Introduction
Studio monitors are supposed to be neutral and accurate. Hifi speakers are supposed to sound enjoyable and musical. As a result, they often sound very different. But why?
I believe that’s not just unnecessary—it’s wrong. Let’s dig into why this divide exists, and why I think it’s time to move past it.
Two different goals resulting in different sound?
In the studio, monitors are tools. They’re designed to be analytical, to highlight flaws in a mix so they can be corrected. As a result many of them also become harsh, bright, and frankly fatiguing. But is that really accurate?
Meanwhile in hifi, the goal is enjoyment. A hifi speaker is meant to sound good. But to get there, many speakers are deliberately voiced with lifted highs, bloated bass, or scooped mids. Impressive in a demo - but this tonal coloring means you hear the speaker signature on every single track, instead of the identity of the track itself.
And in both worlds you can find speakers with an uneven and inaccurate frequency response. Not because of a tuning philosophy, but simply because of poor engineering.
So, you can choose a “neutral” studio monitor that wears you out, or a “musical” hifi speaker that distorts the truth.
Neither is right for the studio engineer. Neither is right for the music enthusiast. Let's introduce something different.
What does accurate really mean?
Real instruments aren't harsh or clinical. They're full, textured, dynamic. They sound enjoyable even when recorded raw (with the possible exception of bag pipes).
So let's kill that myth once and for all: True accuracy isn't sterile.
Whether in the studio or your living room, a loudspeaker should tell the truth—and sound natural doing it. And when it does that, it's also enjoyable to listen to. For hours.
To achieve that you need:
- A smooth, downward-sloping frequency response at the listening position. Yes, even in the studio.
- Directivity that works with the room instead of against it.
- Low distortion even at high SPL so that vocals and instruments always sound clean.
- Great quality components so you don't have to force the speaker to behave with intrusive and destructive filters.
When a speaker gets these fundamentals right, the result is rare:
A system that sounds clean, dynamic, and natural—not cold.
High resolution and detail —without becoming tiring.
A system that’s honest and accurate —but still enjoyable, even on imperfect recordings.
That's what Sigberg Audio systems are built to do.
You don't have to choose between accurate and enjoyable
This is where we part ways with convention. You don't have to choose between accurate and enjoyable. If this resonates with you, maybe it’s time to hear what both can sound like—together.
Sigberg Audio systems are trusted by recording engineers and music lovers.
They reveal flaws in a mix—but still lets you work all day without fatigue. They sound incredible with your guilty pleasures and favorite records, even when the volume is turned up to eleven.
Time for something different
Have you purchased modern studio monitors that left you with clinical fatigue, only to be told "that's just what accuracy sounds like"? You're being misled.
Do you own expensive speakers that color everything you play and fall apart as soon as you turn up the volume? That distortion isn't your ears or room being overpowered, it's the sound of speakers that can't keep up.
Curious? Let's talk!
If you're intrigued—or maybe even a bit skeptical—that’s a good thing!
Feel free to reach out in the form at the bottom of this page if you have questions, or explore our product pages for more information.
