So can you use regular speakers as studio monitors?
It’s generally favourable to use studio monitors if you’re recording, mixing or mastering. As mentioned earlier, you simply get a more accurate sound. If you’re using regular speakers, you may miss some detail in the sound which could lead to an imbalanced mix.
Having said that, you will sometimes spot home speakers in studio setups. The notorious Yamaha NS10 speakers (below) were released in the ‘70s to the home audio market. They didn’t go down well, but instead garnered a cult following among producers and engineers. It was favoured for its ability to bring out inconsistencies and sonic blemishes, an invaluable trait in the mixing process. It’s still used to this day, and Yamaha have released several similar iterations purely intended for studio use.
Long story short: home speakers aren’t bad at all, but they certainly aren’t accurate. If you want a fool proof mix, stick to studio monitors!
Can you use studio monitors for home/hi-fi use?
If you flip the question on its head, the answer isn’t that dissimilar. Studio monitors, particular nearfield, are designed to sound good from a specific distance and perspective. If you move around in front of a studio monitor, you’ll notice the sound will change quite a bit.
(above: a typical old-school home audio setup, with passive speakers and a central amplifier)
This is generally an unattractive trait for home listening. Chances are you’ll be moving around in the room that you’ve got music in, so you want it to sound pretty good regardless of where you are. Again, casual listening on studio monitors isn’t bad by any stretch – it’s just different to what you might expect.
Studio monitors vs studio headphones
Studio headphones are an extension of the studio monitor concept. What we mean by this is that they offer a flat, precise response that gives you an accurate impression of your mix. Again, by extension, standard headphones won’t give you the same unbiased response, so it’s best not to mix with them.
More info
Enjoyed reading this piece? Check out our other Learn content while you’re here. If you’d like know more about our monitor selection, head over to our site for Kali Audio, Yamaha, KRK, Adam Audio and many more. Alternatively, check out our full studio monitor range & full studio headphone range!