Studio monitors instead of home Hi-Fi speakers: pros and cons

As you know, the main goal of studio monitors is to play audio as authentically as possible, without hiding or embellishing anything. As a matter of fact, why not put this concept in a domestic context? Let's talk about the pros and cons of professional speakers within the living space and try to understand how good such an idea is.

It's no secret that studio monitors are designed to provide the most uniform frequency response (amplitude-frequency response), the minimum level of distortion and high detail over the entire frequency range. Thus, the sound producer can always count on an even tonal balance and neutral "handwriting" of the sound, and will also be able to hear even the smallest nuances and possible flaws made during the recording and mixing of sound material.

At the same time, compact near-field monitors, as a rule, can not boast of too saturated bass. First of all, even simply because they have relatively small cases (and speakers of the appropriate diameter). In addition, this is due to professional specifics: the speakers are configured in such a way as to reproduce with minimal distortion a reasonable number of low frequencies that will not encroach on the transparency and detail of the "middle".

As a rule, modern studio monitors are equipped with a built-in amplifier that is optimally coordinated with the speakers and speaker system. Thus, the user does not need to choose, purchase and connect additional audio components. By the way, home active speakers are now popular, but initially they still have another purpose - to offer simplicity and ease of use, along with the attractive sound characteristic of Hi-Fi speakers.

The situation on the market is much more interesting. Comparing the prices of good shelf speakers from famous brands and near-field monitors of the initial and middle level, you can find that you will have to pay a comparable amount of money for them. Of course, it is worth mentioning that larger monitors of the middle and far field can cost significantly more. But the truth is that such models are less practical in the home context.

Well, now - a fly in the ointment. Good monitors do not smooth out the possible shortcomings of the recording, and sometimes even on the contrary - they focus on them, which is fundamentally important for studio work, but they can play a cruel joke with scrupulous audiophiles: instead of just enjoying the music, they begin to pay attention to the smallest roughness of the sound, and this may get on nerves.

In addition, for many listeners who are accustomed to home speakers, the sound of monitors may not seem too expressive - in particular, due to the lack of a small rise in the field of the most "delicious" low frequencies, which hi-fi speakers do intentionally. As a result, tired of excessive analytics of monitors, the suffering audiophile turns on the music on some home speakers and finally receives his dose of positive emotions.

Another important point is switching and convenience of everyday use. Active Hi-Fi speakers often have a volume control displayed on the front panel and even have a wireless remote. In the case of monitors, all controls are usually located on the back, because in the studio the speakers are configured once (gain level, low and high frequencies and other parameters), after which the user is unlikely to return to this issue - everything necessary is adjusted using a mixing console and professional software. Moreover, the settings are set separately for each monitor (each channel has its own amplifier and timbre block). The concept common in computer acoustics, when one of the speakers is active, and the second is connected to it with an acoustic cable, is rare in studio equipment - as a rule, only in budget models.

It is worth noticing that in a professional environment, XLR and 6.3-mm Jack connectors are most often type, and, as a rule, they use balanced connection. Thus, an example of a successful tandem for a home system is compact near-field monitors, as well as a streamer / preamplifier with XLR outputs and the ability to control from a remote control. However, if there are no sources with balance connectors, the issue is still solvable - only suitable cables are required. To connect studio acoustics to a computer or laptop, you can use an external sound card - again, with balance switching.

As for the RCA "bells", 3.5 mm jack and other standard connectors for home equipment, in studio monitors they are not always provided. So you will have to take care of buying suitable cables in advance. You can connect several signal sources to the monitors - just like real pros - through a small mixing console (or preamplifier).

Now let’s talk about design. As a rule, home Hi-Fi speakers are presented in several finishes and are designed in such a way as to harmoniously complement the interior. Monitors - on the contrary, are most often presented in a single color. As a rule, this is a gray or black case without special design delights, because in the first place always practicality and durability. Studio monitors bring a piece of the "professional" atmosphere in the living room, and it is not at all a fact that the appearance of such speakers will certainly be appreciated by the spouse (the notorious "wife acceptance factor").

Now one more point - not the most obvious, but also important. Let's say you have pets and other potential sources of danger to expensive electronics. As a rule, Hi-Fi speakers are equipped with protective grills that provide at least minimal protection against encroachments on the speakers. In the case of monitors, the accuracy and detail of the sound is above all, so that there is usually no question of any "acoustically transparent" fabric and metal protective meshes. And this should certainly be taken into account, so as not to engage in subsequently expensive repairs.

Studio speakers are most often sold individually, rather than in pairs. Thus, a good option is to purchase two monitors at once with the most similar serial numbers, which will be an additional guarantee of the identity of their characteristics and sound. By the way, some manufacturers offer the opportunity to buy a proprietary subwoofer to monitors - for full-band sound with powerful bass within a relatively compact system.

Summing up, it is worth noticing that the idea of buying studio monitors for home listening to music is extremely interesting and definitely has a point, because professional speakers can boast of a verified tonal balance and are able to reveal almost all the nuances of audio recordings (sometimes even more than required). On the other hand, monitors are still professional equipment, “born” to work with sound, and the operation of such equipment is associated with a number of features.

Is it worth buying studio speakers for the house or is it better to buy Hi-Fi speakers from a proven brand? Of course, everyone will make a choice, weighing for themselves all the “pros” (accurate and detailed sound, built-in amplifier) and “cons” (design and switching features), because the modern world of audio as good, as it can offer the most diverse and sometimes unexpected options for solving the issue of high-quality music reproduction.