Studio monitors are a crucial part of any recording or mixing setup, providing accurate sound reproduction to help you craft professional-quality audio. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great performance. Some studio monitors under $500 deliver exceptional clarity, balanced frequency response, and reliable build quality, making them ideal for home studios and budget-conscious producers.
Now it’s your turn to share your insights! Cast your vote for the best studio monitors under $500 and let us know your experiences in the comments. Whether you’ve found the perfect model or have tips for others, your input can help musicians and creators make the right choice for their studio needs.
1. Kali Audio LP-8 V2 8-inch
3D Imaging waveguide technology for large, imaginary stereo stages.
Bass reflex system.
Boundary EQ to adjust the sound in different studio environments.
Power: 100 W (60 W / 40 W bi-amped).
Loudspeaker configuration: 8" woofer with reduced mass, 1" soft dome tweeter.
Frequency range: 37 - 25000 Hz.
Crossover frequency: 1500 Hz.
Sound pressure level: 85 dB SPL continuous.
Inputs: XLR, 6.3 mm jack (balanced), RCA.
Input sensitivity XLR / 6.3 mm jack: +.
4 dBu.
Input sensitivity RCA: -10 dBV.
2. ADAM Audio T7V 7-inch
Equipment: 7 "woofer and 1.9" U-ART ribbon tweeter.
2x Class-D amplifier: 50W RMS woofer, 20W RMS tweeter.
Frequency range: 39 - 25000 Hz.
Crossover frequency: 2.6 kHz.
Maximum level: 110 dB (1m / pair).
Rear bass reflex port.
Connections: Line input XLR and RCA.
3. Kali Audio LP-6 V2 6.5-inch
3D Imaging waveguide technology for large, imaginary stereo stages.
Bass reflex system.
Boundary EQ to adjust the sound in different studio environments.
Power: 80 W (40 W / 40 W bi-amped).
Speaker configuration: 6.5" woofer with reduced mass, 1" soft dome tweeter.
Frequency range: 39 - 25,000 Hz.
Crossover frequency: 1300 Hz.
Sound pressure level: 85 dB SPL continuous.
Inputs: XLR, 6.3 mm jack (balanced), Cinch.
Input sensitivity XLR / 6.3 mm jack: +.
4 dBu.
Input sensitivity RCA: -10 dBV.
4. Yamaha HS5 5-inch
5" Woofer (45 W) + 1" Tweeter (25 W).
70 W Biamp.
Bass reflex system.
Frequency range: 54 Hz - 30 kHz.
XLR input, balanced.
6.3 mm jack input, balanced.
Adjustable input level.
Room control and high trim response control.
5. PreSonus Eris 5BT 5.25-inch 2nd Gen
Equipped with: 5.25" woofer and 1" tweeter with silk cone.
Power: 2x 50 W sinus.
Class-AB-power amp.
Frequency range: 55 - 20,000 Hz.
Maximum level: 110 dB @ 1 m.
Auto standby switchable.
Inputs: TRS jacks (L/R, balanced), RCA pair (L/R).
Bluetooth 5.0.
Treble control and bass control each -6 to +6 dB.
Front aux input for smartphone etc.: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
Front headphone jack: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
Front volume control with on/off switch and operation LED.
Shielded against HF interference, switch-on delay and output current limiter, overheating protection and subsonic filter.
6. Avantone Pro Gauss 7
Bass Reflex Design.
Drivers: 7" White Cone woofer (120 W) and 2.5" Air Motion tweeter (60 W).
Bi-amped Class D.
Frequency range: 30 - 22000 Hz.
SPL (peak): 103 dB.
THD: 0.5%.
With adjustment options for room adaptation on the rear panel.
Connectors: XLR (3-pole, male), jack (6.3 mm, balanced).
7. Mackie CR8BT 8-inch
8" Fabric woofer.
Silk dome tweeter and protective grille.
Frequency range: 44 Hz - 20,000 Hz.
Max. sound pressure level: 108 dB.
Class D power amplifier with 160 watts peak total output.
Bluetooth: 5.0.
Controls for adjusting sound and volume.
Position switch for desktop and bookshelf modes.
Position switch L/R.
Built-in switched-mode power supply 100 - 240V / 50 - 60 Hz.
2 Line inputs: 6.3 mm jack.
2 RCA (L/R stereo): 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
Stereo headphone output: 3.5 mm mini jack.
8. KRK Classic 5
Equipped with: 5" glass aramid woofer and 1" soft dome tweeter.
Power: 50 watts Class A-B amplifier (30 watts woofer, 20 watts tweeter).
Frequency range: 56 Hz - 30 kHz (+/- 3 dB), 46 Hz - 34.5 kHz (-10 dB).
Crossover frequency: 2.6 kHz.
