The 10 Best Monitor Speaker Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts

William Shatner By, William Shatner
Updated
Edifier R1280T Powered Monitor Speaker
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Edifier R1280T Powered Monitor Speaker

This is everything you need for your home sound system. The Edifier R1280T is a powerful combination of power, sound quality, and convenience - with a remote control to boot. This computer speaker has studio-quality natural sound reproduction and comes with bass and treble control options. Read Review

2. Runner Up: BESTISAN Soundbar Speaker

BESTISAN is a soundbar speaker system that provides deep bass, excellent clarity, and rich surround sound effects. With the upgraded version and high-sensitivity remote control, you can enjoy your TV shows and movies with a better experience! It also has a memory function and bass control to offer the best enjoyment for you. Read Review

3. Best Reliable: Edifier R1700BT Monitors Powered Speakers

Edifier R1700BT Monitors Powered Speakers are a trendy set of speakers that can be connected wirelessly to your computer, tablet, or mobile device. The speakers also come with a Bluetooth connection so you can stream your favorite music on the go. They also feature a convenient remote control that lets you switch input sources and control volume from anywhere in the room. Read Review

4. Best Adjustable: Audioengine Desktop Monitor Speakers

Audioengine speakers are made for people who want the best sound in a beautifully designed package. Our speakers provide an immersive, detailed, and accurate stereo sound that's enjoyable from any location. Bluetooth connection lets you easily stream your music wirelessly or wirelessly connect to your audio system. The included microfiber speaker strap and cable bags make setup easy, while our compact and portable design means they can fit on any desk or shelf. Read Review

5. Best Sound Quality: Edifier R1700BTs Active Monitor Speaker

Edifier R1700BTs are designed to deliver a true-to-life, high-quality sound experience. With Bluetooth 5.0, you can easily connect to two devices simultaneously and support natural sound reproduction with the Subwoofer output for deep bass. The Edifier R1700BTs has an easy-to-use control panel on the side which allows you to adjust the bass, treble, and volume levels from a distance. Read Review

Having a great-sounding speaker is important but the way you sit in your chair and the distance between your desk and the speakers also plays a large role. You can’t just plug your computer, TV, or gaming console into a speaker and expect it to sound good. That’s why we decided to review the best monitor speakers for your PC.

These are high-quality speakers designed for computers, laptops, tablets, and other devices that have a built-in audio output. They produce clear sound with minimal distortion even at low volumes. Even if you don’t plan on plugging everything into the same speaker system, it’s still beneficial to invest in quality speakers for your monitor as listening from headphones usually results in lesser sound quality.

The only real downside to these monitors is their price which is significantly higher than most other alternatives on this list. However, they do offer excellent value for money because of their top-notch build quality and strong performance capabilities.

