Barefoot Monitors
Summary
Abstract
Barefoot Sound monitors are high-end studio monitors known for their unique quality of sounding “flat and hyped at the same time.” They have a strong following among top engineers, though the company’s studio (Barefoot Recording) has closed. Some engineers find them polarizing — cian riordan tried multiple times to make them work but ultimately moved to ATCs. They feature very low distortion and significant low-end output for their size.
Key Characteristics
- Described as “flat and hyped at the same time” — a unique sonic quality
- Very low distortion, which may explain the “hyped” perception despite flat response
- Significant low-end output relative to cabinet size
- Off-the-shelf drivers with sophisticated crossover design
- Barefoot Recording studio (the company’s namesake studio) has closed
Use Cases
- Professional mixing and mastering
- Studios requiring full-range monitoring without a subwoofer
- Tracking control room monitoring
Comparable Alternatives
| Gear | Notes |
|---|---|
| ATC Monitors | More midrange-focused; popular alternative |
| PMC Monitors | Different voicing; also highly recommended |
| Neumann KH310 | More affordable 3-way option |
| Focal Monitors | Custom drivers; scooped midrange |
Common Mistakes
- Assuming they will work for everyone — they are polarizing and not universally loved
- Not auditioning before purchasing at this price point
See Also
Source Discussions
Community Insights
“Barefoots are like… how you expect speakers to sound. Super weird to describe. They’re like flat and hyped at the same time.” — Josh
“Probably the preternaturally low distortion.” — David Fuller (on why they sound this way)
“I’ve tried so many times to get Barefoots to work but no dice… everything just sounds weird to me on them.” — cian riordan
“I knew I was going to have to learn a new mix room and had been wanting to ween off of NS10s for years… so I said fuck it [and bought ATCs leaving Barefoot].” — cian riordan
Discord Source
Channel: 🔈monitoring-talk Messages: 39 Date range: April 2021 – March 2022 Key contributors: David Fuller, cian riordan, Josh, analoginthedigital See also: monitoring-talk Channel Summary
Discord Source
Channel: 📸show-your-setup Date range: February 2021 – February 2026 Context: Barefoot monitors appear in studio visit photos and aspiration discussion. Community members reference visiting studios with Barefoots, maintaining the polarizing reputation from monitoring-talk — some love them, others find them “weird.” The setup context reinforces that Barefoots require proper room treatment to perform.