Quick answer:
ATC P1 Pro Dual-Mono – a great choice if looking for a top-quality, straightforward, and minimalistic amplifier, if you can afford it.
Avantone Pro CLA-200 – if you’re looking for an easy-to-use and affordable amplifier that works with any passive studio monitors.
Samson Servo 120a – a great-sounding amplifier that is ideal for small studios spaces.
Speakers need a good quality amplifier to give an accurate sound representation, and sometimes it doesn’t hurt to invest a little more for something that is such a critical position, so we have went through a handful of amps, with varying sizes, budgets and functionality to find out which is the best amplifier for studio monitors.
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Table of Contents
- About Our Top Choices
- The Top 10 Best Amplifiers for Studio Monitors
- Amplifier for Studio Monitors Reviews
- The Buying Guide
About Our Top Choices
ATC P1 Pro Dual-Mono Power Amplifier
See price @ Sweetwater
ATC P1 Pro is a great choice for someone who is looking for a top-quality, straightforward, and minimalistic amplifier, which ensures that you get the best recordings possible.
Pros
- Straightforward
- Minimalistic
- Top-quality
Cons
- Not exactly budget friendly
Avantone Pro CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Avantone Pro CLA-200 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a good-sounding, easy-to-use, and affordable amplifier that works with all passive studio monitors.
Pros
- Good-sounding
- Affordable
- Easy to use
Cons
- At minimum volume knob positions, two speakers sound differently
Samson Servo 120a Power Amplifier
See price @ Sweetwater
The Servo 120a is a great choice for someone who is looking for a powerful and great-sounding amplifier that is ideal for compact studios.
Pros
- Powerful
- Favored by users
Cons
- Sounds a bit brittle over 12 kHz
Top 10 Best Amplifiers for Studio Monitors
- ATC P1 Pro Dual-Mono Power Amplifier
- Avantone Pro CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier
- Samson Servo 120a Power Amplifier
- ART SLA-1 100-watt Power Amplifier
- Samson Servo 200 Power Amplifier
- Behringer A800 800W 2-channel Power Amplifier
- Behringer Europower EPQ304 Power Amplifier
- Auratone A2-30 Studio Reference Amplifier
- Samson Servo 300 Power Amplifier
- Stewart Audio PA 50B 50W Studio Power Amplifier
Best Amplifier for Studio Monitors Reviews
ATC P1 Pro Dual-Mono Power Amplifier
Pros
- Straightforward
- Minimalistic
- Top-quality
Cons
- Not exactly budget friendly
See price @ Sweetwater
The ATC P1 Pro is considered to be the top of the line by many in the industry. This amp is of the highest quality possible, but keep in mind, it is expensive. Nevertheless, it assures that you get the maximum monitoring accuracy, which helps you greatly with producing better recordings.
Best features and specs
The ATC P1 Pro has high quality, 150W per channel into 8 ohms, loudspeaker protection and gain-reduction circuitry, and ATC’s 6-year limited warranty.
User impressions
Those that have bought and reviewed this item find it to be the perfect match with the ATC passive monitors. It’s also noted for being well-built and having a low noise and cleaner sound.
What we think
We don’t disagree with those that bought it, this thing is a great piece of equipment that is guaranteed to output a very accurate and clean sound, and it is well-built with a futuristic look that we also like.
Bottomline
ATC P1 Pro is a great choice for someone who is looking for a top-quality, straightforward, and minimalistic amplifier, which ensures that you get the best recordings possible. Note that this unit is rather pricey.
Avantone Pro CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier
Pros
- Good-sounding
- Affordable
- Easy to use
Cons
- At minimum volume knob positions, two speakers sound differently
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Avantone Pro CLA-200 has a very distinctive look and vibe for a vintage amplifier. Also, this amp offers you a good balance between pro audio quality and affordability.
Best features and specs
This also has 20Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, 300W into 4 ohms, 200W into 8 ohms, 500W into 8 ohms in bridged mono mode, and a convection-cooling system.
User impressions
Users like Avantone Pro CLA-200 because of its clarity, warmer sound, sturdy build, and classy look.
What we think
We like that Avantone Pro CLA-200 gives a certain vintage vibe, and it looks fantastic.
Bottomline
Avantone Pro CLA-200 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a good-sounding, easy-to-use, and affordable amplifier that works with all passive studio monitors.
Samson Servo 120a Power Amplifier
Pros
- Powerful
- Favored by users
Cons
- Sounds a bit brittle over 12 kHz
See price @ Sweetwater
If you’re a beginner music producer or operate out of a small studio, Samson Servo 120a might be your cup of tea. This amp is a budget option, which is accompanied by high positive user feedback.
