Best Midfield Studio Monitors: Top 9 Models! (Updated 2023)

Best Midfield Studio Monitors

Introduction

Studio monitors are some of the necessary instruments in any recording setup because you base so many selections on what you hear from them; due to this, studio monitor accuracy and proper studio monitor placement are essential.

Midfield studio monitors are audio systems that have to be positioned at least six feet away from the listener. They provide louder sound, higher bass extension, and a bigger monitoring sweet spot. Nonetheless, they’re additionally prone to acoustical cancellations and resonance.

A frequency response that stays identical all through the spectrum between a variety of frequencies is named flat. Nonetheless, since a theoretically flat response is bodily unattainable, we permit a certain amount of play that normally ranges between 3dB to 24dB.

So, good room design and acoustic treatment grow to be essential when you find yourself utilizing midfield studio monitors. For those who’d wish to study extra about monitoring audio systems and discovering the perfect ones, let’s dive into our list.

We just want to let you know that we’ll list these best midfield studio monitor reviews in no particular order. They’ll be randomized as we don’t wish to sort them from best to worst.

Listed below are our Top 9 Best Midfield Studio Monitors:

1. ADAM Audio S3H

The S3H builds on the successes of ADAM Audio’s hottest studio monitors, the S3A and S3X-H, and, like its predecessors, units new requirements when it comes to technical innovation and design. The dual 7-inch bass drivers, powered by a 500 W Class D amplifier, provide а flawless replica of frequencies all the way down to 30 Hz.

ADAM Audio’s newly developed DCH, a 4-inch hybrid dome/cone mid-range driver, is powered by a 300 W Class D amplifier and handles audio above 250 Hz and beneath 3 kHz, its modern hybrid design providing the sonic benefits of both cone and soft-dome drivers in a single, one-piece unit.

No matter your preferred output stage, the S3H’s vibrant authenticity is a spur to creativity for producers, engineers, and musicians in all places, and its sound remains remarkably unfatiguing, even when working uninterrupted for prolonged periods.

Frequencies above 3 kHz are routed to the modern mixture of the S-ART treble driver (every handmade at ADAM Audio’s Berlin manufacturing facility), the brand new precision HPS waveguide, and a 50 W Class A/B amplifier. The result of all this innovation is a fantastically clear three-dimensional soundscape, with an in-depth sweet spot.

With its massively highly effective amplification and three-way design (optimally configured to be used horizontally), the S3H was conceived as a midfield monitor however may be employed equally in additional compact listening environments. As with all ADAM Audio designs, the sound is punchy yet musical, with crystal-clear reproduction of the all-important mid-range.

ADAM Audio S3H
Features:

  • Frequency range: 32 to 50,000 Hz
  • Maximum level: 126 dB (pair 1 m)
  • Integrated DSP processor
  • Adjustable input sensitivity

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ADAM Audio S3H
8.5Expert Score
ADAM Audio S3H

An ADAM Audio S3H midfield studio monitor is a dual 7-inch powered midfield monitor that offers impressive audio quality. My experience working with these monitors has shown them to be exceptionally clear and accurate across a wide frequency range. A proprietary driver technology ensures accurate and detailed sound reproduction with the S3H from ADAM Audio. This product has excellent build quality due to its robust construction and high-quality components.

Positives
  • Accurate and Transparent Sound
  • Amazingly Wide Frequency Range
  • Great Build Quality
Negatives
  • As with all midfield monitors, not for small rooms

2. Dynaudio Core 59

Core 59 – the flagship of the high-end professional reference monitor collection – is that monitor. This three-way speaker has uncompromising class-D amplification, cutting-edge digital signal processing, a super-inert 32mm-thick baffle, and a flat bass response right down to 36Hz at -6dB.

It’s a serious system designed for critical audio professionals. Core 59 has been made for the highest-demand environments that recording engineers, mixers, producers, and editors work in – and has been particularly designed to resolve most of the monitoring issues that professionals face on daily basis.

These speakers use proprietary MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) materials in their cone for the perfect mixture of lightness, stiffness, and damping and, coupled with an aluminum voice-coil, has an extremely quick response and authoritative control from its neodymium magnet system.

With crossover factors at 385Hz and 5kHz, Core 59 delivers so much extra of the essential vocal range in a single driver than typical designs, guaranteeing your combined choices on vocal balances and dialogue subtleties are made with complete confidence.

Core 59’s new bass driver has emerged from over 18 months of intensive research into subwoofer driver technology, together with the 18S subwoofer, which dives all the way right down to 16Hz. The end result of that research is a brand new copper voice-coil and glass-fiber former, pushed by ceramic magnets and a 500W class-D Pascal amplifier.

