Best
active speakers
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Overall: A powerful active speaker with max SPL of 114dB
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Best Feature: Musicians and party makers who need clear sound at high volume.
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TedScore™: 9/10
Overall best
studio monitors
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Overall: Delivering first-class imaging and sonically-rich acoustic
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Best Feature: Professional 5” matching woofer and 1’ tweeter
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
passive speakers
PA Speaker Gives you a solid sound with study design
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Overall: Mobile performers and live performances
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Best Feature: High-quality components and superior sound
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TedScore™: 8/10
Choosing between studio monitors vs speakers for your audio setup can be confusing, with lots of technical terms and conflicting opinions. Understanding the main differences can save you time and money if you’re getting into audio production or want to improve your home audio.
Studio monitors provide a flat, uncolored sound that’s perfect for critical listening, which is essential in music production. On the other hand, regular speakers are designed to enhance your listening experience by boosting specific frequencies, making them ideal for casual listening.
Ready to find out which option is best for you? Let’s explore sound quality and audio production to discover your perfect match.
Keep reading – you won’t want to miss this!
What’s the difference between speakers and studio monitors?
Musicians who record at home or people who like to maximize their gaming experience, often turn to studio speakers to achieve the best audio quality. There are many decent regular and powered speaker on the market.
However, having a clear, unbiased sound is a part of studio monitors that nothing can replace. If you like to record your guitar sessions, edit your video, or track an instrument, you can only produce a natural sound through studio monitors.
Regular speakers can alter frequencies, while studio monitors have a flat frequency response, meaning they don’t.
The main difference is that speakers are designed for home use, and studio monitors are mainly for professional studio use. However, you can use studio monitors at home or bring speakers to a studio setup for a specific vibe.
This article will cover the right speaker options and studio monitors and their differences in terms of technical aspects, sound, and cost.
Technical Differences
Although these products share a common ground in many cases, they have very different technical features. Studio monitors and speakers primarily differ in the audio they produce and their sound profile.
Studio monitors are always manufactured to produce a flat frequency response to playback the audio just like it is without any coloring or altercations. That is why they are used professionally to mix the sound.
On the other hand, the speakers play the audio recording more colorfully and are designed more for personal listening.
The technical differences can’t be spotted visually, making the buying decision even tougher. Therefore, you must choose between active and passive speakers.
Active/Passive
The studio monitors are nearly always equipped with “active” speakers like SubZero SZS-P12A. This means the power amp is inside the speaker cabinet, and you must connect a line source to control the volume.
The volume control can be done with a monitor controller or an audio interface. Moreover, the speakers for home usage or Hi-Fi are always “passive speakers,” like our chosen SubZero C12, meaning they need an external amp with the correct speaker output.
Individual Power Amplifiers
Most studio monitor models come with integrated power amplifiers. These amplifiers are specially designed for demanding applications and specifications of the monitor speakers.
Ultimately, for a passive speaker, this leads to each cone, woofer (bass), midrange, and tweeter (treble) being individually powered for a clearer sound.
Active speakers come with many benefits. For instance, they come with built in power amplifiers like the woofer, the tweeter, and the mid-range speaker. Each gets an individual amp, and the outcome is a more dynamic speakers response.
Crossovers
Crossovers split the frequencies and directs them to the correct speaker. Crossovers add more clarity and give precise sound, allowing you to hear every detail. This feature is one of the main features that makes hi fi speakers a much better option over average speakers.
Active speakers are advantageous in this case since they contain several power amplifiers, making it easier to build a top-quality crossover. In this case, the crossover can be placed before the power amplifier and successfully reduce the overlap between the woofer, tweeter, and midrange.
Soundwaves Explained
Studio monitors and speakers produce different sounds. The overall aim of a studio monitor is to leave the sound exactly like it is in real life. Thus, the sound is always in its original and raw form.
A dedicated monitor speaker don’t tamper with the pitch tone or amplitude of the sound waves. You can enjoy critical listening because the sound is in the purest and most optimal form.
This is why music professionals use studio monitors with the tools to change the sound manually.
Normal speakers offer a more colorful sound for casual listeners and are specifically designed to change the sound waves and amplify and increase each wave’s power.
Studio Monitors
Even cheaper regular speakers can sound good if they have the proper configuration for the output. Contrary to consumer-grade speakers, studio monitors produce the most accurate sound.
That’s why professionals use them, focusing a lot on modifying the audio production and fixing its imperfections.
Best Studio Monitors
DESIGNED FOR: Delivering first-class imaging and sonically-rich acoustic
FEATURES: Professional 5” matching woofer and 1’ tweeter
PRICE RANGE: £/$139.25
KRK ROKIT RP5 G4
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 3-year warranty
- 2 Colors Available
- Weights 5kg
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Bringing studio-grade audio fidelity even to home studios.
FEATURES: 100dB maximum continuous SPL
PRICE RANGE: £/$170
PreSonus Eris 4.5
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Money-back guarantee
- Premium-grade components
- Pricier than others
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Music production, multimedia work, and gaming.
FEATURES: Highly accurate, rich, detailed, and deep sound
PRICE RANGE: £/$89
M-Audio BX3
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Affordable product
- Optional 10-year warranty
- Often out of stock
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Advantages of studio monitors
Premium quality sound – Studio monitors produce the best possible audio quality, giving speakers a run for their money. The monitors have independent power sources and can make more accurate sound as possible.
