The Best Monitor Speakers for Small Studio Rooms & How to Use Them

[@TraneFrancks]

Massively useful information for us n00bs trying to improve a room for the first time.

[@scottspaulding7965]

I have both ilouds. Used in a small room and they translated and sounded great .now in a proper space still use them and love them.

[@generic_pebble]

Best video I‘ve seen about this topic!

[@johnargosino6218]

I'm using Adam A7X's, and I have them pretty much up against the front wall, with just 3 or 4 inches clearance. I found it works great, as the bass ports are on the front, as is the power button...very important! One tip I'd like to share is this: if you are going to put the speakers very close to the wall, get right angle power and audio cables! I have my speakers laying sideways, so I bought right angle power cords so the cables aren't crushed up against the wall. For the XLRs, I had some custom cables made using right angle Neutrik connectors, but with the pins turned 90° inside the shell to maintain the correct pin configuration but allowing the cable housing to point down towards the ground. This way, with right angle cables you can pretty much put the speaker almost flat against the wall if needed! *A caveat: don't forget if you lay the speaker sideways don't forget to buy cables that are mirror images of each other, or you will end up with cables going the wrong direction on one of them!!!

[@johnargosino6218]

@@justinbennitt835 you're right! I used to have them vertically, but after rearranging everything and space issues, I had no choice but to lay them sideways because they have to clear the tops of my 3 LCD monitors, and putting them vertically on stands was iffy because at that height they were swaying slightly! Once I figure out my space concern I'm returning to vertical orientation

[@stephenessex4515]

Brilliant video and superb presenting! Well done.

[@biggusd534]

Love those Audeze sitting at the desk!! Gotta get myself a pair of MTM, nice video, helped clarify some indecions on my end.

[@djLovelyTime]

Surprised you didn't include the Genelec 8010As, they're more affordable and smaller than the 8020Ds. Not everyone has £800 to drop on some monitors (8020D) for a modest home studio.

[@vaishnav555]

Just purchased these. Total (little) beasts!

[@QFXmusic]

Hay tom kind of think you made a mistake on the Price shown for the HEDD Type 05

[@joechapman8208]

The MTMs are awesome. I had the original iLoud Micros before these, but the MTMs are well worth the extra money. To make the most of them, I have them screwed into heavy stands, I use the full ARC3 software, and I do the 38% room-length thing (plus this room isn't small, so they're well clear of the rear and side walls with this listening position and an appropriate triangle set-up). Due to the 40Hz limit, I need headphones to manage the lowest bass but I can easily do full mixes with these. I rarely use my big Dynaudios anymore - I was giving everything a final check with them for a while, but it turned out that all my mixes were correct and translating well just with the MTMs, so it makes sense to use these as much as I can so that I can travel and be confident of what I'm doing with these in any space.

[@accentontheoff]

You think they'd do the job if all I had was a corner in a room?

[@accentontheoff]

@@joechapman8208 Yes, well, realties and all that. Thanks so much for the detailed reply, will take your advice where possible. Cheers.

[@blake_niewoonder]

I've been using the iLoud Micro monitors for about a year. I am very satisfied. The only downfall is there is a bit of port noise on frequencies close to 60 Hz. The bass also disappears below 50 Hz. I would HIGHLY recommend these to anyone no matter if you are in a small room or not.

[@MehoyMenoy13]

was saving up for some hs7 but not only realized that I no longer have room (went dual monitor) but Im building a bedroom studio. I discovered the micros and I'm heavily interested in them! I was planning on using them not only as daily drivers for my gaming set up but also as my recording/music making/mixing speakers. good thing I saw your comment!

[@ChrisKeyman]

@@MehoyMenoy13 what did you take finally?

[@MehoyMenoy13]

@@ChrisKeyman I’m actually gonna take the presonus e3,5! I like how they sound and they’re under 100

[@deegeeooh]

They ARE really impressive monitors, BUT the port noise and chuffing totally prohibit usage in that area though (its around the 50hz region actually in my measurement ) With some songs, especially electronic sustained bases or basskicks in that region, even at moderate sound levels and with the bass rolloff switch enabled the port turbulation at resonation frequency is really really bad, like impossible to listen to.. As long as you (can) stay away from that, they are actually amazing. Best Ive heard in this size. Great imaging, very complete soundstage and bass response for their size. Its the trade off for the quite ridiculous bass response (like unbelievably good) and port tuning they used to get there I guess...

