Best Active Nearfield Monitors Under $200 2026
Affordable active nearfield monitors under $200 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Presonus Eris 4.5BT 2nd Gen
by
Presonus
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Presonus Eris 4.5BT 2nd GenActive Studio Monitors with Bluetooth ConnectivityEquipped with: 4.5" woofer and...
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 572885
$197
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Fluid Audio FX50 V2
by
Fluid Audio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • May require acoustic treatment
Fluid Audio FX50 V2Active 2-Way Studio MonitorCoaxial5" Woofer and 1" tweeter90 W Class D power amplifier (50...
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598562
$171
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Tannoy Reveal 802
by
Tannoy
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Expensive professional models
Tannoy Reveal 802Active Studio Nearfield Monitor8" Woofer1" Tweeter100 W Bi-Amp (75 W + 25 W)Active crossover...
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 329678
$195
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha HS 5 SG
by
Yamaha
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
Yamaha HS 5 SGActive 2-Way Nearfield Monitor5" Woofer (45 W) + 1" Tweeter (25 W)70 W biampBass reflex...
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 463834
$194
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Tannoy Reveal 502
by
Tannoy
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Tannoy Reveal 502Active Studio Nearfield Monitor5" Woofer1" Tweeter50 Watt Bi-amping (50 W + 25 W)Active...
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 329677
$147
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
ESI nEar i7
by
ESI
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
ESI nEar i7Active 2-Way Studio MonitorDSP-controlled Class D amplifierFrequency range: 39 Hz - 20000 HzWoofer:...
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613640
$189
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
ADAM Audio T5V
by
ADAM Audio
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
ADAM Audio T5VActive Nearfield MonitorEquipped with: 5" woofer and 1.9" U-ART ribbon tweeter2x Class-D...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 431376
$186
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
ESI nEar i5
by
ESI
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
ESI nEar i5Active 2-Way Studio MonitorDSP-controlled Class D amplifierFrequency range: 44 Hz - 20000 HzWoofer:...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613303
$164
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Presonus Eris 3.5BT 2nd Gen Stand Set
by
Presonus
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Presonus Eris 3.5BT 2nd Gen Stand Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Presonus Eris 3.5BT 2nd Gen*Active Studio Monitors with...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 602248
$163
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Mackie CR2-X Bar Pro
by
Mackie
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Professional models can be large
Mackie CR2-X Bar ProDesktop Sound BarBMR driver technology2 x 2.75" speakersFrequency range: 58 - 20000 HzMax SPL:...
⭐
4.4/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 566031
$183
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Presonus Eris Studio 5
by
Presonus
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Professional models can be large
Presonus Eris Studio 5Active studio monitorEquipped with: 5.25" woofer and 1" tweeter with silk coneLF...
⭐
5.0/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572894
$153
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio BX3
by
M-Audio
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
M-Audio BX3Multimedia Reference MonitorsTweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeterWoofer: 3.5" (88.9 mm)Kevlar...
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 505617
$109
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
KRK Rokit RP5 G5
by
KRK
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Professional models can be large
KRK Rokit RP5 G5Active Nearfield Studio MonitorEquipped with: 5" Kevlar woofer and 1" silk dome...
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 575642
$168
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Tannoy Reveal 402
by
Tannoy
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Tannoy Reveal 402Active Studio Nearfield MonitorPower: 50 Watt Bi-amping (25 W + 25 W)Equipped with: 4" Woofer and...
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 329676
$120
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer Studio 50USB
by
Behringer
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
Behringer Studio 50USB2-Way Digital MonitorsIdeal for computer studiosaudio and multimedia workstationsTrue bi-amping...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 384429
$122
How to Choose the Best Active Nearfield Monitors
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced active nearfield monitors typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