Dynaudio Core 59
Features:

  • Amplifier: 500 watts woofer and midrange
  • 150 watt tweeter
  • Frequency range: 42 Hz to 21 kHz ± 3 dB, 38 Hz to 24 kHz ± 6 dB
  • 24-Bit / 192 kHz converter

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Dynaudio Core 59
8Expert Score
Dynaudio Core 59

I had the opportunity to listen to the Dynaudio Core 59, a powered three-way studio monitor which has outstanding audio reproduction. With its 9-inch woofer, dedicated midrange driver, and soft-dome tweeter, the Core 59 delivers exceptional detail and imaging with well-balanced sound. Highly regarded monitors in many various studios around the globe.

Positives
  • Accurate and Detailed Sound
  • Amazing Build Quality
  • Very Nice Sound Stage
Negatives
  • Big and Expensive

3. Ocean Way Audio Pro2A

The Ocean Way Audio Pro2A is the most recent addition to the OWA speaker line attaining environment-friendly distortion-free dynamic range in an aesthetically interesting trapezoidal. Its cupboard contains a smooth design with consideration to alignment, cut-back baffle reflections, and supplies designed to attenuate low-frequency resonance. Its port is optimized to extend the woofer’s low-frequency extension and SPL capability.

Pro2A’s HF driver is a high-definition silk fabric dome design with wonderful mechanical linearity. The LF driver is a geometrically bolstered aluminum cone with a vented forged aluminum chassis yielding optimum energy and low compression. Mixed with the cupboard, the system gives minimal reflection and low listening fatigue over the whole audio spectrum.

The 2-way, self-powered design delivers wonderful performance permitting flexibility of the position in the room with a uniform frequency response of 35 Hz to 25 kHz, and 110 dB most SPL between channels. The exact room response controls allow for changes to the various acoustic environments. The speaker permits the listener to hear a pure, open, and correct image. The Pro2A stands above the best in its class.

The built-in Class D amps did not present indicators of pressure, even at increased volumes. The Pro2A can crank out a stunning amount of SPL without hitting hard. The speaker does deliver “no compromise” performance, and it will don’t have any bother with the function of the main monitor.

Ocean Way Audio Pro2A
Features:

  • Frequency range: 35Hz–25kHz; maximum peak SPL: 110dB
  • 2-way active near/midfield studio monitor
  • Digital inputs: AES3, 24-bit/192kHz
  • Low listening fatigue over the entire audio spectrum

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Ocean Way Audio Pro2A
  • F Driver Size:8″
  • LF Driver Type: Aluminum Cone
  • HF Driver Size:1″ Tweeter
  • HF Driver Type: Silk Dome
8Expert Score
Ocean Way Audio Pro2A

I was able only to briefly hear how these monitors sound at a local showcase event, and I can say that they sound amazing. Very accurate and very nice pyramidal design that will even fit smaller desks. Reliable speakers in any way!

Positives
  • Transparent and Balanced Sound
  • Versatile
  • Great Construction
Negatives
  • Heavy

4. Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII

Pulsar is a perfect alternative for nearfield and midfield monitoring purposes in any setup or as a primary monitor in small to medium-sized rooms. It provides an ultra-wide sweet spot, linear section, and magnitude response, vanishingly low distortion, and excellent transient response, for easy clarity and extremely detailed perception of your mixes.

Newly optimized joinery has allowed Ex Machina to shrink the general depth of the cupboards by almost 2″ without sacrificing inside volume while concurrently improving the stiffness of the cupboards. The brand new smaller amp plates even have convective cooling slots, a smaller footprint, improved fastening for reduced plate resonance, and an improved end and machining high quality.

Pulsar has custom SEAS drivers with custom-designed leading-edge diaphragm supplies designed in collaboration with Composite Sound that includes their Metamodal TX mid-range and tweeter diaphragms, acoustically inert, sealed Valchromat cabinets, Hypex Ncore amps, and AKM AK5572EN & AK4493EQ conversion, and devoted 5th era SHARC DSP per speaker deploying increased computing headroom and our improved proprietary calibration know-how.

Ex Machina takes full benefit of the new computing headroom and brand new multimillion-dollar facility to add to improvement in their proprietary calibration algorithms. Each Pulsar & Quasar can now preserve section linearity to ±15°all the way down to 20 Hz and ±5° from 80 Hz to 30 kHz, they’ll cleanly reproduce an sq. wave even on the crossover frequencies and might even produce single cycle tone bursts.

