Best Studio Monitors For DJing In 2024

Choosing studio monitors for DJing, EDM, and Hip-Hop is difficult. These studio monitors must supply high clarity to replicate electronic elements and deliver tight, punchy bass, an integral part of both genres.

After assessing all the available options, our Editor’s Choice is the PreSonus Eris Studio 5. It combines satisfying bass, detailed highs, and wide dispersion without a huge price tag.

Years of DJing led to our desire to establish a site to help new and established DJs buy the right gear. We have also expanded our focus to live performers and studio professionals.

Our personal experience backs each recommendation we make but also the product of countless hours of research. But one team can’t know everything, so we engage with our vast network of industry experts for extra wisdom on every topic we cover.

Product Reviews

The best studio monitors for EDM and Hip-Hop should offer a high sound pressure level for volume while maintaining clarity and precision throughout the frequency spectrum. It’s a tricky balance to get right, but every option below is a viable candidate. We’ll cover our top choice first, but there are plenty more below.

PreSonus Eris Studio 5 Review

Specifications

Pros

• Punchy Sound Profile – This monitor delivers a satisfying and lively sound profile. Meaty bass response and sizzling highs make it ideal for electronic music.
• Wide Dispersion – The new waveguide provides broad 100-degree horizontal and 60-degree vertical dispersion. Easy to find the sweet spot.
• Excellent Value – The low price point makes it a great choice for new producers that don’t want to spend a lot on their studio setup.
• Good Connection Options – A combination of balanced and unbalanced connection options ensures you’ll be able to plug anything you want in.

Cons

• Tweaks Required – The slightly v-shaped profile is not the best for serious studio work. You’ll need to refine output using the tuning options at the rear.

The Eris line from PreSonus is an excellent starting point for new producers. But the Studio line takes it a step further with some enhanced features. Satisfying sound, clean aesthetic, flexible connection options, and practical tuning make this studio monitor an easy recommendation. One of the best studio monitors for hip-hop you can buy without having to fork out too much cash.

Read our full PreSonus Eris Studio 5 review for more detailed information.

KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 Review

Specifications

Pros

• Loud And Clean – The ROKIT 10-3 G4 features a max SPL of 112dB, which is astonishingly loud for studio monitors. Thanks to brickwall limiting, the output remains smooth and precise even at higher volume levels.
• Smooth Midrange – The three-way system incorporated a dedicated 4.5-inch midrange driver. The result is a smooth midrange without the usual issues you might encounter in a 2-way monitor.
• Flexible Tuning – Advanced DSP controls give you all the tools to sculpt the sound to your preference. The addition of the KRK app adds further flexibility.
• Iconic Styling – The undeniable yellow and black combination catches the eye. This G4 update sees the color scheme remain but with a more subtle and nuanced implementation.

Cons

• Large Footprint – This is a beast of a monitor that demands a lot of space. Far too overbearing for smaller studio spaces.

It is hard to look past the KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 for electronic music. KRK has a reputation for punchy bass response, which is evident here. Out of the box, they offer a flat frequency response for electronic music production, but you can easily tweak the output for a more satisfying low-end for casual listening or DJing. The 10-3 G4 is easily one of the best studio monitors for EDM.

Read our full KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4 review for more detailed information.

Kali Audio LP-8 V2 review

Specifications

Pros

• Neutral Sound Profile – For a monitor in this price range, the LP-8 V2 delivers neutral sound. A solid choice for studio work, especially if you are on a budget. 
• Improved Top-End Response – The previous model featured some shrill highs. The improved waveguide and new Class D amp now deliver smooth and pleasant highs.
• Clean Bass – Another improvement over the previous model is the tight bass response. Rich and warm with plenty of punch, making it an excellent choice for electronic music.
• Excellent Price Point – Despite a modest price increase, these are still among the most affordable 8-inch studio monitors you can buy today.

Cons

• Fiddly Switches – The dip switches to tune the monitor are a little fiddly. Adequate but not the most ergonomic way to make changes.

The refreshed LP-8 V2 from Kali Audio is an excellent option if you don’t want to spend more on their premium IN series. It features excellent sound quality and many of the features that make the more expensive series attractive. Worth adding to your shortlist if you don’t want to spend too much.