[@stringstorm]

Are the port noise inherent in all iLouds? I've seen videos about it but have honestly never encountered it.

[@ianedmonds9191]

I used to use a pair Mission SM6As. They were fantastic but after ten years or so they became a bit scratchy probably down to dodgy pots. I replaced them with a pair of Genelec 8040s They are just amazing. Not as much bass reach but they sound even more transparent and the stereo image is the best I've heard. I'm tempted by the bass bin to go with them but I don't think my neighbours would approve. The bass in the 8040s is adequate for my purposes. Mine came on stands buying 2nd hand from a studio which are well isolated from vibrations. Tweeter is a ear height. Perfect. No idea if they are oem or some third party but they are excellent. I would still heartily recommend the Mission SM6As. They are very very good monitors and are crazy loud if that's what you need. Luv and Peace.

[@SunlightOfTheSpirit]

Came for the speaker recommendations and stayed for the extra room acoustic chat :)

[@subsonance]

awesome video!! just watched the audio and video production pc build vid before. subscribed

[@michaeldl49]

I use IK Multimedia iLoud in my bedroom studio and it produces an amazing full sound coming from such small speakers.

[@anthonycunningham4598]

The Adams have been awesome for me.

[@druthedj]

This is really helpful, and straight to the point!👌

[@ewippel7446]

Great explanation.

[@alvaro.makes.music1]

thanks so much for this! Any tips on using the Yamaha HS8's in a small room?

[@nivektek2681]

I like all your videos reviews..Very Detailed and Clear Explanation...💯💯🏆🏆🌶🌶👊👊🌟🌟🤘🤘🔥🔥💥💥

[@ThreechTHEdruid]

i was blown away how nice hgenelecs where for home cinema and i am far away from optimal room but really really happy with my setup now

[@Pharesm]

Good video! it should get way more views ! Room calibration can do wonders! I *sometimes* use my 1300W RMS Yamaha DSR-12s, in a 12 qm room - they were producing amazing standing bass waves - it was ridiculous. After calibration, standing waves were completely gone. Obviously, still not the right speakers for that room, but I do have mostly very small speakers that match the space. If you have the choice, build your small small studio from scratch and make it a non-rectangular shape :D

[@couchcamperTM]

I asked this above already, but you seem to have dealt with small room production and mixing already, maybe you can give me some advice for my limited budget and limiting room. Situation: I have an untreated 7x4m room with one sloped 7m wall and a couch (every room needs a couch^^) and an assortment of synth on two desktops and a stand (so far, but you may have heard of GAS) and I am using cheap Aiwa "hifi" speakers. Right box is near the corner of the sloped wall, at the other end is the couch. I could just not decide what to get, yet. I think I won't need large speakers for the room, but I want to be able to hear bass (the Aiwa are lacking in this regard with 4.5" woofers, and in such a small room!) without going overpowered or to expensive (else I'd just get the genelec xD ) Would some of those 3" woofer speakers and a sub be better or should I be going with 6.5 inch (plus x) woofers? example: eris 3.5 and sub vs kali lp-6 or fluid audio fx8? What would be, generally, the better way? non-rectangular should be easy, btw^^

[@nils1749]

Thanks for the video. What a bummer that HEDD doubled their price from Mk I to Mk II

[@SBRbugol]

Hi, how about a slanted ceiling room, the shorter wall where i have my monitors is skewed.

[@leloopdusoir]

Happy owner of the Genelec 8020D!….😁

[@zacgrubble9824]

Super video! Thanks much!

[@MakiPavlidis]

Great advice- thank you

[@leonardovmusic]

No Kali Audio? Anyways great suggestions.

[@clipz1]

going for 8351s i got a smaller room but do plan to move to a larger space so thought it would be better can always play em lower for now

[@ChakrasMusicLab]

Thanjks. I landed up buying iLoud micros before watching your video. And as you mentioned for MTM, Micros too get that bass reflex port noise below 55 hz. By your suggestion to add low cut, where do you suggest I should add? Fortunately I have RME UCX which has EQ in the total mix software. So probably I could add that. But if I don't have this option, how do you suggest should the low cut added? Or if I invest on some cheap sub woofer and set crossover on it and turn down the woofer as I don't really need?

[@ScanProAudioTV]

The MTM have a option for bass response on the rear, that’s what we suggested using.

[@granaff]

Excellent video

[@boybianchi]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@aces3261]

Damn those genelecs in the background look so good

[@otval8606]

what u can say about adam a4v ? what cons they have for purpose of mixing ?

