In this article Music Matter run through the best studio monitors under £200 to buy in 2012. To make this a fair contest we have only selected the monitors sold as pairs. Studio Monitors are designed to have the flattest, and truest frequency response possible, so if you’re monitoring on a budget we can highly recommend any of the following:-

Tascam VL-M3 (Pair) Active Studio Monitors – £69.00

  • Compact and LightweightTascam VLM3 Best Studio Monitors Under £200 2012
  • 3″ Full-Range Speaker
  • 24W Stereo Power Amplifier
  • Bass-Reflex Cabinet
  • RCA Inputs

The VL-M3 desktop stereo monitors from Tascam provide reference-quality audio at an affordable price. The small size makes the monitors ideal for home or mobile use. Each monitor has a 3″ full-range speaker to provide a wide frequency response, while the bass-reflex cabinet design helps to extend bass frequencies. An internal 24W stereo amplifier provides a strong signal with low distortion. Signal input is via stereo RCA inputs for wide compatibility.


M-Audio Studiophile AV40 (Pair) Active Studio Monitors – £99.00

  • Bass-Reflex CabinetM-Audio AV40 Best Studio Monitors Under £200 2012
  • 4″ Polypropylene-Coated Woofer
  • 1″ Silk Dome Tweeter
  • OptImage III Waveguide
  • 15W Per Channel Amplification
  • RCA, 1/4″ TRS, and 3.5mm Inputs
  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack
  • Front-Panel Volume Control
  • Magnetically Shielded

The AV 40 Active 2-Way Desktop Monitor Speakers (Pair) from M-Audio provide high-quality audio for even the smallest of workspaces. Ideal for use with a home or mobile recording studio, the wooden bass-reflex cabinets each feature a 4″ polypropylene-coated woofer and a 1″ silk dome tweeter to provide a wide frequency response. Internal Class-A/B amplifiers provide 15W of power to each channel for strong performance with low distortion.

The rear panel features stereo RCA and 1/4″ TRS inputs for wide compatibility with both consumer and professional devices. The front panel offers a 3.5mm aux input for connecting an MP3 player or CD player. OptImage III waveguides on the front baffles help to improve detail and clarity, as well as provide an accurate stereo image. A 3.5mm headphone jack offers private monitoring, while the front-panel volume control lets you make convenient adjustments. The speakers are magnetically shielded for use near video monitors.


Fostex PM0.4n (Pair) Active Studio Monitors – £159.00

  • Ultra CompactFostex PM0.4n Best Studio Monitors Under £200.00 2012
  • 4″ Woofer
  • 0.75″ Soft Dome Tweeter
  • Biamplified Design
  • RCA and 1/4″ Inputs
  • Rear Panel Volume Control

The PM0.4n 36W 4″ Active Nearfield Studio Monitor Speaker (Pair, Black) from Fostex utilizes years of acoustic design knowledge and experience to provide clear, bright sound in a minimalist package. Ideal for use on a desktop or in a mobile studio, this speaker uses a 4″ woofer and 0.75″ soft dome tweeter to provide a wide frequency response.

The biamplified design sends 36W of total power to the drivers to deliver tight, punchy sound with low distortion. The rear panel features RCA and 1/4″ inputs, as well as a rotary volume control, and an on/off switch. The monitor can also be easily wall mounted if desired.


M-Audio BX5 D2 (Pair) Active Studio Monitors – £179.00

  • 5″ Kevlar WooferM-Audio BX5 D2 Best Studio Monitors Under £200 2012
  • 1″ Silk Dome Tweeter
  • Integrated Waveguide
  • Class-A/B Bi-Amplified Design
  • Rear-Ported Design
  • XLR and 1/4″ Inputs
  • Magnetically Shielded

The BX5 D2 Active 70W 5″ 2-Way Studio Monitor Speaker (Pair) from M-Audio provides excellent sound quality in a compact and affordable design. Each cabinet houses a 5″ Kevlar woofer and a 1″ waveguide-loaded tweeter to provide a full, detailed frequency response. An optimized bass port on the rear of each cabinet extends low frequency response for terrific bass punch and clarity.

The drivers are powered by a pair of Class-A/B internal amplifiers with a combined power of 70W for a strong performance. The rear panel of each cabinet offers XLR and 1/4″ input connectors for terrific versatility. An easy-to-use volume control knob is also provided. Each cabinet is magnetically shielded for safe use near video monitors and other electronic equipment without interference.


Alesis M1 Active 520 (Pair) Active Studio Monitors – £199.00

  • 75W of biamplified powerAlesis M1 Active 520 Best Studio Monitors Under £200 2012
  • 5″ woofer and 1″ silk dome tweeter
  • Integrated Power Switch and Clip Light bar
  • Magnetically shielded
  • 1″ thick front baffle
  • Acoustical waveguide
  • Rear panel Bass reflex port
  • Hi, Mid, and Low Frequency EQ switches

The Alesis M1Active 520 is an active 2-way studio monitor, sold as a pair. This modestly priced speaker offers 75 Watts of bi-amplification, powering a magnetically shielded 5″ woofer and 1″ tweeter, all housed in a flashy, minimal-resonance, bass-ported cabinet, replete with a cleverly mounted combination power switch and clip light.

The rear panel of the M1Active 520 is equipped with the above-mentioned Bass Port, a set of frequency control switches for fine-tuning in a given acoustic environment, a Gain control knob, professional XLR and 1/4″ connectors, and a dual-voltage switch for the AC power supply.