Read our full Kali Audio LP-8 V2 review for more detailed information.

PreSonus R80 V2 Review

Specifications

Pros

• Excellent Spatial Delivery – The wide AMT delivers remarkable three-dimensionality to the audio. A broad sweet spot with plenty of airiness.
• Good Balance – The balance between frequencies is impressive. Accurate across the whole frequency range. Very suitable for serious studio work.
• Improved Tuning Options – The R80 V2 improves on its predecessor with a more comprehensive range of tuning options. Very easy to adjust to your studio space.
• Loud And Clear – The 8-inch woofer delivers a substantial punch. Coupled with an impressive tweeter, you’ll experience both fullness and clarity even at higher volumes.

Cons

• Not Cheap – The R80 V2 does sit at the upper end of mid-tier studio monitors. Several comparable options sound good but are not as expensive.

The original R series of monitors from PreSonus was popular but not without some shortcomings. This second generation is a big step forward. Improvements across the board with better tuning options and a sleeker and more modern appearance. Plus, advances in tonality and delivery. While a little expensive, it’s a solid studio monitor for professionals.

Read our full PreSonus R80 V2 review for more detailed information.

ADAM Audio A7V review

Specifications

Pros

• Accurate And Fatigue Free – The A7V offers a flat frequency response that is ideal for music production. The listening experience is also fatigue-free, which is great for extended studio sessions.
• Rotatable Tweeter – You can rotate the ribbon tweeter for maximum control over directivity. A good option to minimize reflections.
• Superb Room Correction – A range of capable onboard features but also access to ADAM A Control application via Ethernet. It also offers integration with Sonarworks.
• High Quality – Build quality is fantastic. Tough and durable cabinet and excellent component quality.

Cons

• Complicated Setup – The app can be a little buggy, and the integration with Sonarworks is a bit complex. Not very beginner friendly.

The A7V from the German-based company features exceptional sound quality. Accurate frequency response with tight bass, full-bodied mids, and crisp highs that are not overly sharp. While not the cheapest, these are professional monitors with extensive tuning features that others don’t offer.

Read our full ADAM Audio A7V review for more detailed information.

KRK Classic 8 review

Specifications

Pros

• Bass Heavy Option – The Classic 8 features excellent bass thanks to the ability to bump up the low end with a +2dB bass boost.
• Connection Flexibility – You’ll have access to an XLR, TRS, and an RCA connection. Complete flexibility to connect with whatever you desire.
• Includes Foam Pads – The foam pads help decouple the studio monitor from your surface. This will eliminate unwanted resonance and provide better sound quality.
• Front Facing Port – With a forward-facing port, you can have this studio monitor closer to walls than other monitors.

Cons

• Not The Best For Music Production – While they offer a relatively flat response, there are more refined monitors at this price point.

If you want a studio monitor that is fun to listen to, the Classic 8 from KRK should be on your list of options. The sound quality features a rich bass that will satisfy EDM and Hip-Hop lovers. It’s easy to set up as well, making it a good choice for beginners. But if you need studio monitors for critical listening, I’d suggest you look elsewhere.

Tannoy Reveal 802 Review

Specifications

Pros

• Balanced Sound – For entry-level priced studio monitors, the Reveal 802 offers flat frequency response for music producers while maintaining character for electronic music and hip-hop.
• High Output Level – The high max SPL of 114dB is perfect for electronic music. Clarity is good even at higher levels.
• Low Price Point – The affordable price point makes these an excellent choice if you are on a budget when setting up your home studio.
• Appealing Design – The clean design offers a professional appearance. Smooth curves and lines separate it from the sea of plain black boxes on the market.

Cons

• Limited EQ Options – A high boost or cut is the only tuning option. I would have liked to see some bass controls to deal with common studio sound issues.

The Reveal 802 is an impressive studio monitor for electronic music. The bass extension is deep while maintaining balanced sound quality. They are not as refined as more expensive choices, but they are hard to beat at this price point. An engaging studio monitor that can handle music production duties without breaking the bank.

