Best DJ Booth Monitor Speakers
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If you’ve been DJing for a while now, you must’ve noticed how funny the working conditions in this job are. Some venues will offer you the best DJ booth with fancy booth monitors, while others will just show you to your corner of the room and wish you the best of luck.
I always feel a bit nervous when I take off to the venue for the first time. Every time I just cross my fingers and hope there will be monitors and a nice little booth. But you never know what to expect and this kind of DJ equipment is crucial for every aspect of DJing.
Why Are DJ Booth Monitors Important?
The reason why booth or PA monitors are important to every DJ is because of all the help and support you get from them during your DJ set. For those of you that are having a hard time visualizing this, let’s try to make stuff clearer.
First off, do you know what a DJ booth looks like? That’s the area in a venue reserved strictly for the DJ and their equipment. Modern DJ booths usually contain studio monitors facing the DJ and are there to serve the disc jockey, allowing them to rely on the sound going through the speakers.
The booth monitors play the sound going through the master output, and if you don’t have them near you, things can get difficult. This is all because of acoustics, i.e. the way the sound reaches your ears.
Once it leaves the speakers, the sound travels through air, bounces off the walls, and finally ends up in your ear canal, before reaching its final destination – the eardrums. So, the further the sound is from you, the later it will reach your ears.
This will cause a sound delay which will make it really tricky for you to beatmatch by ear. However, if you have a booth monitor facing you, the sound you hear will be the same one that goes from the master output to the audience. In your case, it’s going to be called booth output.
Now, if you’re spinning in a small room with some 20 people, this will not be such a big deal, but not having monitors facing you at a festival is one of my biggest nightmares. So, let’s see what the market offers regarding these DJ essentials.
Top 9 DJ Booth Monitors
Best Overall: Gemini AS-15BLU
The Gemini AS-15BLU speakers are a real treat for the price. This model of booth monitors competes head-to-head with much more expensive speakers, and it often wins.
Gemini produced a speaker that could fit in your back-pack and delivers an excellent performance just like those twice its price. The design is a bit generic and looks kinda plasticky, but all that falls into the shadow of the accuracy and clarity it provides.
At the end of the day, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Luckily, Gemini AS-15BLU has a lot to offer in that department. To start with, it has a seriously solid AB Class amplifier that will ensure you get the clearest sound.
Having an AB Class amp is a big deal at just under $200! Most brands will sell you, booth monitors, for $500 or more with a Class D amp. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad class either, but if A were a number, it’d be number 1.
This one is a combination of A and B classes, using the advantages of both. This is the preferred amplifier model, because it’s super-efficient, and provides excellent booth output. The reason behind that is the clarity they provide thanks to the low crossover distortion.
With a 15” woofer the speakers guarantee a deep bass and good low-frequency transmission in general. The treble is not the best I’ve heard in the world, but those are kinda specific, wouldn’t you agree?
Another cool thing about them is the connectivity. You could connect them to any device you have, like a microphone, a DJ controller, or whatever your needs are. It’s ready for a power input of up to 1500 W, meaning that you can play seriously loud music as much as you want.
There is also a set of controls allowing you to mix your own music, in the sense that you can control the bass response and volume of the monitors.
Pros:
- Good bang for your buck;
- Compact, back-pack sized;
- AB Class amplifier;
- 15” subwoofer;
- Bluetooth connection;
- Cool control set;
Cons:
- Generic design;
- Suspicious build quality.
Runner-Up: DAS Audio Action M512A
The DAS Audio Action M512A stage monitor can serve perfectly in your DJ booth. It’s easily portable thanks to the two handles on the sides and the fact that it feels like carrying a big case of beer – 43 lbs. Not only is it compact, but it provides a great, clear sound too.
This is a 1000-watt speaker meaning it can receive a lot of power from the amplifier. It packs a ¼” titanium compression driver, which is the unit that generates the speakers’ sound. Using titanium for tweeters is great because it’s light and firm.
Since it’s a two-way monitor, it has a 12” subwoofer in charge with the low frequencies, or bass. The sound is crisp and sharp, as the booth monitor offers a frequency response from 60 Hz – 20 kHz. This is the standard range for such a DJ speaker.
On the back, there are three inputs. The first two include XLR connectors enabling you to connect a microphone or a stereo system if you like. The AUX input features a TRS connection for a third-party device, such as an MP3 player, DJ headphones, a DJ controller, and so on.