[@TheGman901]

Those Genelec 8351 are teasing me...

[@accentontheoff]

Any advice for people stuck with square shaped rooms. Thanks.

[@ScanProAudioTV]

Headphones. Can opener studio plugin for crossfeed. Alternatively get iLoud MTM or genelec 8331 / 8341 and get them 30/40cm in front of you so you get as much direct sound as possible, but mostly headphones.

[@accentontheoff]

@@ScanProAudioTV Thanks for the reply. The iLoud does sound like a plan.

[@accentontheoff]

@@ScanProAudioTVHi, what if I was in a situation where I had to sit in a corner somewhere. Would the MTMs still be the best Or maybe the smaller Micros. Or... was wondering whether I should consider a relatively bigger speaker like the Focal Alpha 65 and listen at lower volumes at about 40-50 cms. Sorry for seeming confused, I am in a massive state of flux because of certain family related issues. Thanks.

[@allenglishknives6823]

Great video, thanks 👍🏻

[@TheShyGuitarist9]

What do you feel about the JBL 104s? They are quite affordable...

[@d.nguyen4993]

He still didnt answer

[@TheShyGuitarist9]

@@d.nguyen4993 well I did buy the jbl 104s months ago because I got them for cheap and I'm pretty satisfied for my purposes 😂

[@minutemaid123]

Should you generally avoid using a subwoofer if you have a small room of 11x12x8? Such as the 8320 + 7350.

[@thedoodler882]

Thanks for the vid mate!

[@dalejail]

@scanproaudio what do you think of focal alpha evo?

[@talktalk4503]

Great vid! ❤ Quick question: For a treated small room (2x2.5m). 95% for movie dialogue/cinematic scoring, LoFi, pop, and R&B which would you recommend: 1. Yamaha HS5 2. KRK Rokit 5 G4 3. Genelec 8020D 4. iLoud MTM 5. Adam Audio A5X Many thanks in advance!

[@ScanProAudioTV]

MTM up close at low volume, or with the bass extension set to one of the higher frequencies.

[@bomberh21]

No Genelec 8010? Is this due its limited frequency response? Some of the speakers suggested are similarly limited....

[@IdunRedstone]

A popular reviewer produce like a pro reviewed Iloud Micro's and said he'd actually trust them more than 8010's for mixing as they had more detail in the treble than his 8010's For a "pro" he didn't seem to be very scientific however having his Genelecs on their side angled up at him and not messing around with positions or EQ, but then again he was comparing out of the box. Main advantage of Genelecs seems to be they can get way louder without distorting while still being tiny and not weighing much.

[@MK-hi5ix]

great video !

[@AlbinSahovic]

Thank you so much

[@shughy1]

Great advice 👍

[@j-6998]

I'm using the older TANNOY PBM 6.5 II nearfield monitors powered by an ALESIS flat power amp. I'm not planning on spending more money on more speakers and they seem to do the job well combined with my HD-600 phones. Do you have any advice or tips on how to better utilize these TANNOYs and get the maximum "Pro Mix" and Mastering final audio results to deliver to audio listeners and streaming or digital customers? Any opinions on the performance and results of these nearfields you know of?

[@burger659]

you didn't mention the Neumanns kh120a ..

[@jeulahr]

Hi sir, are recommending that the space between the wall and the back of the speaker should be up to 40cm or the that space between me and the front of the speakers should be up to 40cm? Based on the size of my room i have 5cm between the wall and the back of the speaker, then i have 74cm(2.5ft) between the front of the speaker and my ear for each.

[@MrMikomi]

I read that ported monitors are bad as they artificially boost the bass response but take a long time for bass frequencies to dissipate.

[@marcorossi2182]

Which usb dac or audio interface do you reccommend for 8010? I am into playing music from PC and dont need to record.

[@orryfishburne5326]

I’m leaning towards the Focal Alpha 50 or the Adam T7V. I don’t like the rear facing port on the Adam though. I have an old pair of KRK Rokit 8 2nd Gen but they are starting to crap out on me. I’m loosing a lot of high end and their volume is dropping, so I’m looking to replace them and I want to get away from KRK as well.

[@ScanProAudioTV]

The T7V would be our pick without question between the two, don’t let the port put you off, it’s not actually a problem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3TShGOYetyqeKs

[@orryfishburne5326]

@@ScanProAudioTV thanks for the response and info. That video was extremely helpful! Ive wanted Adam Monitors for years and years, and i think im going to stick with the T7V now. Thanks so much!

