If you're setting up a home recording studio or producing music on a budget, quality studio monitors are essential. But high-end monitor speakers can cost thousands of dollars. The good news is there are many great budget options available today that deliver accurate sound without breaking the bank.
As an experienced music producer and recording engineer, I've tested and used affordable studio monitors from many brands over the years. In this comprehensive guide, I'll share my picks for the 19 best cheap studio monitors in 2023 based on sound quality, price, features, and overall value.
How to Choose the Best Budget Studio Monitors
When selecting budget studio monitors, here are some key factors to consider:
Sound Quality and Accuracy
This is the most critical consideration. You want speakers that produce a flat frequency response so you can accurately hear your mixes. Listen for clarity, detail, and a balanced sound profile.
Power and Volume
Even affordable speakers should get plenty loud without distortion. Look for adequate wattage to fill your room at volumes you'll be mixing at.
Size of Woofer
Larger woofers (5-8 inches) reproduce better bass and low frequencies. Smaller woofers tend to lose lower register sounds.
Connectivity
Make sure your speakers can connect to your audio interface or mixer via XLR, RCA, or 1/4" TRS cables. Some also have USB connectivity.
Brand Reputation
Stick with established pro audio brands known for quality. Avoid cheap computer speakers from generic brands.
With these factors in mind, let's get into my top recommendations for budget studio monitors!
1. Presonus Eris E3.5
- 3.5 inch woven composite woofer
- 70 watts Class AB biamplification
- Frequency response: 70Hz–20kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
Presonus's Eris E3.5 punches above its weight with a surprisingly full and balanced sound for the low price. The smaller woofers limit the bass extension, but mids and highs sound crisp and clear.
Price - $99 each
2. Mackie CR3
- 3 inch woofers
- 50 watts Class D biamplification
- Frequency response: 80Hz–20kHz
- RCA and 1/4" inputs
The Mackie CR3 speakers feature a streamlined design and great sound. While they don't produce subwoofer-level bass, the overall tonal balance is natural and even.
Price - $119 each
3. PreSonus Eris E4.5
- 4.5 inch woven composite woofer
- 55 watts Class AB biamplification
- Frequency response: 70Hz–22kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
A step up from the E3.5, the E4.5 has larger drivers for extended bass and low-mid response. They deliver clear mids/highs too. Overall, an excellent value.
Price - $149 each
4. Kali Audio LP-6
- 6.5 inch woofer
- 150 watts Class D biamplification
- Frequency response: 46Hz–22kHz
- XLR and TRS inputs
Kali's LP-6 punches above its weight, with 6.5-inch woofers providing impactful bass and clear mids/highs. The rear ports give the low end a boost too.
Price - $159 each
5. JBL 305P MkII
- 5 inch woofer
- 55 watts Class D biamplification
- Frequency response: 43Hz–24kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
JBL's 305P MkII builds on the success of the popular original 305 with minor tweaks. The sound profile is well-balanced with tight bass and crisp highs.
Price - $149 each
6. Yamaha HS5
- 5 inch woofer
- 45 watts Class A/B biamplification
- Frequency response: 54Hz-30kHz
- XLR and TRS inputs
Yamaha's HS5 is a staple for home studios. With a detailed midrange and focused bass, they excel for mixing and monitoring. Room control switches help optimize sound.
Price - $149 each
7. Adam Audio T5V
- 5 inch carbon/rohacell woofer
- 50 watts Class D amplification
- Frequency response: 42Hz–25kHz
- XLR and RCA inputs
The T5V feature Adam Audio's proprietary Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter for silky highs. The bass is surprisingly bold and the stereo imaging precise.
Price - $169 each
8. Equator Audio D5
- 5 inch woofer
- 50 watts Class D amplification
- Frequency response: 50Hz–20kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
Equator's coaxial driver design produces clear mids/highs and focused bass reproduction. They have a balanced tonal profile perfect for long mixing sessions.
