If you are unfamiliar with a music studio or its equipment, then you might be surprised to learn that a studio monitor is not like a computer monitor. Essentially, they are a more powerful speaker for professionals, artists, and freelancers alike.

Because they are more high-quality, they can be more expensive, but we have found some of the best studio monitors under 200 dollars that you can get today. We also included a quick and easy buying guide to help you find the best budget studio monitors out there.

Buying Guide

How to choose the best studio monitor.

Range of frequency

If you have any experience with the specs of speakers, then you probably already know about how the frequency range comes into play, but if not, here is the quick version: the range of sound is measured in Hertz (Hz) and most regular speakers can have a range from 100 to 20,000 Hz.

Most studio monitors are roughly the same, but generally, the larger the range, the more high-quality the sound is. The lower number (100) represents the low tones, aka the bass, while the higher number (20,000) represents the high tones, aka the tenor, and the lower or higher the number, the more likely the speaker can handle those tones.

The max decibels

Another factor that applies to regular speakers, decibels (dB) refers to how loud the monitor can get to. The average max decibel a monitor can reach is usually between 90 and 120 dB; for reference, a hairdryer makes between 70 and 80 dB while a car horn makes between 105 and 115 dB.

There are many expensive and even some cheap studio monitors that have special controls so that you can alter the dB of whatever is coming through the speakers too; high tones and/or low tones.

Field of design

Because they are designed to be more fitting towards you and your needs for your studio, there are three main types of fields that monitors use: near, mid, and far.

Near-field models are possibly the best for studios, depending on the size, while far-field ones can be excellent for larger ones and even stage use; needless to say, mid-field designs are for areas that are in-between these two categories.

Drivers

Unlike regular speakers, you might want to think about the material used in the driver and/or subwoofer before thinking about the size. Drivers that use a cloth or a paper-like material are generally found in cheap studio monitors.

However, you might be able to find one or two that use fiberglass, kevlar, or polypropylene. These can be heavier but tend to be more durable and last longer. On the other hand, lighter materials usually can produce sound better when it comes to high tones.

Wattage

Contrary to what you may have been told, you will not always need the speaker with the highest wattage (W). If you will be using your monitor in a small room or studio, a monitor with only 50W or less would be just fine if not perfect, especially if you are on a power budget.

The larger the room or studio, the more watts you would most likely need, and the larger ones can use around 100W or more.

Things to look for that differentiate these products.

There are two main types of monitors: active/powered and passive/unpowered. Active monitors are the go-to for at-home artists/studios. Unlike passive monitors, all of the components are in one unit. Passive models are usually designed in 2 parts: the power supply and the speaker portion itself.

What are the best ways to use a studio monitor?

When getting a new one, you should first make sure to check that your monitor is suitable for your studio when it comes to the technical aspects, the size, the sound and volume, and more.

Once you have it and it is properly installed, you may want to try cleaning it on a semi-regular basis to prevent dust and dirt build-up. Another good way to prevent premature aging to your monitor is by not using it at max volume on a regular basis if possible.

Studio monitors vs. regular speakers.

Regular speakers can be a more affordable option, but even the best budget studio monitors can have more features and controls and better sound quality.

Since some of them do not use common connections (an AUX cable and/or Bluetooth), you might think it is easier to just get a regular speaker, but a studio monitor can make all the difference when it comes to getting better at a hobby or making a name for yourself in the music or any audio industry.

Prerequisites for using this type of product.

There are some things that you may want or need to get if you are either getting your studio set up or upgrading your current set up like a controller, isolation pads (for controlling the sound direction), and more.