After lots of research based on customer feedback, We think the best monitor speaker is Edifier R1280T Powered Monitor Speaker. This speaker has a convenient connection to any device, including smartphones and tablets. It has excellent sound quality and amazing bass and treble control.  Consider BESTISAN Soundbar Speaker as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are definitely worth considering, and we've put up a useful shopping guide to help you decide!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Edifier R1280T Powered Monitor Speaker
Our Score:
9.9
Edifier
  • STUDIO SOUND QUALITY - Natural sound reproduction from 13mm silk dome tweeter and 4 inch full range unit
  • 2 YEAR WARRANTY - Guaranteed high quality and reliability with hassle-free parts and labor warranty for two years in USA and Canada.
  • CLASSIC WOOD FINISH - High quality MDF wood build finished with wood effect vinyl serves as a great compliment to any home decor.
  • REMOTE CONTROL - Adjust volume at your figure tips. Bass and treble control located on the side of main speaker.
  • 2 x AUX INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Connect to two devices via AUX at the same time, no plugging and switching needed. (None Bluetooth version)
TOP Choice #2 BESTISAN Soundbar Speaker
Our Score:
9.8
BESTISAN
  • Wireless Bluetooth 5 0 transmission Bluetooth wireless transmission technology strong anti-interference lossless Audio transmission 360-degree sound let you have a high-quality home audio system Enjoy the luxury of music
  • Easy to Use and Operate: High-sensitivity full function IR remote control displays the different modes by means of differently colored LED lights
  • Dsp technology This technology Let you have three choices for sound effects news movie and music you can choose according to your current situation
  • Memory function and bass control the update remote's reset button could be memorized to the factory settings And you can control the treble and bass settings of the sound bar
  • Upgraded version high-sensitivity remote control displays the different modes by means of different colored LED lights Deep bass improved power-designed for your smart TV and sweet home
TOP Choice #3 Edifier R1700BT Monitors Powered Speakers
Our Score:
9.7
Edifier
  • REMOTE CONTROL - switch input sources, control volume and mute/unmute at your figure tips.
  • 2 x AUX INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Connect to two devices via AUX at the same time, no plugging and switching needed.
  • 2 YEAR WARRANTY - Guaranteed high quality and reliability with hassle-free parts and labor warranty for two years in USA and Canada.
  • BLUETOOTH CONNECTION - Pair your phone, tablet or computer for a true hassle free wireless experience, perfect for any iOS, Android, MacOS or Windows device.
  • CLASSIC WOOD FINISH - High quality MDF wood build finished with walnut wood effect vinyl serves as a great compliment to any home decor.
4 Audioengine Desktop Monitor Speakers
Our Score:
9.6
Audioengine
  • WARRANTY: Stellar US based customer support and 3 year product warranty is included. Based in Austin, TX, Audioengine has been changing the way people listen to music since 2005. Our passion is creating products that sound great, are easy to use, and make people want to listen to music every day.
  • PREMIUM POWERED BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS WITH INTEGRATED DAC: A2+ Wireless Speakers provide clear, true stereo sound and can easily connect to all your music in seconds. Great for your desktop, work-from-home setup or smaller rooms. The integrated bluetooth with long range antenna quickly and seamlessly connects to your phone, tablet or computer for an instant upgrade to your listening experience
  • 60W WATTS OF POWER: Experience room filling sound from a tiny footprint, great for your work from home setup. Easily connect the Audioengine S8 or other subwoofer via the RCA variable output. At 6”H x 4”W x 5.25”D, the A2+ Powered Speakers sound much bigger than they are.