[@couchcamperTM]

I could need ome genral advice for my limited budget and limiting room. Situation: I have an untreated 7x4m room with one sloped 7m wall and a couch (every room needs a couch^^) and an assortment of synth on two desktops and a stand (so far, but you may have heard of GAS) and I am using cheap Aiwa "hifi" speakers. Right box is near the corner of the sloped wall, at the other end is the couch. I could just not decide what to get, yet. I think I won't need large speakers for the room, but I want to be able to hear bass (the Aiwa are lacking in this regard with 4.5" woofers, and in such a small room!) without going overpowered or to expensive (else I'd just get the genelec xD ) Would some of those 3" woofer speakers and a sub be better or should I be going with 6.5 inch (plus x) woofers? example: eris 3.5 and sub vs kali lp-6 or fluid audio fx8? What would be, generally, the better way?

[@realmsofblake]

What constitutes a small/medium/large room?

[@donnawatson2912]

Samer question for me>>>>???

[@narenduffy8113]

Really great video. I'm looking at setting up a small studio soon and will be coming back to this when I start shopping for monitors. Where's the vid you mentioned on the best headphones for mixing?! Looking forward to that!

[@균두안]

I make beats in a 2.2m x 2.4m and 2m height booth. All walls are made of absorbing fabrics. What size speaker should I use?

[@lHUSAMl]

Did u find the answer?

[@균두안]

@@lHUSAMl I am using 6 inch krk v6. You can set up a basetrap on the wall behind your back and you'll get a perfect monitor, I think.

[@lHUSAMl]

@@균두안 what do you think of eris 3.5 its so small and suitable for my vocal booth becuase it's too small 1×1 meter room

[@균두안]

@@lHUSAMl Is this a booth for vocal recording? I don't think the speakers are good in a 1x1 meter room. I think it's too small. How about using headphones? If you're not doing beat making, just recording vocals, you can make a professional sound with just headphones.

[@lHUSAMl]

@@균두안 yes I'm just interested in vocals and i have dt 700 pro x do u think monitors isn't a good deal in my situation ? I can stick with dt 700 pro x it's beast

[@NoNameEagle1]

inn a room of 8meters x 8meters , what speakers u recommend ?!

[@TheGurner1]

Anyone tried Focal Solo6 BE in a smaller room?

[@mega-driver]

Hi there! Do you know if the E4.5 or the iLoud Micro Monitor accept a pro line level output +4dB? I would like to get a pair monitors for my stage piano and I want to avoid any dynamic range compression... I am in a vey small room.. thanks a million!

[@joh8379]

What's your opinion on the KRK Rokit Rp5 G4? Or the Rp7 for that matter?

[@bakedcreations8985]

If you have Iloud micro and you mix and master in a small room BUT at very low volume wouldn't it solve all the problems? Sound waves wouldn't be able to travel or have the energy to reflect on the walls cause the volume is low. Problem solved or am I wrong?

[@xmfulx]

totally wrong! read about earing curves (fletcher-munson)

[@bakedcreations8985]

@@xmfulx Yes, but you don't have to crank it up like crazy in order for fletcher-munson to take effect. Moderately high volume in combination with tools like Ozone is enough I think, what do you think?

[@xmfulx]

@@bakedcreations8985 well, at least when you are in edition stage (earig of unwanted noises,etc), using eq (not same perception of low frecuencies, high frecuencies at diferent spl), you have to rise up volumen. When mixing you have to ear the 2 of them, low and high volumen. But all process at low volume, i think is not good idea

[@amritraoofficialchannel4038]

Great video! What are your thoughts on the Presonus Eris 3.5 for Music Production and Mixing in small rooms? I've heard they perform better than the 4.5s.

[@aces3261]

How bout the 5 inch version instead

[@amritraoofficialchannel4038]

@@aces3261 I bought the 4.5. They sound great.

[@vikplevnes736]

Yea the 4.5 should be way better than the 3.5 but also $100 extra..did you buy the 4.5 straight or u got the 3.5 first then returned them for the 4.5?

[@K1ngw1n]

I’m using focal cms40, what’s your take on them?

[@accentontheoff]

I am thinking of the budget Focal Alpha 50. Are you happy with the one you have.

[@K1ngw1n]

@@accentontheoff yes they sound so good. I used HS8 for 8 years but the focals is like hearing everything with details.

[@accentontheoff]

@@K1ngw1n So it’s good for mixing?

