Are you having issues with sound quality in your studio, living room, or working station? If yes, a studio monitor remedies this by giving you the rawest sound since they emphasize detail and accuracy. As a result, these speakers will help you perform better, whether listening to music or making presentations.
Therefore, it is best to invest in a good pair that amplifies sound while paying attention to detail. There are various products to consider; however, this review will help you narrow down to five of the best 8-inch monitors that transform the sound quality in any room.
Comparison Chart
Mackie MR Series, Studio Monitor 8-Inch with 65 Watts of Bi-Amplified Class A/B Amplification, Powered (MR824)
8 Inch Studio Monitors Review
YAMAHA HS8 Studio Monitor
The YAMAHA studio is an iconic invention known for producing precise frequencies. It is specially designed to offer an ideal sonic platform that does more than add bass and treble frequencies. It has a stylish black finish that will match most offices, studios, etc.
Review
The YAMAHA HS8 monitor features newly developed transducers that enable it to achieve smooth response over a more comprehensive bandwidth range. The transducers have an advanced magnetic field design that effectively regulates the flow of magnetic response. This leads to seamless and natural sonic transmissions that bring out every sound detail.
There is a high-performance amp unit available that perfectly complements the transducers. This unit takes on a bi-amp design, with separate dedicated amps for the woofer and tweeter. The bi-amp feature enables each speaker to deliver high-resolution sound, and the monitor has a 38Hz to 30kHz frequency response and power consumption of 60 watts. In addition, it features a 75W LF plus 45W HF bi-amp system that totals 120W power consumption.
You’ll love how easy it is to access and change the speaker’s controls. The studio monitor offers two full-range response controls that make it easy to adapt to the room’s acoustics. In addition, these speakers can accommodate balanced and unbalanced sources such as TRS phone jacks, mixers, keyboards, and audio interfaces with XLR.
The speaker also has a low resonance enclosure design that eliminates unwanted resonance to increase sound accuracy. These enclosures are products of very dense and resilient MDF with a damped acoustic response.
The YAMAHA HS8 studio monitor also has a noise reduction property that improves the clarity of the sound output. In addition, the speaker adopts an advanced noise reduction technology that can control and reduce the vortex; the vortex is responsible for generating air vibrations that cause unwanted noise inside the speaker.
This monitor has many other unique features, such as mounting points and screws that make installation effortless. Unfortunately, as much as it seems like the perfect product, it has a high noise floor that can be distracting for some people.
Pros
- Full-range controls and various connectivity options
- Noise reduction
- Easy to install
- Wide range of bandwidth
Cons
- It has a high-noise floor
JBL Professional Studio Monitor
JBL is the proud manufacturer of this new series studio monitor that features the best technology and tools to improve sound quality in any space. As a result, the speakers’ sound clarity is outstanding and the bass is unmatchable. In addition, their compact size makes them easy to fit in tight spaces.
Review
This monitor’s sleek and modern design makes it a great addition to any space. In addition, its design has a dramatic flair that brings a unique look to your working station.
JBL Professional Studio Monitors are next-generation three series MKII powered monitors with revolutionary image control waveguide and refined transducers. The updated low-frequency transducers generate low-frequency linearity. They also have an optimized transient response and lower harmonic distortion properties. These features offer detailed and precise imaging output that enhances mixed capabilities.
The monitors feature updated HF and LF transducers that optimize dampening, resulting in superior transient response. Furthermore, these new design improvements offer an impressive bass with lower harmonic distortion.
Other necessary specifications include 112 Watts total power consumption, 102dB/112dB maximum continuous peak, and they are approved for use near sensitive magnetic equipment.
The image control waveguide discussed provides detailed imaging that includes a sweet spot. This means you’ll be experiencing better depth and ambiance in each recording. It is important to note that the control waveguide is a patented feature.
Another patented feature is the slipstream low-frequency port that works with the woofer to provide a superior bass, even at low playback levels. It has a double-flared shape that reduces turbulence and promotes low-frequency extension.
Another fantastic feature is the new boundary EQ that helps to restore neutral low frequencies across a wider area. This makes it possible to fine-tune your mixes when listening off-axis.
The only downside of this machine is that it is not as easy to install as other similar products. It is common to find monitors that feature mounting points for easy installation; however, this monitor lacks such modifications.
Pros
- Updated HF and LF transducers
- Provides detailed imaging and broad sweet spot
- Reduces turbulence
- Sleek and modern design
Cons
- Lacks easy installation features
Mackie MR Series Studio Monitor
If you’re looking for the ideal speaker that provides professional performance and clarity, then the Mackie MR monitor is your product. This speaker offers quality sound output and guarantees that your mix or music always sounds excellent.
Review
This studio monitor is designed to offer accurate mix translation that makes it sound great in the studio, thanks to various unique features such as the logarithmic waveguide. The waveguide provides an ideal and ultra-wide listening sweet spot to enhance stereo imaging leading to increased sound and clarity.
In addition, the logarithmic waveguide is responsible for ensuring consistent sound over a wide area. The monitor also has a specific alignment property that balances the sound produced in the entire frequency spectrum.
There is an acoustic space control feature that makes this monitor stand out. The space control works with the HF filters to easily optimize the environment, promoting a flat response. Its superior acoustic design and accuracy are top-tier.