  • FEATURES: Analog class A/B power amplifiers, dual analog audio inputs for connecting multiple devices, USB audio input, and Bluetooth aptX.The A2+ features true stereo sound, a subwoofer audio output, custom aramid fiber woofers and silk dome tweeters, and a power-saving idle mode. All cables are included and it works with Mac or PC out of the box. No software to install, and no microphones to protect your privacy.
  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: Pair of Audioengine A2+ Wireless Powered Speakers, Bluetooth antenna, 6.5ft speaker wire, power supply & cord, 5ft USB cable, 5ft mini-jack audio cable, microfiber speaker bags and cable bags and setup guide.
5 Edifier R1700BTs Active Monitor Speaker
Our Score:
9.4
Edifier
  • NATURAL SOUND REPRODUCTION - Get the cleanest and most impressive natural sound from the 19mm silk dome tweeter unit, 4 inches woofer unit, and 66W continuous undistorted power.
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0 WITH QUALCOMM APTX HD - Easily connect to your phone, laptop or tablet for wireless listening enjoyment, suitable for iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows devices. AptX HD supports up to 24bit quality over Bluetooth.
  • UPDATED WIRELESS REMOTE - Easily control volume, mute/unmute, Switch between Bluetooth and line-in modes. Adjust the bass, treble, volume on the side panel. Enhance your listing experience with Soundfield Spatializer button.
  • 2 YEAR WARRANTY - Guaranteed high quality and reliability with hassle-free parts and labor warranty for two years in USA and Canada.
  • SUB OUT - Subwoofer output with built-in crossover and auto detection. Dual RCA inputs for phone, TV, DVD, PC connection, support connect to two devices at the same time, no plugging needed.
6 Audioengine Wireless Monitor Speakers
Our Score:
9.2
Audioengine
  • 150 WATTS OF POWER: Experience room filling sound from a small footprint with 150 watts of combined peak output. Easily connect the Audioengine S8 or other subwoofer via the RCA variable output. At 10.75”H x 7”W x 9”D, the A5+ Wireless speakers sound much bigger than they are.
  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: Pair of Audioengine A5+ Wireless Powered Speakers, Bluetooth Antenna, 12ft. Gold-Plated Banana Plug Speaker Wire, AC Power Cord, 3.5mm Mini-Jack Audio Cable, RCA Audio Cable, Solid Aluminum Remote Control Microfiber Speaker Bags and Cable Bags, Setup Guide, Brochure
  • BLUETOOTH, RCA & 3.5mm INPUTS: Either connect directly to your MAC, PC, Phone or Laptop via Bluetooth or connect to any music source through the 3.5mm or RCA inputs - start enjoying audiophile quality sound straight out of the box! With Bluetooth aptX HD, 100 foot range and a 24bit DAC, you will enjoy placement flexibility and nuances of your music that you’ve never heard before.
  • WARRANTY: Stellar US based customer support and 3 year product warranty is included. Based in Austin, TX, Audioengine has been changing the way people listen to music since 2005. Our passion is creating products that sound great, are easy to use, and make people want to listen to music every day.
  • PREMIUM POWERED BLUETOOTH BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS: Audioengine has brought traditional high-quality audio equipment into the digital age. Their range of Award-Winning products have been praised by What Hi-Fi, CNet, and Wired to name just a few of the publications who have tested their products since 2005.
7 Polk Audio Monitor Bookshelf Speaker
Our Score:
9.0
Polk Audio
  • DELIVERS DETAILED HIGH FREQUENCY RESPONSE WITH REALISTIC REPRODUCTION OF VOCALS & INSTRUMENTS – Powerful deep bass, better mid-range and superior audio are sure to bring your party and movie nights to life
  • Polk's UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, RELIABILITY, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP has made it one of the most trusted names in home audio speakers and entertainment systems. They bring out BEST IN TECHNOLOGY, so you can SIT BACK, RELAX AND LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART!
