The PreSonus Eris E3.5 is a value-priced home studio monitor pair designed for reference and critical listening. Unlike other monitors in this price range, it is a full-fledged pair of professional studio monitors. The tuning of the E3.5 has a more neutral response with a great transient response thanks to its Kevlar LF Driver.

The HF driver is a standard size 1" tweeter as opposed to the 0.75" tweeters commonly seen on speakers in this price range.

Knobs for high and low-frequency boost/cut enable precise tuning to different rooms.

Input options include 2x TRS Balanced ins and 2x unbalanced RCA ins in the back and a 1/8" aux in the front. Speakers this size work best within a small room size.

Like most monitors of this size and material, bass is on the lighter side. This is balanced with an accentuated treble response and a tight low frequency range. More often than not, many speakers sacrifice bass clarity for bass impact. The tight bass isn't wall-shaking by any measure, but it helps balance low frequency elements better in an untreated room.

At the price, some corners had to be cut. The materials feel a bit on the cheaper side and the wiring system between the speakers feels less secure than other connection methods. The bass extension isn't the best for hip hop and EDM producers, but a subwoofer can fill in the lowest frequencies.

In a price range inhabited by generic speakers and unknown brands, PreSonus have hit a home run with the affordably priced Eris E3.5. This monitor does not claim to deliver the absolute top-tier studio sound, nor does it pretend to do so. But it ranks as one of the best studio speaker monitors in the entry-level price range. It is a great pick if you're looking for budget options that are great for startup home studios.

Specifications

• Driver: 3.5" Kevlar Woofer, 1" Silk Dome Tweeter
• Amplifier: 50W Class AB (25W per speaker)
• Inputs: 2 x 1/4", 1 x Dual RCA Stereo, 1 x 1/8" (aux in)
• Frequency Response: 80Hz-20kHz
• Crossover Frequency: 2.8kHz
• Enclosure: Rear Ported Design
• Controls: Level Knob, HI, and LO tuning knobs
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 5.6" x 6.4"
• Weight: 6.4 lbs.

This pair of studio monitors has one of the speakers acting as an amplifier for both units.

I mulled the option of a pair of Eris 3.5's, with hopes of them serving as a secondary pair of active monitors as soon as I upgraded to better boxes, but I didn't want to risk getting the low end all wrong with the album I'd soon be mixing.

The E4.5s sound neutral to my ears, with clear highs great for nearfield use. Mixing on these is a breeze and can even be used for content consumption if you don't mind the slightly harsh reference tuning on these speakers. As with any audio monitors, these will greatly benefit from an acoustically treated room and some isolation pads or stands. These are best used at a low to medium volume because although they can get quite loud with high Max SPL. But they start to distort and lose detail at little above "fun" volumes.

Speaking of fun, I find that these speakers are not as "fun" sounding as my old Rokits with their boosted bass but analytical and blunt, revealing flaws in my recordings.

Having the volume knob at the front seems like a no-brainer but there are manufacturers who opt to place the volume controls elsewhere. I feel this is a nod to users that might want to use these as their computer speakers forgoing an audio interface altogether.

Behind are some basic mid range and high frequency adjustment options to dial in the sound to match your room response and ears. The +/- 6 dB range of adjustability is quite dramatic and can be heard by even less than golden ears.

The build quality is not bad, but not stellar either. It doesn't feel too premium, but still feels solid in a good way. It gives you the impression that all the money you're paying is going into sound quality. This monitor can be described as "adequate" in terms of delivering sound quality. It has reversed-dome woofers and permanently grilled tweeters, an added convenience for those with kids in the house. The speaker drivers are well protected from inadvertent damage.

Volume Knob Problem

What started out to be a minor inconvenience has since progressed into a major flaw. Upon researching online, exercising the volume knob should help this... but I've done that a lot and it hasn't helped a bit. I guess its time to take these in for service.

It's a good pair of nearfield monitors for a low price, but I would stop short of calling them great. I would recommend them as a first pair. Be aware that the knobs may develop scratchiness over time, and it is advisable to replace them before the condition worsens.

