Studio Monitors – Are They Essential for Audio Work?

So what’s the big fuss then? Are studio monitors essential in the age where we can get decent headphones? Lets explore all the pros and cons of studio monitors, what are the best monitors to get in 2019 and beyond. 

What Are Studio Monitors?

Studio monitors have been designed specifically with professional audio production in mind. Examples include recording studios, movie production, TV, radio station studios, voice over studios. In other words anywhere where accurate sound is essential. Studio monitor has been designed to give as accurate as possible a reflection of the sound you are making. It doesn’t add any qualities to the audio that would “color” the original sound. They are designed to effectively produce a relatively flat audio.

Studio Monitors vs Heaphones

Here are some reasons why it is good for you to consider owning professional studio monitors:

• You need to remember that studio monitors are NOT designed to listen to the regular music on. They are precision measuring instruments that are there to help you hear “the bigger picture”. Walk into any big recording/audio production studio – you will find a pair of those in each – why – because they are essential part of any audio producer’s work.
• Headphones will help you pick up small noises such as clicks in the recordings.
• Wearing headphones over long period of times can be tiring for your head and ears. Even the highest studio grade headphones can be a burden for your ears after 4-6 hours straight of wearing.
• For a voice over work you will find that headphones are essential during the recording. You can hear in detail your recording as you record it. You would not be able to use monitors as feedback from them would get caught on the recording itself.
• For podcast post production we use high quality studio headphones (such as DT 770 PRO)– you cannot hear small intricacies of a dialog on studio monitors in such detail. Note: We would only recommend using headphones for post production if relevant high quality studio grade headphones are used.
• When making radio jingles and music production we would use studio monitors. Our current studio choice are JBL Professional 305PMKII 5.

Best Studio Monitors

Here is our top 3 list for studio monitors available at the time of writing.

Best Studio Headphones

Here is our top 3 list for the best studio headphones available at the time of writing.

Your Opinion Matters

Over to you! What headphones and studio monitors do you use? Let us know in the comments, we would love to hear from you!