Best Active Nearfield Monitors Under $5,000 2026
Affordable active nearfield monitors under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
KS Digital A200 MK2 right
by
KS Digital
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
KS Digital A200 MK2 rightActive 3-Way Midfield Studio MonitorRight monitorFIRTEC technology10" Woofer3"...
⭐
5.0/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 506481
$2,859
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
PSI Audio A214-M Studio Red
by
PSI Audio
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Professional models can be large
PSI Audio A214-M Studio RedActive Two-Way Center MonitorOptimal for surround setups in conjunction with PSI Audio...
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 451136
$2,969
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Genelec 8350 AWM
by
Genelec
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Genelec 8350 AWM2-Way Active Studio MonitorEquipped with: 8" Woofer1" metal dome tweeterPower amplifier...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 548248
$2,232
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Genelec 8350 AMM
by
Genelec
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
Genelec 8350 AMM2-Way Active Studio MonitorFrequency response: 33 - 22000 Hz (-6 dB)Frequency range: 38 - 20000 Hz...
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609218
$2,199
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Genelec 8351BW
by
Genelec
Critical Listening
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • May require acoustic treatment
Genelec 8351BWActive 3-Way Studio Monitor with Coax DriverMidrange and tweeter are on the same acoustic axisHorizontal...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564301
$4,399
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Genelec 8341 AP
by
Genelec
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
Genelec 8341 APActive 3-Way Studio MonitorEquipped with two oval woofers 170 x 90 mm (6 5/8" x 3 1/2") and 90...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 425615
$2,969
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Focal Trio6 Black ST6
by
Focal
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Focal Trio6 Black ST6Active 3-Way Bass Reflex Studio MonitorEquipped with: 8‘ woofer (W sandwich composite cone) and...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 608718
$2,914
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Genelec 8331 WH
by
Genelec
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Expensive professional models
Genelec 8331 WHActive 3-Way Studio MonitorEquipped with: two 5.13‘ x 2.13’ oval woofers3.5‘ and 3/4’ coaxial...
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 430693
$2,309
#9
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
PSI Audio A17-M Metal Black
by
PSI Audio
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
PSI Audio A17-M Metal BlackActive 2-Way MonitorCompletely analogue wiring without DSPsCompensated phase response for...
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 220231
$2,265
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
KS Digital A200 MK2 left
by
KS Digital
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Expensive professional models
KS Digital A200 MK2 leftActive 3-Way Midfield Studio MonitorLeft monitorFIRTEC technology10" Woofer3"...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 506489
$2,859
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
JBL 708P
by
JBL
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Professional models can be large
JBL 708PActive 2-Way Nearfield Monitor8" (127 mm) bass driver2-Channel Class-D amplifier 250 Watts HF / 250 Watts...
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 568350
$2,639
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
PSI Audio A17-M Pure White
by
PSI Audio
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Expensive professional models
PSI Audio A17-M Pure WhiteActive 2-Way MonitorCompletely analogue wiring without DSPsCompensated phase response for...
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 513419
$2,276
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Genelec 8351BP
by
Genelec
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • May require acoustic treatment
Genelec 8351BP3-Way Studio Monitor with Coax ChassisMidrange and tweeter are on the same acoustic axisHorizontal and...
⭐
4.4/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 518757
$4,399
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Genelec 8330 APM Pack
by
Genelec
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Professional models can be large
Genelec 8330 APM Pack*Set consisting of: *Two Genelec 8330 APM 2-way active studio monitorsEquipped with: 5"...
⭐
4.6/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609738
$2,089
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
PSI Audio A21-M Metal Black
by
PSI Audio
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
PSI Audio A21-M Metal BlackActive 2-Way MonitorCompletely analogue circuitry without DSPsCompensated phase response for...
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542872
$3,486
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.
