One of the most frequent questions among our students is: which speakers should I buy? Faced with so many doubts, we have prepared this article with some key aspects to consider before making a decision, especially if you work in music production or sound.
Size does matter
The first factor to consider is the dimensions of the space where you will use the speakers. Logic may make us think that a small room equals small speakers, but reality is a bit more complex.
A large room without proper acoustic treatment and with 8‑inch speakers can become a real time bomb. The larger the speakers, the less control you’ll have over the sound if the room isn’t properly treated.
Prior acoustic study: essential
When we talk about proper acoustic treatment, we’re not referring to sticking cheap foam on the walls. A correctly conditioned space requires a prior acoustic study, which detects resonance issues, reflections or problematic frequencies and allows you to correct them.
It’s true that acoustic treatment can entail a budget higher than that of buying the speakers, but it is absolutely essential if you want professional results in your productions.
The cheapest option can end up costing more
Speakers are a long‑term investment. They must last you many years, so buying the cheapest model isn’t always the best option.
Often, for €100–€200 more, the quality increases significantly. If you can’t afford the model that truly fits your needs right now, it’s preferable to wait and make a good purchase rather than settle for a limited option.
The cheapest option can end up costing more
Keep in mind that your speakers should last you for many years. Sometimes buying cheaper can end up being more expensive in the long run. For an extra €100 or €200, the quality increases significantly.
If you can’t afford the model that perfectly fits your needs right now, I recommend waiting for a while until you have the money to make the right purchase.
Listen before buying
Before deciding, it is highly recommended to go to a shop and listen to the same track on different speakers. This will allow you to compare:
- Sound definition
- Low‑end response
- Overall clarity
- Suitability for your room size and acoustics
Every space is different, and not all speakers perform the same in every environment.
Product recommendations
Recommendations always depend on your available budget. Below we propose some models from different ranges that we have listened to and tested personally.
High‑end models
Mid/high range
Budget models
- Monkey Banana: the ones from the Gibbon series pleasantly surprised me.
- Adam F7: the F5 are not worth it, but the F7 sound very good!
- Event 20/20
These are only a few of the many models available on the market. But as we often say quoting the great Ivan Torrent: once you’ve heard the definition of Adams, you can’t live without them.
And you? Any recommendations to share?
