The Best 11 Three-way Active Studio Monitor Speakers

DISCLOSURE: AS A AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES

The Best 11 Three-way Active Studio Monitor Speakers, The ability to listen to your mixes with a high degree of accuracy is arguably the best part of music production. So choosing the perfect pair of studio monitors is very important.

Hearing the mix detail means enhancing it and removing ambiguities, so getting the best monitor speakers is one sure-fire way to improve your musicmaking.

You love creating amazing music at home – whether it is sultry smooth Stevie Wonder covers, rambunctious Rachmaninoff rhapsody or big bassy club hits. Often a studio monitor is used.

speaker, box, studio monitor

As I work my way to becoming an audio engineer and songwriter, listening to my music is crucial to achieving the sound I want.

This is one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. It may seem odd to you, but these listening systems don’t provide the exact accuracy that a studio monitor would.

Studio Monitors can provide audio editing solutions for mixing engineers with the clinically accurate sound ideal for the critical audio editing tasks.

3 way near fields

Things to consider before purchasing your studio monitors

When it comes to studio monitor selection, it’s a difficult process. It is a lot to consider.

Spending a little bit of time identifying your needs can be very helpful in determining the best monitoring device for your needs.

Below are compiled some key factors that must be considered when choosing monitor.

Unlike most bookshelf speakers or hi-fi Stereo System which are built for a complete sound, Studio Monitors are carefully engineered to provide a neutral image from source audio in attempt to replicate the original sounds as accurately as possible which will assist with creating the final product.

how much you got

How much do you have to spend?

Ultimately budget is important. Prices vary widely. Entry-level choices give you an incredibly low price and flattering responses.

However, as we move towards professional gear, prices could quickly increase. Although the monitors are a temptation it should be one of my top priorities. As with most things in life when it comes to quality you get what you pay for.

A good pair of studio monitors should be long lasting.

KRK Systems
The Best 11 Three-way Active Studio Monitor Speakers

Tell me the best size?

Active studio monitors are available in many shapes and sizes. The typical length ranges from 3-inch all the way up to 18-inch. Studio monitors having 4-inch woofers I would consider portable and another topic.

Lower midrange result. It’s typically quieter when it comes to bigger monitors.

A bigger monitor can give a better depth at higher frequencies. Understanding your requirements is important. It may affect what size you need most.

The size of the space and size of the tables can limit your choices. Bigger can never be better. It does not necessarily guarantee an optimal balance.

Our Top 11 3 Way Active Studio Monitor Speakers

There are countless choices when choosing Studio Monitors. However, we did everything for you.

choosing to go with all three way active nearfield monitor speakers as they are capable of producing a much more accurate sound reproduction.

With three separate drivers one for the low, middle, and high frequencies each with its own dedicated amplification and crossover, it enables a more direct separation of frequencies allowing more focused output hence clearer more accurate sound, and Pristine quality.

I didnt seperate my top choices by price or best for what genre of music, this is a list of the Best three way active monitors from each top end brand, Ear tuned is all about the highest quality of listening with a desire to bring you the best options to do so allowing you the most accurate, transcendental induced euphoric state of listening experience possible. Pure pleasure if you will.

These are the accurate lords of they’re branded names.

Enough already without further delay

ADAM audio S3V Powered Studio Monitor

ADAM Audio S3V

The ADAM Audio S3V is an active 3-way vertical studio monitor intended for use in mid-sized applications.

Despite its rather small size, the S3V is equipped with the power and accuracy that experienced engineers expect from a top-notch reference-grade monitor, allowing the reproduction of high-resolution, full-bandwidth audio with remarkable clarity.

Developed in Berlin with the most stringent tolerances, ADAM’s 3rd-generation S series monitors boast high-end technology, including their Extended Linear Excursion (ELE) woofer and DCH midrange driver designs, as well as their S-ART tweeter — a more precise and improved version of their renowned accelerated ribbon design.

The ADAM Audio S3V offers a flat 32Hz–50kHz frequency range, an expansive and stable stereo imaging, PWM ICE tri-amplification, and a very low distortion, making this monitor the perfect choice for professional-grade monitoring with reliable results session after session.