Best features and specs
The Servo 120a has 60W into 4 ohms, 120W into 8 ohms in bridged mono mode, 1/4″ balanced phone jack, and RCA inputs.
User impressions
Those that use it like the fact that the Servo 120a provides lots of power without adding hum, giving a great quality sound for the price.
What we think
In addition to what the reviews praise, that the Servo 120a features a headphone jack and 3-colored LED meters can be extremely convenient.
Bottomline
The Servo 120a is a great choice for someone who is looking for a powerful and great-sounding amplifier that is great to use at compact studios. Note that it sounds rather brittle from 12 kHz and up.
ART SLA-1 100-watt Power Amplifier
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Good-sounding
Cons
- Only banana speaker outputs
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
If you’re working from the studio or traveling from gig to gig and looking for a powerful amp, the ART SLA-1 can be very convenient. The amp is very compact, while at the same time it packs a punch. It’s also specifically designed to offer you high quality sound with ultra-low noise and distortion.
Best features and specs
The ART SLA-1 offers 10 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, 100W into 8 ohms, XLR and 1/4″ inputs, a cooling system with SmartFan, and all-steel chassis.
User impressions
Users like the ART SLA-1 because it’s a single rack unit that does its job on the top level. Many praise it for being well-built, powerful, and sounding superb.
What we think
Even though it’s a compact piece of audio gear, it can hold its own with the big and heavy duty ones. So we definitely like that. You get convenience and save space either in the studio or when you’re packing it away.
Bottomline
ART SLA-1 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a really great-sounding, easy-to-use, and affordable amplifier that is great for traveling music producers. Note that it has only banana speaker outputs.
Samson Servo 200 Power Amplifier
Pros
- Great-sounding
- Well-built
- Affordable
Cons
- Generates a lot of fan noise
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Samson Servo 200 is a great choice if you’re looking for something that’s affordable and built like a tank, that will provide you with a transparent, clean, and powerful sound.
Best features and specs
The Servo 200 is capable of pushing 100W into 4 ohms in stereo, 200W into 8 ohms in bridged mono mode, 20Hz to 50kHz frequency response, balanced 1/4″ inputs, 1/4″ and binding post outputs.
User impressions
Most users in their buyer reviews agree that the Servo 200 is perfect to use for small and medium venues that are usually bright, live, and a bit noisy.
What we think
We like that the Servo 200 offers a unique bipolar output stage that is perfect for enhanced audio performance.
Bottomline
Samson Servo 200 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a great-sounding, sturdy, and affordable amp that is great to bring along to small to medium lively venues. Note that fan noise is rather distracting.
Behringer A800 800W 2-channel Power Amplifier
Pros
- Affordable
- Transparent sound
- Versatile
Cons
- Chassis construction is rather brittle
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
If you’re running with passive studio monitors and looking for a suitable yet affordable amp, take a look at the Behringer A800. This amp gives sound transparency and clarity, and its size makes it ideal for home-based studios.
Best features and specs
Behringer A800 offers 2 x 400W into 4 ohms, 800W into 8 ohms in bridged mono operation, top convection cooling technology, SmartSense loudspeaker impedance, LED metering, XLR, 1/4″ TRS, and RCA input connectors.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Behringer A800 because it’s lightweight, powerful, and a great-sounding amp that doesn’t produce any extra noise.
What we think
We like that Behringer A800 gives a linear frequency response at any speaker load impedance giving you mighty and dynamic bass with the addition of ultra-smooth highs.
Bottomline
Behringer A800 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a versatile, affordable amp that produces transparent sound and matches almost all passive studio monitors. Note that chassis may not have a very long life.
Behringer Europower EPQ304 Power Amplifier
Pros
- Affordable
- Stylish
- Compact
Cons
- Fans are way too loud
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
If you’re a sound engineer who works at small venues, including churches, and looking for a stylish, lightweight amplifier, Behringer Europower EPQ304 is one amp for you to look into. This multi-channel amp is capable of producing great sound, and it’s affordable too.
Best features and specs
Behringer Europower EPQ304 pushes 40W into 8ohms, 65W into 4 ohms, 130W into 8 ohms in bridged mono operation, ATR technology for clarity and punch, built-in limiters, XLR, and 1/4″ TRS input connectors.
User impressions
Users like the Behringer Europower EPQ304 because it’s a very powerful amp that produces crisp and clean sound.
What we think
What we like most about the Behringer Europower EPQ304 is that it has a very stylish and a bit futuristic look that makes it noticeable at every studio.
Bottomline
Behringer Europower EPQ304 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very compact, good-looking, and affordable amplifier that will get you a clean and crisp sound. Note that fans might run way too loud.
