The 30 best sound monitors brands

  • 30 brands ranked
  • Ranked by brand visibility

Rockville, Yamaha and JBL lead our ranking of 30 sound monitors brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.

Sound Monitors brands, ranked

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  1. 1

    Rockville

    Budget-friendly powered pairs with built-in USB and Bluetooth, sold in 6.5 and 8 inch sizes.

    Top products: APM6B v2· APM8C· APM8B v2

    Popularity 10.0/10

  2. 2

    Yamaha

    Bass-reflex studio monitors with woofers from 5 to 8 inches, a common choice for home mixing and mastering desks.

    Top products: HS4· HS5W· DBR15

    Popularity 8.8/10

  3. 3

    JBL

    Outdoor-rated passive monitors for installs, built to handle weather, a different job from studio pairs.

    Top products: Control 30

    Popularity 5.8/10

  4. 4

    PreSonus

    Compact Eris powered monitors with an optional Bluetooth model, popular with home recordists on a tight budget.

    Top products: Eris 3.5· Eris 5BT

    Popularity 5.7/10

  5. 5

    Behringer

    Inexpensive powered monitors and a passive monitor controller, used by DJs and home studios as much as desks.

    Top products: B105D· MS16· MONITOR1

    Popularity 5.1/10

  6. 6

    Electro-Voice

    Rugged stage monitors and powered loudspeakers designed for live sound and touring rather than desktop use.

    Top products: ZLX-15P-G2· PXM-12MP

    Popularity 4.7/10

  7. 7

    Pioneer DJ

    Desk-sized active monitors with DJ-focused processing, suited to DJs who also produce tracks at home.

    Top products: DM-50D· VM-80

    Popularity 4.5/10

  8. 8

    KRK

    Yellow-woofer studio monitors with a long track record, from compact 4 inch pairs up to 8 inch models.

    Top products: V8· Kreate 3· Classic 8

    Popularity 4.4/10

  9. 9

    Yorkville

    Heavy-duty powered stage monitors from a Canadian maker, mostly 15 inch floor wedges for gigs.

    Top products: EL15P

    Popularity 4.2/10

  10. 10

    Meyer Sound

    Premium self-powered loudspeakers used in touring and venue installs, priced well above typical studio gear.

    Top products: UP-4XP

    Popularity 3.7/10

  11. 11

    ADAM Audio

    Berlin-made monitors with ribbon tweeters, sitting at the higher end for serious mixing rooms.

    Top products: T7V

    Popularity 3.6/10

  12. 12

    Gemini

    Value Bluetooth PA and monitor speakers, covering everything from 5 inch studio pairs to 15 inch cabinets.

    Top products: AS-2110P

    Popularity 3.5/10

  13. 13

    Samson

    Affordable Resolv and MediaOne active monitors, plus a few stage monitor cabinets for live use.

    Top products: Resolv SE8· MediaOne M30BT· RSXM12A

    Popularity 3.4/10

  14. 14

    RCF

    Italian-made active monitors with a two-way design, often chosen for broadcast and professional studios.

    Top products: Ayra Six

    Popularity 3.4/10

  15. 15

    Auratone

    Passive cube speakers with a vintage mono reference sound, used for checking mixes on small systems.

    Top products: 5C Super Sound Cube· 5PSC

    Popularity 3.2/10

  16. 16

    Roland

    Roland supplies electronic drums, drum machines, synthesizers and monitor speakers to musicians in studios and on stages. Its V-Drums electronic kits and SPD pad controllers are widely used for quiet practice and recording. Electronic percussion is central to its lineup.

    Top products: PM-100· PM-200

    Popularity 3.2/10

  17. 17

    Avantone

    Avantone Pro makes studio monitors, monitor speakers, condenser microphones and amplified speakers for audio work. The products serve everyone from home project studios to large professional facilities. Each unit is inspected before shipping, and the brand's older materials suggest an...

    Top products: Pro Active MixCubes

    Popularity 3.1/10

  18. 18

    Shure

    Stage and studio microphones, wireless systems and in-ear monitors define Shure's range. The Illinois company's SM58 and SM57 dynamic microphones are widely recognised, and earphones for performers who monitor their own sound round out the line. Its gear is built...

    Top products: SE215

    Popularity 2.9/10

  19. 19

    Pioneer

    Car owners who want better sound can look to Pioneer, a Japanese electronics maker with a strong car audio line. Its lineup includes car stereos and amplifiers that power speakers for stronger output. Pioneer also offers parts such as transmission...

    Popularity 2.8/10

  20. 20

    Genelec

    Finland-based Genelec makes studio monitor speakers and amplified speakers for professional and home use. Its monitors are widely used in film, broadcast and game audio, as well as in music production in both large studios and home studios. Speaker grills...

    Popularity 2.7/10

  21. 21

    Tannoy

    Tannoy has become a key player in professional recording studio monitoring, one of the undisputed leaders in loudspeaker and audio quality. Helping you experience cinema at home, the company offers a DCS115B subwoofer system that provides a distortion-free low-end output....

    Popularity 2.5/10

  22. 22

    IK Multimedia

    IK Multimedia took its roots in a small town in Italy. The town was small, but the minds were innovative, and two Italian engineers got together in 1996 and created a piece of gear that would change the way of...

    Top products: iLoud MTM mkII

    Popularity 2.5/10

  23. 23

    Peavey

    Peavey began making pantyhose and tights, and its women's hosiery comes in sheer, light support and high gloss styles. Some pieces are high gloss tights with reinforced crotches and double-stitched seams. The hosiery is described as made in the USA.

    Popularity 2.1/10

  24. 24

    Alto

    The Alto Professional is a complete range of professional audio interfaces, USB and FireWire audio converters, and innovative solutions for connecting microphones and instruments. From the affordable to the high-end, there's an Alto Professional product that fits your needs. Alto...

    Popularity 2.0/10

  25. 25

    QSC

    QSC has been developing technology for cinema, themed entertainment, and live performance audio for over 50 years. The company is recognized worldwide for its design and manufacture of first-rate audio products. Its products are reliable and have won multiple awards....

    Top products: CP8

    Popularity 1.9/10

  26. 26

    Focal

    Utopia loudspeakers and headphones are among the audio products sold by Focal, a French manufacturer. The company makes its products in France, and its range spans car speakers, balanced headphones, and home hi-fi systems. Its loudspeakers are used in recording...

    Top products: ST6 Solo6

    Popularity 1.7/10

  27. 27

    Hercules

    Hercules provides the most effective and creative digital music services for you and your family to enjoy. Enjoy millions of more great tracks worldwide, created by a diverse range of artists and composers. You may receive help with everything, from...

    Top products: DJ Monitor 32

    Popularity 1.7/10

  28. 28

    Alesis

    Alesis is involved in the music industry. The company was established in 1980 by a music lover. They have been making an impact in the music industry ever since. They are dedicated to making gear that is going to empower...

    Top products: M1Active 330USB

    Popularity 1.7/10

  29. 29

    Seismic Audio

    Seismic Audio is the solution to your sound system issues. The company based in Tennessee was born in 2000 as the brainchild of Steve Acree. It aims at selling superior quality sound systems and speakers at economical rates. An online...

    Popularity 1.7/10

  30. 30

    Bose

    Who hasn’t heard the sound of Bose – one of the top-selling audio brands? Experience surreal cinema with the sound-surround home theatre. And live the sound of music with their earbuds. They have also introduced audio sunglasses with excellent lenses,...

    Popularity 1.5/10