Features

  • Vertical 3-way system with 1 x 9″ HexaCone woofer, 1 x 4” DCH midrange, and S-ART tweeter
  • S-ART tweeter, handmade in Berlin and manufactured to the tightest tolerances
  • Newly designed HPS and MPS waveguides, milled from a solid block of aluminum
  • New midrange driver with one-piece hybrid dome/cone (DCH) design
  • Custom-built Extended Linear Excursion (ELE) bass driver
  • Custom-designed Symmetrical Magnet Assembly (SMA)
  • Spacious bass reflex ports on the front baffle
  • Highly efficient 850W PWM ICE Power tri-amplification
  • Linear frequency response of 32Hz–50kHz
  • Maximum peak sound pressure per pair at 1m ≥ 124dB
  • Custom DSP engine
  • Analog XLR inputs
  • AES3 digital I/O
  • 2-year warranty; optional extension to 3 years with product registration
  • Sold individually

Technical Specifications

  • Powered:Yes
  • Power Configuration:Tri-amped
  • Quantity:Single
  • LF Driver Size:9″ woofer
  • LF Driver Type:Hexacone
  • MF Driver Size:4″
  • MF Driver Type:Carbon-composite
  • HF Driver Size:2.2″ S-ART tweeter
  • LF Driver Power Amp:500W
  • MF Driver Power Amp:300W
  • HF Driver Power Amp:50W
  • Total Power:850W
  • Frequency Response:32Hz-50kHz
  • Crossover Frequency:250Hz, 3000Hz
  • Maximum Peak SPL:≥124dB SPL @ 1m
  • Input Types:1 x XLR, 1 x XLR (AES/EBU)
  • Output Types:1 x XLR (AES/EBU)
  • USB:1 x Type B
  • Enclosure Type:Ported
  • Height:21.5″
  • Width:11.5″
  • Depth :15″
  • Weight:55 lbs.<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=virtualbox03-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B06Y1HDR6N&asins=B06Y1HDR6N&linkId=4a1386d95bbe74a655f1fa6c6b381938&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

KRK Rokit 10-3 G4 10 inch 3-way Powered Studio Monitor

KRK Rokit 10-3 G4

The KRK Rokit 10-3 G4 is a studio monitor that doesn’t break the bank and includes so much tech that it will help your tracks translate in all kinds of systems.

We love that it features a pro-grade 3-way design and Kevlar drivers pushed by an efficient Class D power amp with a built-in brickwall limiter, which ensures low distortion and natural sound.

Plus, its optimized high-frequency waveguide ensures wide, deep, dynamic sweet spot and phenomenal imaging.

The Rokit monitors also come with state-of-the-art DSP so you can maximize your acoustic environment with room correction, an LCD visual EQ, and much more!

The KRK Rokit 10-3 G4 is equipped with advanced digital signal processing (DSP) which makes it easier to create the perfect soundscape.

With its graphic equalizer, you can easily adjust and minimize any acoustic issues. You will be able to monitor the frequency parameters through the built-in LCD graph.

Moreover, you can get real-time frequency analysis with the help of the KRK app available on iOS and Android.

The KRK app not only helps you to adjust EQ settings but also to place the speaker, level-matching and other functions such as adjusting subwoofer levels, crossover settings and polarity. The app also includes a signal generator, a very useful tool for calibrating the device.

Features

  • 4th-generation Rokit studio monitor with pro-grade 3-way design
  • Rigid Kevlar drivers ensure low-distortion sound reproduction
  • Efficient Class D power amp pumps out high-quality sound at reduced operating temperatures
  • Built-in brickwall limiter provides a balanced sound, safeguards against damage, and maintains your audio’s dynamics
  • Optimized high-frequency waveguide produces a wide, deep, dynamic sweet spot and incredible imaging
  • Low-resonance enclosure gives you spot-on low-end performance
  • Front-firing port yields excellent low-end response and straightforward speaker placement
  • State-of-the-art DSP includes room correction, an LCD visual EQ, and more
  • KRK app adjusts EQ settings, subwoofer levels, crossover settings, and polarity settings and aids with speaker placement and level matching
  • Onboard signal generator is a must-have for calibrating your system

Technical Specifications

  • Powered:Yes
  • Power Configuration:Tri-amped
  • Quantity:Single
  • LF Driver Size:10″
  • LF Driver Type:Kevlar cone with rubber surround
  • MF Driver Size:4.5″
  • MF Driver Type:Kevlar
  • HF Driver Size:1″ tweeter
  • HF Driver Type:Kevlar dome
  • Total Power:300W Class D
  • Frequency Response:26Hz-40kHz
  • Maximum Peak SPL:112 dB SPL
  • Input Types:1 x XLR-1/4″ combo
  • Software:KRK Audio Tools App
  • Enclosure Type:Ported
  • Height:21.5″
  • Width:12.95″
  • Depth:14.6″
  • Weight:35 lbs.<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=virtualbox03-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07NDFW15D&asins=B07NDFW15D&linkId=268349db518b39a29821081c3ea62fa2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>3

Dynaudio LYD48 3 way Active Studio monitor

Dyn Audio LYD 48

The Dynaudio LYD 48 will take your mixing to a higher level of professionalism. As the new flagship of the LYD range, the LYD 48 builds upon the strengths of its stablemates and achieves superior performance across the board.