Features:

  • Midrange range driver acts as an optimized waveguide for the concentric tweeter
  • High-performance AKM Velvet Sound converters ensure a pristine AD/DA path
  • Frequency Response: 35Hz-32kHz (±1dB)
  • Maximum Peak SPL: 110 dB SPL @ 1mm

Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII - best midfield studio monitors
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Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII
  • 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
9Expert Score
Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII

Among the active studio monitors I’ve used is the Ex Machina Soundworks Pulsar MKII, which is a 3-way 8-inch monitor. The high-quality drivers and amplification on these monitors provide impressive sound quality. Pulsar MKII provides accurate monitoring and precise mixing decisions with detailed and balanced sound reproduction. Small studio spaces can benefit from their compact design.

Positives
  • Precise Sound Quality
  • Compact Size
  • Amazing Components Inside
Negatives
  • Availability at some time

5. ADAM Audio S3V

The S3V is a three-way studio monitor optimized for vertical use and designed primarily for midfield capabilities, although it would even be utilized in additional compact listening environments.

Bass frequencies from 32 Hz to 250 Hz are handled by ADAM Audio’s new 9-inch Extended Linear (ELE) LF driver, which comprises the company’s equally groundbreaking Symmetrical Magnet Assembly (SMA) and delivers a robust, terribly appropriate low end extending correct down into the sub-bass space.

The S3V’s built-in amplification is generously specified, comprising Class D gadgets for the bass and mid-range drivers (500 W and 300W RMS respectively) and a 50 W Class A/B amplifier for the S-ART tweeter. Offering a flawless copy of audio frequencies between 32 Hz and 50 kHz, the S3V is a standout offering for anyone demanding extraordinarily appropriate imaging and localization from their reference screens.

Mid-range and HF knowledge is reproduced with equally analytical precision as a result of a combination of ADAM Audio’s newly developed 4-inch DCH mid-range driver and the extraordinarily refined S-ART folded-ribbon HF driver.

Software program updates could also be carried out with ease by means of the associated USB port, which moreover permits clients to connect laptop methods and handle the audio system’ DSP capabilities by means of a software program front-end. ADAM Audio monitors have earned a worldwide reputation as a result of the preeminent program for sound engineers based totally on technological improvements.

ADAM Audio S3V
Features:

  • Frequency range: 32 to 50,000 Hz
  • Maximum level: 124 dB (pair 1 m)
  • Integrated DSP processor
  • Adjustable input sensitivity

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ADAM Audio S3V
9.5Expert Score
ADAM Audio S3V

Featuring a 9-inch midfield studio monitor and 3-way powered speakers, the ADAM Audio S3V provides exceptional audio quality. As a result of working with these monitors, I am impressed by their clarity and accuracy. S3V utilizes the renowned driver technology of ADAM Audio, ensuring precise and detailed sound reproduction. Due to its robust construction, it is durable, and its wide frequency response ensures that the audio is accurately represented.

Positives
  • Transparent Sound
  • Wide Frequency Response
  • Amazing Build Quality
Negatives
  • Large for small studios

6. Dynaudio Core 7

Dynaudio Core 7 professional reference displays give class-leading sound high quality with a correct bass response and detailed transients in a compact package deal. That includes two Class D amplifiers, a brand-new tweeter design, and custom-treated woofers, the Core 7s is the best reference monitor for any high-demand studio or broadcast surroundings.

Core 7 has been developed alongside trade professionals with precisely this in thought. It’s probably the most compact model in their variety of high-end professional reference monitor programs. This no-compromise two-way design options two Class-D amplifiers (one 500W amp for the mid/woofer and a 150W unit for the tweeter), plus the perfect recent DSP technology and flat bass response right down to 38Hz – 31kHz  6dB and 45Hz – 27kHz  3dB.

Core 7 monitors are geared up with brand-new Esotar Pro tweeters, which function Dynaudio’s revolutionary Hexis system. Hexis optimizes airflow and eliminates undesirable inside resonances to create an extra-balanced frequency response and pinpoint imaging. Every monitor includes a 7-inch woofer constructed utilizing Dynaudio’s proprietary MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone materials for unprecedented accuracy.

Dynaudio Core 7 monitors embody probably the most highly effective onboard DSP of their class. Analog signals are processed at a 192 kHz sampling price and 64-bit decision through a 24-bit analog-to-digital converter to make sure there are zero artifacts. Core 7 is designed for max flexibility. Every Core 7 has two DSP filter switches, permitting you to regulate their frequency response depending on the place you set them up in your studio.

