Are Studio Monitors Suitable for DJs?

As the number of DJs and home studios increases, small active speakers become the most convenient option for monitoring purposes. A common question is whether the so-called  “studio monitors” are equally suitable for DJ purposes as they are for music production?

The short answer is: Yes, they are!

They are excellent for DJ use at home or in a small studio. Most of them are active speakers, meaning they have their own built-in amplifiers, so all you need to do is connect cables (usually XLR / RCA / JACK) from your DJ mixer or DJ controller and you're ready to go.

But what about the sound?

Are neutral studio monitors suitable for DJing?

"Neutral or flat" is a buzzword when it comes to studio monitors. A flat frequency response means that the sound is neither cut nor boosted across the entire frequency range and sounds exactly like the original source. For example, if a speaker sounds slightly louder in the frequency range from 70 to 120 Hz, it has a boost in the bass range.

Even though lowering and boosting certain frequency ranges can optimize the mix's sound, music producers are looking for speakers that reproduce the sound more accurately. Most experts agree that a mix that sounds good even without boosting frequencies sounds good on any speaker.

So is a linear frequency response necessary for DJs?

For monitoring, it's definitely a good thing, as it can take your EQ skills to a new level. If you can seamlessly mix 2 (or more) songs on speakers with a neutral frequency response, the mixes are likely to sound good on a large sound system as well.

Some manufacturers like Yamaha are famous for their exceptionally neutral-sounding speakers, but that doesn't mean you can enjoy all the benefits in your home studio. To achieve a truly flat frequency response, speakers need to be positioned and aligned properly first.

In general, speakers should be at least 20-30 cm away from walls and corners to prevent sound waves from being reflected and causing phase cancellations or other acoustic interactions.

Ideally, the distance between the two speakers and the distance between you and the speakers should be equal. You can imagine it like a triangle with equal sides. Also, make sure the speakers on the left and right have the same distance from the walls.

Note that the tweeters should be aligned at ear height, as higher frequencies are much more directional than mid and low frequencies. This can be easily adjusted with speaker stands like the Soundsation TSMON-150 for desks or the SMON-200 for stands.

These are just the basic requirements for good sound. Most studios also require proper acoustic treatment with foam panels to prevent sound waves from being reflected. Manufacturers are aware that in most cases, it's simply not possible to set up a studio properly. Therefore, all respected brands like Yamaha HS Series, KRK Rokit, Kali Audio, or Gibson offer at least the possibility to lower the bass and high frequencies by a few decibels to compensate for poor positioning.

By lowering the bass, the mix sounds less muddy, and you can hear more clearly when mixing two tracks together. If you can't properly position your speakers, you have to accept that you won't achieve the perfect, flat sound, no matter how expensive the speakers you buy are.

So, instead of searching for the flattest-sounding monitor, make sure first if it's possible to position it correctly in your room. If the room isn't optimal for proper setup, don't worry too much about speaker specifications, but just make sure you buy monitors of the ideal size for your space.

Bigger Isn't Always Better

If the monitor is too large, it will likely activate all resonances present in the room, leading to a terrible acoustic experience. Generally, for any room smaller than 15 m2, one should aim for 5" or at most 6-inch monitors. For entry-level, a pair of DM-40D speakers will suffice. The 3-inch Hercules DJ Monitor 32 are also perfectly fine if you don't want it loud or can't or shouldn't turn it up too much.

For rooms larger than 15 m2, 7 or 8-inch speakers are suitable. If you want to enjoy bass even in a smaller room, we recommend a pair of 5-inch speakers paired with a subwoofer, as this can reproduce bass more effortlessly without making the overall spectrum too loud.

For instance, a Yamaha HS8 goes down to 38 Hz, while the Yamaha HS8S subwoofer can effortlessly go down to 22 Hz, resulting in much more natural bass and giving the small speakers more headroom to better judge everything from kicks to hi-hats.

If you use your monitors for DJing, you should definitely consider a subwoofer to bring out the basslines of your tracks optimally - provided, of course, you have enough space for it.

So Why Studio Monitors for DJing and Not Hi-Fi Speakers?

Firstly, studio monitors are usually active speakers, meaning you don't need to install a separate amplifier into your DJ setup but can connect them directly to your mixer or controller. They're a very convenient option to start DJing at home or in a small studio.

Secondly, most entry-level studio monitors are nearfield monitors, designed for listening from close distances. As a home DJ, you probably want to hear your mix as loud as possible without disturbing neighbors or other people in your residence. By placing the speakers as close to you as possible, you also won't need to turn up the volume as much.

This also makes them the best option for a room with poor acoustics, as nearfield monitors generate less resonance in the room.

If you manage to position them correctly and maybe add some acoustic panels in your room, you might even benefit from their flat frequency response and take your mixing skills to a new level.

In any case, they're a good choice for the DJ setup.

They'll likely have less impact on your mixing abilities than the time you put into practice. So just try to get the basics right, like size, positioning, and maybe some acoustic treatment if possible, and you'll have a lot of fun DJing at home!