Dynaudio BM5 MkIII review

Specifications

Pros

• Tight Frequency Response – Excellent accuracy and detail across the frequency spectrum without a hint of listening fatigue.
• Satisfying Bass – The 7-inch woofer provides good punch making it a good choice for an electronic music producer.
• Precise Construction – Superb build quality from the Denmark-based company. The component quality is high, and the finish is excellent.
• Generous Sweet spot – While these are nearfield studio monitors, the sweet spot is quite broad, making finding a comfortable listening position easy.

Cons

• Rear Ported – The rear-facing port could be problematic if you are close to a wall. You’ll need to adjust the tuning options to help alleviate low frequencies from building up.

Dynaudio continues to iterate on its BM5 studio monitor, and with each update, the performance has seen a noticeable improvement. The MkIII offers excellent sound quality and flexibility to adjust to your acoustic environment. One of the best studio monitors for EDM thanks to the well-shaped low frequencies.

Mackie CR8-XBT Review

Specifications

Pros

• Budget Price – Mackie has consistently delivered outstanding entry-level options. Suppose you are setting up your studio with a low budget. In that case, these are an excellent way to get larger monitors without the larger price tag.
• Bluetooth – Stream music directly to the speakers. Excellent flexibility for enjoying music no matter what the source.
• Headphone Option – Showing their consumer focus, these speakers have a headphone connection on the front. Great for casual listening and not something other monitors offer.
• Front Volume Control – Convenient control over the volume with a dedicated knob on the front. You don’t need to fiddle around to get to the back or rely on external control over volume.

Cons

• Hard To Gauge Longevity – Unlike other studio monitors on this list, these are brand-new. At this stage, it’s hard to tell how they will hold up over time. Mackie’s previous entry-level offerings were not the hardest-wearing, so I hope things have improved here.

One of the most popular entry-level manufacturers of monitors has revamped its core line. The Mackie CR8-XBT offers an updated, cleaner aesthetic that retains that trademark green. Improvements to sound quality are also present. While not the flattest of monitors, it does provide excellent versatility. One of the best studio monitors for electronic music.

Read our full Mackie CR8-XBT review for more detailed information.

Avantone Pro Gauss 7 Review

Specifications

Pros

• Incredible High-Frequency Detail – The AMT tweeter delivers excellent clarity and precise high frequencies without sounding harsh.
• Substantial Low End – The low end offers a generous amount of thump and warmth without sounding muddy and unbalanced.
• Low THD – The low total harmonic distortion ensures smooth and accurate delivery even at a high sound pressure level.
• Room Control – Handy tuning features to adapt to your studio space. Acoustic Placement and High Trim ensure your monitor will sound amazing.

Cons

• Dated Profile – The sound profile is 70s-inspired, so the midrange is slightly colored. The aesthetic also harkens back to yesteryear.

The Avantone Pro Gauss 7 has a distinctly retro sound profile that will appeal to fans of certain electronic music genres. This studio monitor has satisfying bass and highs but is slightly average in the midrange. While not the best choice for producing music, it is still a solid choice for general listening.

Our Expert Buying Guide

Selecting the right studio monitor is half the battle. Before you even explore handing over your hard-earned cash, there are a few things to consider. Below we look at a critical spec to keep an eye on. There is also some info on tackling potential issues and a guide to understanding your needs and how they can impact your buying choices.

Max SPL

This is one of the most important specifications to be aware of when buying studio monitors for EDM and Hip-Hop. More than any other, these two genres sound great at higher volume levels. The last thing you want is to buy studio monitors only to discover they don’t go as loud as you’d like.

The Max SPL or Maximum Sound Pressure Level indicates how loud in decibels the studio monitors can reach. But there can often be more than meets the eye behind the number. Anything that can reach over 100 decibels will be good enough, but the higher the number, the better.

Loud studio monitors are essential for EDM and Hip-Hop.

Generally, your monitors will not perform optimally at maximum capacity, and it’s not a great idea to constantly push them to their limits. A higher Max SPL gives you more headroom and improves sound quality. Your studio monitors won’t need to work hard to replicate the frequency range accurately.

While a high SPL rating might indicate the possible volume level, you’ll also need to factor in how the studio monitors perform at higher levels. There is no point in loudness for loudness’ sake if the sound quality suffers.

