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To make the process a little easier, we’ve done the research and put together a shortlist of immersive-ready monitors suitable for any studio (and almost any budget). This article won’t cover subwoofers, but many of the brands listed here offer immersive bundles complete with subs, mounting hardware, and other accessories.
Spatial imaging is a critical factor in any immersive mixing setup, and point-source sound is the optimal goal. The more each speaker sounds like its output is coming from one point in space, the more accurately you’ll be able to hear panning and spatial positioning—especially in the critical high frequencies. Compared to traditional monitors with several inches between drivers, coaxial designs localize most of the frequency spectrum to one point.
Genelec’s 8361A, 8351B, 8341A, and 8331A monitors feature a unique layout in which the coaxial mid- and high-frequency drivers are mounted in a semi-detached front baffle/waveguide covering an “Acoustically Concealed Woofer.” This configuration allows the entire wavefront to maintain optimal phase coherence, so that the lows arrive at the same time as the highs and it all emanates from the same central point. Part of Genelec’s Smart Active Monitor (SAM) range, these monitors integrate with Genelec software, making it easy to set up and calibrate immersive arrays.
One of the only monitors designed specifically for Dolby Atmos workflows, the Ex Machina TITAN would look out of place in any other context. This ultra-compact, 2-way passive monitor is based around a coaxial 5.5-inch woofer/tweeter assembly housed in a tiny 6.5-inch cubic cabinet that weighs only 12 pounds and features integrated VESA mounting points. Intended for the overhead and surround positions, TITAN monitors are sold exclusively in sets of four with an Ex Machina Lunar Core amplifier/DSP module. However, they integrate seamlessly with Ex Machina’s larger monitors, as seen in our immersive monitor bundles.
The Kali SM-5 is a three-way active (or passive) monitor featuring a 4-inch coaxial mid/tweeter array and a separate 5-inch woofer. The coaxial assembly delivers point-source sound down to about 280 Hz—covering most of the frequency spectrum—while the woofer and bass ports provide full low-end and smooth frequency response all the way down to 39 Hz. For wall and ceiling mounting, Kali recommends using a specific U-bracket from Triad-Orbit, but any hardware with the correct measurements and sufficient strength will work. All in all, the SM-5 offers a great balance of point-source sound and affordability.
Quested monitors typically feature anywhere from two to six drivers, but the CX8 Passive Ceiling Monitor stands apart as their only coaxial offering. The large but shallow rectangular cabinet houses a center-mounted 8-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter with a foam disc between the two that improves the monitor’s dispersion characteristics, and a bass port provides respectable low-end extension of 53 Hz. But the CX8’s most appealing feature might be its dimensions: at just six inches deep, this monitor is ideal for overhead and wall mounting in small rooms.
Neumann may be relatively new to the monitor scene, but they’re no strangers to making top-tier transducers. All of the KH Series monitors deliver excellent sound, but the KH 150, KH 120 II, and KH 80 DSP in particular offer a level of versatility that makes them excellent choices for immersive studios. Each of these models features advanced DSP for precise calibration and Ethernet connections for remote control, plus physical controls for acoustic EQ, input and output gain, and standard M6 mounting points. The KH 150 and 120 II also provide digital S/PDIF In and Out and a handy Ground Lift switch. These thoughtful and practical features make the KH Series a viable choice for almost any studio.
ADAM monitors have always stood out from the crowd with their unique X-ART ribbon tweeters, but the A Series in particular happens to be some of the most flexible active monitors on the market. With powerful DSP, Ethernet remote control, four-band Room Adaptation EQ, three Voicing settings, and multiple analog I/O options, these monitors can easily adapt to any setup. ADAM’s A-Control software even integrates with Sonarworks, providing automatic room calibration powered by each speaker’s DSP chip. The A7V and A4V make great surround and overhead speakers, while the larger models are ideal for the left, center, and right positions.
Barefoot Sound’s Footprint monitors offer spectacular accuracy and output in a small footprint, thanks to proprietary drivers and dual side-mounted woofers. The Footprint01 and Footprint02 make excellent surround and overhead speakers with a special adapter, while the Footprint03 is available in left, center, and right variants. But aside from their impressive specs, the real draw here is Barefoot’s Multi-Emphasis Monitor Emulation (MEME) technology. By daisy-chaining the MEME In and Thru jacks on each speaker, you can easily switch between your calibrated, flat sound and three reference modes: “Old School,” “Cube,” and “Hi-Fi.”
Most of the monitors on this list are intended for near-field applications, but larger studios require mid- and far-field monitors with higher output and broader dispersion. The products below offer the increased performance necessary to achieve highly accurate, full-range monitoring in larger rooms, along with special features that make them ideal for immersive workflows.
Ex Machina’s Quasar MKII features a larger version of the TITAN’s coaxial mid/high driver assembly, plus dual 9-inch woofers that provide much fuller low-end and output. A combination of advanced electroacoustic design, next-generation converters, DSP, and factory calibration provides extremely low-noise operation (0.1% THD in the critical 2-10 kHz range) and ±5° phase linearity from 80 Hz to 30 kHz. Too large and heavy for overhead mounting, the Quasar MKII makes an ideal LCR monitor when combined with Ex Machina TITAN and Pulsar nearfield monitors.
