Mixing it up: The best DJ speakers of 2024

Pioneer has been one of the best speaker brands for DJing for decades. Great value and even greater sound – the quality of the Pioneer DJ DM-40Ds is obvious.

Detailed, punchy and loud, these speakers rock the room (without any misleading post-processing). With a classic design, this simple yet eye-catching pair look terrific next to a proper DJ deck.

Demanding DJs will find the DM-40D's sound to be good, but not quite as sharp as an ultra-high-priced monitor you'd find in a professional studio. However, for its price the sound is clear, precise and sophisticated, allowing DJs to truly explore without the limitations of so-so speaker systems.

For those seeking accurate audio reproduction on a budget, we think the M-Audio BX3 3.5-inch studio monitors are an excellent choice. Each monitor features a 3.5-inch Kevlar low-frequency driver paired with a 1-inch natural silk dome tweeter. Together, they deliver balanced and well-defined sound. This powered active speaker setup is ideal for DJs and music producers who value clear and unadulterated audio. The BX3s also sport good connectivity options, including both TRS and RCA inputs.

As budget speakers, the M-Audio BX3 monitors are surprisingly good for such a compact design, making them ideal for smaller setups without compromising audio quality. Bass response is enhanced too, thanks to the rear-ports. Thankfully, there are high and low-frequency EQ controls as well, so you can tune these to suit your needs. That said, some users might find the low-end performance more restrained compared to larger bass-heavy non-monitor hi-fi speakers. But, that's normal for studio monitors as they're aimed at providing a true sound representation.

With a frequency response of 80Hz to 22kHz, the BX3s can handle all types of work, from mixing and audio processing tasks to budding DJs getting their skills up to scratch and all kinds of media production. Despite their price tag, these speakers deliver a excellent stereo imaging and accuracy, perfect for getting your mixes bang-on.

The PreSonus Eris 3.5-inch studio monitors are among the best on the market. This pair of 25-watt 4.5-inch monitors brim with balance and precision – audio is crisp, clear and unobscured by post-processing, an essential for DJs making their masterpiece dance tracks.

Simply connect the Presonus Eris speakers to your excellent DJ deck using an AUX-in, RCA, or standard speaker terminal cable and unleash your passion. Small yet mighty, the PreSonus Eris speakers are perfect for compact setups without skimping on great sound. This dual-speaker setup quickly creates a wonderful soundstage that's perfect for figuring out that essential bass-drop moment.

Speaking of, the PreSonus Eris 4.5BT Gen 2 studio monitors do have a restrained bass – but this is to be expected from smaller studio monitor speakers. Studio monitors, by design, are built to give you the truest sound possible without lots of internal audio processing. So, for normal listening, those who aren't used to that true sound might be disappointed, but it's perfect for a DJ. We also really appreciate the addition of Bluetooth connectivity which adds lots of flexibility.

So, you've put in the legwork and you've created your decade-defining smash hit mix that'll reverberate through clubs till the early hours of the morning for years to come. So what now?

While monitor speakers certainly are essential for editing and experimenting with your sound you'll need something with a little more heft for a true club. Enter, JBL's IRX108BT.

This compact, yet devastatingly loud active speaker erupts with enormous sound at 1300 watts of power and a frequency response of 54Hz to 20kHz. As for the quality of its sound, JBL's IRX108BT is masterfully designed and manufactured, overflowing with depth and intricacy that'll have your crowd on cloud nine.

Far from a budget Bluetooth speaker, yet affordable in comparison to other PA systems on the market, the IRX108BT is the perfect foot-in-the-door speaker for budding DJs.

For the aspiring DJ on a tight budget who still wants to cause heads to bang and feet to move the Alto Professional TX308 could be the way to go.

This sizeable active PA system is equipped with a titanic 8-inch subwoofer and a 2-way 350-watt power amplifier to boot, so as far as bass is concerned you've got plenty of it.

Built to deal with the to and fro of transport, and night after night of use – the Alto Professional TX308 is nothing if not durable. As for its sound, much like the TX308's build quality, it's very robust.

The low, hair-raising rumble of a great party speaker is a wonderful thing, and this PA speaker certainly has some give. Highs and mid-tones are nice but not perfect, with some loss of clarity at higher volumes. A fact which is unlikely to be noted by most listeners in a loud, rowdy room.

Delivering excellent quality for decades, KRK is one of the greatest speaker brands out there. Popular amongst audiophiles, music producers and DJs around the world, KRK is known for huge performance, pristine clarity and plenty of value.

Loaded with 25 EQ presets for the perfect sound, an incredible 42-Hz - 40,000kHz frequency response range and a whopping 145 watts of output power – the sound on the Rokit RP7 is wonderful.

With true precision and some optionality to tweak the sound, there's a great amount of freedom with the Rokit RP7 G4 that you aren't going to get with standard speakers.