Auratone A2-30 Studio Reference Amplifier
Pros
- Minimalistic
- Lightweight
- Well-built
Cons
- Power switch is hard to reach
See price @ Sweetwater
If you’re a happy owner of the Auratone 5C Super Sound Cubes and have been looking for an amp to match, look no further than Auratone A2-30.
Best features and specs
Auratone A2-30 offers you a top-quality amplifier that runs 30W per channel into 8 ohms in stereo, has a power switch, status LED, XLR input connectors, and gold-plated 5-way binding posts, IEC main connector, and rack ears.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Auratone A2-30 because it really makes a difference to the sounding of the Auratone speakers. Also, users praise that this amp is very compact and fits perfectly on the desk.
What we think
What we like the most about Auratone A2-30 is that it comes from a very respected manufacturer that is known for producing top-quality equipment.
Bottomline
Auratone A2-30 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a minimalistic, lightweight, and well-built amplifier that will accompany all Auratone speakers in the best way possible. Note that it’s rather hard to reach the power button.
Samson Servo 300 Power Amplifier
Pros
- Affordable
- Well-built
- Great-sounding
Cons
- Rather oversimplified front panel
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
If you’re looking for a compact, well-built, and powerful amplifier, Samson Servo 300 might be your choice. This amp is perfect for being used in small venues to medium ones and providing crisp and clean sound.
Best features and specs
Samson Servo 300 offers a rackmount mono/stereo amplifier that runs 150W per channel and 4 ohms in stereo mode and 300W and 8 ohms in bridged mono mode. It has a very wide frequency response of 20 Hz to 50 kHz, has balanced 1/4″ inputs and RCA connectors, and 1/4″ and binding post outputs.
User impressions
Users like the Samson Servo 300 for being well-built, quiet, very responsive, and clean-sounding amplifier. Many also find it particularly convenient that the LED segments signal when you reach out of the safe zone.
What we think
Even though it’s small, and seems quite simple, this little gear has a lot under its hood. We’re talking power and features in a compact size, and we personally find that impressive.
Bottomline
Samson Servo 300 is a great choice for someone who is looking for an affordable, great-sounding, and well-built power amplifier that gives you a clean and crisp sound. However, you might be left unimpressed by its front panel.
Stewart Audio PA 50B 50W Studio Power Amplifier
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to use
Cons
- Runs a bit warmer than it should
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
If you’re looking for a powerful and compact amplifier, Stewart Audio PA 50B is here for you. This amp is a perfect match for passive studio monitors or low-powered speakers, and it ensures that you get great-sounding audio.
Best features and specs
Stewart Audio PA 50B offers you a half-racked unit that is reliable, proving to be a good workhorse for its owner one day, ensuring you’re given great-sounding audio. It has 25W per channel at 8 ohms and 50W per channel at 4 ohms.
User impressions
Users like the Audio PA 50B because of the sound quality, the small amount of space it takes up, as well as being easy to use.
What we think
What we like the most about the Audio PA 50B is that it doesn’t use fans to keep it cool, which means that there is no extra sound and humming which might get in the way of working on your recordings.
Bottomline
Stewart Audio PA 50B is a great choice for someone who is looking for a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use amplifier that works to its absolute best as a companion to passive studio monitors. The only downside is that it might run warmer than you might prefer.
Amplifiers for Studio Monitors Buying Guide
What is an amplifier for studio monitors?
An amplifier for studio monitors is a device that increases and amplifies the tonal quality of the studio monitors.
Why would you need an amplifier for studio monitors?
Studio monitors are responsible for delivering you the proper-sounding mix, but if the monitors do not give you the right sound that they should, you need to enhance them with the help of an amplifier.
Important features
When choosing the best studio monitor amp, you should pay attention to power, size, frequency response, and design.
Power
It’s a good idea to choose an amplifier that delivers power that is equal to twice the speaker’s program power rating.
Size
If you’re a home-based or constantly gigging music producer, most likely than not, you need a compact and lightweight amplifier rather than a bit bulky one that weighs over 30 lbs.
Frequency response
It’s pretty understandable that you need to choose an amplifier that has the widest frequency response. Otherwise, you won’t have any idea what is happening at the low-end or highs.
Design
In terms of design, you should choose an amplifier that matches your preferences and the look of the other gear in your studio. Ideally, it should have a pretty straightforward front panel with all necessary knobs that are easily reachable.
How to choose the right one for you?
When you are choosing the best amplifier for studio monitors, you should keep in mind that it should be powerful enough and be compatible with your monitors. If you plan to keep this amp on the table, then it’s irrelevant how much it weighs. But if you’re hitting the road once in a while, you should check lightweight versions. Be vigilant regarding frequency response, you surely don’t want to miss out on certain parts of the mix. Lastly, an amplifier should be a valuable addition not only by its technical settings but in accordance with its design.