In addition to being flexible with connections, the DAS Audio Action M512A offers a clear LED interface, making it easier for you to navigate through the features. It has the capacity to cover a party of 250 people. For more than that, you might need a pair of these.
Pros:
- Portable;
- Clear sound;
- Titanium compression driver;
- 2-way monitor;
- LCD screen;
- Versatile connection options;
Cons:
- No Bluetooth;
- Might need a pair for bigger parties.
Best High-Powered: QSC K12-2
It’s only fair to start by saying why the callout High-Powered was attached to this monitor’s name. It has an input power of 2,000 W, meaning it can handle a big amplifier. Usually, even when you see 1,500 W on the product description, you know it’s a blast.
The loudness of the speakers depends on the input capacities, measured in watts in our case. With high-powered input, you get a super loud booth output, measured in dB (decibel).
Remember, for every increase of dB by 10, the sound is twice as loud. Sometimes, you might see a small difference in dB output, but that makes a lot of difference to your ears. Anyway, that’s what makes the QSC K12-2 booth monitors so competent on the market.
It has a Class D amplifier, which as I said before is not a bad thing. Amps are complicated and what one class lacks, the other one has, and vice versa. Class D is not the best option regarding sound clarity, but this is the most efficient design of all amps.
In case that’s not clear enough, the more efficient the amp design is, the less it will heat up. This will prolong its lifetime and decrease the risks of burning out. Another thing that will also keep it safe and durable is the thermoplastic rugged ABS enclosure, guaranteeing durable build quality.
The QSC K12 series is one of the most wanted models for festivals or concerts. They’re a bit pricey, but they offer a lot! To prove it, the company provides a six-year warranty upon registration.
Pros:
- Ultra high-powered (2000 W);
- Very efficient;
- High build quality (thermoplastic ABS enclosure);
- Good for huge parties or gigs;
- Six-year warranty;
Cons:
- A bit pricey;
- Robust design.
Most Efficient: Cerwin Vega P1000X
I’ve decided to lead the list with the famous Cerwin Vega P1000X speaker, which would fit perfectly in your DJ booth. The build quality is quite durable, comprising sturdy plastic and metal. After all, this company’s speakers are known to be very efficient.
It has a balanced weight of 37 lbs that will make sure to protect the speaker units from vibrations while keeping them easily portable. If you transport your DJ gear often, this 1000-watt DJ monitor would be a good choice for you.
From a more technical aspect, the P1000X speaker provides a clear sound, equally transmitting the low and high frequencies. It’s a two-way monitor, which means that it uses two separate driver types, a woofer and a tweeter, to deliver low and high frequencies respectively.
This DJ booth monitor is also bi-amplified, meaning that there is one amplifier for the lows (bass), and another one dealing with the middle and high frequencies.
Moreover, the Cerwin Vega P1000X packs a built-in DJ mixer with low pass and high pass filters, so you can cut any frequency you want using an On/Off button.
The frequency response is pretty solid, ranging from 61 Hz to 20 kHz. Now, the bass could be played at a frequency below our hearing capacities, which is 20 Hz. Even though the Cerwin Vega P1000X DJ booth speaker has its lower limit at 61 Hz, that’s decent for a booth speaker.
Pros:
- Very efficient;
- Firm and sturdy;
- Compact and easy to carry around;
- Clear sound;
- Built-in mixer;
- Good frequency response;
Cons:
- You’ll need an additional subwoofer for bigger venues;
- No Bluetooth connection.
The Best Splurge: JBL Pro SRX835
The JBL Pro SRX835 speaker is a great option for those that are okay with spending over $1,000 on one. If you’re organizing a festival or need speakers to surround a bigger area, consider the SRX835.
The first thing that separates JBL Pro SRX835 from the rest is the fact that it’s a three-way speaker, clearly transmitting low, mid, and high frequencies without any distortion. In other words, you’ll be able to generate sound from your woofer, tweeter, and mid ranges!
The design is massive, which gives you a sense of security. It includes ergonomic handles that will make it easier for you to move it around between your gigs. Due to its size, this speaker is a bit heavier than the rest at some 95 lbs, or if you like, two cases of beer.
Other than that, its system power rating is incredible, as the JBL Pro SRX835 speaker can receive up to 3,200 W of electricity at its peak. That’s at least twice as much as the competition.
High power input means louder output, which is measured in dB (decibel). The SRX835 has a sensitivity of 95 dB, which is the level held by pretty solid speakers. In case you were wondering how loud this speaker is – it’s really loud!
