Understanding Studio Monitor Speakers & Powered Monitor Speakers

Studio monitor speakers provide the most accurate, uncolored representation of your audio. They reproduce audio signals that are as flat as possible across the audible frequency spectrum. Whether you’re editing, recording, mastering, or mixing music, a good set of studio monitor speakers ensures that your audio translates well to other listening devices, such as car audio systems, home theaters, and studio headphones.

Why Do You Need Studio Monitors?

Monitors allow you to hear the music you’re producing or mixing, so that you can make adjustments. The audio you produce needs to sound good in almost all sound systems and environments, whether it’s in your living room or at the club. Monitors are especially useful if you’re planning to get your audio into films, TV, and other media.

What are Powered Studio Monitors?

Also known as active monitors, powered monitor speakers are the most popular choice for home studios. They house their own amplifiers, which eliminates the need for an external amp. Each speaker comes with its own power amp designed to handle its frequency range, resulting in optimal performance. Non-powered monitors (also known as passive speakers) require separate external power amps. This gives you some flexibility when choosing your components and setting up multi-speaker systems. Additionally, they’re more affordable and come with crossover circuitry for splitting low and high frequencies. If you want to have more control over your audio, consider a passive monitor, as it comes with a separate amplifier with its own settings.

Studio Speaker Accessories

To hold the monitors firmly in place and save space in your studio, invest in studio monitor stands. They come in a range of designs to meet a variety of placement needs. If you have multiple sets of monitors set up in your studio for different points of reference, it’s crucial to invest in studio monitor controllers that’ll let you switch between speaker sets and balance levels between monitors.

Whether you’re looking for active or passive monitors, you’ll find them among B&H Photo and Video’s wide assortment of studio speakers.