6 Best Studio Monitors under $300 for the Great Sound Quality

The Presonus Eris E4.5 studio monitors are a top beginner option. They have a decent sound and performance for their price. The two-way active 4.5” speakers are stylish and pretty loud. With 100dB SPL, you can crank the speakers up for the party. They also feature a blue-on-black weave that gives a more constant dispersion pattern across the frequency range.

The Presonus E4.5 has a 70HZ frequency response, which isn’t the best if you intend to do heavy bass production. Compared to its big brother, the E8, which goes as low as 35Hz, it really doesn’t shine in the low-end. On the bright side, the monitors don’t take up much space, and they have a dome tweeter for high-end frequencies that make them produce clear sounds from different angles.

All considered these entry-level studio monitors are a perfect choice for the bedroom producer or home studio maven. They are targeted at anyone looking for proper studio monitors that won’t make them break the bank. They are very easy to use, and they sound pretty darn good for the money.

What are our favorite features?

• Besides sounding great, the studio monitors are good-looking. We loved that they give an accurate and flat sound, which is basically what you need from a studio monitor. You can tune them for your room with its flexible audio tuning controls. We also loved that the monitors don't suffer from popping, which is common with low-end monitors. They have a 'soft-start feature that eliminates the popping when they are powered up.

What could be better?

• Presonus covers all the basics with the E4.5 studio monitors, but we didn't like the cabinet build quality. It felt cheap. The cables are also pretty mediocre. We also weren't satisfied with the bass response. It can't match that of larger speakers. Just don't expect it to rock the place. We also realized that the monitors tend to smooth out sound, which results in very poor real-world mix quality.

This is our premium choice for all the right reasons. The Tannoy Gold 8 is a powerhouse with 300 watts of power and a proprietary 8-inch dual-concentric point source technology. The monitors are designed to deliver accurate sound quality with high definition.

The monitors distinguish themselves with the next-generation dual-concentric technology, which makes them deliver unmatched musical articulation and impeccable dynamics. They also boast a transducer-matched-bi-amplified design. Each of the monitors is equipped with class AB amplifiers for both the low and high-frequency drivers. They are the ones behind the clear, detailed sound with very little distortion. When the class A amps combine with Class B amps, they deliver clean, consistent power at any volume.

What’s more, the Gold 8 monitors use minimal crossover points to deliver an accurate real-world sound. The crossover points also reduce potential phase problems. As if that’s enough, the monitors have a host of versatile features like input trim, treble, and bass controls. They help you dial in the perfect sound easily. With the continually active XLR and TRS inputs, you can connect up to 2 audio sources simultaneously. The icing on the cake is the power-saving mode that will turn off the studio monitors when not in use.

Overall, the Gold 8 monitors are a fantastic option for recording professionals looking for high-quality yet affordable monitors that they can use in broadcast or post-production environments.

Why are we impressed?

• At its price point, there is so much to love about the Gold 8 monitors. The first thing that made us fall in love with the monitors is the tonal characters and harmonic structure of its sound. They deliver an exceptionally natural performance with a superb wide imaging 'sweet spot.' We particularly enjoyed its low-frequency performance in a small room. You will also appreciate the monitors' flat frequency response and controlled dispersion when recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.

What negatives must you be aware of?

• The Gold 8 is like the star of budget studio monitors. We were unable to pin down any substantial issue that needed improvement with the Tannoy Gold 8. We even tried to listen for a hissing sound, which is a common problem with budget monitors, but the speakers are dead quiet. Any experienced musician or artist would attest that the sound produced by these speakers is unreal. They offer excellent performance for the price.

JBL has a long line of top-quality studio monitors, and the 305P is one of their latest gems. The monitors are a host of impressive features, including the brand’s famous Image Control Waveguide that gives it a wider sound stage than many other monitors. The monitors also have a bigger hit in the low end. They have an exceptional sound both at medium and high volume.

These monitors stand out among their peers because JBL has incorporated some of the technology they have used in their high-end models. The double-flared port feature is one such technology. It is responsible for the deep bass in the low-end. Their build quality is top-notch and pretty much on par with other models by JBL.

The multiple tuning options make the monitors highly versatile. The options allow you to find the ideal configuration for your home studio or space. The JBL 305P monitors are ideal for anyone looking to work with bass-heavy tracks. The low-end is pretty impressive. The studio monitors are also perfect for anyone who has a large studio space as they offer a broader sweet spot.

What do we love it for?

• The most exciting feature for us on these monitors was the exceptional low-frequency response. While the bass is not as overbearing as that of commercial speakers, the bass is pretty satisfying. Especially when mixing on DJ gear. You will enjoy how well it maintains the midst and highs. The solid built quality is another impressive feature. The monitors have a robust cabinet that houses all their components. You wouldn’t have to worry about incidental damage.

What were we disappointed with?

• The 305P monitors are a superb budget option that gives a big bang for the buck, but they are not perfect. JBL put much emphasis on the low-end performance, which some die-hard audiophiles do not appreciate. Also, they only sound great at medium and high volumes. When played at a low volume, the speakers produce an audible hiss. This is a major deal-breaker for trained listeners who prefer to play music at low volumes.

