Speakers enhance the entire experience of listening to music – that’s their job! A pair of speakers are specifically designed to ensure the sound you hear is the most appealing that it can be.

The majority of speakers aims to place audio at an ear level, and do an awful lot to both the bass & the higher frequencies. It’s this reason why the hear from an expensive HiFi system is so cinematic and immersive. Although not the same can be said for studio monitor speakers, which are an entirely different kettle of musical fish.  

In fact, while on the surface they look almost identical (just perhaps a little less designer than your average speakers), when put side-by-side, the differences between a pair of studio monitors & your regular HiFi speakers is quite astounding. Something we aim to spell out for you in black & white…

First of all, what are studio monitor speakers?

Studio monitor speakers are usually active (although some budget models are passive) and come with amps integrated into the speaker cabinet. Unlike your average HiFi speakers, which are commonly used for easy listening studio monitor speakers are used most by producers, mix engineers or any other form of audiophile as a tool for fine-tuning their mix. 

And you see, this is where the difference between studio monitor speakers and regular speakers begin to show. Their purpose is different. With regular speakers you’re after the best possible sound, so it’s more than likely that the low end will boosted and the high end will be rolled off. Whereas, with studio monitors, the frequency response is more or less flat; they don’t aim to produce the most ‘beautiful’ sound. 

Instead, studio monitors are built around honest, and aim to give you the most accurate representation of your audio. Exactly why when it comes to music production, they’re a staple & you  won’t find many music studios without a pair!! Click here to learn more about them. 

Difference between home and monitor speakers

While studio monitors do share a good amount of similarities with you run-of-the-mill home speakers, here’s a few more major differences to consider…

Passive VS active

Almost all home stereo speakers are passive. This means that one speaker powers the other as it houses a power amp, which the second speaker needs in order to work. So in essence, both speakers fulfill a different function. An easy way to tell whether a set off speakers is passive is to pick them up. Usually one speaker (the active speaker) is a lot heavier than its passive twin.

Another telltale sign of passive speakers is the wire that runs between the two of them. Both things that you don’t get with as set of active speakers, as each is its own independent unit. You also tend to find that active speakers weigh virtually the same and tend to be more powerful. They also produce a fuller sound too. 

Reason being that each independent component of the speaker, right from the woofer to the tweeters, has its own amp. Something that helps to block out unwanted frequencies and prevent one part of the sound (most commonly the bass) from drowning out other elements of the sound. Therefore, for anyone who favors a clean & detailed sound, studio monitors are very much the way to go.

Frequency response

This refers to the range of sound which a speaker can produce and is usually measured in hertz (Hz). As you’d expect, frequency response does differ from one device to another depending on the power, as well as how the speaker is tuned.

Ideally with studio monitors you want a flat frequency response (something that’s honest to the signal that it’s been fed), as it’s this that, which enables them to be used for critical listening. Hence the name ‘monitor’. Arguably the flattest studio  monitors on the market are the HS Series by Yamaha.

Stereo image

In the eye of an engineer, sound imaging is a top priority. Yet another reason why studio monitors are their weapon of choice, opposed to your conventional home speakers. However, not all studio monitors can present a good image. In fact, their ability to do so, largely depends on your production space. Unlike the general consensus with speakers, big isn’t always better!

Have a giant pair of studio monitors crammed into a small space and your capabilities in terms of imaging would be slim. In most cases the reverb would be so vast that the sound would become distorted, to the point that mixing would be nigh on impossible. Exactly why studio monitors don’t just come in the one set size; in order to achieve the best image, you need to buy them to fit your space. Some of the most varied when it comes to wattage and sizing, are the popular KRK Rokits & the Presonsus Eris Series. A perk you’re less likely to get when buying a conventional pair of home speakers.

Fun Fact; It’s also for this reason why you’ll see studio monitors used in the majority of home theatre and cinema setups, as their imaging capabilities allow them to create a far more immersive & cinematic experience.