Brandon SchockWe have reviewed a wide range of speakers to bring you what we consider to be the best studio monitors in 2023.
As a producer, it is 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.
Although we’ve left out the lowest budget options here (which we will compile in a separate list), there should be something here for everybody regardless of your particular needs or circumstances.
These are the best studio monitors to buy:
- KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Yamaha HS5
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Adam Audio T5V
- Genelec 8010A
- Adam Audio A7V
- Neumann KH 310
KRK Rokit 5 G4
The best for bass
The Rokit 5 are great 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.
Check out our full KRK Rokit 5 G4 review
Yamaha HS5
The gold standard
When the Yamaha NS-10 studio monitors were released back in the 70’s, 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-10s 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.
Check out our full Yamaha HS5 review
Kali Audio LP-6 V2
Next to perfect
The LP-6 V2 studio monitors are extremely accurate, which to some may sound clinical. We think differently though, because at the end of the day, accuracy in sound production is balanced, and balanced audio is the highest goal.
These monitors are just about as close to perfect as you can get, especially for the asking price.
The previous model of the LP-6 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.
Adam Audio T5V
Best cost to value
In our all-honest opinion, the Adam T5V 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, we don’t feel that way, all we 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, they are some of the best home studio monitors you can buy – especially for the price.
Check out our full Adam Audio T5V review
Genelec 8010A
Great for small spaces
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 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.
Check out our full Genelec 8010A review
Adam Audio A7V
Sonic excellence
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 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 A7V feature state of the art X-ART folded-ribbon tweeters which is responsible for the monitor’s amazing transient reproduction and clarity.
Neumann KH 310
Beautiful and flexible
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 are some of the best professional-grade monitors available for a variety of reasons. For starters, the low-end response is immaculate and perfect for any style of music. Mid-range is exceptionally clear and the high ends come out smooth and natural.
The monitors also have a fairly wide sweet spot, making them great for imperfect rooms or layouts.
As an added bonus, the Neumann app allows you to calibrate the monitors to your room, so if you have to move locations they’re a great choice.
Conclusion
While this isn’t a definitive list, we hope that you were able to find some useful information to help you find the best 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, we’ve provided a range of different monitors, differing in style and affordability.
So, whatever your budget is, and whatever your specific needs are – we hope that the monitors we’ve mentioned can help guide you towards 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.
