• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

KickstartYourDrumming

Find the gear & lessons that'll quickly get you up on stage

  • Acoustic Drums
    • Beginner Drum Set
      • Cheap Drum Sets
      • Discount Drum Sets
      • Used Drums for Sale
    • Professional Drum Sets
    • Drum Parts
      • Drum Heads
      • HiHats
      • Snare Drum
      • Cymbal Packs
      • Low Volume Cymbals
      • Drum Thrones
      • Drum Triggers
    • Top Brands
      • Gammon Drum Sets
      • Gretsch Catalina Maple
      • Ludwig Breakbeats
      • Mendini Drum Sets
      • Pearl Export Series
      • Pearl Roadshow
      • Sonor Martini
      • Tama Imperialstar
  • Electronic Drum Set
    • Electronic Drum Pad
    • Drum Machines
    • Headphones for Electronic Drums
    • Electronic Drum Amps
    • Top Brands
      • Aerodrums
      • Alesis Nitro
      • Alesis Surge
      • Alesis Forge
      • Alesis DM6
      • Alesis DM10 MKII
      • Alesis DM10X
      • Alesis Strike Pro
      • Behringer XD80USB
      • Freedrum
      • Pearl e-Pro
      • Roland TD 1KV
      • Roland TD 11
      • Roland TD-25KV
      • Roland TD 30KV
      • Yamaha DTX450K
      • Yamaha DTX562K
      • 2Box Drumit 5 Review
  • Junior Drum Sets
    • Gammon Drum Sets
    • Mendini Drum Sets
    • Ludwig Junior Drum Set
    • Ludwig Pocket Kit
  • Accessories
    • Cajons
    • Gifts For Drummers
    • Best Drum Practice Pad
    • Wearable Metronome
    • Shoes For Drumming
    • Budget Double Bass Pedal
    • Bass Drum Pedals
  • Guides
    • Our Best Drum Brands Reviewed
    • Online Lessons
      • Drumeo Lesson Review
    • How to Set Up a Drum Set
    • Practice Drumming Without Drums
    • Become a Better Drummer
    • The Benefits of Drumming
    • 7 Healthy Play Alongs
    • Reading Drum Sheet Music
    • 7 Easy Songs To Play On Drums
    • Drums Or Guitar?
    • Health Benefits of Drumming
    • Virtual drumming
    • Drum Gear Reviews
  • Recording
    • My Favorite Recording Device
    • Drum Microphones
    • In Ear Monitors
    • Kick Drum Mics
    • Home Recording Studio
      • Best Studio Headphones Under $50
      • Best Studio Monitors Under $500
      • Best Studio Headphones Under $100
      • Best Studio Monitors Under $200
  • About
    • Write for Us

Best Studio Monitors Under $200

August 10, 2022 by Ron Leave a Comment

Updated: August 11th, 2022

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

  • Removable front plate
  • Versatile; can be used as home entertainment speakers
  • Entry level pricing
VIEW LATEST PRICE
Best For The Money
Best For The Money

PreSonus Eris E3.5 Multimedia Studio Monitors

  • 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
VIEW LATEST PRICE
Best for Speed
Best for Speed

PreSonus Eris E4.5 2-Way Powered Studio Monitors

  • 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
VIEW LATEST PRICE
Best Direct Drive Double Pedal
Best Direct Drive Double Pedal

Rockville APM5W Studio Monitors

  • 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
VIEW LATEST PRICE

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.

Brand
Model
Rating
Price
Edifier
R1280T
4.6/5 Stars
Check Price
PreSonus
Eris E3.5
4.3/5 Stars
Check Price
PreSonus
Eris E4.5
4.3/5 Stars
Check Price
Rockville
APM5W
4.8/5 Stars
Check Price
Rockville
APM8W
4.3/5 Stars
Check Price

Edifier R1280T Active Near Field Monitors

CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE

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

CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE

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

CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE

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

CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE

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

CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE

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.

Filed Under: Accessories, Electronic kits, Recording

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Copyright © 2025

Hey, I’m Ron, and I want to help you become the awesome drummer you can be!
Throughout my 22 years of drumming, I’ve spent money on overpriced gear and time on ineffective lessons. Now I’ll help you avoid both!

FYI: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please check our full disclosure policy for more details.

Privacy Policy – Terms of Service