Of course, we have to point out that studio monitors can be less pleasant-sounding, and in some cases more fatiguing to the ears, than standard hi-fi speakers, where the tonal balance is designed to enhance music for the average listener. You might not love this warts and all approach, but this uncoloured picture of your mix means you can make informed choices about what might need changing, confident that what you’re hearing in your studio will translate to the methods of playback described above and beyond. Studio monitor speakers are essentially designed to reveal a true picture of the audio you're creating. Sound like you? Our expert guide to the best studio monitors is a great place to start. If this is a fair description of your experience to date, then it could be time to upgrade your studio monitoring setup.