Active amplifier – In almost every case, the audio produced by speakers is compressed and upgraded from its original state. What makes the audio sound better is the configuration. The studio monitors offer high-quality sound without compression. The credit for the audio quality goes to the active amp, the independent power source, and the original mix you’re listening to!
Better bass – The studio monitors can produce a much clearer and crispier bass. This is because they don’t share the power restrictions like speakers.
Disadvantages of studio monitors
Difficult volume control – Because of the independent power amps on the studio monitors, controlling the volume can be quite challenging. To get the best output, you must work with additional equipment, like audio interfaces, amps, mixers etc. This could be good for music professionals, but it can be daunting for a casual listener to create the best possible configuration.
They don’t sound as good – I know it sounds strange, but as studio monitors are trying to faithfully represent the original material, they don’t ‘soup-up’ the sound in any way – so they simply won’t sound as good from a casual listener point of view. But that’s kind of the point!
Speakers
People can connect the speakers to another device or use them as a standalone gadget. And if you know, the speakers are often called bookshelf speakers because they are placed on a hard surface to be higher in the room, for instance, a bookshelf!
That does not mean that you should only put the speakers on a bookshelf; quite the opposite; they are versatile, and you can rearrange them in your room to get the best surrounding audio production.
Best Speakers
DESIGNED FOR: Musicians and party makers who need clear sound at high volume.
FEATURES: A powerful active speaker with max SPL of 114dB
PRICE RANGE: £/$149.99
SubZero SZS-P12A Active PA Speaker
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 250w peak power
- Two plug-and-play input channels
- 11kg weight
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Mobile performers and live performances.
FEATURES: High-quality components and superior sound
PRICE RANGE: £/$119.99
SubZero C12 Passive PA Speaker
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Gives clear and balanced sound
- Max power of 1100W
- Speaker stands not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: High-volume performances.
FEATURES: 2-way passive loudspeaker with stands and portable bag
PRICE RANGE: £/$679
Yamaha CBR12 Speaker pack
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 12” woofer and 1.4” compression for HD clarity
- Excellent portability
- Pricier option
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Advantages of speakers
Great audio for an affordable price – The speakers come at a far lower cost than studio monitors. They can significantly improve the home speakers or theater system and enhance the entire experience. The speakers are great for entertaining purposes and don’t require any other high-end audio system that costs a lot of money.
Convenient design – The design of the speakers offers a lot of flexibility, and you can place them anywhere you think it’s convenient. You can take another approach, see where the speakers produce the best audio quality, and isolate the entire room.
Disadvantages of speakers
- Not suitable for mixing – I’m afraid it’s as simple as you want to mix, mix on studio monitors.
Price Difference
A studio monitor like KRK ROKIT SP5 G4 is manufactured with materials that cost a lot of money. This is because professionals use the product, and the companies can’t afford to compromise; the sound has to be natural and of premium quality.
On the other hand, speakers come in many forms and have different strengths, which is the case with SubZero SZS-P12A and SubZero C12. The SubZero ZSZ-P12A is an active speaker with a little rounded shape, while the SubZero C12 is a bigger one, with precisely angled shape.
Also, they are used by casual listeners, and there is a lot of competition in the industry, which degrades the product’s price. Manufacturers try to keep the speaker’s price inside the customer’s budget.
Studio Monitors Vs. Speakers
Summary
By now, we’ve examined the distinct roles and features of studio monitors and regular speakers. Both have unique merits and serve different purposes.
To sum up the difference between studio monitors and speakers:
- Studio Monitors: Designed for accuracy and clarity.
- Used by sound engineers.
- Ideal for mixing and mastering.
- Regular Speakers: Enhanced for pleasing sound.
- Perfect for everyday listening.
- Often used in home audio systems.
Studio monitors offer a flat frequency response, ensuring an uncolored sound that is authentic to the original recording. This is crucial in professional settings.
On the other hand, regular speakers enhance or color the audio to make it more enjoyable for casual listening. They often boost bass and treble for a richer experience.
So, which one suits you best? It depends on your needs. If you’re creating music, go for studio monitors. Fancy just enjoying your tunes? Regular speakers are the way to go.
Regarding the section ‘Technical Differences’ between studio monitors and speakers, it’s a critical analysis for those in production. I believe, however, that mentioning the role of room acoustics would have provided an even fuller picture. It’s a significant factor that affects the monitoring experience, irrespective of the monitor’s quality.
This article hit just right! Been on the fence about whether my next big buy should be a new guitar or diving into the world of studio monitors to get my home recordings sounding crisp. Really leaning towards the monitors now. The breakdown of ‘Advantages and disadvantages of studio monitors’ gave me lots to think about, honestly. Didn’t realize there was so much that went into choosing the right equipment for different needs. Thanks for shedding light on this, makes the decision process a bit easier knowing the trade-offs.
So, studio monitors are just fancy speakers that don’t let you lie to yourself? Got it. Makes my budget speakers feel like a sweet little lie now.
Hey Hugh Richardson, great deep dive into studio monitors vs speakers. Been mixing on some old speakers and wondering if it’s time to upgrade to proper monitors. You mentioned the ‘Advantages of studio monitors’ and now I’m curious, how much of a difference does it really make for home studios? Worth the investment for someone just getting serious about producing?
Toni_Quartz, totally worth it for the accuracy in mixing. Translates better across different playback devices.