Compared to the sets of $100 studio monitors, those in this price range are considered the first real loudspeakers of this type. Here you will find the sweet spot deals in the entry-level class. We’ve selected some of the Best Studio Monitor Speakers Under $200, which have a proven track record. Those who are trying to put together a decent home studio with a reasonably sensible budget will find some pretty decent solutions in this segment of the market. In fact, some of the best monitors on the market can be found here. Let’s have a look at them and we’ll tell you what you should expect from best studio monitor speakers under $200.
Rockville APM8B
Although the Rockville APM8W is still within budget, it offers incredible performance that far exceeds the desired weight class. We have a pair of speakers that are characterized by excellent furniture design, good materials, and solid build quality. In addition to that, the aesthetics of Rockville is also relevant. Speaking of which, you can choose between white, black and classic wood. When you look at the hardware and performance, things get better. Rockville opted for a 1 “dome tweeter and an 8” low-frequency transducer for each speaker. In terms of power, the pair is capable of delivering 500 watts. The I/O cluster also includes some surprises, such as the USB port in addition to the RCA and XLR / TRS pairs. Overall, this is one of the best studio monitor speakers under $200 on the market.
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Yamaha HS5
Yamaha made a significant impact on the market when they released their HS series monitor loudspeakers. The reason for this is the fact that HS5, which we are looking at today, has proven to be very competitive in a very short time. The loudspeaker has a simple design with cabinets that are completely black or completely white. In terms of hardware, you have a 1 “dome tweeter in combination with a 5” low-frequency driver. You can recognize HS series speakers simply by looking at the LF driver. Their white color has become a trademark of species. Each cabinet is bi-amped and pushes 70 watts of power, allowing the whole set to deliver a total of 140 watts. They are surely one of the best studio monitor speakers under 200 dollars.
PreSonus Eris E4.5
Speaking of successful budget monitors, we can not forget PreSonus Eris E4.5. This whole series of speakers has proved its worth many times. Eris E4.5 is known for its good quality, simple aesthetics, and great performance. These have proved particularly formidable when you need something compact. With control buttons on the front, you look for great ease of use. Under the bonnet, we see a 4.5 “Kevlar driver with low frequency and a 1” -mass silk dome tweeter with a low mass. Each cabinet has a capacity of 25 watts thanks to the class A/B amplifier of high quality. If you look at the back plate of the active unit, you will see extensive acoustic controls and a versatile I/O cluster. Overall, this is one of the best studio monitor speakers under 200 dollars.
Behringer Studio 50USB
Behringer has always been the brand when it comes to affordable audio equipment. They may not be the best out there, but they are hard to beat when it comes to scaring the buck value. Behringer Studio 50USB follows that policy pretty well. We have a simple, compact pair of cabinets that blend into any environment. However, the hardware is where things become interesting. Each speaker packs a 1 “silk dome tweeter together with a 5” low-frequency driver. In addition, each loudspeaker is bi-amped, with a maximum output of 50 watts. In other words, a few of these give you 100 watts of reasonably transparent performance. The I/O cluster contains your standard XLR and TRS ports, as well as a USB port. Overall, this is one of the best studio monitor speakers under $200.
Numark N-Wave 580L
If you’re looking for something different, then Numark N-Wave 580L might be something for you. Before we go to hardware and performance, we have to address the fact that the N-Wave 580L has some amazing aesthetics. Both the tweeter and the LF driver are illuminated by a series of LEDs. This gives the speakers a rather unique appearance. In addition, you can change colors. From the point of view of performance, it looks good. We have a 1 “tweeter coupled to a 5.25″low-frequency driver. The quality of sound is anything but acceptable and rather transparent. Both cabs together provide about 40 watts of power, which makes them pretty good for the money. All in all, N-Wave 580L is, to say the least, one of the best studio monitor speakers under 200 dollars.
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M-Audio AV42
After experiencing great success with their AV32 line of monitor loudspeakers, M-Audio did what any other brand would do in their situation and scaled up the design. M-Audio AV42 represents a more expensive alternative with its larger drivers. Interestingly, they share the same design solutions as the model on which they were based. That is, for the most part, a good thing. AV42 is equipped with a 1 “low-mass dome tweeter that sits in a fairly efficient weaving conductor, low frequencies are provided by a 4” low-frequency driver that adds more precision in the lower frequency range. A pair of AV42 can deliver about 40 watts, guaranteed by their class A/B amplifier. Last but not least, the I/O cluster is quite versatile. All such things make it one of the best studio monitor speakers under $200.
Alesis Elevate 5 MKII
Alesis Elevate 5 MkII has proved to be one of the more interesting options in the lower middle range. Apart from a fairly simple design, these speakers offer a number of efficient solutions. If you need an example, take a look at the front bass reflex ports. By doing so, Alesis has allowed the user to push it closer to a wall if necessary. The hardware consists of a 4 “low-frequency driver, a 1” silk dome tweeter and a Class A/B amplifier that pushes 40 watts per channel. When you add front controls, a decent I/O cluster and a reasonably transparent sound, you get one of the best studio monitor speakers under 200 dollars for beginners and those who need more versatility with a limited budget.
What To Expect From Best Studio Monitor Speakers Under $200?
The majority of the music production community sees the best studio monitors under $200 well within the entry segment. With that said, the difference in features and performance compared to $ 100 price range is significant, to say the least. The first thing you notice is bigger drivers. For the most part, a standard of 5 “will be an exception to the standard bar, but the pure increase in the size of the driver is not what makes this segment of the market so attractive.”
The real improvement is in most of these speakers to the table, we are talking about acoustic controls, different damping options and more. This is where you enter the real monitoring area. It is very important to adjust the output and profile of the speakers to your room. Although most of these monitors belong to the neighborhood or the midfield, having a few options is definitely a good thing.
Moreover, pure performance has improved. In general, you can count on a more even response across the frequency range. This gives you much-needed transparency. Certainly, a set of $500 monitors will still be much better in almost everything, but many people consider the range of $200 and maybe $300 as the true sweet spot. That is, in any case, the case for those who are looking for the best value for their money.
We have already mentioned that I/O clusters on speakers in this price range are more diverse and versatile. Being able to understand what these additional I/O options mean can help you choose a range of monitors that best suit your current and future needs. There are now different types of connections in the world of audio equipment. You will find your XLR, TRS and RCA connectors. These three are the gold standard for everything from microphones to amplifiers. In other words, if you have all three or two of these three, you can connect your speakers to a variety of mixers or other conceivable gears. Here we find the actual question that will simplify the entire I/O discussion.
Final Words
Finding the Best Studio Monitor Speakers Under $200 is not easy. Models mentioned in our list are by far some of the best in this category. With that said, this price range still requires that you accept some compromises here and there. Being able to recognize what your priorities are can be reasonably helpful in refining the choices. If you have a limited budget and that budget extends to $200, you should feel reasonably comfortable. Deciding to save for a more expensive set is perfectly understandable, sticking to something from this price range is a good way to go.