[@K1ngw1n]

@@accentontheoff excellent for mixing!

[@accentontheoff]

@@K1ngw1n Great thanks! It wasn’t even on my list. I thinking of KRK and the Focal Alpha 50 but now I am considering this.

[@tractionmusic8453]

mix on earpods

[@peterpixo]

5:45 if you can live without sub-bass... Are you kidding? I mean, I hear them and it sounds so horrible, like 5 blankets on the speaker, colored so heavily to put bass feeling into midrange and dull highs.

[@OneStepToday]

Why not Eris 3.5

[@vikplevnes736]

I have the eris 3.5, not really impressed with them...the 4.5 are better and $100 extra, probably worth the difference

[@petermack9058]

What do you think of the IK Multimedia micros?

[@blake_niewoonder]

I have these. I love them. They are perfect for rock and metal type music. They cannot do any sub-bass though.

[@runnningonempty]

WHAT SIZE IS A MEDIUM SIZE ROOM? 12'X16'?

[@ThePCForever]

Why does bass cancel out in the center of the room?

[@ThalamusGhipopotamus]

противофаза

[@Wendel_Kos]

m8 this is a great video but missing a fundamental point. If you have a small, almost square room, you will always have a problem with standing waves and low frequencies. There is almost nothing you can do in a standard room against 60hz and lower, so this will always be a problem. And since most producers are focussing on these frequencies: (its the "new sound", always "feels off", they are just not shure, or it doesnt sound as good or as loud as professional productions) there are only a couple of things you can do: 1- GET A SUBPACK + that ikea chair so you can build it in. This is BY FAR the best solution for mixing low end, im surprised this is not talked about more. 2- Get the smallest speakers like the iLoud. 3- Use headphones. All the stuff like diffusion panels, reflexion, isolation and absorption is just rubbish and really wont help getting a clean sound in the low end, because its just too much energy your have to control. Unless you build a pro studio, which can be pretty expensive. Plus you can take the Subpack anywhere you want, even hotel rooms and planes lol.

[@spasibushki]

hello, GM Ben Finegold

[@MHSlypher1]

If I'm just producing music and not looking to mix too much, would I be able to go for 8" in a small-ish room (3.5m by 2.75m) for the added power in the bass, for vibe reasons, or would it just be too much?

[@mpelevic]

Justin Bennitt True. I have A5x adams in a similar room, and they are almost overkill. A3x would be perfect.

[@bob-rogers]

I'm interested in why the size of the room makes a difference in speaker selection.

[@ScanProAudioTV]

The Distance from the monitors to ear for the balance from the drivers to be equal. The waveguides should mean that the signal is balanced between the drivers beyond a certain point and that point is father away from the speaker on large cone models (unless they are concentric drivers like the genelec ones etc) Ideally, you want a good monitoring triangle and the speakers close to the front wall to minimise the front wall cancellation and a big dip in the bass response.

[@akmt123]

I'm beating my brains since morning and even one guy asked the same on another channel....in these Monitors the Sound is being sent over from the Active to the Passive speaker....so where is the circuit for Actual Stereo Separation? Like in my 1975 Pioneer Stereo Receiver?

[@ScanProAudioTV]

there are no separation controls on any studio monitors, that's just adjusting the mid / side balance, you can find a plugin for that if you need it.

[@SebTeh]

Why are KRKs not making the lists anymore?

[@superhussein]

are those good speakers for an incel?

[@grosun]

Damn, I think you guys need to optimise your web placement. I would totally have bought the iLouds off you if I'd known your price matched that offered by tax-avoiding evil Amazon. Thanks for all the tips anyway, super nice instructive video. I'll be sure to check you out for my next purchase.

[@davidkey6623]

Fantastic information but the audio is terrible, love the channel! Just trying to help! Thanks 🙏🏼 Those t’s and s’s are killing me haha. But again, fantastic information!!

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

I preferred iso poo sticks

[@joshsmith7812]

Iso apoostics...

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Wouldnt headphones solve all these issues? Asking for a friend...😀

[@ZAAAYVID_]

Yes! Headphones do the magic

[@gurmaymalvai3371]

Look at open back headphones if ur looking for headphones

[@gurmaymalvai3371]

@believe in Jesus ministries Wellllll if u keep the volume low then its fine but yeah the probability is higher with headphones compared to studio monitors

[@andreasxfjd4141]

Headphones do exact frequency response but the spaciousness is different

[@amoslalrpa6666]

Can you atleast look at the camera...