Measurements were made against a standard baseline of background noise in each session using a Sonarworks XREF 20 embedded in a foam shielded cone at a distance of 180mm from the tweeter face.

Total Hiss is calculated across a 1-20KHz spectrum as the sum of deviations from the baseline. Peak Hiss records the maximum spike above the baseline at a specified frequency. However, we have not biased these figures in favour of audibility. Self-noise artefacts at 14KHz are less obtrusive than those occurring at 4KHz , but may still contribute to a relatively high Total Hiss figure. For the full picture, please refer to the graphs in the table below.

Where the monitor has adjustable gain or volume control, readings were taken at maximum and minimum gain, and at a midpoint – typically 0dB. In all cases higher numbers indicate more audible self-noise.

At a listening distance of 1m, peak hiss of 6dB at 180mm is typically not audible. Broadly, monitors scoring 150 or less on the Total Hiss scale can be considered unobtrusive. However, a peak hiss in excess of 10dB at 180mm may be audible at distances of up to 2m, depending on ambient noise and the acuity of the listener.

QUIETEST AT USEABLE VOLUME:

113 (7dB peak)	Adam S Series at -15dB
156 (9dB peak)	Yamaha HS Series at 0dB
241	ADAM T Series at 0dB
245	Fostex PM Series at 0dB
251	Dynaudio LYD at 0dB

NOISIEST AT ANY VOLUME:

873 (20dB peaks)	Kali IN8 at max gain
864 (20dB peak)	KRK G4 at max gain
544	ADAM S Series at max gain
479	ADAM T Series at max gain

STUDIO MONITOR and Tweeter Amp	TOTAL HISS @ 180mm	PEAK HISS @ 180mm
ADAM T Series 20W Class D	Min Gain: 142 Mid Gain: 241 Max Gain: 479	Min Gain: 6dB @ 4400Hz Mid Gain: 8dB @ 4400Hz Max Gain: 14.5dB @ 6200Hz
ADAM A Series 50W Class A/B	-14dB: 220 0dB: 257 +14dB: 406	-14dB: 8dB @7.7KHz / 15KHz 0dB: 9dB @7.7KHz / 15KHz +14dB: 15dB @7.7KHz / 20KHz
ADAM S Series 50W Class A/B	-70 to -15dB: 113 0dB: 239 +10dB: 544	-70 to -15dB: 7dB @ 7700Hz 0dB: 10dB @7700Hz +10dB: 14dB @ 7700Hz
Dynaudio LYD 50W Class D	251	8dB from 4-5KHz
Fostex PM05	Min Gain: 267 0dB Gain: 245 Max Gain: 438	Min Gain: 8dB @ 2.4/4.9KHz 0dB Gain: 8dB @ 2400Hz Max Gain: 12.5dB @ 4000Hz
Kali IN8 40W Class D	-10dB: 651 0dB: 733 Max Gain: 873	-10dB: 16dB @2.4KHz / 20KHz 0dB: 16dB @2.4KHz / 20KHz Max Gain: 18-20dB peaks @ 2.4KHz, 7.7KHz and 20KHz
KRK Rokit G4 Class D	-70 to -30dB: 603* -15dB: 638* 0dB: 674* +10dB: 864*	-70 to -30dB: 17dB @ 2500Hz -15dB: 17dB @2500Hz 0dB: 19dB @ 2400Hz +10dB: 20dB @ 2400Hz
Yamaha HS Series 45W Class A/B	Min Gain: 147 0dB: 156 Max Gain: 201	Min Gain: 9dB @ 4900Hz 0dB Gain: 9dB @ 4900Hz Max Gain: 11.5dB @ 4900Hz

 

Presonus

iLoud

JBL LSR

Genelec

Neumann