When shopping for a pair of studio monitors, you look for speakers that are detailed, clear, and flat. The new incarnation of Truth monitors from Behringer are just that. Whether you’ve used Behringer speakers in the past and are curious as to how the new versions stack up, or are simply in the market for a pair of good monitors, do yourself a favor and watch my review below.
Better Sound, Sleeker Look
Behringer is really stepping up their game with these speakers and I have already gotten great results mixing a recent album on them. Are they right for you? Here is my quick glimpse of pros and cons and then watch the video for the full report.
Pros
- Balanced and flat sound. No over hyped high end or low end.
- Flexible connectivity. Balanced XLR, TRS as well as unbalanced TS and RCA connections.
- Customizable sound based on placement of speakers in your room.
- Sleek new look. Love the yellow cones!
- Priced right. Hard to beat $300 a pair for this size speaker.
Cons
- Bigger/heavier than other speakers in this category.
- Yellow might just not go well with your decor!
Do Not Create Another Song Until You Read This Guide
(Price: $17 Free Today)
Discover the 6 Steps for Creating a Radio-Worthy Song From Scratch
My name is Graham Cochrane and I'm the founder of The Recording Revolution, one of the world's most loved audio recording and mixing blogs with over 200,000 readers each month. 
Great review, Graham! You had the Alesis M1 Actives before, right? That’s what I use. Tell me the differences you’ve noticed between the Alesises (what?) and the Behringers.
You’re right Toby! They are both great speakers and are pretty similar. In my few weeks of using the Behringers, I might say that I’m getting my bass sound faster and more accurately. But it’s subtle.
Hi Graham,
Do you use the 5″ driver models as your primary monitors? I have always been told that 5″ drivers just don’t put out enough bass to give you an honest depiction of your mix, and that you’d need to add a subwoofer to use them as your main mixing speakers.
I would love for this axiom to be false, because it could save me some money, or bring some speakers into my price range that were too expensive as a 6.5 or 8″ model. I am completely open to the idea that this is another myth of recording that has been made fact by gearslutz.com.
So what do you think? Does a 5″ driver put out enough bass? Or should I go with a 6.5 or 8″ speaker?
Haha, never mind. I found your answer in this post: http://therecordingrevolution.com/2011/04/13/3-tips-for-choosing-studio-monitors/, in case anyone else wants to read it who hasn’t yet.
Hey Nathan. Glad you found your answer!
Hi, Graham, thanks for the review!
What would you say about those guys in comparison to Tannoy Reveal 501a?
Ev – Haven’t used the Reveals so I couldn’t say.
Graham – what are the dimensions of your room? I’m trying to decide whether I should look at the 5″ or 8″ – I’m heavily into Post Production work for Film/TV/Video/Games etc
Also my budget I had planned would be $1,000 for a pair, so may be I have some other alternatives to look at – just starting to look at monitors
Tim – My room is roughly 15 by 13. If you’re unsure, the 8″ versions don’t cost much more than the 5s.
What is your opinion on buying used monitors on ebay? I/One could save A LOT of money going that route, but do you think it’s a dangerous move, not being able to try them out first?
Just like anything on Ebay, it’s somewhat of a chance you are taking. Can’t say for sure what you should do.
Graham any chance you can do a tour of your set up . Run thru your studio show and quick comment on your main gear . How you prefer to run say a mic ect
Im sure others would enjoy the tour and your thoughts on your current setup
Cheers
Chris
Australia
Hi Chris, never done a studio “tour” before. Might have to do one soon.
Yes, a studio tour would be great and really useful.
Hi Graham
Exellent and thanx , im sure it will make for a great informative video .
Thanx again for the great site .
Chris
Well, I took a gamble… and lost…
Got a couple of Fostex PM-1 mk II monitors for about half price on ebay, show up with dents and obvious defects in the sound. Thankfully, shipping insurance was purchased and the seller seems to be interested in making sure the claim is paid.
Live and Learn.
Graham,
How do you up these monitors to your computer?
Thanks.
JD
JD – these hook into your mixer or audio interface.
Thanks Graham. I record with a Shure SM58 mic direct to a USB port (for vocals). I use a M-Audio MIDI keyboard, direct to a USB port, for instruments. My speakers are computer speakers which came with the system (good but I find I have to play it on my home speakers and take notes on what to change to get a better mix). Do you have an audio interface you would recommend? By the way, I loved your Jump Start series. They have a TON of information I’m still absorbing.
Thanks…JD
Good review Graham. Though I didn’t have any personal experience with the older Truth designs, their reputation wasn’t particularly great. Good to see the oft-reviled Behringer actually putting in the effort and releasing some worthwhile gear. I also remember their ADA8000 converter turning some heads a few years back (minus some alias ringing, but eh… what’re you gonna do for $200?)
I’d still like to hear more actual cons. One common thing I find to be deficient in lower end monitors is imaging – basically how wide the stereo field is and how accurately it recreates the depth of the recording. How did the B1030As fare in this regard?
Thanks & much appreciate your time for that review! Now I have a very basic question:
– When I purchase 2 of these monitors, do I connect each of them to the mixer/audio interface or is daisy chaining them a better option? I would want to test some panning effects with them. I’m quite unsure of the cabling aspects & hence the question.
They each take a cable from your mixer or audio interface, one for the left and one for the right.
Thanks amigo :).. THe 1030s just arrived today & I’m looking fwd to play arnd with them!
Curious if you remember the previous Behringer model you used. I have the Truth B2031A 8″ purchased 5 or 6 years ago and the high end does seem fatiguing. Not sure I can blame all my mixing probelms on them. 😉
Pretty sure those are the ones I was using, the 8inch models as well.
How do these compare to the newer Rokit 5’s?
I just got a pair or Rockit 5s and so far I feel they are pretty similar.
So I noticed you switched to the new krk Rockit 5’s, any reason for that? Did these break?
No real reason other than I had the Truth’s to review for a while and wanted to try out the KRKs (probably will review as well).
I also seen that you had the alesis 520’s how did those translate, how did they compare to the krk’s and the behringers? Sorry just on a budget and seem you have been using all the speakers I have been looking at.
Hey Graham, just purchased a pair of these at my local shop. I brought them home, and plugged them into my m-audio profire 2626 and get a mean hiss (white noise i guess you could call it). I unplugged the cables and most of the noise went away. Do I need special 1/4 inch cables to get rid of the noise?
Thanks, Cody
Make sure you are using TRS cables. These are balanced 1/4 inch cables. As opposed to TS cables or instrument cables which both have the 1/4 inch connection.
Thanks for the review. Seems objective and to the point. These speakers fit my budget. Thank!
what do you think about M-Audio BX5 D2?? now in amazon are $200.
http://www.amazon.com/Avid-9900-65174-09-M-Audio-BX5-D2/dp/B005F3H6Q8
thanks
I’ve used the first generation BX5s and they were solid.
Just Got myself The B1030A,8′ once ,I enjoy making music with them,am just worried about my room and acoustic sound proofing,which am using egg trays…any advice?
Some resources:
http://therecordingrevolution.com/2012/07/27/how-to-make-all-your-current-gear-sound-better/
http://therecordingrevolution.com/2013/11/18/tune-your-speakers-with-reference-tracks/
http://therecordingrevolution.com/2012/07/20/are-your-speakers-where-they-belong/