Price - $199 each
9. Kali Audio LP-8
- 8 inch woofer
- 200 watts Class D biamplification
- Frequency response: 38Hz–22kHz
- XLR and TRS inputs
The LP-8 is Kali Audio's largest budget model. With rumbling bass extension and lively highs, they're ideal for producer/DJs wanting thumping low end.
Price - $199 each
10. Mackie MR524
- 5.25 inch woofer
- 75 watts biamplification
- Frequency response: 60Hz-20kHz
- XLR and TRS inputs
This compact speaker from Mackie provides balanced sound with tight bass and clear highs. The acoustic space and low-frequency controls help tune the speakers.
Price - $199 each
11. PreSonus Eris E5
- 5.25 inch Kevlar woofer
- 55 watts Class AB biamplification
- Frequency response: 45Hz–22kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
PreSonus's E5 straddles the line between budget and mid-priced monitors. With dual aramid fiber woofers, they reproduce deep lows and detailed highs.
Price - $199 each
12. Event Electronics 20/20 BAS V3
- 6.5 inch woofer
- 100 watts biamplification
- Frequency response: 45Hz-20kHz
- XLR and TRS inputs
This bass reflex speaker excels with EDM and hip-hop thanks to solid bass extension and precise stereo imaging for panning synthesizers.
Price - $199 each
13. Focal Alpha 50
- 5 inch woofer
- 50 watts Class A/B amplification
- Frequency response: 45Hz-22kHz
- XLR and RCA inputs
From respected French speaker company Focal, the Alpha 50 impresses with gorgeous mids and smooth, extended highs for the price.
Price - $199 each
14. Presonus Eris E8
- 8 inch woven composite woofer
- 90 watts Class AB biamplification
- Frequency response: 34Hz–22kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
With massive low-frequency drivers, the E8 excels with EDM, hip-hop, and dance styles needing powerful bass reproduction.
Price - $299 each
15. Equator Audio D8
- 8 inch coaxial woofer/tweeter
- 240 watts Class D biamplification
- Frequency response: 32Hz-20kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
Equator's large coaxial design provides thunderous lows and clear, detailed highs. One of the best speakers for bass-heavy mixes.
Price - $299 each
16. JBL 306P MkII
- 6.5 inch woofer
- 90 watts Class D biamplification
- Frequency response: 43Hz-24kHz
- XLR, TRS, and RCA inputs
With excellent sound quality and useful room correction features, JBL's 306P MkII is a smart step-up pick with greater bass extension.
Price - $298 each
17. Yamaha HS7
- 6.5 inch woofer
- 75 watts Class A/B biamplification
- Frequency response: 38Hz–30kHz
- XLR and TRS inputs
Like the smaller HS5, Yamaha's HS7 excels with midrange detail essential for mixing and mastering. The added woofer size improves the bass response.
Price - $299 each
18. Adam Audio T7V
- 7 inch carbon/rohacell woofer
- 100 watts Class D amplification
- Frequency response: 42Hz-25kHz
- XLR and RCA inputs
The T7V builds on the T5V, with greater low-frequency extension while maintaining Adam's signature crystalline highs.
Price - $399 each
19. Kali Audio LP-10s
- 10 inch woofer
- 400 watts Class D amplification
- Frequency response: 27Hz–180kHz
- XLR and RCA inputs
Along with your choice of monitors, add the LP-10s powered subwoofer for bass you can truly feel during mixing/mastering.
Price - $399
Get Quality Sound on a Budget
You don't need to spend thousands on monitors to get accurate, professional sound for music production. As this guide shows, many great budget studio monitors are available today that outperform their price.
Focus on finding speakers with natural tonal balance, adequate bass extension, and clear mids/highs. Connect them properly to your audio interface using XLR or TRS cables for best results.
With quality affordable monitors, you can create great sounding mixes in your home studio without breaking the bank. Just be sure to also treat your room with sound absorption panels to reduce reflections.
