FRFR Speaker Vs. Studio Monitor [Quick Comparison]

When it comes to music production, studio monitors are an essential equipment for the recording studios. However, apart from studio monitors, FRFR speakers are becoming popular these days.

In this article, let me introduce you to FRFR speaker Vs. studio monitor so that you can evaluate, which one is best for you in your music production.

So, without wasting any more time, let us dive into the comparison.

First off,

What Actually is FRFR Speaker?

FRFR stands for “Full Range Flat Response” ie, these speakers operate between 0hz – 20khz, and nothing inside the spectrum will be up or down the line.

FRFR speakers are widely used as guitar amps where clarity matters. As FRFR speakers provide neutral output like a blank canvas, hence they are great for modeling amps. They emulate the tone accurately and give you the best amp emulation.

Apart from the regular guitar amps which play normally between 80hz – 5khz, FRFR speakers are Full range and flat response speakers that help you to produce clean and crispy output.

If you want a sound without adding coloration then you should go for FRFR speaker.

Is a Studio Monitor FRFR?

No, not all studio monitors are FRFR. However, some costly studio monitors provide full range flat response but every studio monitor has its tonal characteristics added which differ them from FRFR speakers.

Well, if studio monitors are not FRFR then why do you use them in the studios. Well, it depends on your choice.

If you really want a dry, colorless tone for your mix then you should opt for FRFR studio monitors which are way more costly than normal studio monitors.

But, most mid-range studio monitors have their own tonal color and characteristics that you have to memorize during your mix and when your ears get friendly with their tonal structure, you will start mixing correctly.

FRFR Speaker Vs. Studio Monitor: Which One is Best For Music Production?

Using an FRFR studio monitor or a normal studio monitor for music production totally depends on scenarios like the studio environment, your budget, and your ability to adopt the tonal structure of the speaker.

If you have a well-maintained and acoustically treated recording studio and you have a high budget then you may go for FRFR studio monitors which are actually used in the big studios.

But if you are a bedroom or apartment producer then you should go for a normal studio monitor which is actually good for your environment and adopts the acoustics around you.

Handling FRFR speakers in an uncontrolled environment is not easy as it adopt the color and tonal structure of the environment and provides you with the artificial tonal structure adopted from the outside. So I would not suggest you use FRFR speakers in a small and budget studio.

Instead, a budget studio monitor gives you far better results if operates well.

FRFR Speaker For Bedroom Producing

As I’ve told you above, FRFR speakers are Full Range Flat Response speakers, which actually do not have thier own tonal properties. They are like a blank canvas in which you can craft your own tonal structure.

So, if you use them in a bedroom studio where acoustic treatment is compromised, you will not get the proper output and your mix will get worse. I’ve used FRFR speakers in my small studio and am not satisfied with the results.

So, I am saying from my own experience that you will fail to mix better with FRFR speakers if you do not have good acoustic treatment in your studio.

Do Professional Music Studios Use FRFR Instead of Normal Studio Monitors?

Yes, professional recording studios use FRFR studio monitors instead of normal studio monitors.

These studios are highly acoustically treated and they operate in a controlled environment so FRFR speakers provide the Full Range Flat Response that they actually want to mix the projects.

That’s why they use FRFR speakers as a reference. However, they also have normal studio monitors that are used to finalize the mix.

Using a studio monitor for final mix is great as it provides you the response nearly what you are going to get outside in the market.

That’s why using a combination of FRFR speakers and studio monitors in the studio is a good practice.

Conclusion

So, above you’ve read the difference between FRFR speakers vs. studio monitors. As you’ve learned, FRFR speakers are generally used as modeling amps because they provide nearly Full Range Flat Response.

They are also used in professional recording studios as reference monitors.

On the other hand, normal studio monitors have their own tonal characteristics. Hence, they are good for small and bedroom studios where sound treatment is compromised.

Actually, if you use FRFR speakers there, because of the blank tonal structure they adopt the outside environment’s tonal structure that interrupts the mix. That’s why, normal studio monitors are best for small and bedroom studios.

Related,

• How to EQ Studio Monitors for the Perfect Mix
• What Are Active Speakers and What’s The Use