PreSonusBudget tierPreSonus
Reviewed May 20, 2026Upgrade from laptop or PC speakers
Studio monitor. Built for accurate near-field reference, not live events. For dance floors, see DJ Speakers.
Confirm the live price at the retailer · we earn a commission on qualifying purchases
Practical scores
Editorial 1 to 5
Editorial 1 to 5 ratings for studio use. Flat response and detail favour mixing accuracy; build reflects warranty + repair-network depth across years of studio service.
See the rubricSpec sheet
Manufacturer-published
From manufacturer spec sheets. Real-world performance varies by room and use. See the glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
Best for
Not the right pick if
Pros
Cons
Common mistakes to avoid
Mistake
Desktop pairs are great for beat-making and rough listening, not the final mix decision. For a track you intend to release, take it to a near-field reference or a real studio.
Mistake
Sitting these directly on a wood desk smears the low-mid and adds resonance you'll spend hours trying to mix out. Cheap pads (~$20) are mandatory.
Mistake
Desktop monitors at 85+ dB SPL in a bedroom rebuild the kick on every wall reflection. Mix at 70–80 dB on a meter and your decisions actually translate.
Add deep low end
Matched studio subwoofer
Pairing with 5" or smaller near-fields that roll off above 50 Hz
The Eris E3.5 pairs reach down to roughly 80 Hz. For hip-hop, EDM, modern pop, or any genre with sub-bass content, a matched sub extends honest reference into the bottom octave.
Confirm the live price at the retailer · we earn a commission on qualifying purchases
One more thing every mix engineer owns
Mixing reference headphones
The mastering-studio reference, in a pair you can own.
Open-back, neutral midrange, the headphone many mastering engineers use as a sanity check against their main rig. The honest second opinion when your monitors are wrong.
Affiliate link · opens at a retailer
Also considerBeyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 · The closed-back tracking standard.
Where to buyEditor's picks, monthly
We send three speaker picks and three monitor picks once a month — the same editorial calls we make on the site, packaged so you don't have to come back to check.
One email a month · unsubscribe in one click · no list resale
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.
More desktop monitors
Editorial entry last reviewed May 20, 2026