It packs a 15” woofer and offers a good frequency response, from 41 Hz – 20 kHz. This is higher than other speakers of the sort that usually have the lower-end set at 60 Hz.
The package comes with an assist speaker pole and tripod.
Pros:
- Durable;
- Very high-powered (3,200 W at peak);
- Ergonomic build;
- Good frequency response;
- Comes with a pole and tripod;
- Good connectivity;
- 15” woofer;
Cons:
- Pricey;
- A bit heavy.
Best Value-For-Money: Electro-Voice EXL115
The Electro-Voice EXL115 booth speaker is a great update from the famous EXL112. The brand is familiar to all of us and has a reliable reputation. Plus, this model in particular is being sold at a very reasonable price, precisely reflecting the features and specifications offered by the booth monitor.
It’s ready for a peak of 1,600 W, which is more than enough. Everything above 1,500 W belongs to the good kind. That amount of power will be enough for the EXL115 to bring up to 95 dB of booth output.
Unlike the 112s, the Electro-Voice EXL115 speakers include a 15” woofer that provides excellent transmission of bass, which is excellent for a larger room. A great thing about them is that they hadn’t lost the mids and highs, everything just plays in harmony.
At the same time, the manufacturer has used titanium for the compression driver, the unit that generates the sound in the speaker. Titanium is always a good choice for tweeters because it’s light and strong, and it puts up well with compression.
As for the frequency response, it could be better. It goes from 75 Hz to 18 kHz, while most of the competitors strive to go from at least 60 to 20,000 Hz. Not to confuse you, 1 kHz equals 1,000 Hz.
It weighs some 48 lbs but feels light when you carry it thanks to the ergonomic handles on the sides.
Pros:
- Good value-for-money;
- High-powered;
- Good sensitivity (95 dB);
- 15” woofer;
- Titanium compression driver;
Cons:
- Frequency response not impressive;
- A bit heavy.
Best All-In-One: Samson Expedition XP300
The Samson Expedition XP300 is a sound system that includes two 6” booth speakers and a 6-channel DJ mixer. It might not be the best option for a festival, but it would be great for a gig in a smaller space or in music production.
The items can be put together as a single unit, which allows you to transport them comfortably. Altogether, they weigh 24 lbs, and that’s a joke compared to other booth speakers. Moreover, it has a Bluetooth connection so the types of devices you can hook up is endless.
It’s a two-way sound system so the low and mid/high frequencies are managed by two separate units, the woofer and the tweeter. Neither are big in size, but they provide a pretty clear sound, with an emphasized bass response.
The two amplifiers can both produce 300 W for the two speakers. As I said, that might not be enough for festival gigs, but it’s quite good for music production and parties in smaller facilities.
I know a couple of music producers that have been using Samson for a while, and I’ve never heard them complain. The whole system costs around $400, a good deal considering all the items you get for the money.
Pros:
- Good value-for-money;
- Bluetooth connection;
- Lightweight;
- Two speakers, and a mixer;
Cons:
- Not much power;
- Only good for smaller parties.
Best High Audio Output: Avante Audio A15
The Avante Audio A15 DJ monitor is an excellent addition to your DJ setup. It offers great performance, high power, and amazing audio output. You could use it on any occasion, from small room parties to big concerts or gigs.
The amplifier could generate 1200W at its peak, and that will be enough for the Avante Audio A15 booth speaker to produce a maximum of 124 dB, which is pretty loud! The highest dB output on the list was 95 so far.
The cool thing about this monitor is the built-in Digital System Processing (DSP) LED screen, which is a mathematical operation that has the purpose to improve a signal of any sort, in this case, the audio signal. However, I’ve had the opportunity to launch this speaker and I was satisfied.
The build looks pretty firm and I like what’s on the inside as well. The speaker packs a 15” woofer to deliver defined bass, and a 2.5” voice coil. Now, the voice coil’s size matters, because the bigger it is, the more power it can handle.
This monitor has flexible inputs, two RCA entrances, and a ¼” XLR combo jack. The design is a bit robust but easy to carry around as it weighs only 42 lbs.
It comes at a reasonable price and my advice to you would be to at least give it a look.
Pros:
- High output (124 dB);
- Lightweight;
- Digital System Processing (DSP);
- 15” woofer;
- Good connectivity;
Cons:
- Robust design;
- No Bluetooth connection.
