Updated: April 25th, 2020
Ready to get serious about your audio work, but need to stick to a budget? That’s where the best studio monitors under $200 come in. These high-quality speakers are designed to deliver accuracy and consistency so that your mixes are the best they can be.
Best Studio Monitors Under $200 Reviewed
Best Bang For Your Buck  | Best Bang For Your Buck | Edifier R1280T Active Near Field Monitors |
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Best For The Money  | Best For The Money | PreSonus Eris E3.5 Multimedia Studio Monitors |
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Best for Speed  | Best for Speed | PreSonus Eris E4.5 2-Way Powered Studio Monitors |
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Best Direct Drive Double Pedal  | Best Direct Drive Double Pedal | Rockville APM5W Studio Monitors |
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What to Look for In Affordable Studio Monitors Under $200
- Amplification – Choose active studio monitors if you don’t want to use a separate amplifier. Active studio monitors have built-in amps, which means there’s one less piece of gear to purchase. Passive studio monitors aren’t amplified, so you’ll need a separate speaker amplifier to hear well.
- Controls – You’ll be amazed at the number of innovations that go into even some of the cheapest studio monitors. It’s a good idea to compare and contrast. See if you really need the controls on offer, or if you’re looking for something more basic. At the same time, if you don’t really need those controls right now, consider if they might be useful in the future.
- Price – In general, active studio monitors cost more than passive studio monitors, but keep in mind that unless you already have a compatible amp, you’ll have to add that to your kit if you go with passive monitors. There’s one more thing to remember and that is that you ought to look at the big picture when taking price into consideration.
Paying a little more for better quality now means that you probably won’t have to replace your studio monitors quite so soon, and you’ll enjoy better results when you invest in a higher-quality monitor setup. If you’re thinking about spending more, be sure to take a look at our guide to the best studio monitors under $500 – between this guide and that one, there are plenty of good choices to satisfy your recording needs as well as your budget.
Edifier R1280T Active Near Field Monitors
Edifier R1280T active nearfield studio monitors offer dual RCA inputs that work with 3.5mm headphone outputs or dual RCA outputs. AUX lets you connect too two devices simultaneously without switching or plugging. A 13mm silk dome tweeter and a 4-inch full range unit with a bass driver and aa calibrated, flared bass reflex port produce studio sound quality. The wood cabinets are finished with wood-effect vinyl to complement a wide range of interiors, and the remote control offers instant adjustability. The main speaker features bass and treble controls on its side. This set of two studio monitors comes with a two-year warranty that covers parts and labor.
Pros
- Removable front plate
- Versatile; can be used as home entertainment speakers
- Entry level pricing
Cons
- Need a separate preamp
- Only one speaker is active; the other is passive and it can take a while to get the desired sound.
This set includes one active speaker and one passive speaker. The inputs can be connected to a variety of sources and numerous cables let you connect as you like on unboxing, minus additional orders or trips to an electronics store. If you’re setting up a small home recording studio on a tight budget, you are likely to appreciate these monitors.
PreSonus Eris E3.5 Multimedia Studio Monitors
This set of two PreSonus Eris E3.5 multimedia studio monitors features 3.5 inch Kevlar low-frequency transducers, 1-inch silk-dome high-frequency transducers, and rear-firing acoustic ports for more bass frequency reproduction than is found in most monitors this size. Class AB amplification makes for more accurate mixing, and an acoustic adjustment control helps you work better in a variety of spaces, whether they have been acoustically treated or if surfaces are highly reflective. Internal bracing is optimized to suppress resonance.
Pros
- Desirable “flat” response for accurate sound reproductions
- Great blend of value and functionality from a very well-known brand
- Acoustic tuning feature is helpful in a variety of environments
- Has a little more low-end “punch” than other most monitors in this size range
Cons
- Cables aren’t the best, some reports of crackling; easily remedied with noise filter clips
- Less bass response than some users would like
These monitors offer versatility for gaming, multimedia, and watching movies when you’re not using them in the studio. The industrial design offers plenty of visual appeal and the acoustic tuning feature lets you enjoy quality sound in any room. Controls are conveniently located and the included manual does a great job of guiding beginners toward producing better mixes. There are more helpful setup tips at the manufacturer’s website and just like other quality studio monitors, these improve with break-in. If you’re new to home recording and you’re willing to replace the cables or add noise filter clips, you’ll probably be amazed at the sound quality considering the price.