Dynaudio Core 7
Features:

  • Frequency range: 44 Hz to 21 kHz ± 3 dB, 38 Hz to 24 kHz ± 6 dB
  • Max. SPL: 112 dB to 1 m in a soundproof room
  • 118 dB at half-space measurement
  • 24-bit / 192 kHz converter

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Dynaudio Core 7
9Expert Score
Dynaudio Core 7

A powered studio monitor, the Dynaudio Core 7 offers an impressive level of sound quality. It has been my pleasure to work with these monitors and they provide a balanced and detailed reproduction of sound. It is equipped with a 7-inch woofer, a dedicated midrange driver, and a soft-dome tweeter, which provides accurate and precise audio across a wide frequency range. Great monitors!

Positives
  • Accurate Sound
  • Compact Size
  • Great DSP Function
Negatives
  • Expensive as expected

7. HEDD Type 30 MK2

The TYPE 30 MK2 is HEDD’s 3-way flagship for no-compromise monitoring in mid to giant recording and mastering studios. With two horizontally organized 7″ woofers, one 4″ driver for the midrange, and HEDD’s very own high definition Air Motion Transformer (HEDD AMT), it affords all the ability, flexibility, and dynamics you’ll want to do your job (and impress your clients).

Working on a SHARC-DSP, the TYPE 30 MK2 is filled with HEDD newness: The onboard Lineariser®= takes care of the time alignment of the completely different drivers, supplying you with higher insights into the stereo picture and total staging. The TYPE 30 MK2 affords Desktop filters (for positioning them on a meter bridge for instance) and Bass/High-frequency Shelving choices to additional adapt the audio system to your room.

The Type 30 MK2 audio system is primarily based on a Ported base system that permits for a voluminous bass response with spectacular extension. Nonetheless, the identical audio system can rework right into a functionally new design with the flip of a switch and using the included plugs. The newly introduced Closed operation mode advantages from the in-depth analysis that went into our reference monitoring system, the HEDD Tower Mains.

Type 30 gives superior acoustic accuracy with excessive constancy bass and midrange replica and pristine high-frequency materials. With a frequency response starting from 30Hz up to 50kHz, this studio monitor will provide you with correct performance that may guarantee accurate translation on different systems.

HEDD Type 30 MK2
Features:

  • Frequency response: 32 – 40000 Hz
  • Resolution: 24Bit / 96KHz
  • Input signal level: ± 12dB
  • Shelf filter low/high: ± 4dB

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HEDD Type 30 MK2
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HEDD Type 30 MK2

I listened to these speakers in a store locally and I can say that they are amazing. Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeters provide a fast and detailed response to high frequencies in these monitors. Furthermore, a 7-inch woofer and a dedicated midrange driver are also incorporated into the Type 30 MK2, resulting in a well-balanced and accurate reproduction of sound.

Positives
  • Extended High-Frequency Response
  • Wide Sound
  • Amazing Design
Negatives
  • Large

8. ATC SCM50ASL Pro

The ATC SCM50ASL Pro is an active three-way studio monitor that mixes groundbreaking driver technology and cutting-edge amplifiers to give a world-class performance. Designed for reference monitoring in medium-sized rooms, SCM50ASL Pro studio monitors have a characteristic pristine sound, spectacular headroom, and distinctive imaging, making them perfectly fitted for professional music and movie audio productions.

With the purpose to deliver a balanced, even frequency response, SCM50ASL Pro studio monitors are geared up with ATC’s legendary three-inch dome midrange driver. That includes a very linear low-distortion drive system dome drivers supply exceptionally low coloration, high energy dealing with capability, and distinctive output degree.

The ATCSCM50ASL Pro contains a 1-inch soft-dome S-spec tweeter with a modern dual-suspension design for pristine highs. S-spec tweeters mix an exceptionally highly effective motor meeting with a lightweight coil former for minimal distortion and a prolonged frequency range up to 22 kHz. Not like typical tweeters, S-spec tweeters supply far better control of the voice coil and dome movement, particularly at higher SPLs.

With a high-performance tri-amped design, SCM50ASL Pro studio displays can reach SPLs up to 112 dB. Six optimally-matched MOS-FET amp blocks pump out over 350 watts of energy for crystal-clear distortion-free sound. With 200 W powering the linear bass driver, 100 W powering the dome midrange driver, and a further 50 W for the S-Spec tweeter, SCM50ASL Pro studio monitors supply spectacular headroom and class-leading transparency at any volume level.

