Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: September-28-2018
With all models standing up to scrutiny, not much needed to change in our most recent refresh of this sub-$200 article! However, we did add several new models, many of which have seen recent price drops. These included the Behringer Truth B2030A, the Mackie MR6 Mk3, and the Rockville APM8W.
Mixing music on a budget? No problem – affordable studio monitors do exist! If you have read our article on the
best budget studio monitors, you will be aware of the surprising quality you can find for under $100. However, with two hundred bucks in your pocket, you can find an even greater sense of value.
Still, at this affordable price, you have to be vigilant – some duds do exist! Which is why we have put together this article, highlighting some of the
best studio monitors you can get under $200 as well as what to look out for in this region. Let’s get started…
8 Great Studio Monitors Under $200:
What Can You Expect From a $200 Set of Studio Monitors?
There’s a long-running debate in the music production community over whether or not it is acceptable to use budget monitors for mixing music. There are those people who demand that nothing short of a high-end set will do, while another camp (hint: a camp we are part of) believes that you can definitely make some great stuff on affordable speakers.
Of course, there are some things an affordable monitor won’t be able to offer – premium design and build, thumping power and the flattest tones, for example. Still, mixing music without monitors is much worse than going with a cheap set!
When it comes to what you can get for around $200, the choices available are pretty decent. This segment of the market is where we start to see larger drivers as standard, while more advanced controls are also available depending on the model.
The most important metric is still going to be performance or, to be more specific, the transparency of the speakers in question. In this regard, the monitors available in this price range are going to offer a very decent performance. Perfectly flat? Probably not – although certainly ample for beginners and use in home studios.
Ultimately, this kind of speaker is going to offer great convenience. They will be compact, lightweight, active in nature and fairly powerful, meaning you won’t need any additional equipment such as amplifiers to get them up and running.
Is It Better to Save Up for A More Expensive Set?
Budgets are completely different depending on the person. For some people, $500 is classed as affordable, while for others a
set of $500 speakers would require months of saving.
As music production is a skill you develop over time, we always believe it is better to buy an affordable pair of speakers if that is all you can afford – it is better to have affordable speakers than no speakers at all!
This is almost certainly the case if you are just starting out, as beginners are probably not able to recognize the nuances that only a high-end set of monitors can reveal. Once you develop your skill, knowledge and experience, you will be able to judge whether or not you need a better set of monitors for your home studio. Although it still doesn’t hurt to save a little for a rainy day…
The Importance of Positioning
While $200 speakers have some shortcomings, this chart will have proved they are very worthwhile for producing music. However, to make sure you get the best from these speakers, it is worth considering how you position them.
The simplest rule of speaker positioning is that symmetry is key. Form an equidistant triangle between yourself and the speakers (the speakers form two points of the triangle while you form the third). With this setup, ensure that the speakers are level with your head (which might require you to use dedicated stands in some situations) and that the high-frequency tweeters are shooting straight towards you.
The Final Word
As you probably know by now (because we have really drilled it into you!), buying a set of studio monitors for under $200 will get you reasonable performance without damaging your bank account.
Of course, there are still a few duds in this price range, but follow the recommendations in the chart above and you will end up with something well worthy of your time and cash. Don’t rush into a purchase – read reviews, watch videos and, if possible, sample some of the speakers on your shortlist. Good luck!