Nearfield Monitors

British speaker specialists ATC have provided high-quality studio monitors and speakers for over 40 years. With a wide range of industry-leading products, ATC studio monitors have earned the praise of many audio professionals. The new ATC SCM25A MK II studio monitors are the latest addition to the company's line of studio monitors. Designed to provide accurate, natural sound reproduction, the new SCM25A MK II monitors introduce a number of new features and improved specs over the original Gen 1 versions. Let’s take a closer look at what sets these new speakers apart. Continue reading →

Long before miniaturization made self-powered monitors with built-in amplifiers, crossovers and DSP chips a reality, passive speakers reigned supreme. In fact, active monitors have only become common in professional-level studios in the last few decades—and many, such as Blackbird, Power Station and Gold-Diggers Sound, still rely on passive monitors anyway. Certain passive speakers such as the Yamaha NS-10 have even gained a cult following among mixing engineers. Continue reading →

Each piece of classic studio gear has something that makes it instantly recognizable, i.e., the U47's shape, the 1176's ratio buttons, and the Neve 1073's red knob. In the land of speakers, there might be no better example than the yellow cones of KRK monitors. Continue reading →

IK Multimedia has just expanded its pro audio offerings with three new additions to its flagship iLoud line of active studio monitors. The new iLoud Precision 5 ($899.99), 6 ($999.99) and MTM ($1,199.99) offer improved design and performance, powerful DSP, automatic calibration and ultra-efficient custom Class-D amplifiers. If you’re looking for high-performance nearfield monitors packed with features, the new iLoud Precision line will be hard to beat. Now, let’s get into the specifics of these brand-new offerings from IK Multimedia. Continue reading →

Found in countless studios around the world, Auratone’s Super Sound Cube has been a secret weapon of mixing engineers for decades. A compact monitor with a single 4.5” driver, the 5C delivers a revealing, honest midrange that has long been used to understand how mixes will translate to full-range systems. To celebrate the release of the new 5C Active Super Sound Cube reference monitors ($749.00), we’re taking a look back at the history of these iconic monitors. Read on to learn more about Auratone’s 50-year legacy and the philosophy behind the brand’s design. Continue reading →

Adding to their range of premium studio monitors, Focal has just released the new ST6 line of studio monitors, including three new models designed to complement each other in the studio. The Solo6 ($1599) and Twin6 ($2299) are updated versions of Focal’s best-selling SM6 series speakers, while the new Sub12 ($2699) is a 13-inch version of the popular Sub6 subwoofer. All three deliver the uncompromising sound and iconic style Focal is known for while pushing the envelope with new features and high-performance design.  Continue reading →

German monitor heavyweights ADAM Audio have garnered great acclaim over the past 20 years for its impressive line-up of industry-leading monitors, from the flagship S Series to the affordable T series line. Now, the Berlin-based company is back to unveil the next evolution of its acclaimed AX Series line of loudspeakers: the A Series.  Continue reading →

Since making its debut in 2018, the ADAM Audio T Series has ranked among the best selling monitors at Vintage King. Earlier today, the brand announced the launch of the latest monitor to be added to its nearfield line, the T8V. The T8V follows the excellent precedent set by the T Series by incorporating the same technology, features, and build quality as the T5V, T7V, and T10S Subwoofer. So what's new with the T8V? Well, the monitor features 8" woofer that allows for ample bass extension all the way down to 33 Hz. Continue reading →

As new players in the studio monitor game, Brooklyn-based Ex Machina has made waves by making some staggering choices with its designs. The brand has come out swinging for the fences and, after listening to these two current releases, it's obvious these decisions have worked for the best. Ex Machina made its big debut at NAMM 2020 with two monitor offerings for different sized studio spaces. Continue on in this Buyer's Guide to learn more about the brand's technology and these ultra-clear, transparent and focused studio monitors. Continue reading →

For over 40 years, Focal has been one of the preeminent speaker brands in the world. They have delivered countless innovations for all different kinds of listening experiences from home audio speakers and headphones to car speaker drivers and studio monitors. Throughout this Buyer's Guide, we'll be covering the history of the brand and taking a look at their product offerings for the recording studio. No matter your set-up, Focal has something that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Continue reading →