Great mixes start with accurate monitoring and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get it. Studio monitors under $500 can deliver professional sound for home studios, project setups, and even small commercial spaces. We’ve brought together the most popular models in this price range. We now need your help to pick the winner! Vote now, find out how others have voted and share your experiences to help fellow creators make the right choice.
1. 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.
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-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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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).
9. 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.
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 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.
12. 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.
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. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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").
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
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Studio Monitors Under $500: Everything You Have to Know.
Studio monitors are speakers designed for accurate audio reproduction, letting you hear your mix as it truly is—without the coloration that consumer speakers often add. Accuracy is crucial for making mix decisions that will translate well to headphones, cars, club systems, and streaming platforms.
In the under-$500 range (per pair or per monitor depending on the brand), you can still find monitors with excellent build quality, balanced frequency response, and features tailored for small to mid-sized rooms.
Why studio monitors matter:
Accuracy over hype – They reveal flaws and details in your mix so you can fix them.
Better translation – A good mix on accurate monitors will sound good everywhere.
Consistent performance – Purpose-built for mixing and production, not just casual listening.
Key factors to consider when shopping for monitors in this price range:
Driver size – Commonly 5″, 6.5″, or 8″. Larger drivers produce deeper bass but may need more space to sound balanced.
Frequency response – The flatter, the better, for critical listening.
Room size & acoustics – Choose monitors that match your workspace and consider room treatment for best results.
Inputs & controls – Balanced TRS/XLR inputs, EQ switches, and HF/LF trim controls can help tailor the sound to your room.
Even in this budget category, choosing the right monitor is about matching it to your needs and your room. A small home studio might benefit from 5″ drivers for tight bass control, while a larger treated room can handle 8″ drivers for more low-end extension.
And remember: the most expensive monitor isn’t always the best choice for your space. Proper placement and room treatment can make a huge difference in how they perform.
This list will help you discover which studio monitors under $500 other producers trust most, making it easier to find the right pair to bring accuracy and confidence to your mixes.
