Immersive audio is making waves in the music and entertainment world, giving listeners a truer-to-life spatial audio experience. Platforms like Dolby Atmos, Sony 360RA, Apple Spatial Audio and Amazon Music have transformed the landscape of soundscape—making surround, spatial and immersive mixes essential for modern producers and engineers.
Table of Contents
What Is Immersive Audio?
Comparing the Best Studio Monitors for Immersive Audio
The 5 Best Studio Monitors for Immersive Audio
What to Know When Working in Immersive Audio
What Is Immersive Audio?
Immersive audio is the logical evolution from stereo and surround sound. While stereo and surround sound playback typically requires speakers in a horizontal position to a listener's ears, immersive audio adds sound in a vertical dimension above the listener. For example, in a Dolby 5.1 surround system, you’ll find five ear-level speakers and one LFE (low-frequency emitter), or subwoofer. In the minimum immersive audio Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 configuration, you’ll find five ear-level speakers, an LFE and two overhead speakers.
Pictured: Grace Design M908 Immersive/Atmos Monitor Controller
As engineers and producers, this means the tools we choose matter more than ever—especially monitors. As a result, working with immersive audio demands exceptional accuracy, depth and imaging. Immersive audio is about creating sonic spaces listeners can live inside. So, whether you’re mixing major label Atmos releases, indie ambisonic projects or spatial audio content for streaming, the right set of studio monitors will benefit your workflow and, ultimately, the listeners’ experience.
Comparing the Best Studio Monitors for Immersive Audio
|
Model |
Frequency Range, at –3dB |
Max SPL, at 1m |
Driver Sizes |
Wattage |
Price* |
|
40Hz–45kHz |
105dB |
7" woofer, X-ART tweeter |
300W |
$899.99 |
|
|
40Hz–40kHz |
110dB |
6.5" woofer, 1" tweeter |
130W |
$1,499.00 |
|
|
54Hz–20kHz |
110dB |
5.125" woofer, 0.75" tweeter |
60W |
$795.00 |
|
|
36Hz–32kHz |
97dB |
Two 3.5" woofers, 1" tweeter |
120W |
$399.99 |
|
|
39Hz–21kHz |
118dB |
6.5" woofer, 1" tweeter |
245W |
$1,750.00 |
Pricing as of June 2025*
The 5 Best Studio Monitors for Immersive Audio
Pictured: Neumann KH 150 Powered Studio Monitor
ADAM Audio A7V 7" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor
Why It’s Great for Immersive Audio: It blends surgical accuracy with extended frequency range, delivering precise spatial placement and outstanding imaging.
Things to Consider:
- Extended frequency range supports detailed spatial placement
- Advanced DSP allows custom room tuning
- Excellent stereo imaging and clarity
Shop Now: ADAM Audio A7V 7" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor
The ADAM Audio A7V is for engineers wanting exceptional clarity and definition, which are especially crucial for immersive audio mixes. With a wide frequency response, transparent highs from its signature X-ART ribbon tweeter—handmade in Berlin—and detailed low-end reproduction, this monitor gives you that sought-after pinpoint accuracy. The built-in DSP and adjustable settings let you adapt to your unique studio space, making the A7V a wise choice for mixing surround or immersive content.
Focal Solo6 6.5" Powered Studio Monitor
Why It’s Great for Immersive Audio: Detailed imaging and unmatched clarity give you precise control over every element in your immersive mix, even at high volumes.
Things to Consider:
- High SPL ideal for critical mixing scenarios
- Remarkable midrange clarity and smooth highs
- A smart option for immersive audio or traditional stereo mixing
Shop Now: Focal Solo6 6.5" Powered Studio Monitor
Built in France, Focal’s Solo6 monitors yield plenty of transparency and dynamic headroom. With spot-on imaging and high-output potential, these monitors easily handle complex mixes, ensuring your placements of audio elements translate accurately to other systems. Their clarity makes mixing intuitive, whether it’s spatial vocals, environmental sounds or layered instrumental passages.
Genelec 8030C 5" Powered Studio Monitor
Why It’s Great for Immersive Audio: This Finnish-made studio staple provides transparency and accurate imaging, which help your immersive audio translations hit the mark every time.
Things to Consider:
- Compact size great for smaller immersive setups
- Neutral sound ensures mixes translate across systems
- Built-in Iso-Pod stands enhance acoustic accuracy
Shop Now: Genelec 8030C 5" Powered Studio Monitor
Genelec monitors are industry standards, and the 8030C continues this legacy for both conventional stereo music mixing and immersive audio projects alike. Its neutral, balanced sound reproduction makes fine-tuning detailed spatial mixes a sensory-rich walk in the park. Compact as they are, they’re powerful enough to handle demanding surround mixing scenarios, offering clarity and precision to every subtle detail.
IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII Powered Studio Monitor
Why It’s Great for Immersive Audio: Affordable, compact and perfectly tuned for detailed, accurate placement, iLoud is a compelling entryway into the world of immersive audio.
Things to Consider:
- Compact, lightweight design fits immersive setups easily
- Precise stereo imaging and clarity
- Wallet friendly for complete immersive audio setups
Shop Now: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII Powered Studio Monitor
Looking to build out your studio on a budget? The IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII provides precise, transparent monitoring in a uniquely compact and affordable format. For smaller spaces, multi-speaker immersive setups or producers building entry-level Dolby Atmos studios, these monitors deliver impressive performance, capturing even the subtlest details accurately.
Neumann KH 150 6.5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor
Why It’s Great for Immersive Audio: Its ultraprecise, expansive soundstage provides unmatched clarity and imaging—perfect for higher-end studio setups.
Things to Consider:
- Exceptionally wide dynamic range and frequency response
- Impressive transparency and sonic accuracy
- High-SPL capability, especially for its size
Shop Now:Neumann KH 150 6.5" 2-Way Powered Studio Monitor
Neumann is synonymous with high-end studio gear, and the KH 150 is one of many examples why. Offering immaculate sonic transparency and accurate imaging, these monitors are perfect for Dolby Atmos or ambisonics mixes, ensuring every sonic element sits precisely where intended. The KH 150’s detail, power and reliable translation make them a bona fide professional standard for immersive audio workflows.
What to Know When Working in Immersive Audio
Mixing immersive audio introduces unique considerations compared to traditional stereo or surround sound. Immersive audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and ambisonics, add height and depth dimensions, creating an enveloping sonic environment. Instead of simply placing instruments left or right, immersive audio allows placement above, below and around the listener, enhancing spatial realism and depth.