So the next time you buy studio monitor speakers, look at the Max SPL rating and check out the reviews to see how it performs at higher volume levels. And as a final word of caution, remember that consistently listening to music at high volumes can lead to ear damage. So choose your moment carefully and don’t overdo it.

Dealing With Interference

So you have bought your shiny new studio monitors and are ready to rock out to your favorite tracks. But lo and behold, you plug them in and encounter crackling, hissing, humming, or popping. Your first instinct might be that you have defective studio monitors, but this is rarely the case.

Most studio monitors aimed at DJs will be powered options. In other words, the power amplifier is within the studio monitors, and you don’t need an external amplifier. These studio monitors often feature protection to limit audio interference, but issues can still arise.

Before you look at returning your speakers, there are some fundamental things you can check to ensure that they are indeed faulty.

The more complex the studio, the more you’ll need to manage potential interference issues.

The first is to check the music you are playing is high quality. Low-quality audio files might inherently have some audio issues, which will reflect when using high-quality studio monitors.

The next thing to investigate is your power connections. It would be best if you plugged in the cables correctly; ideally, both monitors should use the same power source. Using different plugs can cause a ground loop, introducing audio issues.

Another thing worth considering is the condition and placement of your cables. Where possible, try not to have power cables crisscrossing with audio cables. Also, inspect your cables for damage. If you find damage cease using them immediately, as this can lead to electrical shocks and is a fire hazard.

It’s also worth keeping other electronic devices away from your monitors. Devices like a mobile phone can cause interference. Using balanced cables is also preferable as these are less likely to pick up interference.

While other elements can cause interference, the ones mentioned above are the most common. If you have completed the checks and still experience issues, you may have a faulty unit.

This is where buying reputable brands with good warranty support will be critical. It’s also worth buying from an established merchant with a history of providing good customer support.

Different Monitors For Different Tasks

Studio monitors are usually reserved for producing music, monitoring, mixing, and mastering. But every monitor offers its unique take, and no two studio monitor speakers are the same. Some might aim to deliver the flattest possible frequency response, others focus on providing crisp high frequencies, and some focus on bass. Your needs will determine which one is right for you.

If you buy studio monitors for DJing, you’ll naturally gravitate towards high clarity and a satisfying kick. While you can’t expect to play a party with studio monitors, your practice sessions at home must give you a glimpse of what you might experience when gigging.

Studio monitors are excellent for practicing DJ sessions at home.

As for Hip-Hop, you’ll want studio monitors that offer deep bass and a well-rounded midrange for vocals. The higher frequencies can take a backseat. Once again, you want to get a taste of the depth and feel of your music.

Some monitors will be better than others, depending on your needs. Sometimes, you might need a separate pair of monitors if your focus is on music production rather than just casual listening. Audio engineers will prioritize accuracy over enjoyment to make educated decisions when producing, mixing, and mastering. Some of the monitors on this list don’t offer a flat enough response to fill this need.

But there are gems to be found that can be viable to tackle both tasks. Having a proper understanding of your current and potential future needs will save you money in the long run. And you might be able to avoid buying multiple sets of monitors.

FAQ

Can You Use Studio Monitors For DJing?

For larger gigs, they are not powerful enough and don’t have enough dispersion, but studio monitors are an excellent choice for practice sessions at home in a small studio.

Which One Should You Buy?

Every studio monitor on this list is a fantastic choice for EDM and Hip-Hop. As I’ve already mentioned, your needs will dictate which one is right for you. But from a holistic approach, there are two that stand out.

The PreSonus Eris Studio 5 is an excellent all-rounder. Capable enough for studio work while also having enough character to make listening to these genres satisfying. The low price point and extensive features are also appealing. While they are smaller monitors, they still offer enough volume and thump for smaller studio spaces.

The other stand out is the 3-way KRK ROKIT 10-3 G4. It isn’t ideal for production work, but the large woofer and added driver deliver superb sound quality that will bring a smile to your face. When you combine that with detailed tuning controls, there is little to fault.

No matter which one you buy, you’ll enjoy crystal clear sound that will highlight EDM and Hip-Hop elements with precision and punch. With minimal audio coloring, you’ll also be able to pick up on details you might have previously missed. Legendary music deserves a quality monitor, and all the monitors in this list are up to the task.

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