  • FROM THE BESTSELLING MONITOR SERIES – This bookshelf is equipped with (1) 1" Dynamic Balance dome tweeter and (2) 5-1/4" Dynamic Balance woofers that delivers HIGH QUALITY AND GREAT POWER IN A 2-WAY DESIGN
  • CREATE A COMPLETE AND IMMERSIVE HOME THEATER SETUP by combining two bookshelf speakers with a Polk CS1 Center Speaker for any small or medium sized room and adding Polk Monitor 60 or 70 Tower Speakers for surround sound in larger rooms
  • INCREDIBLE SOUND AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE – Enjoy clear, crisp and spacious stereo sound with wider dispersion for lifelike 3-dimensional audio in your bedroom, living or entertainment room
8 Klipsch R-15PM Powered Monitor
Our Score:
8.9
Klipsch
  • 1 x pair of RCA phono level inputs with switch for Phono/Line input versatility (Phono Pre-amp with ground screw terminal)
  • 1 x USB digital audio from a PC or Mac single RCA line level output for connection to sub.
  • 1 x Digital optical, 1 x 3.5mm mini jack line level, Full featured IR remote. Bluetooth wireless technology
  • The R-15PM powered monitors deliver room-filling sound without taking up much space
9 Polk Audio Monitor Floorstanding Speaker
Our Score:
8.7
Polk Audio
  • ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING FLOOR STANDING SPEAKERS, this tower speaker includes a 1" Dynamic Balance dome tweeter and (3) 5-1/4" Dynamic Balance woofers, guarantee HIGH QUALITY AND IMPRESSIVE POWER IN A 3-WAY DESIGN
  • CREATE A COMPLETE AND IMMERSIVE HOME THEATER SETUP by adding a Polk CS2 Center Speaker & Polk Monitor 40 or 30 Surrounds. Monitor speakers are magnetically shielded, so you can place it near your TV and not worry about distortions
  • DELIVERS DETAILED HIGH FREQUENCY RESPONSE WITH REALISTIC REPRODUCTION OF VOCALS & INSTRUMENTS. Powerful deep bass, better mid-range and superior audio are sure to make your party and movie nights exclusive
  • Polk's UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, RELIABILITY, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP has made it one of the most trusted names in home audio speakers and entertainment systems. They bring out BEST IN TECHNOLOGY, so you can SIT BACK, RELAX AND LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART!
  • INCREDIBLE SOUND AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. Enjoy clear, crisp and spacious stereo sound with wider dispersion for 3-dimensional and more lifelike audio in your bedroom, living or entertainment room
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0 VERSION: Efficient and stable wireless transmission, easy to connect with devices with Bluetooth wireless transmission technology, enjoy truly efficient, high-quality wireless music with this Bluetooth bookshelf speakers.
  • WOOD BUILD STRUCTURE & WIDE APPLICATION: The pursuit of sound quality restoration, this active bookshelf speaker is made of pure wood, suitable for a variety of use scenarios, such as home, recording studio, personal studio, computer, sound quality production, etc.
  • AUX INPUT & OUTPUT WITH 3.5MM HEADPHONE OUTPUT: You can connect your headphones for listening to music. And with RCA input function, it's convenient to receive RCA or 3.5mm audio signals from other devices. Tap the volume knob to switch between AUX, RCA mode (red light) or Bluetooth mode (blue light).
  • REMOTE CONTROL: Adjust volume, song order and mute off functions whenever you want. The bass and treble controls are located on the side of the main speaker.
  • REAL 3-WAY FREQUENCY: Moukey MA20-1 Powered Bookshelf speaker is composed of 4'', 2''and 1''speakers, responsible for deducing every detail of the 20-20000Hz frequency band. The high frequency of this bookshelf speakers is bright but not harsh, and the details are well processed; the middle frequency highlights the human voice and restores the real voice of the singer; the low frequency part is strong and powerful, and full of shock.
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What to Look For in a best monitor speaker?

