What Are the Best Low Cost Studio Monitors in 2020?

Studio monitors are designed for recording studios and musical professionals. One common misconception about the equipment is that they are expensive. The reality is that you can find many good monitors on Amazon at a bargain price.

In this blog post, we will inform you about five best low cost studio monitors available online. Make sure that you read our blog What Studio Monitors Should I Buy to know important features you should look for when purchasing the equipment for music processing.

1. IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors

IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors offer real value for money due to authentic sound processing. The budget studio monitors are particularly suitable for sound processing on a digital stage piano. This product has received mostly positive online reviews due to surprisingly authentic sound reproduction. The sound output quality of the studio monitor is similar to mid-priced monitors.

Near field design of the monitors puts sounds right at your ears when placed at a desk. The monitors are suitable for home and small commercial studio sound processing agencies. The Desktop/Shelf switch adapts to any speaker placement generation superior quality sound.

iLoud Micro monitors support extended frequency response range that results in excellent quality bass response. Moreover, the advanced digital crossover results in precious stereo capture. The studio monitors provides impressive low end and excellent volume.   The monitors provide excellent transient response that is perfect of audio-for-video and music production.

The woofer of the studio monitors focus more on frequency response as compared to maximum SPL level. With proper DSP management and tuning, the equipment can handle lower frequencies. The high-rigidity composite woofers provide fast response to transients that results in best quality mid range performance.

The digital crossover of the iLoud Micro Monitor is about 3.5 kHz resulting in excellent mid-range response. The studios work up to the limit of the physical drivers in the full linear range. This results in dramatic transient response and clear, crisp sound. The precise crossover allows the speaker to generate flatter, and accurate response.

Key Features

• Brand Name:  IK Multiedia
• Item Model Number: IP-ILoud
• Near Field Active Studio Monitor
• Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 20 kHz (max)

2. JBL Professional 305P

 

JBL Professional 350P is a low-cost speaker that produces adequate quality sound for music processing. The studio monitors are compact that makes them excellent for professionals who want to process music on the go. The studio speakers have updated high frequency and low frequency that can generate optimized damping, which results in impressive deep bas and transient response with low harmonic distortion.

One of the best things about this speaker is that it features New boundary EQ that helps restore neutral low frequency response when placed adjacent to walls. Moreover, the sleek design of the studio monitors adds to the pleasant ambiance of a recording studio.  

JBL 305P speakers can handle a range of frequencies from 49 Hz to 20 kHz that is comparable to high and mid-priced studio speakers. This makes the studio monitors great value for money that will please amateur and professional musicians alike.  

The JBL patented low frequency Slip Stream port connects with the woofer to produce excellent bass response at different playback levels. This studio speaker from JBL also feature patented image control waveguide that results in detailed imaging with greater ambience and depth in recordings.

Key Features

• Brand Name:  JBL
• Item Model Number: 305P
• Frequency Response: 49 Hz to 20 kHz (max)
• Peak SPL: 108 db

3. Samson M30 Powered Studio Monitors

 

Samson M30 powered studio monitors are also one of best low cost studio monitors. The studio monitor can handle a range of frequencies comparable to higher priced equipment. The powered studio speakers comes with Go Mic USB Poscast recording condenser mic with clip and case.

While the monitors have a compact size, they output tight lows and smooth highs. The polypropylene woofer is complemented with a silk-dome tweeter that is enclosed in a custom waveguide. The compact studio monitors can deliver a balanced frequency response and a response range of accurate audio.

Key Features

• Brand Name:  Samson
• Item Model Number: M30
• Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz (max)

4. Mackie CR3 Studio Monitors

Mackie CR3 studio monitors also provide excellent quality sound processing features at a budget. The studio speakers can handle wide range of frequencies ranging from 70 Hz to 20 kHz. This studio speaker has a 50W clear, powerful stereo audio that outputs enhanced quality sound.

A great thing about the studio monitors is the ferrofluid-cooled Tweeters that provide distortion-free and reliable operations. The studio monitors has birch cabinets that enhance the quality of the sound and are designed to last for a long time. Moreover, the monitors have 3-inch polypropylene-coated woofers that generate studio-quality sound that will meet the sound processing needs of most musicians.

The quality Mackie studio monitor is best for small home studios and AV broadcast and post production for music processing. The front panels of the speakers feature Bluetooth connectivity that allows music streaming from any device. The studio monitors have professional build quality and generates sound comparable on high-end, expensive monitors. These affordable and compact studios are perfect for all aspects of multimedia processing.

Other notable features of the studio speakers include premium quality transducers and high-frequency waveguide. The creative reference monitors provide accurate, pristine sound reproduction that is suitable for most applications.

The speaker placement switch of the studio monitors allows great flexibility in selecting the side of the desk with the volume knob. There is also a dedicated input for playback on smartphone. Overall, this is a great budget studio speaker with all the features and quality that is great for professional quality sound processing.

Key Features

• Brand Name:  Mackie
• Item Model Number: CR3
• Frequency Response: 70 Hz to 20 kHz (max)
• Peak SPL: 108 db

5. Rockville DPM5W

Rockville DPM5W powered active studio monitors produce excellent high and lows meeting the needs of most musicians. The budget studio monitors produces peak power of 105 Watt and RMS power of 75 Watt. The Bi-Amped features 50 watts for lows and 25 watts for highs.

The studio monitors boasts of premium quality build quality. The enclosure of the studio speakers is made of top grade MDF wood that is built to last for a long time. You get the best quality sound production with the premium build enclosure. Moreover, the curved front design minimizes the standing wave distortion. The studio speakers features ‘baking paint’ that is the best paint for MDF wood surfaces resulting in enhanced life and beautiful finishing.

Notable features of the studio monitors include auto switching power sully and ferro-fluid enhanced tweeter with metal grill protection. The injection molded cone rubber woofer eliminates distortions and improves the quality of the reproduced sound. Moreover, the computer optimized electronic crossover network supplies generates excellent highs, mids, and lows.

Rockville DPM5W studio monitors have an optimized magnet structure, cabinet space and cone. The specific design of the monitors results in accurate production of sound. The sound reproduction is nearly identical to the recorded sound. Special voice coils of the equipment produces accurate response along a range of frequency spectrum.

The manufacture claims to use the best quality glue on the speakers. The quality of the glue used on the speakers is of utmost importance. Low quality glue results in low life of the speaker. The Rockville studio speakers are manufactured using quality glue applied using a Precision Glue Machine that is guaranteed to last for a long time. The insides of the monitors are protected using thick ‘wadding’ chemical that also results in enhanced quality sound output.

Key Features

• Brand Name:  Rockville
• Item Model Number: DPM5W
• Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 20 kHz (max)

Final Verdict

All of the above budget studio monitor offer suitable performance when it comes to processing raw musical sound. While the studio monitors are meant for professionals and recording studios, you can use them as a replacement for regular speakers. Studio monitors output raw sound without any filtering. That’s makes them perfect for audiophiles who settle for nothing less than the best quality sound.