunings of this sound system will amaze you how well and clear you can hear even the lowest sound frequency.
- Adam Audio A5X
This studio monitor has been regarded as one of the best in the market below $500. This powerful studio monitor is finished with an X-Art tweeter that can reach approximately 50 kHz, a carbon fiber-based driver, front-firing ports, and a lot more. With such great specs, you will get flat performance and response that makes this studio monitor sound so much more than it looks. This studio monitor is the most perfect addition to DIY studios.
- Edifier S2000 Pro
It is not every day that you see a studio monitor step out of its designing comfort zone. But, the Edifier S2000 Pro is done exactly that and done a marvelous job with it. After all, the company is all about redefining aesthetics. Other than the design, this powerful studio monitor consists of a low-frequency driver and paired with a very powerful tweeter. You also get Bluetooth support as well as coax and optical inputs in the I/O cluster.
- Presonus Eris E8
Yet another monitor from Presonus, the Eris E8 should be on the wish top on the list of any musician or sound engineer. This monitor is known for the great mixing of sound quality. The monitor is very powerful and is ideal of entry-level projects in a small studio or at home. The Presonus Eris E8 looks rather stylish and is made from MDF. It has a bi-amped monitor (75 Watts) and a low-frequency transducer (65 Watts) that looks after the 1.25” tweeter.
- Alesis M1 Active 320
This is a very budget-friendly studio monitor that is a favorite among sound engineers and musicians all across the globe. They are integrated with a USB audio interface, which means you will not need any additional audio interfaces or drivers. With a 1” tweeter and 3” woofer, this studio monitor is worth more than the price at which it is offered. It will provide you with a very clean sound. Overall, it is a great and affordable studio monitor.
- M-Audio BX5 D2
This is a great studio monitor by M-Audio that will not cost you more than $500 in the market. With 1” tweeter and 5” low-frequency, this monitor has a bi-amp (70 Watts) and is a step ahead of most other studio monitors in the same price range. The company also offers a great protection for these monitors like helping with the RF interference, over-heating, etc. Most people prefer this monitor than any other!
We have seen some of the best studio monitors under $500. These monitors will work great if you are looking to start a small studio in your bedroom. These devices will work perfectly fine and will make you more capable of hearing the finest details. You will not have to spend much money, which means you can save that amount to purchase any other studio equipment.
