Floor monitors are personal speakers that live-performing musicians set up on stage so they can hear what they or their fellow musicians are doing. To guarantee a safe set-up, stage monitors (also known as floor monitors) have a unique shape and a more robust build when compared to regular full-range speakers. The alternative to a floor monitor is a pair of in-ear monitors.
About Monitoring
Monitoring is a basic necessity for every gigging musician who wants to deliver the optimum performance. To monitor their own or the band's sound, musicians can opt for floor monitors or in-ear monitors. The difference between a floor monitor and a standard loudspeaker is that floor monitors are relatively compact and feature a slanted housing so that when you set one up on stage, it's tilted back and pointed at your ears by default. Floor monitors also have a sturdier built and can handle a knock or two. Also called stage monitors, floor monitors are mainly found in rehearsal spaces and on stages. Just so you know, some active full-range speakers can actually double as floor monitors, so be sure to tick the 'suitable as monitor' filter in our range of Active Full-Range Speakers if that's what you're after.
Active and Passive Stage Monitors
Like regular speakers, floor monitors are available in active or passive form. Active models come with a built-in amplifier module, while passive floor monitors depend on an external amplifier. As such, active floor monitors are equipped with a power port as well as audio ports like XLR and jack ports. Passive floor monitors can be hooked up to an amplifier with speaker cables.
The Inputs and Outputs of a Stage Monitor
Floor monitors can often be daisy-chained, meaning that the audio signal coming from your mixer can be routed out from the first floor monitor and sent to the next floor monitor in line. Also note that some floor monitors feature a built-in equaliser and playback options like Bluetooth, USB/SD or AUX. If you're going for a passive monitor, make sure to grab any speaker cables that you might need or, if you're going for an active floor monitor, then don't forget to pick up XLR cables and power extension cords. Tip: getting a protective cover for your stage monitor is also never a bad idea.
