Are you a music producer looking for the perfect studio monitors to fit your budget? Then look no further! We’ve rounded up the best studio monitors for under $200, so you can get great sound without breaking the bank. Read on to find out which ones we recommend.
Why buy budget-friendly monitors?
When you’re just starting in the studio world, investing in more expensive monitors can be a daunting prospect. That’s why it’s best to start with budget-friendly monitors. The good news is that there are plenty of great studio monitors available under $200 that sound great and provide reliable performance. We’ve rounded up the 11 best studio monitors under $200 so you don’t have to waste time and energy researching. From PreSonus Eris E3.5 to M-Audio AV32, we’ve got you covered!
PreSonus Eris E3.5
If you’re in the market for studio monitors Speaker under $200, the PreSonus Eris E3.5 is an excellent choice. These monitors deliver a desirable “flat” response that ensures accurate sound reproduction, making them great for a variety of audio projects. The Eris E3.5 is designed with a 4.5-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter that together provide an impressive blend of value and performance. Additionally, they come equipped with an acoustic tuning feature that allows you to adjust the sound to the environment of your recording space. With their combination of features and performance, these monitors offer great value for your money.
Mackie CR3-X
The Mackie CR3-X is another excellent option for those looking for budget studio monitors. This pair of speakers offer a flat frequency response and are a great choice for those just starting. The design is also stylish, making it an ideal addition to any desk. At less than $100, this pair of speakers offer great value for money and are sure to please audio enthusiasts of all levels.
Audioengine A1
The next monitor on our list is the Audioengine A1. This monitor is a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable and powerful sound system on a budget. It features a 4.5-inch woofer and a 25-watt amplifier. Despite its small size, the Audioengine A1 can produce a surprisingly balanced and detailed sound. Plus, it has wireless audio streaming capabilities, making it easy to sync up with your other devices. It’s the perfect pick for any budget-conscious producer looking for an affordable way to upgrade their home studio setup.
Tannoy Reveal 402
The fourth recommendation on our list of the best budget-friendly studio monitors is the Tannoy Reveal 402. This 2-way powered monitor is designed to give you impressive sound quality with its 70 Watt custom bi-amped design. Thanks to its 4” driver, you can enjoy crisp highs and strong bass at a surprisingly low price. If you’re looking for a monitor with professional sound quality, the Tannoy Reveal 402 is worth considering.
JBL 1 Series 104-BT
The JBL 1 Series 104-BT compact reference monitors with Bluetooth are the newest models in the 1 Series line, drawing from seven decades of JBL Professional engineering to deliver the truest, most accurate sound in their class. Whether you’re a mobile worker and need to set up project studios on the go, or you simply want to enjoy great sound quality at home, this is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly solution. The JBL 1 Series 104-BT boasts powerful sound projection, allowing you to easily cut through the mix and hear your music or recording with clarity. Plus, these monitors come in a sleek and compact design, making them perfect for any studio setup.
M-Audio BX3
If you're looking for great quality sound at a budget-friendly price, the M-Audio BX3 is an excellent choice. These speakers have been designed and marketed with a variety of uses in mind – from music production to gaming, live streaming, and podcasting. With 120 watts of power, these speakers offer a balanced sound that's great for any genre. Plus, Amazon is now offering the pair for just $85, which makes them an even better deal. And if you're looking for the best of the best, the M-Audio BX8 D2 Studio Monitors are top choices for professional studio engineers.
Monoprice DT-3
The Monoprice DT-3 Powered Multimedia Desktop Speakers are a great choice for those who want to get great sound without breaking the bank. Featuring a 50-watt Class AB amplifier driving the full-range drivers, these speakers deliver high-quality sound with a wide frequency response range. The bass response is especially impressive, with the low end reaching down to 40 Hz. In addition, these speakers include balanced output ports and frequency tuning knobs so you can easily adjust the sound to your preference. For under $200, these are an excellent choice if you want to create great-sounding music in your home studio.
Edifier R1280T
Moving on, the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers are a great option for those looking for a budget studio monitor. They boast a power of 42 Watts, making them capable of delivering accurate sound, and weigh 11 pounds, making them an easy addition to your setup. The most notable feature of these monitors is their active and passive speaker combination, allowing for a truly immersive sound experience. With an RCA input and wooden enclosure, this monitor is great value for money and ideal for any aspiring audio engineer.
PreSonus Eris 4.5
The PreSonus Eris 4.5 is another popular choice in the budget studio monitor range. It delivers a full-range sound and has a wide frequency response of 50Hz – 20kHz. The 4.5-inch Kevlar low-frequency transducer and 1-inch silk dome tweeters provide excellent sound clarity and dynamic range. Additionally, the Eris 4.5 has a built-in amplifier with 75 watts of peak power and two Class A/B amplifiers for balanced sound performance. It also comes with an Acoustic Tuning feature which allows you to adjust the bass, treble, and mid-range frequencies for a custom sound.
JBL Professional 305P MkII
The JBL Professional 305P MkII is the next step up in the JBL range of studio monitors. It boasts patented technologies derived from the JBL 7 Series and M2 Master Reference Monitors and has an impressive rated SPL of 94 dB. Featuring a 2-way configuration, this active amplified monitor is designed to deliver deep, accurate, and tightly controlled bass, thanks to its long-throw 5″ woofer and the patented JBL Slip Stream low-frequency port. Whether you're a beginner or a professional musician, you can trust that this monitor will provide you with the best sound quality for under $200.
M-Audio AV32
The M-Audio AV32 is the last entry on our list of the 11 best studio monitors under $200. This budget-friendly monitor offers great sound quality for its price, with a 10-watt power rating, acoustically-inert MDF cabinets, and a frequency response range of 80 Hz to 20 kHz. It also comes with 1/8” and RCA inputs, and an integrated headphone amplifier so you can easily connect it to your audio devices. With the AV32, you get an affordable, compact solution that can help you create professional-grade audio mixes and recordings.
Conclusions
With all that in mind, it’s clear that there are plenty of great options when it comes to studio monitors under $200. Many of them offer amazing sound quality and features, while still being affordable. Whether you’re looking for an affordable studio monitor with great sound quality, or one that will look great in your home studio, there is something out there for everyone. With so many options at such a great price range, it’s easy to find the perfect monitor for your needs.