$500 vs $3,000 Studio Monitors: What's The Difference?
In this video, I take you through a realistic comparison between $500 and $3,000 studio monitors, answering the question I get asked all the time: are premium studio monitors worth the price?
I break down how each set reveals details in your mix, what you hear in the bass, mids, and highs, and how room setup can affect what you’re hearing.
Whether you’re just building your home studio or thinking about a serious upgrade, I give honest, practical takeaways to help you decide what fits your ears and your budget.
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Member Question: What makes expensive studio monitors better than entry-level studio monitors?
One of the perks of being a member of the Audio University Community, is getting to ask your questions and get specific answers. This is a clip from one of our sessions discussing studio monitors, their placement, and some of the differences between inexpensive monitors and more expensive monitors.
If you have a question that you still need answered, submit your question here and we will review your question and try to answer it in the next session.
Watch the clip and leave a comment. Let's get a conversation going.