People often ask: What is a monitor? What is it used for?
Monitors are the speakers that are often mounted on top or next to the stage speakers. As an extra speaker they are used to reinforce the sound system in the venue or area where there are no stage speakers.
Monitors are normally used to fill in the sound that is lost when the audience is not sitting directly in front of the stage. They are commonly used when the audience are placed in side dressing rooms or walkways, or when the performers are too far away, or when insufficient monitors are available.
In short, monitors go where stage speakers can’t go.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Rockville 1000 Watt 2-Way Powered Active Stage Floor Monitor Speaker | Best Overall |  |
| Seismic Audio SA-10MSingle Wedge Style Floor Monitor | Budget Pick |  |
| Behringer Eurolive B205D Ultra-Compact 150-Watt PA/Monitor Speaker System,Black | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Rockville 1000 Watt 2-Way Powered Active Stage Floor Monitor Speaker
Pros:
- Maximum output: 1000 watts peak power; 350 watts RMS per box
- Speakers are magnetically shielded
- Built-in mixer and 4 channels
- Includes a wireless remote control, an Ethernet cable, and a 100-240V power source
- Each monitor measures 23.52 x 10.24 x 19.69 inches
- Each weighs 15.88 pounds
- Comes with a 12-month warranty
Cons:
- Sound quality (especially treble) is not that great
- Midrange sound is pretty poor
Editor's rating: 4.6 / 5
Determining which monitors are the best worth your money in the long run can be a real challenge, but if you've got the option of a budget but still want quality, the Rockville RS12A 2-Way Active Monitor is an excellent choice.
This speaker set is straightforward and easy to use. It includes a 12½ inch down-firing subwoofer and a 1½ inch full range tweeter, which is a great combination if you're looking for clean bass and excellent highs.
2. Behringer Eurolive B205D Ultra-Compact 150-Watt PA/Monitor Speaker System,Black
Pros:
- Durable cabinet
- Feels sturdy
- Can handle high volume levels
- Multiple input options
- Excellent value for the price
- External mute control
- Solid construction, feels durable
- It is made for guitarists
- Gets very loud
- Ideal for home practice and small gigs
3. Seismic Audio SA-10MSingle Wedge Style Floor Monitor
Pros:
- Very loud
- Very affordable
- Easy to use
- Compact design
- Rugged construction
- Mountable
- Can connect to any device
- Very clear sound
Cons:
- Not very good bass
- Treble can get a little harsh
- Not very durable
- Not very loud
There are so many reasons why the Seismic Audio SA-10MSingle Tower Monitor is the best stage monitor of 2020. It has the perfect combination of features that ensure that you can have a really great show at an affordable price.
The fact that these monitors are small and compact means that you can easily carry them around with you and that they won’t take up a lot of space on stage. The small design also makes it very easy to set the monitors up, which is something that you’ll definitely appreciate.
In terms of sonic quality, these stage monitors also sound pretty great, and while the bass isn’t as impressive as some other products, the midrange and treble are pretty clear. Plus, you can directly connect this stage monitor to any device, so connecting it to your home or DJ system shouldn’t be a problem.
4. Powerwerks PW4P 50 Watt Personal PA Monitor
Pros:
- Sound quality is excellent
- You can connect two units to get an even bigger sound
- Gives you the flexibility to mix your inputs like your mics, guitar, and backing tracks
- Comes with an extra battery
- Provides a lot of volume
Cons:
- You have to purchase the additional speaker on your own
- The backside of this monitor does not provide you with a strong grip
- Crushing the unit with more than a 2-3 finger grip will most likely damage the housing
The Powerwerks PW4P is a 50-watt monitor system that fits on your belt that is perfect for live music or recording and podcasting.
This system is perfect for musicians who may want to keep their main speaker as a back-up. It will allow you to take the stage as a soloist and provide a clear and crisp sound for your listeners.
You can wear the monitor on your belt. The system allows you to mix your inputs like mics, guitar, and backing tracks, giving you the freedom to change the sound of the output up to 10 dB. This will allow you to monitor the entire sound output efficiently.
5. Seismic Audio
Pros:
- Attractive price tag
- Built for the stage or studio
- Can take a hit and keep on going
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Quality sound
- High power and maximum output
Cons:
- Lacks durability
- Volume knob issues
- Cheaply made
This is a great product that has a lot behind it, including a quality design that is meant for live performance. Despite this, the company does not charge a lot of money for the product.
It also performs like an expensive product. The sound is crystal clear without any distortion at high volumes. It also offers great high and low frequency reproduction.
If you are looking for a floor monitor that can be used in different settings, including your backyard or your garage, the design of this product will be great for both scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best powered stage monitor?
The Peavey Vyper is one of the best stage monitors for performers. It has an in-built 7-band graphic equalizer to give you ultimate control of your sound and its parameters include high and low shelving, low, mid, high and band-pass crossovers and low-cut filter. This stage monitor even has a rear-panel effects loop dedicated to tunable effects units with adjustable levels, post-fade sends and dual rear-panel outputs. The Peavey Vyper has a 250w DSP powered re-circulating speaker protection system and headroom delivers 250w of program power.
How many stage monitors do I need?
Each member of your band needs a monitor.
Many of the onstage performers in a band typically want their own monitor so they can tweak their own tone and volume in real time.
However, some bands simply canʼt afford to buy a monitor for each person onstage.
If your band is one of those, a single stage monitor will suffice for all the band members.
What is stage monitor speaker?
A stage monitor speaker is a speaker used to amplify the voice or instrument of a performer so that the sound can be heard by audience members who are far away. In the world of stage production, it is said that the audience members in the back seating area of a venue should have the same audio experience as those in first row, but this poses many problems.
Consider, for example, a pop concert with a drummer in a band. The average human ear usually cannot hear or distinguish the sound of a drum kit beyond 100 ft.
The front row of the audience sitting near the band will most likely hear the drums clearly, but those sitting in the back will most likely not be able to hear, let alone distinguish, the rhythmical beating of the drum kit.
The purpose of a stage monitor speaker is to solve the problem of not being able to hear the voices or instruments played from stage.
What is a passive stage monitor?
Passive stage monitors are the most popular kind of stage monitors, due to their significant benefits. The passive stage monitors are hung over the audience, and have front fill speakers with tweeters. During a typical use, the acoustic signal from the source is sent through a mixing console, then through the monitor inputs into the power amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the signal and sends it through the monitor speakers, and into the mains.
Conclusion
With the help of this article, you can see for yourself why every band in the world and countless professional musicians worldwide choose to use Sennheiser: a brand thatïs synonymous with world-class sound and musical excellence.
Overall, the Sennheiser ew 135 G3 is a fantastic pair of stage monitors and the manufacturer clearly understands the needs of musicians. It all starts with the amazing frequencies these speakers deliver, from the lowest lows to the highest highs. The sound is warm and clear and you can really feel the RMS.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Rockville 1000 Watt 2-Way Powered Active Stage Floor Monitor Speaker | Best Overall | |
| Seismic Audio SA-10MSingle Wedge Style Floor Monitor | Budget Pick | |
| Behringer Eurolive B205D Ultra-Compact 150-Watt PA/Monitor Speaker System,Black | Upgrade Pick | |