We continue this series of guides to help you build the best possible version of your professional home studio for voiceovers. We’re now on the third installment.

1. Go for flat response… even if your bank account slips into a coma

In the audio world, “flat” isn’t an insult—it’s a compliment. You want monitors that don’t color the sound. No boomy bass like a 2002 nightclub. If your voice sounds like Barry White on every monitor, don’t be surprised when a client complains about sounding “too sexy” for their insurance commercial.

2. Size matters… but not as much as you think

For a voiceover home studio, you don’t need gigantic monitors capable of blowing out windows. A pair of 5″ or 6″ speakers will do the job perfectly. Anything bigger will only impress visitors who pretend they know about audio while asking, “So… what does this button do?”

3. Place them properly… not as if they were Scandinavian décor

Monitors are not potted plants. They don’t belong in a random corner or on a shelf just because they “look nice” there. They should form an equilateral triangle with your head. Yes, that means grabbing a measuring tape—but hey, it’s for your career, not a surprise geometry test.

4. Be good to yourself: invest in isolation (for the monitors, not your emotions)

Pads, isolators, or dedicated stands will keep your monitors from vibrating more than you do after sending a project with 15 revisions. They reduce unwanted resonances and let you hear your voice exactly as it is: authentic, clean, glorious… no filters, no makeup.

5. Balanced connections… and cables that don’t make you cry

XLR or TRS, please. Avoid those super-cheap cables that practically come with a free crash course in “How to ruin a recording.” A good cable won’t magically make you a better voice actor, but at least it’ll prevent your voice from competing with a hum straight out of a paranormal movie.

6. Don’t rely solely on YouTube

Yes, we all enjoy those videos filmed in rooms lit with purple LEDs. But remember: no one’s going to admit their monitors are mediocre when there’s a two-mile-long affiliate link right below. If you can, try the monitors yourself. Your ears are the ones paying the bills, after all.

7. Find the perfect pair… and no, we’re not talking about dating

Buy matching monitors: same brand, same model, same series. If each one has its own life story (three moves, a breakup, and a past gig in a bar), prepare for unbalanced mixes. Quite literally.

Monitors are your new professional best friends. Don’t underestimate them. Choosing the right ones will make your recordings clean, clear, and free of unpleasant surprises.

And remember: in the world of voiceover, those who listen well… earn well.