Max. sound pressure level: 99 dB.
Setting options: Master volume -30 dB to +6 dB, LF volume (-1 dB, FLAT, + 1 dB, +2 dB) below 200 kHz, HF volume (-2 dB, -1 dB, FLAT, +1 dB) above 2.6 kHz.
Connections: Line input XLR and 6.3 mm jack balanced, RCA unbalanced.
Includes XLR male / XLR female connection cable and foam isolation pad.
9. Yamaha HS4 4.5-inch
Equipped with: 4.5" woofer, 1" tweeter.
Power: 20 W + 20 W (THD 0.1 %, 1,000 Hz, RL = 6 O).
Frequency range: 83 - 20,000 Hz (+/- 3 dB) / 60 - 22,000 Hz (-10 dB).
Crossover frequency: 3,200 Hz.
102 dB max SPL.
Switches: Room Control (0 / -2 / -4 dB below 500 Hz), High Trim (+2 / 0 / -2 dB above 2,000 Hz).
Volume control on the front.
Line inputs (left monitor): 2 x Combo XLR / 6.3 mm jack, 2 x RCA, 1 x 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
2x Terminal blocks on both monitors for mutual connection.
10. JBL 305P MKII 5-inch
Equipment: 5" Woofer and 1" tweeter.
2-Way class-D amplifier 82 watts - 41 watts woofer and 41 watts tweeter.
Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 49 - 20,000 Hz.
Maximum level: 108 dB.
Input sensitivity adjustable +4 dBu / -10 dB.
Boundary EQ.
HF trim switch.
Line input XLR and 6.3 mm jack balanced.
15 mm MDF housing.
11. JBL 308P MKII 8-inch
Equipment: 8" Woofer and 1" tweeter.
2-Way Class-D amplifier.
Power: 112 W - 56 W woofer and 56 W treble.
Frequency range: 45 - 20,000 Hz (+/- 3 dB).
Max. SPL: 112 dB (peak).
Input sensitivity adjustable +4 dBu / -10 dB.
Boundary EQ.
HF trim switch.
Connections: Line input XLR and 6.3 mm jack balanced.
12. Mackie CR5-XBT 5-inch
Equipped with a 5" woofer and a 0.75" tweeter.
Class D amplifier.
Power: 80 W.
Frequency response: 69 - 20,000 Hz (-3 dB).
Max. SPL (sound pressure level): 105 dB.
Housing: MDF.
Audio playback via Bluetooth.
Volume control on the front.
13. PreSonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen
Equipped with: 3.5" woofer and 1" silk dome tweeter.
Power: 2x 25 W sinus.
Class AB power amp.
Frequency range: 80 - 20,000 Hz.
Maximum level: 97 dB @ 1 m.
Auto standby switchable.
Inputs: TRS jacks (L/R, balanced), RCA pair (L/R).
Treble control and bass control each -6 to +6 dB.
Front aux input for smartphone etc.: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
Front headphone jack: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
Front volume control with on/off switch and operation LED
Shielded against HF interference, switch-on delay and output current limiter, overheating protection and subsonic filter.
14. Avantone Pro Active MixCubes 5.25-inch
Active full-range mini-reference monitor (Pair).
Shielded.
5.25” Driver.
Frequency range: 90 Hz - 17 kHz.
Power: 60 Watt.
SPL: 104 dB @1w/1 meter.
6 1/2” MDF Cabinet.
15. Behringer Media 40USB 4-inch
Pair of desktop multimedia monitor speakers.
Flexible input options including USB, 1/4" TRS, and RCA.
Front panel headphone output automatically mutes the speakers when used.
Convenient front-panel volume control.
Clear, detailed sound thanks to the 40-watt bi-amped design.
16. Behringer Studio 50USB 5-inch
True bi-amping mode with 4 amplifiers - 2 per speaker.
150 W digital power amplification.
1" Silk dome tweeter.
Long-excursion 5" woofer.
Frequency range: 55 - 20000 Hz.
Maximum SPL: 100 dB @ 1 m.
Advanced Waveguide Technology for extra big sweet spot.
Setting options for room adjustment.
USB input for direct connection to a computer (plug and play, no driver required).
Two analogue inputs with XLR and TRS connections - can be used simultaneously with a digital signal source.
17. Behringer Truth 4.5BT
Drivers: 4.5" woofer + 1" tweeter.
Frequency range: 60 - 20,000 Hz (±3 dB).
Max. SPL: 99 dB @ 1 m.
Class-D amplifier.
Power: 2x 32 Watts.
Bluetooth 5.3 audio streaming function.
Manual frequency correction.
Volume control and on/off switch on the front panel.
18. IK Multimedia iLoud Micro
With 3/4" tweeter and 3" woofer / midrange with a powerful bass reflex system.
