High-quality studio monitors are an essential piece of equipment for producing music. Buying the right studio speakers give you a quality sound experience in the studio.
There are many options you can choose from, but some do offer better sound quality and features. If you’re setting up a small studio at your home, then two of the best studio monitors comes down to the JBL LSR308 vs. Yamaha HS8.
Both of these monitors are great for new and professional music producers. But knowing the differences between each of these studio monitors will ensure you buy the best pair of speakers for your mixing style!
Comparing the JBL lSR308 vs Yamaha hS8
JBL LSR308 Studio Monitor
The JBL LSR 308 monitors are a popular option among hip hop producers and electronic music artists. This particular speaker has an eight-inch woofer installed, along with a one-inch tweeter. The combination provides exceptional low-end sound range and high sound quality in smaller rooms.
The LSR 308 speaker features a total power rating of 112W. It has an active amp built into the monitors, which means there is no need to connect a separate unit for amplification purposes.
The JBL LSR308 speaker features many control options, including:
- High Frequency (HF) Trim
- Low Frequency (LF) Trim
- Input Sensitivity Control
- Volume Control
The speaker comes with two Balanced Inputs that accept ¼” or 6.35mm inputs. There is one Balanced XLR port, as well as a Balanced TRS input port on the speaker.
A cone design is used for the low-frequency driver technology. The high-frequency driver uses a soft-dome design.
Price-wise, the JBL LSR308 speaker does offer an affordable option for smaller studios. This makes it a more budget-friendly option for beginners who are setting up a home studio.
Don’t be fooled by the price point; the JBL offers a quality design and balanced sound experience for a relatively low price tag.
Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor
Now, it’s time to compare the JBL LSR308 vs. Yamaha HS8. The HS8 is another great option with many features, quite like the JBL LSR308 speaker.
The Yamaha HS Series are custom studio speakers used by some of the best producers in the industry. These speakers are designed for both professional and bedroom studio setups.
Unlike the LSR 308, which doubles as a speaker in your multimedia center, the HS8 is designed for the studio environment.
The Yamaha HS8 comes with the following controls:
- Level control
- Built-in EQ control
- High Trim Switch control
- Room Control Switch
The studio monitors have a power rating of 120W. It features the greatest frequency response of 30kHz. A cone low-frequency driver is used, as well as a soft-dome high-frequency driver. The driver consists of two components. Including a one-inch tweeter and an eight-inch woofer.
The HS8 has a compact design. It also comes with a built-in amplifier. This means you are not required to buy an extra amplifier for your studio monitors.
When comparing the JBL LSR 308 vs. HS8, the Yamaha does come with a higher price tag. This does make it more expensive and less appealing for some people who are only getting started. But the room control function that comes along with it is worth it.
JBL LSR 308 Vs. Yamaha HS8: Features Face-to-Face
While similarities exist when comparing the JBL LSR 308 vs Yamaha HS8, there are still some key differences that set them apart. These features will determine which speaker is best for your music studio and budget.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important features of the LSR308 vs. Yamaha HS8. This will help you pin down the functions that make a big impact on the performance of your home studio.
Power
The JBL LSR308 features a 112W power system, while the Yamaha HS8 has a power rating of 120W.
Driver
The Yamaha HS8 has a Low-Frequency cone and a High-Frequency soft dome. The woofer measures eight inches, along with a one-inch tweeter.
The JBL LSR308 has a similar high and low-frequency design as the HS8. The tweeter also measures one inch, and an eight-inch woofer is used.
Frequency Response
The JBL LSR308 has a frequency response of 37Hz to 24kHz.
The Yamaha HS8 has a wider frequency range from 38Hz to 30kHz.
Input Types
The LSR308 features a single Balanced XLR input, along with a Balanced TRS input.
The HS8 has the same Balanced XLR Input ports.
Enclosure Type
Both the JBL LSR308 and Yamaha feature a Bass Reflex enclosure for optimal low-end performance.
Size
The JBL LSR308 measures 16.5″ x 10″ x 12.1″. The Yamaha HS8 measures 15.4″ x 9.8″ x 13.1″.
The Yamaha features a more compact body but does have a larger depth value. This provides a more portable design for smaller home studios.
Weight
The LSR308 has a weight of 18.9 pounds, while the HS8 weighs in at 22.5 pounds. If weight is a factor, then you might consider the LSR308. It has a lower weight than the Yamaha HS8 model.
Stand Out Features
Certain features in a comparison between the LSR308 vs Yamaha HS8 tend to stand out. These are also the features that we need to take closer note of when comparing the two. It helps you understand what the specific uses are for each.
JBL LSR308 Review
One of the major features that the JBL LSR308 offers you is the universal use of the device. A majority of the competitor devices only act as monitors in a studio.
The JBL LSR308 provides the specific functions that you expect from monitors, but it also doubles as a speaker. This makes the playback of audio files easier. Even when you are not running it through an audio interface.
The balanced inputs on the JBL LSR308 also contribute to higher quality sound. This ensures you can hear all tones, including highs and lows, in the audio files. The use of two different driver technologies in one device contributes to the elevated sound.
Another important built-in function of the JBL LSR308 is the use of an internal amplifier. An amplifier helps you get better quality sound while providing a range of filters.
The JBL LSR308 comes with a built-in amp. This means there is no need to buy one when connecting your speakers to your audio interface.
The JBL LSR308 also offers both high-frequency and low-frequency trim options. This gives producers the ability to create audio with precision. You can easily focus on enhancing the quality of specific frequencies on any audio file.
Yamaha HS8 Review
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One of the primary features that make the HS8 stand out in this JBL LSR308 vs Yamaha HS8 comparison review is its higher frequency response rate.
While the JBL LSR308 tops off at 24 kHz, the Yamaha HS8 is able to provide frequency response to a max value of 30 kHz. A wider frequency range is also offered, with the lowest frequency response rating at 38Hz.
The enclosure of the Yamaha HS8 focuses on providing a more compact design. The Yamaha monitors fit better into various areas in the studio.
The addition of an EQ control on the Yamaha HS8 makes it easy to adjust the highs and lows of your audio file. This is helpful when you’re trying to monitor the quality of your mixes, edits, and recordings.
A 120W power rating makes the Yamaha HS8 slightly more powerful than the LSR308. This may result in a louder sound within your studio.
Conclusion
In this JBL LSR308 vs Yamaha comparison, you can see that the two studio monitors have a lot of similar functions. This makes it hard to know which one will offer you better performance.
Best Value For Money 8″ Studio Monitor
Use the JBL LSR 308 if you:
- Are new to music production
- Looking for a great budget studio monitor
- Want to use the speakers for gaming and multimedia
Best Professional Studio Monitors For Larger Budgets
Use the Yamaha HS8 if you:
- Are looking to take you music production to the next level
- Have a larger budget
- Produce music in a medium to large studio environment
When it comes to quality and ease of use, the Yamaha HS8 does offer an enhanced performance. Its enclosure is also a bit smaller than the JBL LSR308, which may help to provide a better fit in compact areas.
You should also take note that it does not only depend on the brand you opt for when buying a monitor.
There are other factors that you need to take into consideration. Consider room treatments as well as bass traps installed in your home studio. These also affect the quality of sound that is produced from your monitors.