In a two-way design, the woofer has to work very hard to reproduce both low frequencies and a portion of the midrange.

Another inherent disadvantage is that the crossover to the tweeter takes place within that all-important midrange — where vocal tracks are most vibrant, where guitars have girth and body, and generally where mixes either shine or fall flat.

But having a dedicated midrange driver (and amp) delivers sweeping benefits: solid bass extension, improved midrange purity, lower distortion, higher SPL capability, and overall accuracy.

Suitable for both nearfield and midfield applications, this value-packed Dynaudio LYD 48 will help you make better recordings.

Features

  • Studio Reference Monitor with 8″ woofer, 4″ midrange, and 1″ tweeter
  • Designed in mirror-imaged pairs, sold singly
  • Class D tri-amplified: LF 80W, MF 50W, HF 50W
  • Provides astonishing clarity across the frequency spectrum
  • Delivers neutral midrange response critical for proper placement of vocals and instruments
  • Advanced DSP lets you adjust low-frequency extension by +/-10Hz
  • Position and Sound Balance controls for optimizing performance for any environment
  • Expertly designed and crafted at Dynaudio’s facilities in Skanderborg, Denmark

Technical Specifications

  • Powered:Yes
  • Power Configuration:Tri-amped
  • Quantity:Single
  • LF Driver Size:1 x 8″ woofer
  • MF Driver Size:4″ mid range speaker
  • HF Driver Size :1.1″ HF tweeter
  • HF Driver Type:Soft dome
  • LF Driver Power Amp:80W
  • MF Driver Power Amp:50W
  • HF Driver Power Amp50W
  • Total Power:180W
  • Frequency Response:32Hz-21kHz
  • Crossover Frequency:490Hz, 5.6kHz
  • Maximum Peak SPL:112 dB SPL
  • Input Types:1 x XLR, 1 x RCA
  • Features:Sensitivity, Bass Extension, Sound Balance
  • Enclosure Type:Ported
  • Height:12.9″
  • Width:14.5″
  • Depth:.2″
  • Weight:23.2 lbs.<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=virtualbox03-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01MRCVFKE&asins=B01MRCVFKE&linkId=f9c4205687ed02c90693c1f060aaea34&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

HEDD Type 20 MK2 3-way Powered Studio Monitor

Editor's second choice

The HEDD Type 20 MK2 delivers true reference-grade sound quality. It has abundant power, dynamics, and openness — even at super-high levels.

This world-class active studio monitor boasts an innovative 3-way design, with a muscular 7-inch woofer, a dedicated 4-inch midrange driver, and HEDD’s high-definition AMT tweeter.

SHARC-powered DSP perfectly aligns the speaker for balanced detail across the sound stage. What’s more, HEDD’s CoP technology allows you to run the Type 20 MK2 in either closed- or open-port mode for maximum low frequency response.

You get three Desk Filter options and two Shelving Filter options to tailor the monitor to your room. Finally, high-end, stepped aluminum potentiometers give the Type 20 MK2 a classy, luxurious feel.

Whether you use itin nearfield or midfield applications, the HEDD Type 20 MK2 is a superlative choice for desktops.

Features

  • Innovative 3-way design with a muscular 7-inch woofer and a dedicated 4-inch midrange driver
  • Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter supplies impeccable transient response and ultra-high-frequency extension
  • HEDD Lineariser processing ensures outstanding transient reproduction and rock-solid stereo imaging
  • Closed or Ported (CoP) technology runs the speaker in either closed- or open-port mode
  • 3 Desk Filter options and 2 Shelving Filter options tailor the monitor to a room
  • Extend mode delivers deeper low-frequency extension (at the cost of some SPL)
  • Adjustable Volume and Inp. Sens. (input sensitivity) for optimizing the speaker’s output and signal-to-noise ratio
  • Analog and AES digital inputs make system integration easy
  • High-end, stepped aluminum potentiometers

Technical Specifications

  • Powered:Yes
  • Power Configuration:Tri-amped
  • Quantity:Single
  • LF Driver Size:7″ and 4″ Honeycomb Woofers
  • HF Driver Type:HEDD AMT
  • Total Power:3 x 300W
  • Frequency Response:32Hz-40kHz
  • Crossover Frequency:250Hz/3.200Hz
  • Maximum Peak SPL :120 dB SPL @ 1m
  • Input Types :2 x XLR (AES/Analog)
  • Output Types1 x XLR (AES pass-through)
  • Other I/O:1 x RJ45
  • Enclosure Type:Front Ported
  • Height:11.02″
  • Width:14.09″
  • Depth:13.3″
  • Weight:33.95 lbs.

