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February 19, 2024

All-Star Gear: Studio Monitors

Your Most-Trusted Reference Speakers

Shopping for the perfect monitors for your studio is quite different from shopping for most other gear. While other All-Star lists are filled with gear that impresses us with tone, feel and features, monitors earn their merit for how flat or uncolored their output is.

Of course, other criteria like wattage, I/O, and size can help narrow your search, but at the end of the day, being able to trust your mix to accurate monitors is key. It's why we've put together this All-Star list of studio monitors, along with quotes from happy engineers who swear by them in the studio.
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Yamaha HS8 Active Studio Monitor

Yamaha HS8 Active Studio Monitor
Our Customers Say...

"The HS8s are on the money and probably the best buy of any monitor costing $0-$1000 each. Buy them...you will be glad you did."
- Jeff in Rochester, NY

"I would recommend these to anyone who really cares about getting perfect levels and hearing sounds and frequencies as they really are!"
- Noah in Palmdale, CA

"The low, mid and highs on these monitors are as true to the mix as you can possibly get. The clarity is breathtaking, even at very high volume."
- Derrick in West Orange, NJ

ADAM T7V Active Studio Monitor

ADAM T7V Active Studio Monitor
"These are pretty serious monitors unheard of in their price range! Nice pristine highs. The low end is smooth and is rich. Bass instruments sound nice."
- Perry in Chelsea, OK

"The Adams pull through with enhanced clarity that surely beats every other speaker below $350"
- Logan in Jefferson City, MO

"If you're worried about not having enough low end or power don't worry at all. These are absolutely phenomenal at the price point."
- A Happy Owner

Avantone MixCubes Active Studio Monitors

Avantone MixCubes Active Studio Monitors
Our Customers Say...

"Built solid, quality you can feel the first time you pick one up. The cones are virtually indestructible, they can take all the punch I can throw at them! The unique zero enhanced flat response make my mixes click every time."
- Keith in New Orleans, LA

"The best advantage of the Mixcubes is that they are really small...Sound is as expected, full range and bright with its small driver."
- JW

Kali Audio IN-5 3-Way Powered Studio Monitor

Kali Audio IN-5 3-Way Powered Studio Monitor
"These are hands down my favorite studio monitors I have heard now. Whether you are mixing or casually listening they are fantastic!"
- A Happy Owner

"The 3-way is what I feel like I have been missing in all my studio monitors now that I hear them. Crossovers just don't compare. Buy these, and you will not regret it for a moment."
- A Happy Owner

"Don't even think about it, get some Kalis now before the apocalypse, LOL. They punch way above their price point. Exceptional."
- A Happy Owner

KRK RP8G4 Rokit 8 Generation 4 Powered Studio Monitor

KRK RP8G4 Rokit 8 Generation 4 Powered Studio Monitor
"The build quality is great... Sound is great.. more balanced and lots of power. The Built in digital EQ on the rear is nice; allows you to tailor the sound a bit more."
- Louis in Milwaukee, WI

"I love the digital EQ parameter on the back of each monitor. It allows ultimate flexibility for dialing in the sound exactly how you want it. The general aesthetic of it is pretty dope too."
- J. in Cabot, AR

Avantone Pro CLA-10A Chris Lord-Alge Active Studio Monitor System

Avantone Pro CLA-10A Chris Lord-Alge Active Studio Monitor System
"Mixing on these forces you to separate all the clashing mid frequencies into a harmonious palette. You could think of it like shooting a beam of light into a prism. What was previously singular (sometimes in really bad way) can be heard well enough and in enough detail to spread out those frequencies into a beautiful harmony."
- Michael in Gilbert, AZ

"I've used JBL and Yamaha 5" monitors, and these are a step up. They handle low end easier. And they're quieter, no background hiss like the others. I can't say 100% sure whether it's coincidence or causality, but my mixes are finally passing the car test."
- A Happy Owner

Fluid Audio FX80 Powered Studio Monitor

Fluid Audio FX80 Powered Studio Monitor
"Fluid Audio covered all the bases, IMO, with this unique design. The sound quality is what you'd expect from $2,000.00 speakers. I've been listening to music for decades and I highly recommend the FX80 pair."
- A Happy Owner

"I had a full 3.1 M Audio BX5 system that I had to sell because of COVID last year. Once I had the money, I decided to give Fluid Audio a try. These sound much better to my ears than the BXs. I'm really impressed with the stereo field."
- A Happy Owner
All-Star Gear