Looking for suggestions, recommendations on a pair of Studio desktop speakers\monitors.

If anyone has seen a GOOD set, hopefully on sale, that preferably have good low end and would suit general use for desktop monitoring\recording.

would love to be able to keep it under 250$ w\tax and smaller size would also be best for my personal setup.

Thanks in advance !

 

Kali Audio LP-6 2nd Wave - <200€

 

i had from KRK in 2014.. they are pretty good

 

JBL 305P MKII - 139 EUR --> https://global.jbl.com/studio-monitors/305PMKII-.html

https://www.thomann.de/de/jbl_lsr_305p_mkii.htm?offid=1&affid=84
https://www-bonedo-de.translate.goo...l=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

 

Second hand FOSTEX PM1 (local to avoid shipping).
Got mine 20 years ago, mk1.
NEVER a problem and good sound.

 

$250 - Which currency? If you're talking USD then you could get something decent. If you're talking AUD (like for me) then you'll get shit.

I bought some 5-inch & 8-inch at the same time about a year ago. I use my 5-inch almost always.

 

Smaller speakers can't output enough bass response to be useful to you.
Even if you could afford bigger speakers that gives you accurate bass, chances are that you don't have a properly treated room to take advantage of them.

The best option for you is to buy a good pair of headphones.

Do not take this guy's words as gospel but I think these 2 videos are helpful to form an opinion.

 

Thanks y'all, and yes I meant dollars, Being from the UK but having lived in Florida for years now i always get confused as to which end of the number the $ is supposed to go.. lol.

As far as size, sure i understand, problem is altho i built my own desk a dozen years ago and i had pretty big speakers at that time I NOW have dual monitors and prob just enough room for a smaller pair.

Will look into the links posted so far.. thanks !

 

JBL LSR305 (I own them) or Kali LP-6 (basically a clone, done by the same designers after they left JBL).

 

The ik multimedia iloud are small but had my neighbour complaining that his whole room was shaking, if thats fine they are really good for mixing on as they have a very flat response

 

I have these the low end is decent but i've had a hiss in my tweeters ever since I bought them i'm going to get a set of adams as soon as I have the money

 

If you already have 2 sets of monitors in different sizes, then I would highly recommend a set of these as a 3rd.

OPEN BOX --> $228.00 from "ProAudioStar".
https://www.proaudiostar.com/ik-multimedia-iloud-micro-monitors-open-box.html

 

Last edited: Jul 27, 2026 at 11:34 PM

First recommendation: Slate VSX Modeling Headphones. You can get into them for $249 (closed backs). The $799 Immersion Ones are planars and are absolutely killer, but you need additional headphone amplification beyond your MacBook or audio interface. The biggest advantages are that you completely bypass any room issues or the need for room treatment. You can mix anywhere, anytime (without disturbing anyone) and trust your ears, wherever you are - even if you move, or go on vacation, or work from Starbucks because the AC is out, your mixing environment never changes. And you get the speaker modeling that really does work for making sure your mixes translate.

Second recommendation: If you insist on monitors, KRK RP5 G5. They're $400 new for a pair, but you can easily find them used for $250 on Facebook Marketplace, Guitar Center (great return policy), etc. Or grab the KRK RP5 G4 for even less. They use the exact same drivers and cabinet design and are essentially the same sonically. I personally love their sound, and especially for the money. Then look at adding the KRK S10.4 subwoofer down the line for extended bass response. It's $479 new, but I've seen them for $300 used. Assuming your room isn't plagued with issues, that monitor setup will make you very happy.

 

Thank you very much everyone, great to see folks willing to spend their time to help one another!