The 7 best studio monitors for music production in 2023

During the last three years, I’ve tested a wide range of monitor speakers here at Higher Hz, and in this article, I’ll be providing you with what I consider to be the best studio monitors for music production in 2023 for home and professional studios alike.

About the author

I’m a producer and audio engineer with a decade’s worth of experience with a wide range of gear and recording techniques. I’ve worked with a huge variety of monitoring systems, including Genelec, Neumann, Adam Audio, Focal, JBL, and Yamaha, among others.

How I chose the studio monitors for this list?

As a producer, it’s so important to get yourself the best monitoring setup possible. Not only will they help make your music sound better, but they can add a whole lot of joy to the process.

For this list, my focus was on monitor speakers that deliver exceptional sound quality and the best value for money in their price range. This list includes budget, midrange, and high-end options to suit both beginner bedroom producers and seasoned audio engineers.

Although I’ve left out the lowest budget options here, which I’ll compile in a separate list, there should be something here for everybody, regardless of your particular needs or circumstances.

To find out more about how we test and rate studio monitors here at Higher Hz, check out this page.

These are the best studio monitors to buy:

1. KRK Rokit 5 G4
2. Yamaha HS5
3. Kali Audio LP-8 V2
4. Adam Audio T5V
5. Genelec 8010A
6. Adam Audio A7V
7. Neumann KH 310 A

KRK Rokit 5 G4 4.5

The best for bass

• Tweeter: 1 inch
• Woofer: 5 inches
• Power output: 55 W
• Frequency response: 43 Hz – 40 kHz
• Max SPL: 104 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR/TRS

The Rokit 5 G4 are great studio monitors, especially when it comes to more bass-heavy genres of music such as EDM, hip-hop, and hyperpop. They are one of the more popular options for novice producers due to their affordability and style.

However, the overpronunciation of the low-end does inflict a whole lot of coloration on a mix, which in turn can make it rather difficult to get an accurate read on a mix.

Even still, their continued use has set a certain standard for more modern production styles. So, if that is the niche you fall within, they’re definitely worth your consideration.

Read the full KRK Rokit 5 G4 monitors review to find out more.

Buy KRK Rokit 5 G4 at: SweetwaterAmazon

Yamaha HS5 3.8

The gold standard

• Tweeter: 1 inch
• Woofer: 5 inches
• Power output: 70 W
• Frequency response: 54 Hz – 30 kHz (-10 dB)
• Max SPL: 85 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x TRS

When the Yamaha NS-10 monitors were released back in the 70s, they quickly became the gold standard for professional studios. Despite being largely unremarkable as far as technicality goes, they were unforgiving, and getting a mix to sit well out of the NS-10 meant it would translate well on nearly every other system.

The HS5 is the evolution of that series, and the design has since been refined in both terms of transparency and tonality. These monitors are not without fault, as the upper mid-range and high end are fairly pronounced, and while they definitely aren’t as abrasive as the NS-10, they can be used similarly.

This is neither good nor bad, but simply to say that they aren’t the best fit for everybody.

Read the full Yamaha HS5 monitors review to find out more.

Buy Yamaha HS5 at: SweetwaterAmazon

Kali Audio LP-8 V2 4.7

Next to perfect

• Tweeter: 1 inch
• Woofer: 8 inches
• Power output: 100 W
• Frequency response: 37 Hz – 25 kHz (-10 dB)
• Max SPL: 117 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x TRS, 1 x RCA

The Kali LP-8 V2 studio monitors are extremely accurate, which to some may sound clinical. I think differently though, because at the end of the day, accuracy in sound production is balanced, and balanced audio is the highest goal.

These studio monitors are just about as close to perfect as you can get, especially for the asking price. The LP-8 V2 are some of the best monitors under $500 right now.

The previous model had some background noise present when the speakers are turned on, which was fairly negligible. However, the folks over at Kali Audio seem to have rectified this issue with the V2, making it one of the best options you can consider.

Read the full Kali Audio LP-8 V2 monitors review to find out more.