Behringer is a world-famous brand known for superior quality. The Eurolive F1320D is one of their powerful studio monitors that packs a ton of features with a very accessible price point. The monitor is designed specifically for stage use. You can set it on a pole or on the floor, and the controls and logos are conveniently positioned for easy use on the floor.

The Eurolive F1320D is impressively loud for its size. Any bluegrass player, electric guitarist, vocalist, or any other musician would appreciate its loudness. It is a top preference for many because of its versatility. Its EQ controls allow you to personalize it to your taste as well as emphasize certain frequencies.

You can use the 2-way monitor speaker system for both live and playback applications. Its revolutionary class-D amplifier technology delivers exceptional sound quality and superb sonic performance. It also has an incredibly wide frequency bandwidth and dynamic range.

The monitor is the prime choice for any musician who plays small venue gigs looking for an affordable yet powerful stage monitor that they can tweak to their liking. Plus, it is easily portable, thanks to its ultra-lightweight build.

What are our favorite features?

• The Eurolive F1320D is an underrated unit with excellent value for money. We were pleased to discover that it is a great stage monitor with an easy-to-use feedback suppressor. Two of them are enough to handle up to 100 people comfortably. The monitor has a strong and clear bass and is perfect for indoor use. We were also impressed by the monitor's ability to accept either mic or line-level signals. This means you can use it for small and portable 'speaker on a stick' PA systems.

What could be better?

• The Eurolive F1320D is the ultimate affordable studio monitor for stage use, but it is a bit lacking in some aspects. First off, we didn't like the monitor has limited power. Being rated at 300w/200, we didn't expect much from it, but we were hoping it could at least handle loud stages. However, if you intend to use it in small or medium-size venue stages, you have nothing to worry about.

Yamaha is a household name that doesn’t need an introduction. The HS5 is the smallest speaker in the brand’s HS series, which was aimed at both professional and beginner producers looking to deliver a balanced sound at a reasonable price. The speaker sounds great with crisp and clear mids and highs.

The HS5 also has the bi-amp design that its big brother, the HS8, has. This means both its woofer and tweeter have a dedicated amp. Therefore, you can count on it for that flat clear sound.

What’s more, you can make the most out of the monitor in any kind of studio space with flexible tuning options. You have the choice of adjusting the room control for the lower end or the high-trim control for the upper end. This choice allows you to tweak the sound of the monitor according to your studio’s environment.

Since the speaker offers a very neutral and flat response, it is ideal for any musician looking to mix and master their creations. It can help in pinpointing faults in mixes. The monitor is also a perfect size for small and medium-sized studios. Its frequency response covers both the high and low-end pretty well.

What stands out?

• The first thing we liked about the HS5 is its understated yet striking design and premium build quality. The speaker looks sleek and refined. Its style won’t embarrass you. Plus, it feels solid and resilient. Incidental damage will be the least of your worries with this monitor. We also liked how easy it was to pinpoint mistakes when mixing with this speaker. This is a quality that so many low-end monitors lack.

What cons did we manage to find?

• The HS5 does sound fantastic, but it is not perfect. Not all audiophiles are impressed by its flat response. Especially those used to normal Hi-Fi systems. Also, we found that the speaker only shines in the mids and highs and is quite lacking in the low-end. If you work with bass-heavy music or enjoy music with such qualities, you would have to invest in a dedicated subwoofer to boost the lows.

Yet another powerful, incredibly versatile, and great-sounding Behringer on our list. The Behringer Eurolive B110D is a lightweight and compact studio monitor that delivers exceptional low-distortion power and unparalleled versatility. It boasts a super-efficient design that delivers powerful sonic performance. Its flexible front-end offers optimum freedom and convenience.

The Behringer Eurolive B110D can handle just about anything you throw at it thanks to its ultra-low noise mic or line input that has dedicated volume control and clip LED. It also features an extra line output that allows you to connect with other speakers. The monitor sets itself apart with an integrated sound processor and a dedicated 2-band EQ that work to shape the sound and control the system for the best sound quality.

The monitor is one of the best portable options, perfect for the musician or producer on the move. It is also ideal for live sound owing to its solid bass and its crystal-clear Hi-Fi reproduction.

What makes it stand out?

• We fell madly in love with the price and size of these monitors. They are a perfect lightweight powered monitor with a sound loud enough for small stages or studio spaces. You will appreciate its effective tone controls on the rear that allow you to tune them according to the environment in your studio or stage. Another thing that blew our socks off was the clarity of these 300watt beauties. We played the keyboards, guitar and did vocals with it, and it sounded amazing.

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• We really loved the sound of these monitors. However, we were drawn back by their inability to handle bass well. Only vocalists and guitarists can make the most out of them. We recommend you get some subwoofers to boost the bass if you are into heavy bass kind of music. Also, we noticed that every once in a while, one of the speakers produces a pop sound which is so annoying. The pop sound could be an outside signal.