Studio monitors are designed to reproduce sound exactly as intended, translating to a flat, neutral frequency response with no coloration. This is because production professionals want to hear exactly what they created so they can make informed mix decisions and root out sonic imperfections without being influenced by the “sound” of their speakers. Consumer bookshelf speakers, or “hi-fi speakers,” are designed to provide a purely enjoyable listening experience and generally boost lows and highs (aka the “smiley” EQ curve) to make things sound bright and powerful. While it might be more fun to listen to music on consumer-focused stereo speakers, they’re the sonic equivalent of rose-colored glasses and will cloud your judgment when evaluating mixes.