Buy Kali Audio LP-8 V2 at: SweetwaterAmazon

Adam Audio T5V 4.6

The best value for money

• Tweeter: 1.9 inches
• Woofer: 5 inches
• Power output: 70 W
• Frequency response: 45 Hz – 25 kHz
• Max SPL: 106 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA

In my all-honest opinion, the Adam T5V studio monitors are simply amazing. A lot of folks aren’t the biggest fans of ribbon tweeters, as they can at times lead to some annoying ear fatigue and lean more towards the brighter side of things. However, I don’t feel that way, all I can hear is how great the Adam’s sound is.

The frequency response here isn’t quite as flat as Adam’s higher-end series but they are pleasantly neutral, full-sounding, and are perfectly capable as reliable reference monitors. What’s more is that they can play at extreme volumes without distorting.

Overall, the Adam Audio T5V are some of the best home studio monitors you can buy in 2023, especially for the price.

Read the full Adam Audio T5V monitors review to find out more.

Buy Adam Audio T5V at: SweetwaterAmazon

Genelec 8010A 4.8

Great for small spaces

• Tweeter: 0.75 inches
• Woofer: 3 inches
• Power output: 50 W
• Frequency response: 67 Hz – 25 kHz (-6 dB)
• Max SPL: 96 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR

If you’re a fellow gearhead, you know that the Genelec namesake holds one of the greatest reputations in the audio world. Visit any professional studio in the world and you are more likely than not to find a pair of Genelec speakers positioned above the control desk.

The 8010A monitors are no exception here, and they are one of the more affordable options available out of Genelec’s product line. They have an incredibly small footprint and are ideal for smaller spaces.

The smaller drives help to reduce any low-end build up that often comes with putting too many speakers in a small space. However, because of this lack of low-end, some producers may want to couple their Genelecs with a subwoofer.

Read the full Genelec 8010A monitors review to find out more.

Buy Genelec 8010A at: SweetwaterAmazon

Adam Audio A7V 4.7

Sonic excellence

• Tweeter: 1 inch
• Woofer: 7 inches
• Power output: 130 W
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 45 kHz (-6 dB)
• Max SPL: 105 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA

As is the case with most Adam Audio monitors, it’s truly hard to say much more about the A7V besides the fact that they’re excellent. These monitors are handmade in Berlin, and are amongst the highest-performing studio monitors around.

They boast massive amounts of bass, loudness with little to no distortion, no hiss, and are competitively priced for what they have to offer. Also, with a frequency response of 40 Hz – 45 kHz, these monitors are capable of producing frequencies that far exceed that of what most other monitors can produce at this price range.

The Adam A7V feature state-of-the-art X-ART folded-ribbon tweeters which are responsible for the monitor’s amazing transient reproduction and clarity.

Buy Adam Audio A7V at: SweetwaterAmazon

Neumann KH 310 A 5.0

Beautiful and flexible

• Tweeter: 1 inch
• Woofer: 8.25 inches
• Power output: 290 W
• Frequency response: 30 Hz – 22 kHz (-6 dB)
• Max SPL: 100 dB
• Inputs: 1 x XLR

Neumann is another one of those names in audio that carries an awful lot of clout within the industry, due to the precision and quality of the company’s products. The KH 310 A are some of the best professional-grade studio monitors available for a variety of reasons.

For starters, the low-end response is immaculate and perfect for any style of music. The midrange is exceptionally clear and the high ends come out smooth and natural. The KH 310 A monitors also have a fairly wide sweet spot, making them great for imperfect rooms or layouts.

As an added bonus, the Neumann.Control app allows you to calibrate the monitors to your room, so if you have to move locations they’re a great choice.

Buy Neumann KH 310 A at: SweetwaterAmazon

Conclusion

While this isn’t a definitive list, I hope that you were able to find some useful information to help you find the best studio monitors for you.

No monitor is perfect and oftentimes we overlook other contributing factors that could turn a mid-tier monitor into something better, such as room treatment and monitor placement.

Regardless, I’ve provided a range of different monitors, differing in style and affordability. So, whatever your budget is, and whatever your specific needs are, I hope that the monitors I’ve mentioned can help guide you toward making the best decision you can.

At the end of the day, what’s most important is not whether the monitors are the best of the best but that the monitors are what’s best for you.