As it's only a single monitor speaker, however, you don't get the same soundstage feel that you might get with two channels, but there's always the option to buy two units and get the full effect.

You'll find that with the KRK RP7 G4's great sound, you could easily use it with a whole range of technology, making it a fantastic PC speaker too, for example.

Yet another excellent JBL speaker – the 1 Series 104 is phenomenal for DJs on the go, looking to work freely without lugging behemoth monitors from place to place.

Simple, well-made, and high quality – JBL's 1 Series 104 offers some incredibly nice sound for its price, valuing clarity above all other specifications.

To use, either plug directly into your DJ deck or connect via Bluetooth and begin mixing in moments. Sadly, the compact size of the Series 104 holds back the sheer volume of the monitor itself, so you're not quite getting the versatility of other monitors on the list here, but if you're in need of something a little cheaper and quieter – with some seriously beautiful sound – there's no doubt you'll adore these great monitors.

There aren't too many monitor speakers that are suitable for regular listening, thanks to the necessarily flat sound profile they deliver. But, these Sanyun SW206 80W Active Dual-Mode Bookshelf Speakers stand out for two reasons. Firstly, they're both active and passive, making them versatile for different audio setups. So, if you're looking for balanced and precise sound for your mixing and more, these can connect to external amps as well as perform as a standalone unit.

But, it's the Sanyun SW206's ability to seamlessly switch to hi-fi mode that really caught our eye. That means that, unlike most monitor speakers, you can use these for casual music listening where more bass and a tuned sound profile are needed. Connecting is simple too, thanks to multiple input options from Bluetooth to RCA, and an AUX-in.

We particularly like the design on offer here, as it's unusual to see a light colour scheme and refined edges in monitor speakers. The SW206 has a sleek, Apple-esque look that will look amazing on your desktop. Thanks to their 80W of output, you'll enjoy a more powerful sound than many similarly sized speakers. Frequency response is impressive too, delivering subtleties in both the high and low range.

As with most smaller speakers, don't expect the sort of deeper, more pronounced bass of larger speakers with sizable woofers. That said, given its flexible listening modes and combination of active and passive powering, we find the Sanyun SW206 speakers offer brilliant build quality and sound performance at a sensible price.

If you're looking for exceptional clarity and accuracy for your DJ mixing and audio mastering, the ADAM T5V Audio Studio Monitor comes paired with the Adam Hall PAD ECO 1 Monitor Isolation Pad. Looking at the speaker first, its sleek black cabinet delivers a richer bass than most, thanks to the rear-firing bass reflex port and 5-inch woofer.

You won't be stuck for connectivity options in your DJ setup either, as this monitor offers balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA, and standard speaker terminal connections too. As an active speaker, the integrated amplifier means you can connect this to a deck or laptop without worrying about needing an external amplifier.

We think that this monitor excels with its impressive frequency response from 45 Hz - 25 kHz, delivering resonant lows and crisp highs. Fine-tuning your mixes will be better than ever. That performance is further reinforced thanks to the inclusion of the Adam Hall PAD ECO 1 Monitor Isolation Pad. If you like to crank up your set you might be used to losing some sound quality when vibrations reverberate the speakers. But, this pad isolates the monitor from the surface to ensure cleaner performance.

However, unlike other speakers on this list, if you're planning on DJing you'll need a stereo pair. These are only sold as a single unit, so factor that in to your budget. But, we think the sheer quality on offer here, plus the inclusion of the sound isolation pad, makes it worth every penny.

Sometimes a DJ needs more power and a larger setup for their sessions. That's where the Vocal-Star PA Speaker System comes in. Not only does it come with speaker stands to keep those cones isolated and out of harm's way, it also has a microphone and a cable included. That means this can be used as a standard PA system when needed, as well as to blast out those expert mixes. And it really will blow the room away, thanks to the massive 1000-watt power output. Your live DJ performance will be one to remember.

And, considering that these do indeed come with stands, we're relieved to see that the speakers themselves are practical and robust. Unusually for a stand-based speaker set, this one is active – so you won't need to worry about lugging more gear around to give these the power they need. Sound quality is excellent too, as the Vocal-Star system has a wide frequency response from 45-20Khz. Plus, as you'd expect from speakers this size, the bass is powerful but still works well with other frequencies, making for a well-rounded sound that's mix-friendly.

Connectivity-wise, you have multiple inputs to choose from, making hooking these up to your deck or other equipment a breeze. The additional microphone is the perfect accessory for adding live vocals or set announcements too.

All that said, we do wish the system had better equalisation controls. As it comes, it's a little simplified for those DJs who like to tune their sound more finely. So, if that's you, consider adding an external mixer. But, EQ aside, we think the Vocal-Star PA Speaker System offers a one-stop-shop for DJs looking for more power, plus extras like stands for their set.