A valuable product is determined by many factors (included below). The process of researching the best monitor speaker is pretty significant because of these features related to the products. However, rest assured that we are here to support your challenges.

Having a closer look at the following factors would benefit you a lot. These are the most important things among various ones you need to consider:

Sound Quality

The quality of sound is an individual judgment. Every person has different taste preferences, and what is great to one may not be for another. No one speaker is the best, but there are many that appeal to different ears.
Listen to as many speakers models as you can with the music you are familiar with when shopping. To get an idea of the speaker that interests you, bring along CDs and flash drives with digital music.
You can also evaluate speakers by listening to live music. You should find the music to be natural and enjoyable for long periods.

Types Of Speakers

You have many options when it comes to speakers. It can be overwhelming to choose from so many options. However, it is possible to narrow down your search by choosing the type of speaker you prefer.
There are many types of speakers, including floor-standing, bookcase, satellite, subwoofers, soundbar, portable and others. While some types, like on-wall speakers can be placed right away, others, such as in-ceiling or in-wall, may need special installations and/or fixtures, and are best plugged in within a few minutes. You have the option of wired or wireless speakers, as well as multi-channel surround sound or a stereo pair. Your personal preference should guide your decision.

Sensitivity

The speaker's sensitivities are a measurement of its effectiveness. Speakers with high sensitivity produce higher volume at given voltages. You can use this information to determine how large an amplifier is needed to power the speakers. The measurement can be expressed in decibels per 2.83V input. Example: "88dB/2.83V." You don't need a huge amplifier to drive speakers, but you do want at least 86dB. 88dB is better.

Matching With The Right Components

Match speakers with the correct amplifiers or receivers to get best results. The range of power required to power each unit is usually specified by manufacturers. A speaker might require 30 to 100 watts to function well.
For performance reasons, it is best to stick with one brand of speaker if you are using surround sound or multichannel speakers. You may need to fine tune the mix-and match situation.

Power Handling

The power handling indicates how strong the speaker can withstand without causing damage. A speaker rated as "100W maximum" should not be considered dangerous if it is equipped with a 200-Watt amplifier. You won't likely put this much power in the speakers. A loudspeaker's damage is usually caused by a small amplifier that drives it too high. It is the loud-level distortion that causes the most damage.

Size And Styling

All of these speakers can be used in a living room, den or bedroom. Our best computer speakers guide will help you find the right speaker for your needs. The speakers we selected were small enough that they could be placed on large shelves or credenzas, but large enough to provide enough bass to operate on their own.

Connectivity

It is essential that the speaker has good connectivity. A Bluetooth speaker that supports NFC is a great option for all types of connectivity. This makes it compatible with any device and allows for easy connection, even at low speeds. An additional advantage would be a speaker with a wired connection, in addition to wireless connectivity.
You can connect a speaker via wired or wireless connectivity. An audio system that is wired would connect to the speakers where the sound comes from. A wireless subwoofer, on the other hand, will connect to speakers via Bluetooth or WiFi.

FAQs

Will Speakers Work With Any Receiver?

Although technically yes, you will need to match the impedance. You might also want to invest in a bigger, stronger amplifier to support larger speakers. It is better to have more power than less, but you should be cautious to not damage the speakers.

Will Speakers Accept A 3.5mm Input?

Most speakers have a 3.5mm input. Many amplifiers and receivers have an RCA input. However, you can connect a 3.5mm source with an adapter.

What Features Do The Best Overall Speakers Offer?

This all depends on your needs. Consider a portable, great-sounding speaker. Look for something that is weather-proof and can connect to multiple sources (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi Fi, auxiliary). You will also need plenty of power for times when you can't access a charger. You should consider features such as wattage and resistance. It's not a good idea to have a set of high-end hi-fi speakers which are difficult to blend in with your home.

Do Higher Watt Speakers Sound Better?

Not necessarily. There are some high-wattage speakers out there that sound amazing and pack a lot of power, but the majority of people will be happy with 50-watt bookshelf speakers. These speakers focus on engineering and design more than just pure power.

Do I Need A Subwoofer With My Speaker Setup? Will It Come With One?

It all depends. It depends on where you live. If not specified, most speakers don't come with subwoofers. However, soundbars usually do.

How Can You Improve Speaker Quality?

You can improve the quality of your speakers' sound by doing a few things. First, look around at the space where you listen. Moving a chair or couch could improve your listening experience. How about your speakers? You'll need to triangulate the seating arrangement to position you at the middle of the listening area, and your speakers pointed towards you.
Try placing your speakers on the ground. Instead, place them on shelves and speaker stands. Bookshelf speakers can often be matched with your height while seated.

How Many Watts Is A Good Speaker?

The term "wattage" does not necessarily mean quality. It is simply a measurement of the power that a speaker can produce. A 1,000-watt speaker might be louder that a 100-watt one, but what matters most is how the engineer built the speaker. This includes everything, from the cabinet, drivers and woofers, to the tweeter.


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About William Shatner

William Shatner

William Shatner is a writer and editor who has worked in the audio equipment, computer, and projector industries. He also enjoys repairing and modifying audio equipment, and he has a particular interest in projectors. William is a critical thinker and problem solver, and he takes great pride in his work. He currently serves as the freelance editor of The Audio Insights.