It may not have coaxial drivers or built-in DSP, but the Focal Trio11 Be still makes a fantastic mid-field monitor for immersive mixing, especially in the front and surround positions. The beryllium tweeter and 5-inch woofer are mounted close together in a rotatable baffle, so you can benefit from excellent imaging and a wide sweet spot whether you mount them vertically or horizontally. The 10-inch woofer is decoupled from the other drivers and the cabinet is ported to provide impressive low-end extension down to 30 Hz and a maximum SPL rating of 118. Focus Mode switches from three-way to two-way operation, allowing you to instantly reference your immersive mixes as they might sound on consumer speakers.
One of the only far-field monitors designed for full-range, point-source sound, the Genelec 8381A is ideal for immersive studios that will spare no expense for the best possible monitoring. The massive freestanding cabinet includes a unique arrangement of nine drivers: a coaxial high- and high-mid pair in the center surrounded by four low-mid drivers plus a 15-inch low-frequency driver and two adaptive 15-inch subwoofers in the bottom. Paired with Genelec Loudspeaker Management (GLM) software, this beast can easily integrate with other Genelec Smart Active Monitors to deliver extreme accuracy in any room.
Immersive mixing requires anywhere from seven to 15 speakers, and that makes price nearly as important as sound quality and features when shopping for monitors. Typically, lower-priced monitors tend to make tradeoffs in sonic accuracy or exclude features like DSP and mounting points, but in the immersive world, these are almost non-negotiables. We believe the following products offer the ideal balance of affordability and performance for studios that want to upgrade to immersive on a budget.
IK Multimedia’s studio monitor range runs the gamut from the high-end Precision Series to the portable iLoud Micro Monitor, but we believe the iLoud MTM Mk II offers the best sound quality and flexibility for its price. With dual 3.5-inch woofers sandwiching a central tweeter, these ultra-compact monitors deliver extended low-end and surprisingly flat frequency response from 48 Hz to 28 kHz. Every speaker comes with an included measurement mic and cable for automatic calibration with IK Multimedia X-MONITOR software, and the standard ⅜-inch mic stand threading makes this one of the easiest monitors to mount.
Coming in at the same price as the iLoud MTM Mk II, Focal’s Alpha 65 EVO offers improved specs at the cost of a heavier design. A 6.5-inch Slatefiber woofer and aluminum inverted dome tweeter deliver nearly full-range sound with superb accuracy and excellent coverage characteristics. While the Alpha 65 EVO lacks DSP, other features like room correction EQ, multiple inputs, adjustable sensitivity, and auto standby mode make this a versatile option for any studio. Two integrated M6 mounting points enable ceiling or wall mounting (as long as your room has enough space for its 11.4-inch depth).
At $50 less than the options above, Kali’s IN-5 is one of the most affordable immersive-ready monitors on the market. This three-way monitor sports coaxial mid- and high-frequency drivers alongside a 5-inch woofer in a front-ported cabinet, giving it a great balance of high-end spatial accuracy and smooth low-end extension. The IN-5 does not feature DSP, but a set of dip switches provides eight different room correction EQ settings for various installations (including overhead mounting). However, instead of a universal mounting system, the IN-5 requires a special Triad-Orbit mounting plate and bracket.
When you’re equipping a large immersive studio, you need the total package: top-tier monitors with matching subwoofers, robust amplifiers with ample headroom, and preapproved mounting hardware that you know you can trust. These bundles from ATC, Amphion, and JBL offer great values on everything you need to outfit the biggest and best immersive studios.
Who says you can’t mix active and passive speakers? This bundle gives you the best of both worlds with seven ATC SCM25A active surround monitors and four ATC SCM12i passive overhead monitors, plus three Subwoofer Pros 12C subwoofers that allow you to separate your LFE and bass management for optimal performance. Also included are a four-channel amp for the passive speakers, seven Sound Anchors speaker stands, and four sets of mounting brackets for your overheads.
This all-passive bundle includes three Amphion Two18 monitors for the all-important LCR positions and eight One18s for the surrounds and overheads. Two Amphion BaseTwo25 and one FlexBase25 Low-Frequency Extension systems provide superb low-end phase coherence while doubling as speaker stands for the Two18s. Three Amphion rackmount amps provide more than 6,000 watts of rock-solid power and abundant headroom for your loudest mixes. While this bundle doesn’t include all the mounting hardware you’ll need, it does come with four adapters for K&M ceiling brackets.
JBL loudspeakers and Crown amplifiers pair perfectly in large installations where pristine sound and reliable power delivery are equally important. This bundle gives you 11 JBL LSR705i passive monitors for identical performance in all positions, plus a JBL ASB6112 subwoofer to handle the LFE and bass management duties. Made specifically to pair with JBL monitors, the Crown XLI2500 and DCI 8|300 amplifiers provide ample power and headroom. A full complement of Triad-Orbit hardware allows you to mount the lightweight 705i monitors in whichever configuration your room demands.
If you’re planning an immersive upgrade, our shortlist of monitors is a great place to start. Many of these products are available in our Immersive Monitoring Bundles along with the mounting hardware, amplifiers, and accessories you need to get your studio up and running quickly. To learn more about the hardware and software you’ll need, check out our Dolby Atmos Buyer’s Guide and Immersive Upgrade Guide.
We realize that every studio has different needs, limitations, and budgets, and finding the right gear isn’t always simple. Fortunately, our knowledgeable Audio Consultants are here to help you every step of the way, from planning your setup and getting the best deals on gear to on-site installation and ongoing support. Reach out today and start building your ideal immersive setup!
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