You’ll enjoy the powerful and clear base produced by the MRS10 studio subwoofer. This shelf-ported subwoofer provides the deep and extended exposure needed to enjoy your mix. There is a built-in variable crossover that you can dial in to match the monitors; it becomes more convenient when you want to listen with or without it.
There’s nothing not to love about the Mackie MR studio monitor. The speaker produces an even frequency response and there is no noticeable resonance. In addition, it has a pretty substantial volume and there are controls to help adjust the woofer/tweeter gains. As a result, you’ll enjoy high crisp sounds and full-sounding lows with this product.
Changing controls and connecting the speaker to other devices are accessible through the available ports and controls. These controls are easily accessible, and there are LED lights to help with connectivity and range adjustments.
Everything about this speaker is top-notch apart from the power switch that is not strategically placed. This button is located at the back of the unit, a non-intuitive location that can be hard to reach if one chooses to fix their speaker to the wall.
Pros
- Accurate mix translation
- Optimizes environment for a flat response
- Logarithmic waveguide
- Fast transient response for detailed high-end and vocal clarity
Cons
- The power button is not strategically placed
PreSonus E8 XT Studio Monitor
You’ll love the PreSonus studio monitor’s simple design and stylish finish. This speaker offers robust connectivity options and various input options at the back, making it easy to connect to various devices. In addition, this product is specially designed to offer accurate frequency responses and powerful applications, making it a good option for studio use.
Review
The unique property of the PreSonus studio monitor is its wide sweet spot. The speaker features a new Elliptical Boundary Modeled waveguide with a broader 100-degree horizontal dispersion and premium high-frequency response.
A woven composite low-frequency driver is responsible for providing a tight and precise base. Its ported enclosure, more significant than the previous series, allows the monitor to reach as low as 35Hz, with no subwoofer required.
Connecting this monitor to any space or equipment is easy, thanks to the various studio monitor controls. The monitor provides unbalanced RCA line-level inputs, a balanced 1/4″ TRS, and a balanced XLR. It is incredible how easy it is to feed audio from an audio interface, monitor controller, mixer, or any other line-level source.
The excellent accuracy of the speakers is impressive, and this property makes them suitable for both home recording studios and professional use. This speaker combines sterling audio quality with flexible tuning while offering remastered connectivity options.
PreSonus Eris studio monitors feature controls that ensure a flat response in the mixed environment. These acoustic turning controls allow you to choose the correct room configuration. In addition, there are low-cut, mid, and high controls and an additional three-way acoustic space tuning compensating for the sonic consequences of placing a speaker against a wall or corner. It takes minutes to set up these audio monitors on any space or wall and still get quality sound output.
The studio monitor, however, tends to produce some electrical noise if not correctly connected. As a result, you’ll hear some humming or hissing sounds from the speaker, especially when using RCA cables.
Pros
- Wider sweet spot
- Various studio monitor connections
- Sterling audio quality and flexible tuning
- Low-frequency transducers for deep lows
Cons
- Produces hum or hissing sounds if the RCA cable is not connected correctly.
Rockville DPM8B 8″ Studio Monitor Speaker
Many other exceptional properties make the Rockville studio monitor your ideal choice. One of its unique features is the top-quality enclosure made of MDF wood that maximizes sound quality. Here is a step-up version of the popular APM series that offers better sound quality and more clarity.
Review
It is important to note that each Rockville studio speaker comes individually, which means each monitor is bi-amped; it has one amp for highs and another for lows. The speakers have 300 watts speaker output and 150 watts RMS. Furthermore, they have a flat frequency curve that sounds better.
The quality MDF wooden enclosure offers top-tier sound characteristics. This enclosure is thick enough and has the perfect air space to promote maximum sound quality. Furthermore, you’ll love the three different finishes available: black, white, and wood finish. Simply choose one that matches your studio’s color scheme.
This studio monitor uses a class D amplifier that produces clear sound. A UDAU Digital Sound Processor is also responsible for audio processing, and a TPA3116 is ideal for amplification.
Rockville monitors use Ferrofluid enhanced 1.5″ neodymium silk dome tweeters with metal grill protection. The featured neo magnet is intense and easily handles high temperatures, and this property makes it possible to beef up the amplifier power.
The included 8″ woofer produces unique bass sounds that are clear and punchy. It has an injection-molded propene cone that increases sound quality and eliminates distortions. Furthermore, a computer-optimized electronic crossover network supplies fantastic highs, mids, and lows.
The list of the fantastic features incorporated in this product is long, from an auto-switching power supply to the special wound voice coils. These features work together to offer unmatchable sound output, which is why this product is a top pick for many.
There’s nothing wrong with this product; however, it takes on a simple design that might not be that appealing for those who opt for a modern look. The speaker is an excellent addition to any space but doesn’t transition your desk as most speakers do.
Pros
- Various inputs, outputs, and controls
- Top-quality MDF wood enclosure
- Ferrofluid advanced silk dome tweeters
- Curved front bezel design that eliminates standing wave distortion
Cons
- It doesn’t transition your studio’s look as most speakers do.
Final Verdict
There’s no better way to improve your studio’s sound quality than getting the ideal studio monitor. Finding the ideal product for the job might be challenging, so we have narrowed the list down to five of the best options in the market. These speakers offer flat and uniform responses that you need for your mixes. So get one of these studio monitors to enjoy crystal-clear sounds.