The ROKIT 5, now on its 4th gen version, loses the round, egg-like curves of its predecessors in favor of a more traditional enclosure with rounded corners. The main speaker driver is a 5" Kevlar woofer, and it is paired with a 1" Kevlar Dome tweeter.

Tweaking controls are done on an app via Bluetooth, for better adjustments without leaving the "sweet spot".

It also includes ISO-foam pads for decoupling from surfaces.

While earlier ROKIT generations were criticized for having a bloated low-frequency range, the ROKIT 5 G4 has refined their sound signature and tightens it up with a front-firing port. It has a flat but extended response despite being on the smaller scale of studio monitors. EDM producers will be satisfied to still have the low-frequency extension with a more balanced midrange, leading to better mix translation.

On the flipside, the digital controls might be too gimmicky. While it's a great technological advancement, it might not be used that often anyway unless you move the speakers around a lot from studio to studio.

All in all, the ROKIT 5 G4 has made converts of former doubters of the ROKIT line. With its new, more balanced sound signature and more serious aesthetic, the KRK ROKIT 5 G4 earns its place as one of the best studio monitor speakers at this price point. And you don't have to be a music producer to appreciate its sound quality, even for casual listening experience.

Specifications

• Driver: 5" Kevlar Woofer, 1" Kevlar Dome tweeter
• Amplifier: 55W Class D
• Inputs: 1 x XLR-1/4 combo
• Frequency response: 43Hz-40kHz
• Crossover Frequency: 3 kHz
• Enclosure: Ported
• Controls: Controlled via App
• Dimensions: 11.22" x 7.48" x 9.49" "
• Weight: 10.69 lbs.

At first glance, the IN-5 looks like a regular bi-amped studio monitor. On closer inspection, the midrange driver and high frequency driver are arranged coaxially with the midrange driver also functioning essentially as a waveguide.

Large magnets and voice coils in the drivers along with a tri-amped speaker configuration give high headroom and low distortion.

A front firing port with low turbulence, prevents chuffing and distortion. Boundary EQ at the back helps tailor the speakers to your room.

With this setup, the sweet spot becomes very wide and linear. Since the midrange driver is in line with the high frequency driver, phase issues and comb filtering are kept to a minimum. Having a better sense of how the high frequencies interact and intersect with the midrange is key to achieving a clear mix that isn't harsh at the top end.

The response is neutral but because of the coaxial design, the high frequencies retain a lot of detail without boosting it.

To make the most of this tech, it's important to have a well treated room. The sweet spot will lose its linearity if your room isn't prepared for it. You can also do room correction treatments if needed.

The Kali Audio IN-5 is a showcase of modern speaker design, executed well. Despite being a newer product, lots of people have grown to love the brand and the speakers; for good reason. Get it if you need great stereo space and have the room to do the speakers justice.

Specifications

• Driver: 5" Woofer, 4" Paper midrange driver, 1" Textile Dome Tweeter
• Amplifier: 80W LF, 40W mF, 40W HF
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA, 1 x 1/4"
• Frequency response: 39Hz-25kHz (-10 dB)
• Crossover Frequency: Not Specified
• Enclosure: Front Ported
• Controls: Volume, High Trim, Low Trim
• Dimensions: 15.1" x 8.2" x 11.2"
• Weight: 19 lbs.

Kali Audio IN-5 Frequency Response Chart

Thanks to the success of the now legendary NS10 studio monitor, Yamaha continues to enjoy a favorable position in the near field monitoring market. As proof, they have secured multiple recommendations from us over the years due to the high ratings their monitors get.

The bigger 8" woofer allows for more headroom and low-end response, while the room and high-trim controls will let you adjust the sound to fit into different studio sizes.

There's actually nothing special when you look at the spec sheet, but Yamaha made all these small parts work together seamlessly - resulting in outstanding reference monitoring experience that's reflected by its high ratings and expert recommendations.

It also helps that the HS8 is relatively affordable (given the high quality); you'll have enough cash to spare to buy other important studio gear.

The HS8 is a great example of how good care at selecting elements result in the parts being greater than the whole. This results in a speaker that is accurate and reliable and is a definite upgrade for many entry level speakers and compares in performance with more expensive speakers. Their sound quality and long term durability/reliability also makes them great long term studio monitors for a studio. Getting used to them actually makes you a better mixer in the long run because of their neutrality.

