Mackie is known for making line audio gear at wallet-busting prices. So when they make a monitor under $150.00 a piece, it's time to take notice.
The MR5 has balanced (XLR, ¼ inch), and unbalanced (RCA, ¼ inch) inputs. The woofer is 5.25 inch powered at 55 watts and a one inch tweeter powered at 30 watts. Tuned to work with other Mackie MR units, it was listed as Electronic Musician's Editor's Choice for 2009.
Known primarily for audio interfaces and pro sound cards, M-Audio has also released a line of studio monitors for the budget-conscious studio owner. Each has a 3/4-inch ferro fluid domed tweeter with a four inch polypropylene coated woofer. It also offers a 20-watt-per-channel internal amplifier and is ideal for traveling or gigging musicians and songwriters.
KRK are known for making great monitors at affordable prices. The Rokit designations are identical except in the woofer size which is what the number reflects. The 6 has a limited-edition bright, polished red speaker housing. Each has a curved front plate design that eliminates almost all diffraction distortion. The woofer is 50 watts while the tweeter is 18 watts.
Behringer makes various kinds of audio equipment for the budget-conscious musician. The B2030Ps are passive monitors, unlike the others listed which are all powered. They can handle 100 watts of power. The woofer is 6 3/4 inches and is equipped with a polypropylene diaphragm and resistant aluminum chassis, all encased in a low vibration E1 MDF cabinet.