ATC SCM50ASL Pro 9 inch 3-way Powered Studio Monitors
Features

  • Premium 3-way active studio monitors
  • Extremely accurate and life-like playback of your recordings
  • Proprietary speakers
  • 350W tri-amped monitor

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ATC SCM50ASL Pro
  • Premium 3-way active studio monitors
  • Extremely accurate and life-like playback of your recordings
  • Proprietary speakers
9.5Expert Score
ATC SCM50ASL Pro

With the ATC SCM50ASL Pro studio monitor, you will experience outstanding sound reproduction in a 3-way powered studio monitor. It has been my pleasure to work with these monitors, and they provide accurate and detailed audio throughout the frequency range. There are three drivers in this speaker: a 9-inch woofer, a dedicated midrange driver, and a soft-dome tweeter, which ensure that the sound is balanced and transparent.

Positives
  • Very Detailed Sound
  • Amazing Dynamic Range
  • Very Good Design
Negatives
  • Price and Size

Best Midfield Studio Monitors – 2023 Additions

9. Dynaudio Core-47

As with its series siblings, the Core 47 shares a dark gray cabinet, a front-facing port exit, exposed drivers, analog and digital inputs, and a rear-panel amplifier. The Core 47 utilizes the same Class-D amplification setup as the Core 59, with 150W of treble, 500W of mid-range, and 500W of bass.

The Core 47 features left- and right-handed driver layouts similar to those of the LYD 48. Core 47 monitors are equipped with Dynaudio’s Esotar Pro soft dome tweeter, developed specifically for the Core monitors from the Esotar 2 found in the Air series.

Featuring an all-new 4-inch mid-range driver with a proprietary one-piece magnesium silicate polymer cone, an aluminum voice coil, and a neodymium magnet system, the Core 47 covers a frequency range between 475Hz and 5.25kHz. A 7-inch woofer is responsible for frequencies below 475 Hz, whose capabilities are similar to its counterpart, the Core 7. The tweeter takes care of frequencies above 5kHz.

By switching between DSP options in the Core series, the performance of the Core monitors can be fine-tuned to meet individual needs. A number of switchable options are available with the Core 47, including Power, Bass Extension, Digital Channel, Sound Balance, (mounting) Position, (boundary) Position, and Analogue Input Sensitivity.

Dynaudio Core-47
Features

  • Amplifier: 500 Watt woofer and midrange, 150 Watt tweeter
  • Frequency range: 44 to 27,000 Hz ±3 dB, 37 to 31,000 Hz ±6 dB
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 390 x 240 x 355 mm
  • Weight: 15.1 kg

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Dynaudio Core-47
9Expert Score
Dynaudio Core-47

We are still waiting this model to appear in our local stores so we can go ahead and check it out, but from our previous experience with Dynaudio and similar models to this one, we expect nothing but perfection. Hope that we will have more units in the upcoming period to review!

Positive
  • Amazing Horizontal Design
  • Pristine Transparent Sound
  • Wide Frequency Range Capability
Negatives
  • Pricey

If you want to check nearfield 8-Inch monitors, you can do it here!


Conclusion

If you actually need to know what your music feels like then you definitely want studio monitors. To make the precise selection it’s a must to think about the dimensions of your room and also your budget.

When it comes to picking the best model on the list, we can say that our personal favorite is the ATC SCM50ASL. Too bad that we cannot get them due to their price, but we were lucky enough to briefly try them out and check several mixes. Compared to the other items, we would pick them out, not meaning that the other models are bad – in opposition, they are extremely good speakers, it only depends what you are after.

Shopping for a pair of studio monitors is likely one of the upgrades you are able to do to your recording and mixing setting that can have the most critical effect. In case you are having any questions in terms of this topic, feel free to shoot us a comment below!

Nikoloski
Nikoloski

Nikoloski is the founder and main content writer and editor of Mixing Tips. With his experience in audio engineering, mixing, and mastering for over 15 years, will provide hands-on experience and expertise in all the matters covered on this website.

2 Comments
  1. What would be the idea speaker size, watt etc for a 20×10 room. The width is 10 so there is about a 10 feet distance from the listening position to the back wall and about 5 feet gaps on each side is the listing position. Pls advice
    Thanks

    • Hi Habib,

      It is best to look more deeply into the model you like for your room and investigate more deeply from thereon. You have the best metrics for your room and you’ll be able to find the user manual from the desired speaker and find all the numbers you need. We just selected the models we thought are good for midfield speakers – from there on, it is your decision 🙂

      Thanks for the comment!

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