The Best Studio Monitors Under $2000

It is an affordable step up from computer speakers for basic mixing. It connects over a wired link, so there is no Bluetooth delay while monitoring. It is a compact first pair for a small desk.

Its bi-amplified design separates the woofer and tweeter amps for cleaner output. It matches the Eris 3.5 on woofer size (3.5-inch). You also get a wired, zero-latency connection.

It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the 305P MkII was the next step up. The main gap: woofer size of 3.5-inch, behind the 305P MkII (5-inch). If that matters, the 305P MkII comes in at 5-inch.

JBL runs each unit through a 100-hour full-power test. It is sold as a single speaker, so budget for two. Its Slip Stream port extends bass at low listening volumes.

Its updated transducers aim for lower distortion and a tighter transient response. It suits a nearfield desk setup. It is known for a neutral voicing at this price.

It has XLR and TRS inputs with a +4dBu/-10dBV switch, and its Class-D amps deliver 82 watts. On woofer size it ties with the HS5 at 5-inch. It was priced above the BX3 and below the Eris 3.5 at the time of writing.

It suits a small desk, though 3.5-inch woofers limit how low it can reach. Its tuning controls help in untreated rooms. Its 80Hz to 20kHz range covers vocals and most instruments at desk distance.

Its 1-inch silk-dome tweeters smooth out harsh highs. Its compact cabinets fit beside a monitor on a small desk, and the pair includes the cables to connect them. It has balanced TRS, RCA and a front aux input plus a headphone jack.

Its 3.5-inch woven-composite woofers give tighter bass than typical desk speakers of this size. When we checked, only the 305P MkII and cheaper picks cost less, and the MR4 cost more. Woofer size is its weakest area, and the 305P MkII covers it better at 5-inch.

It has TRS, RCA and AUX inputs and a front headphone jack. Edifier tunes them to a near-flat curve with 1-inch silk dome tweeters and 4-inch woofers in MDF cabinets. On woofer size it sits mid-pack at 4-inch: the 305P MkII comes in at 5-inch, and the Eris 3.5 comes in at 3.5-inch.

It also offers a switch between monitor and music modes. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the BX3 at the time of writing. It was priced above the Eris 3.5 and below the HS5 at the time of writing.

Each speaker has a 45W plus 25W bi-amp and XLR and TRS inputs. The pair are two-way bi-amplified near-field monitors with 5-inch woofers and 1-inch dome tweeters. Yamaha tunes them to reproduce sound without added colour.

On woofer size it ties with the 305P MkII at 5-inch. It also comes with a 54Hz to 30kHz frequency response. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the BX3 at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the MR4 the nearest cheaper option.