Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About Us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Total Guitar
  • Bass Player
More
  • Purdie on the Purdie shuffle
  • Type beats
  • 86000+ free music samples
  • How to make an AI cover song
  • Three-chord trick

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. News

The 8 best monitors of 2015

By Future Music
published 9 December 2015

Future Music's Gear of the Year Reader Poll results are in

8. Akai RPM800

8. Akai RPM800

The ballot box has been closed and all the votes counted in Future Music’s Gear of the Year Reader Poll 2015.

We can finally reveal the best monitors of 2015, as voted for by you.

Our verdict

“Akai has delivered a set of monitors that offer plenty of bang for the buck and look good too.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Akai RPM800

BUY: Akai RPM800 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
7. MunroSonic EGG 100

7. MunroSonic EGG 100

Our verdict

“Stunning visually and sonically, the Egg 100 package isn't cheap, but sets the bar for compact near fields.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MunroSonic EGG 100

BUY: MunroSonic EGG 100 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
6. Pioneer RM-05

6. Pioneer RM-05

Our verdict

“With robust construction, a punchy, upfront sound and useful correction EQ, the RM-05 is a solid monitor.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer RM-05

BUY: Pioneer RM-05 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
5. MunroSonic EGG 150

5. MunroSonic EGG 150

Our verdict

“These are serious contenders for the best monitors in their price range, and perhaps even beyond.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MunroSonic EGG 150

BUY: MunroSonic EGG 150 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
4. Mackie CR3

4. Mackie CR3

Our verdict

“With powerful, detailed sounds and great value for money, the CR3s might surprise you.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mackie CR3

BUY: Mackie CR3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
3. M-Audio BX5 Carbon

3. M-Audio BX5 Carbon

Our verdict

“Compact, solid and surprisingly loud, this is an ideal affordable monitor for smaller spaces.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: M-Audio BX5 Carbon

BUY: M-Audio BX5 Carbon currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
2. Fluid Audio FX8

2. Fluid Audio FX8

Our verdict

“Nearfield coaxial monitors with 8-inch bass drivers for under £300 - the FX8s are great value.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fluid Audio FX8

BUY: Fluid Audio FX8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
1. Genelec 8000 Series SAM system

1. Genelec 8000 Series SAM system

Our verdict

“Genelec's all in one monitoring package offers all you need for monitoring nirvana.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Genelec 8000 Series SAM system

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Want to know more?

Want to know more?

Read more about your favourite producers, DJs and gear every month in Future Music magazine, available in all good newsagents and in print and digital from myfavouritemagazines.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Future Music
Future Music
Social Links Navigation

Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.

More about tech
studio

Show Us Your Studio #9: "I use Ableton and Maschine as glorified grooveboxes on steroids - it's endless fun and inspiration!"

Pulsar w495

Could this Neumann w495 emulation be the most useful free EQ plugin you download this year?

Latest
Nirvana In Utero cover

Nirvana session cellist Kera Schaley talks about playing on In Utero: "The funny thing about All Apologies is Steve kept trying to talk Kurt out of putting cello on it"

See more latest ►
Most Popular
“It makes it exciting and dangerous and fun”: Yngwie Malmsteen says he doesn’t need to rehearse anymore and explains why he mostly ignores the setlist

By Jonathan Horsley22 September 2023

9 tips for buying second-hand music gear without getting scammed

By Andy Jones22 September 2023

Pro Tools Sketch: industry-standard DAW gets Ableton Live-style clip launching and a free iPad app, but will it convince you to switch?

By Si Truss22 September 2023

Elon Musk allegedly turned up at the studio with a gun while Grimes was recording dialogue for Cyberpunk 2077: "The studio guys were sweating"

By Matt Mullen22 September 2023

Electro Harmonix unveils the 9 mini Pico effects pedals for its NYC DSP Series – with reworked old favourites and new designs

By Rob Laing21 September 2023

DAW not doing it for you? Cantor is a free “music playground” for looping, sampling and sound design

By Ben Rogerson21 September 2023

Watch bluegrass guitarist Ian Ly become the 2023 US National Flat-picking Champion

By Rob Laing21 September 2023

Audiomovers launches Off The Record interview series with first episode featuring Dire Straits producer Chuck Ainlay

By Matt Mullen21 September 2023

“I thought, ‘have I done something heinous?’”: James Blake reminds Brian Eno that he once accused him of using ‘the arsehole chord’ and demands to know what it actually is

By Ben Rogerson21 September 2023

The Vai, Bonamassa, Di Meola and Abasi-backed guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso dazzles again on new song Silk Road

By Rob Laing21 September 2023

DAACI is the AI-powered 'meta-composition' software that writes music like a human: "It's interpreting what comes from a composer’s brain, rather than trying to imitate something that’s already been made"

By Andy Price21 September 2023

  1. Marty Friedman
    1
    Marty Friedman’s guitar teacher told him to take a bong hit every time he played an exercise correctly, but the ex-Megadeth guitarist has better advice for students
  2. 2
    Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 review
  3. 3
    “Sometimes Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriend would go and buy us breakfast because we had no money”: Rod Stewart says early days of the Jeff Beck Group were no picnic
  4. 4
    16 famous musicians who almost joined very famous bands
  5. 5
    “Right now I’d like to do a song, it’s a little thing by Howlin’ Wolf…”: Listen to Jimi Hendrix’s newly unearthed performance of Killing Floor at the Hollywood Bowl, 1967
  1. Cindy Blackman Santana
    1
    Cindy Blackman Santana tackles the iconic In The Air Tonight drum fill as she joins Chris Stapleton and Snoop Dogg on a new version of the song for ESPN’s Monday Night Football
  2. 2
    Watch bluegrass guitarist Ian Ly become the 2023 US National Flat-picking Champion
  3. 3
    “It makes it exciting and dangerous and fun”: Yngwie Malmsteen says he doesn’t need to rehearse anymore and explains why he mostly ignores the setlist
  4. 4
    Elon Musk allegedly turned up at the studio with a gun while Grimes was recording dialogue for Cyberpunk 2077: "The studio guys were sweating"
  5. 5
    10 famous rock guitar solos and what you can learn from them

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.