Frequency response: 55 - 20,000 Hz (-3 dB).
Separate class D amplifiers for tweeters and woofers.
Total of four power amplifiers with 7/18 W RMS.
Filter settings High Shelf (0, + 2 dB @ 4 kHz), Low Shelf (0, -3 dB @ 300 Hz), Desktop (-8 dB @ 300 Hz).
Completely DSP controlled.
Bluetooth compatible via A2DP protocol.
19. JBL 306P MKII 6.5-inch
6" Woofer and 1" tweeter.
2-Way class D amplifier 112 W (56 W woofer and 56 W woofer).
Frequency range: 47 - 20,000 Hz (+/- 3dB).
Max. SPL: 110 dB (peak).
Input sensitivity (adjustable): + 4dBu / -10dB.
Boundary EQ.
HF trim switch.
Connections: Line input XLR and 6.3 mm jack balanced.
20. Pioneer DJ DM-50D-BT 5-inch
5-inch studio monitor pair for DJs.
96kHz sampling DSP provides crystal-clear effects.
Production mode provides a flat frequency response.
DJ mode optimizes speaker response for DJ applications.
Bass reflex enclosure delivers gut-punching bass.
DECO convex diffuser assures clear high-end content.
Front-facing volume knob makes level tweaks easy.
Headphone output for silent listening.
Included cushions uncouple your monitors from their stands.
Bluetooth connection for smart devices, smartphones, and laptops.
21. Yamaha HS3 3.5-inch
Equipped with: 3.5" woofer, 0.75" tweeter.
Power: 20 W + 20 W (THD 0.1 %, 1,000 Hz, RL = 6 O).
Frequency range: 85 - 20,000 Hz (+/- 3 dB) / 70 - 22,000 Hz (-10 dB).
Crossover frequency: 3,200 Hz.
100 dB max SPL.
Switches: Room Control (0 / -2 / -4 dB below 500 Hz), High Trim (+2 / 0 / -2 dB above 2,000 Hz).
Volume control on the front.
Line inputs (left monitor): 2 x Combo XLR / 6.3 mm jack, 2 x RCA, 1 x 3.5 mm stereo mini jack.
2x Terminal blocks on both monitors for connecting the speakers.
22. Behringer Truth 3.5BT
Drivers: 3.5" woofer + 1" tweeter.
Frequency range: 70 - 20,000 Hz (±3 dB).
Max. SPL: 98 dB @ 1 m.
Class-D amplifier.
Power: 2x 32 Watts.
Bluetooth 5.3 audio streaming function.
Manual frequency correction.
Volume control and on/off switch on the front panel.
23. JBL 1 Series 104-BT 4.5-inch
Innovative coaxial driver design and contoured low-frequency port provide a neutral and detailed sonic profile.
4.5" low-frequency transducer and .75" high-frequency transducer.
Accurately reproduces frequencies from 60Hz–20kHz.
60W Class D amplification provides playback volumes of up to 104dB. Maximum Peak SPL without distortion.
Bluetooth 5.0 compatible for streaming reference mixes.
Sturdy ABS enclosure with metal grill.
1/8" stereo headphone output with auto speaker mute.
24. JBL Control 2P 5.25-inch
35-watt-per-channel power amplifier and high-sensitivity drivers.
Side-mounted volume control controls both speakers.
High frequency adjust control contours HF response to application requirements.
Magnetically-shielded transducers.
Internal peak limiter and overload protection circuit.
Included snap-on pedestals optimize listening angle for desktop use.
Response: 80Hz-20Khz.
Output: 115dB max SPL per pair.
Crossover frequency: 4.2 kHz.
Input sensitivity: +4 dBu XLR 1/4"; 0 dBu RCA.
Input connectors (x 2): Balanced Neutrik combo XLR /TRS; unbalanced RCA.
Headphone jack: 3.5 mm (1/8").
25. KRK GOAUX4 4-inch
Powered monitor pair with 4-inch speakers.
2-way monitoring design provides quality audio response across frequencies.
100dB SPL with bi-amped Class D power.
Automatic room correction (1-button tool, measurement mic included).
RCA, 3.5mm TRS, and Bluetooth input options.
Includes padded travel bag, isolation stands, and cabling.
26. M-Audio BX3 3.5-inch
Tweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeter.
Woofer: 3.5" (88.9 mm).
Kevlar diaphragm.
Output power: 120 Watt, 2x 25 W (RMS).
Frequency range: 80 - 22000 Hz.
Inputs: 2x RCA, 2x 6.35 mm jack (TRS), 1x 3.5 mm stereo aux input.
Headphone output: 3.5 mm stereo jack.
Controls: Volume control, high and low EQ controls, speaker position switch.
Housing made of coated MDF.
Power consumption: 85 W.
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