Best Traditional Speaker: RCF HD10-A-MK4
RCF has been a market player since 1949. We’ve all come across some of their products, whether we know it or not. Most clubs used to equip their facilities with RCF speakers, and there’s a good reason for that.
The RCF HD10-A-MK4 DJ booth monitor packs solid power, impressive audio output, and firm quality build.
It’s a two-way speaker, meaning it’s powered by two amps: one for the low frequencies, and one for the mids and highs. Combined, they produce 800 watts at their peak. With this amount of power, the speaker produces a maximum of 128 dB.
The inside consists of a 10” woofer, something I’m not impressed with. The sound coil, which handles the power amount, amounts to 2”, which is not great, but also not terrible.
It includes DSP (Digital System Processing), a mathematical manipulation to improve the sound signals. This will ensure that you have clear sound at high volume levels.
All in all, the speaker has a very professional old-school look and is a product that has been proven worthy many, many times before.
Pros:
- Solid power (800 W at peak);
- Good audio output (128 dB);
- Digital System Processing (DSP);
- Good frequency response (50 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Affordable;
Cons:
- Not impressive woofer size (10”);
- Outmoded design;
Best DJ Booth Monitors: Buyer’s Guide
The items listed above are my personal favorites, and I’ve chosen them based on many parameters, including price, durability, loudness, etc. However, there are some things that you should personally consider when purchasing DJ booth monitors.
Set Your Budget
As you’ve probably noticed, the speakers differ in price, and that’s almost always because of their differences. When you’re setting your budget, you have to think about your needs. Don’t go around spending money on something you don’t even want.
If you’re doing some small-time DJing right now, opt for something less grandiose, and maybe one day you’ll actually have the need to purchase something fancy like the JBL Pro SRX835. Until then, find monitors that will suit your DJ set and match your budget.
If you’re looking for something reliable that will guarantee you good sound for parties and doesn’t cost a fortune, I’d say you go with the Electro-Voice EXL115.
If you’re a producer, maybe check out the Samson Expedition XP300, and if you’re looking for a cheap but durable speaker, try the Gemini AS-15BLU.
Do Your Research
I say this to every potential buyer. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for turntables, DJ controllers, or speakers, you gotta know what you’re buying! Nonetheless, DJ booth monitors are the trickiest of them all.
Your main focus here is loudness and accuracy. To recognize a good monitor speaker, you have to know a bit more about sound and power output. You read a lot about decibels and sensitivity, but do you know what they are?
Sensitivity
The sensitivity rating is perhaps the most important feature that’s worth looking at. This feature will tell you how much sound volume you can get from a certain amount of power or electricity. Sensitivity is simple to understand once you understand the logic behind it.
If you place a sound pressure level (SPL) meter, exactly 3.2 feet away, which is the equivalent of 1 meter, you’ll be able to measure the sensitivity. Connect an amplifier that will feed it 1 watt, and see the results measured in dB: that’s the speaker’s sensitivity.
Everything below 84 dB shouldn’t be an option for you.
Other than sensitivity, which I think is the most important here, try to gather some information on frequency response, power levels. or at least learn which cables are used for what. Would you use an RCA cable to hook up a microphone? Think about it.
Best DJ Booth Speakers: Conclusion
I’m sure you have a lot of gigs to your name and there are plenty more to come. As you grow as an artist, your DJ equipment will start getting bigger and more complex. DJs rarely stick to one set of equipment, as they’re keeping up with new equipment all the time.
Your purchase should make you happy, so think twice before you settle for a pair of speakers. Choose something that will suit your needs, ears, and wallet. Don’t compromise because something’s out of stock, always make sure you’re getting what you want.
To reiterate:
The DAS Audio Action M512A is great if you want something durable that will cover a party of over 250 people.
The Avante Audio A15 is a good choice for those that would like to save some money, but still, make sure that they get a perfect sound.
Finally, if your pockets are heavier than usual, why don’t you give a look at the JBL Pro SRX835?
Best DJ Booth Monitors: FAQ
How Do I Connect My DJ Mixer To My Speakers?
Check out the connection on the sides or on the back of your device. Most DJ mixers can be connected to a speaker or studio monitor via a male RCA mini-jack to TRS cable. It’s the same connection you’d use for your DJ headphones or studio monitors.
What Speakers Do Concerts Use?
Concerts usually use loudspeakers, also known as stage monitors, which you can often see in bars, clubs, or other similar venues. They are usually placed on a pole and elevated above the ground.