PreSonus Eris E4.5 2-Way Powered Studio Monitors
PreSonus Eris E4.5 2-way powered studio monitors feature 4.5-inch Kevlar low-frequency transducers, 1-inch ultra-low mass silk dome high-frequency transducers, and 50 watt class AB amplification (25 watts per side). This set of studio monitors includes acoustic tuning controls for midrange, plus HF, High Pass, and acoustic space settings that provide accuracy when mixing. These monitors are built with resonance-suppressing internal braces, and feature automatic protection from common issues including RF interference, overheating, and more. Rear ports provide punchy but not overpowering bass.
Pros
- Excellent, immersive sound quality, particularly for the size
- Small enough to be portable when needed
- Excellent in the midrange and treble, decent bass with some impact
- Versatile enough for all types of listening as well as for production
Cons
- Has TRS inputs, but TRS cables aren’t included
- A few reports of manufacturing flaws
If you’re setting up your studio and you’d like a good set of monitors that will work with your budget, then you’re going to want to give these a closer look. The response is far flatter than speakers designed for general listening so you’ll find that your mixes emerge sounding true. The sound is exactly the same across the entire volume range, so you can work at a comfortable level. Pricing is higher than some other models mentioned here, but overall, these are among the best studio monitors in this range.
Rockville APM5W Studio Monitors
Rockville APM5W 5.25” 2-way studio monitors are equipped with a quad amp design, with each driver offering frequency-specific independent amplifiers. Each speaker boasts 125 watts peak output power for a total of 250 watts. The wooden speaker enclosures are made with MDF, and there are three finishes to choose from – white, black, or wood tone. The ferro-fluid enhanced ¾” neodymium silk dome tweeters feature metal grill protectors, and heat protection prevents melting and blowouts. The 5.25” woofers provide clear, punchy bass, with injection-molded polypropylene cones that enhance sound quality while eliminating distortion. The rear-firing port is designed for reduced turbulence and clear bass notes. A set of high-density foam studio isolation pads is included.
Pros
- Crisp, clear sound quality across entire range
- Flat response is perfect for studio work, easy to turn up/down treble and bass for listening enjoyment when desired
- Studio monitor pads are included
Cons
- USB port included, but you have to get an A to B USB cable separately is you plan to use the port
If you’re looking for good starter studio monitors that won’t deflate your budget, then you’ll want to take a peek at these. They get excellent reviews overall, and most people are astonished at the quality/price ratio. Users mention enjoying these for keyboards, recording, jamming, and electronic drums as well as gaming, watching movies, etc.
Rockville APM8W Studio Monitor Speakers
Rockville APM8W studio monitor speakers feature 250 watts pre unit, for a total of 500 watts. Encased in MDF wood cabinets, the computer optimized electronic components include 1” voice coils inside the 1.5” tweeters, which are covered in silk with metal protective grills. Full-range class D amplifier circuitry includes auto-switching, and the 8” woofers feature rubber surrounds and polypropylene cones for a pure, clean sound.
Pros
- Excellent for recording live drumming tracks
- Solid and well-built
- Many inputs for versatility
- Exceptional clarity for studio monitors at this price range
Cons
- Potential for a static, hissing sound when powered on but nothing playing or very low volume
If you’re looking for an outstanding set of studio monitor speakers for recording drumming tracks, DJ practice, mixtape recording, or loud listening, you’re probably going to enjoy these. The downside – and one that is mentioned a few times in reviews – is that this setup isn’t great for low-volume listening as there’s some potential for white noise at very low volumes.
While professional-grade studio monitors might be out of your league, it’s possible to get realistic sound from good-quality monitors under $200. Be sure to consider an acoustic treatment for your space, and consider adding speaker stands so that your monitors sound the best they can, without hard surfaces such as a console or desk top altering the sound. With careful attention to your setup and decent studio monitors, you’ll be amazed at how nuanced and crisp your sounds can be.
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