Andertons Scoreboard: Studio Monitor Shootout – 5-inch Woofers

Andertons Scoreboard: Studio Monitor Shootout – 5-inch Woofers

We get a lot of phone calls and emails asking us what we think about certain studio monitors and which ones we’d recommend, so we decided to put our thoughts into a guide to help you understand the differences between some of the most popular studio monitors we have in-store. If you can’t make it into the store yourself then you can’t hear the monitors for yourself, so this is the next best thing!

We invited staff down to the Monitor Room to listen to some of their favourite tracks on a range of different 5-inch monitors within a comparable price range to see which they thought came out on top. The staff here at Andertons have extensive experience hearing these monitors in-use day in, day out. A lot of us are involved in music production and own a pair featured.

For our comparisons, we used the same metrics to compare each monitor, including high, mid and low-end frequency response, along with the overall sound quality.

We also compared the connectivity capabilities – some monitors offer aux inputs, balanced inputs, unbalanced outputs… it’s worth considering which option you’ll have access to. Controllability is another factor we considered, some monitors feature simple EQ switches, other offer more sophisticated digital processing and an LED screen.

We’ve got a wide range of Studio Monitor Bundles on offer here at Andertons, including stands, cables and everything you’ll need to get started today!

We also decided to compare more monitors in our 7-inch studio monitor shootout, click here to check that out!

Yamaha HS5

The Yamaha HS line are a mainstay in studios of all shape and size, from bedroom to pro setups.

The HS5 is the smallest offering in the HS line-up. Expect to find an all-round monitor that’ll give you good top and mid-range response but may lack lows compared to some of the competition.
HS5 monitors feature both XLR and TRS balanced inputs, as well as Room Control (Low-end cut only) and High Trim (High-end cut/boost) switches to help improve performance depending on the listening environment.

Overall, the Yamaha HS5 remains a reliable choice for users of any experience.

Rating:

• Overall Sound/Accuracy – 3.7/5
• Top Range Performance – 4.4/5
• Mid-Range Performance – 4.1/5
• Bass Response – 3.1/5
• Connectivity – 4.6/5
• Controllability – 3.9/5

Final Score: 4/5

Tannoy’s Gold Series of studio monitors are designed to serve recording and broadcast customers with a very even response across the frequency spectrum.

The Gold 5 is the smallest monitor in Tannoy’s Gold range, yet it still offers a great host of connectivity features on the back panel.

On the front, the Gold 5 has Input cut/boost and High-frequency cut/boost controls. On the back, both XLR and TRS balanced inputs are available and a handy Bass Adjust switch allows you to cut either -2 or -4dB of low end which is especially helpful if you’re listening in a smaller room.

The Gold series also features Monitor Linking and an Aux Input, allowing for convenient interface-free listening from a wide range of devices!

Rating:

• Overall Sound/Accuracy – 4.2/5
• Top Range Performance – 4.2/5
• Mid-Range Performance – 4.2/5
• Bass Response – 4/5
• Connectivity – 5/5
• Controllability – 4.8/5

Final Score: 4.4/5

ADAM Audio’s T5V features a unique looking tweeter – their U-ART 1.9” Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter – which provides pristine and extended high-frequency response up to 25 kHz.

The T5V features EQ controls in the form of boost/cut switches for both high and low frequencies. It also features an XLR balanced input and an RCA unbalanced input so you have a few different options for connecting.

As well as this decent high-end clarity, we found that it was the bass response that set this monitor apart from other 5-inch options found in this price range.

Overall, these were the highest performing monitors in the 5-inch category in our books so expect accuracy and punch!

Rating:

• Overall Sound/Accuracy – 4.8/5
• Top Range Performance – 4.2/5
• Mid-Range Performance – 4.7/5
• Bass Response – 5/5
• Connectivity – 4.3/5
• Controllability – 4.2/5

Final Score: 4.6/5

 

The name says it all – classic. Like the Yamaha HS range, the KRK Classic series of monitors can be seen in countless studios all over, from bedroom to pro.

The KRK Classic 5s are a very affordable option for monitoring and give a decent response across frequencies, though may not boast the most punch of the 5-inch monitors we compared.

The back panel features both high and low boost/cut controls to help tailor what you hear based on your room. KRK Classic 5s also include XLR and TRS balanced inputs as well an RCA unbalanced input.

Rating:

• Overall Sound/Accuracy – 2.9/5
• Top Range Performance – 3.3/5
• Mid-Range Performance – 3.2/5
• Bass Response – 3.8/5
• Connectivity – 4.6/5
• Controllability – 3.9/5

Final Score: 3.6/5

 

KRK RP5

The KRK Rokit RP5s are comparable with the Classic 5’s across the board.

These monitors present some new design choices and features, including a new scientifically designed speaker enclosure and front-firing port for low-end accuracy. However, we found the two KRK models performed about the same in most departments.

The RP5s feature a combined Neutrik TRS/XLR balanced input alongside a useful DSP-driven graphic EQ with 25 settings tailored to help condition whatever environment you’re listening in.

Rating:

• Overall Sound/Accuracy – 2.7/5
• Top Range Performance – 2.9/5
• Mid-Range Performance – 3.3/5
• Bass Response – 3.8/5
• Connectivity – 4.6/5
• Controllability – 3.9/5

Final Score: 3.5/5

 

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