ATC SCM25A Pro 3-way active studio monitors

ATC SCM25A Pro 3-way active studio monitors

The ATC SCM25A Pro is one of the finest active monitors in production today.

A trio of 6.5-inch woofers and 3-inch midrange drivers give way to a balanced sound, and a 1-inch tweeter with integrated waveguide finishes the job. With 235 watts RMS (600 watts peak) and built-in DSP for time alignment, a standard XLR connection, balanced and unbalanced RCA inputs, these speakers are ready to rock your mix.

With an accurate frequency response from 33Hz to 28kHz (-6dB), these monitors will let you hear everything you’ve been missing from your work.

Features

  • Premium 3-way active studio monitors
  • Extremely accurate and life-like playback of your recordings
  • Proprietary speakers
  • 235W tri-amped monitor
  • Engineered to give you the best playback possible
  • Used by many professional engineers, producers, artists and studios
  • Sold as a pair
  • ATC’s 6-year limited warranty

Technical Specifications

  • Powered:Yes
  • Power Configuration:Tri-amped
  • Quantity:Pair
  • LF Driver Size:6.5″
  • LF Driver Type:ATC Proprietary Short-coil
  • MF Driver Size:3″
  • MF Driver Type:Soft Dome
  • HF Driver Size:1″
  • HF Driver Type:Soft Dome
  • LF Driver Power Amp150W
  • MF Driver Power Amp :60W
  • HF Driver Power Amp :25W
  • Total Power :235W
  • Frequency Range47Hz-22kHz
  • Crossover Frequency:380Hz, 3.5kHz
  • Maximum Peak SPL:109 dB SPL
  • Input Types:1 x XLR
  • Enclosure Type :Ported
  • Height:10.4″
  • Width :16.9″
  • Depth:14.5″
  • Weight66 lbs.

Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII 3-way 8-inch Active Studio Monitors

The Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII Studio Monitors were designed to be the most accurate, efficient, and ridiculously loud monitors available.

These active three-way monitors are as versatile as they are powerful—they have a frequency range that goes down to 26 Hz and an upper frequency limit of 50 kHz.

They also feature a wide dynamic range of up to 130 dB SPL. The 10-inch mid-high driver and 8-inch midwoofer yield an enormous soundstage and enable you to replicate instruments with incredible precision.

And they’re astonishingly accurate—the frequency response is all within 1 dB of the mark, which enables you to mix with extreme precision.

With their high efficiency, these active three-way monitors provide excellent headroom without overheating. Their compact subwoofers also integrate easily into a variety of listening environments.

Throughout their development, the Pulsars were tested intensively in professional recording studios and broadcast facilities all over world—from Brooklyn’s own Avatar Studios in New York City to Studio 979 in Bangalore and countless others.

Features

  • Sealed, highly braced Valchromat cabinet is more acoustically inert than MDF or plywood enclosures
  • SHARC DSP provides ultra-precise digital crossovers, protection limiters, and proprietary phase and magnitude calibration technology
  • High-performance AKM Velvet Sound converters ensure a pristine AD/DA path
  • Signature 18cm coaxial mid- and high-frequency drive unit offers a super-wide listening sweet spot and a life-like center image
  • Midrange range driver acts as an optimized waveguide for the concentric tweeter
  • Composite Sound Metamodal TX diaphragm tweeter exhibits a superb transient response and ample detail without harshness
  • 22cm subwoofer, designed and built by SEAS exclusively for Ex Machina Soundworks, provides the powerful, articulate thump of a large driver in a more compact form

Technical Specifications

  • Powered:Yes
  • Power Configuration:Tri-amped
  • Quantity:Pair
  • LF Driver Size:9″ Woofer
  • LF Driver Type:Aluminum
  • MF Driver Size:7″ Midrange
  • MF Driver Type:Composite Sound Metamodal TX
  • HF Driver Size:1″ Tweeter
  • HF Driver Type:Composite Sound Metamodal TX
  • LF Driver Power Amp:250W RMS
  • MF Driver Power Amp:100W RMS
  • HF Driver Power Amp:50W RMS
  • Total Power:400W
  • Frequency Response:35Hz-32kHz (±1dB)
  • Crossover Frequency:200Hz (sub/mid), 2kHz (mid/tweeter)
  • Maximum Peak SPL:110 dB SPL @ 1m
  • Input Types:1 x XLR
  • USB :1 x Type B (firmware only)
  • Features:SHARC-based DSP Crossover and Calibration
  • Enclosure Type :Sealed
  • Enclosure Material:Valchromat Wood
  • Height:19″
  • Width:11.3″
  • Depth:13.6″
  • Weight:51 lbs.

Genelec 8331 SAM 3-way Coaxial Powered Studio Monitor

Genelec 8331 SAM 3-way Coaxial

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