That said, the HS8 might be too large for smaller studios. It's not a bass-heavy speaker despite its size, but a small untreated room might not be the best place to use these speakers. For smaller and untreated rooms, the HS5 may be a better pick.

The Yamaha HS8 is a good safe middle ground for those who want quality, reliability, and versatility. As always mentioned, it carries the legacy of the NS-10; a monitor knows for its flat and revealing frequency curve. A cool looking white finish Yamaha HS8 version is also available atSweetwater.com.

Specifications

• Driver: 8" Woofer, 1" Dome Tweeter
• Amplifier: 75W LF, 45W HF
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4" (TS)
• Frequency Response: 38Hz to 30kHz
• Crossover Frequency: 2kHz
• Enclosure: Ported
• Controls: Level Knob, Room Control Switch, High Trim Switch
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 15.4" x 13.1"
• Weight: 22.5 lbs.

Yamaha HS8 Frequency Response Chart

Genelec is known for their large, high end studio monitors. The 8020D is their take on the compact, 4" studio monitor for smaller studios.

It features Genelec's signature Minimum Diffraction Enclosure shape that reduces reflections on the speaker itself as well as the Directivity Control Waveguide for better directivity.

Despite its size, it's powered by a 50W LF Driver for better headroom at louder monitoring levels.

For smaller home setups with limited space, the Genelec 8020D is one of the best desktop monitor solutions. Aside from their sound, the included Iso-pod stands help isolate the speakers from the surface to prevent it from resonating and altering the response. Despite the size, bass response was still impactful without muddying up the sound. Not quite at the level EDM producers demand but enough to have a full sounding picture of your mix.

The thing to note about Genelec monitors is that their sound signature straddles the thin line between hi-fi and critical monitoring. It might be a bit too hi-fi for some that are used to Yamaha-styled frequency responses. It's also not the best for those looking for a deep sub bass response although it does pair well with subwoofers.

If you're looking for a great set of monitors for a small desk setup, the Genelec 8020D is a top pick. The bundled isolation solution, surprisingly good bass tightness and response makes it a great pick at this price point.

Specifications

• Driver: 4" Woofer, 0.75" Diameter Equivalent ribbon tweeter
• Amplifier: 50W LF, 50W HF
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA
• Frequency response: 56Hz-25kHz (-6dB)
• Crossover Frequency: 3.0kHz
• Enclosure: Ported
• Controls: Tone DIP switches, Sensitivity control
• Dimensions: 9.5" (including Iso-Pod stand) x 6" x 5.6"
• Weight: 7.0 lbs.

Genelec 8020D Frequency Response Chart

Premium audio crafters Neumann bring their longtime expertise to create the KH120 Studio Monitors. The KH stands for "Klein + Hummel", a studio monitor company brought into the Sennheiser group of companies under the Neumann flag.

Neumann's Mathematically Modeled Dispersion waveguide ensures wide horizontal directivity with narrow vertical dispersion to prevent reflections on table and console surfaces.

You can spot the KH 120 A in many high end mixing and mastering studios. The sound quality brings a lifelike quality that is most apparent in well treated mixing and mastering environments.

The KH 120 A can sound very unforgiving. It's a quality that people look for in custom studio speakers. Mixing on a pair of unforgiving monitors is greatly rewarding when you finally "get it right" and it translates well. This can also be a detriment to those that use their studio monitors to "wow" clients as the neutral and unforgiving nature of the KH 120 A doesn't flatter even the best mixes.

The Neumann KH 120 is a true critical listening studio monitor that shreds bad mixes to pieces but rewards great ones with excellent translation.

Specifications

• Driver: 5.25" LF driver, 1" HF driver
• Amplifier: 50W (Continuous), 80W (Peak) LF, 50W (Continuous), 80W (Peak) HF
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA
• Frequency response: 52Hz-21kHz
• Crossover Frequency: 2kHz, 24 dB/octave
• Enclosure: Ported
• Controls: Low, Mid and High adjustment, Output Level adjustment, Input gain
• Dimensions: 10.87" x 7.12"x 8.62"
• Weight: 14.3 lbs.

Neumann KH 120 Frequency Response Chart