Yamaha HS8 Review: Everything You Need to Know

You have heard of the latest Yamaha Hs8 release, and now you’re considering if it’s worth the hype.

Fret not, as we’ve taken the time to inspect the Yamaha Hs8 inside and out to see if it’s worth buying.

We also laid out comparisons and alternatives you can choose from.

Join us along for the ride! Let’s start on everything you need to know about the Yamaha Hs8 – and whether it should join your set-up.

What is the Yamaha HS8?

The Yamaha Hs8 is a studio monitor made for recording artists and producers in mind. It’s the most recent, most expensive, and the most powerful monitor from the HS series.

Its smaller siblings in Yamaha can’t compare!

• An excellent studio monitor is essential for producing, mixing, and mastering music. Unlike speakers, they make sure you’re getting quality sound.
• The design makes sure you hear everything clearly and precisely in your control room. As a result, you know which part of your mix has flaws and may need to adjust.

The Yamaha Hs8 takes this further by packing the best features a studio monitor can have.

Let’s review it below.

Introducing: The Yamaha HS8 Features

So, what exactly does the Yamaha Hs8 offer?

The Yamaha Hs8 is a 2-way bi-amp-powered studio monitor.

• It features a newly-designed one-inch-dome tweeter and woofers for the best frequency response and bass output.
• The amplifier units match transducers, and the overall build reduces resonance.

The speaker ports also reduce noise. You have more rule and connectivity with:

• High Trim switch
• Low Cut and High Cut controls.

Both the XLR and TRS inputs can accommodate all signals, from balanced to unbalanced.

Specifications:

• Comes with an 8-inch woofer with one-inch dome tweeters.
• Frequency range is at 38Hz – 30kHz.
• 9.8 inches x 15.4 inches, weighing 22 lbs.

Pros

• Top-of-the-line quality. Your audio will be at its most precise state. Every part of the Yamaha monitor has been optimized to give you the most power over your music.
• Has a lot of power output. The performance will never be lacking. You can count on Yamaha to be solid and reliable! Its high power will give you the clearest and most accurate frequency response.
• Value for money. Compared to other studio monitors with similar features, we can say that the Yamaha Hs8 is well worth the price. It’s not easy for another monitor to come close to its controls, output, and quality.
• Excellent high-end and low-end response. Both your bass and frequency response will be at their peak form! There’s nothing like a pair of these in your control room.

Cons

• Overwhelming sound. Too much power can be overwhelming for those recording in smaller spaces. This is a common complaint and may be a sign the Hs8 isn’t for you.
• Demand for more products. Due to the overwhelming power above, there will be a need for bass traps and other absorbent products. You’ll need to redo your set-up, especially if you’re putting the Hs8 in small spaces.
• Expensive. While the price is affordable compared to competitors, this studio monitor is the most expensive in the Yamaha HS series.
• Deep, intense bass is only possible with an additional subwoofer. While the woofer is there, the subwoofer is an added expense for you to unlock the best possible bass response.

Performance Review

How exactly does the Hs8 perform like a pair of studio monitors? Let’s see if the price carries its weight!

Build and Design

The Yamaha reference monitors come in black and white. While primarily basic colors, they contribute to the modern, sleek look you crave in any space.

Every bit of design is for one goal: improve audio.

With the Hs8, you become the master of your creations! Clarity is the priority with every part of the Hs8, from the cone woofer to the tweeter.

• The reduced speaker port vortex is there to reduce noise. Enclosures are from medium density fiberboard, so you’re sure it’ll completely wipe out any unwanted resonance.
• There won’t be a need to turn the volume up. Every part of your mix will come at the clearest possible sound in whatever space you put the monitor!
• You get everything from a low-cut switch to both low and high-cut controls with response controls that accommodate detailed settings.
• You can use different input and output settings for a flexible experience!

Dimensions

It’s easy to set up, too. However, you should know that it weighs anywhere between 22 to 23 pounds.

The speaker itself is 15 inches tall and nearly 10 inches wide.

Make sure to account for these dimensions before you put your new Yamaha main monitors in their special space!

Sound Quality

Sound quality is excellent, whether you’re looking at low or high-end sounds. Everything is clear, controlled, and well-rounded to your ears.

• The tweeter expands the frequency response range, while the cone woofer contributes to low distortion.
• Crystal-clear bass and mids are possible with the Hs8 through the woofer ring, sub-woofer, and basket. 

If you want more on the low-end side, you can install a compatible subwoofer, but most days, it’s not even necessary!

If you deem that it is, I do recommend getting the Hs8s subwoofer.

This compatible subwoofer will work with no problem with your Hs8.

• The woofer is already good on its own, but the subwoofer can take it a step further. The eight-inch woofer cone will power 22 Hz to 160 Hz.
• The Yamaha subwoofer offers low-end power at 150 watts.
• If you’re worried about frequency response, the subwoofer can and will handle 22Hz to 150Hz for you. If it goes any higher than that, the main monitors will take care of it!
• Aside from giving you a powerful low-end response, getting the subwoofer also gives you access to additional adjustments you may need.

The compatible subwoofer itself deserves a whole different review, but I can also say it’s worth the price if you need to use it!

Each Yamaha Hs8 works together to produce the best possible sound.

Room Control

You have to know about the room control switch for this line. The control is there as a built-in correction for your monitors!

Though placement is a necessary part of your monitors, you don’t have to worry about it as much with the Hs8. Of course, it’s still best to know what’s good for your space, so measure out your studio.

Always apply proper distance when using the speaker.

• This control allows you to reduce any low-end frequency response build-up.
• This case always happens if you have a small space and your monitors are too close to the walls.
• It’s a great feature to get you to the clearest possible audio! You don’t have to experience flat frequencies or a lack of boosting.

Pricing

At nearly $550, the Yamaha Hs8 studio monitors are the most expensive out of the HS line.

The price is one of the top concerns we will always have as consumers.

However, it’s also considerably priced lower when compared to other monitors of the same features and quality. But do note that you might need to spend more on a separate subwoofer.

We honestly think it’s worth it. It’s priced higher than the other HS models because of the new designs, higher power output, and excellent sound.

Producing this Yamaha model to put out only high-power performance fits the price tag it comes in.

In the end, you do get what you pay for, and I can say that the price of this purchase ends up with a lot of value for you!

Additional Accessories and Upgrades for Studio Monitors

Here are some additional accessories and upgrades you can consider to make your great studio monitors even better:

• Stands: A good set of studio monitor stands will help to position the studio monitors at an ideal height, improving the overall sound quality.
• Cables: Investing in high-quality XLR and TRS cables will ensure that the audio signal is transferred without any loss of sound quality.
• Acoustic treatment: The HS8 studio monitor already has decent built-in room control. Treating your room acoustically will help to improve the overall sound quality and make the Yamaha HS8s perform at their best.
• Subwoofer: Though the studio monitor has a decent built-in woofer, you can add an additional subwoofer to your setup to boost its bass and have a smoother sound quality.
• Power conditioner: A power conditioner will help to protect your studio monitors from power surges and other power issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not entirely sure about the Hs8? I can answer everything for you here:

How Far Should Yamaha HS8 Be from the Wall?

It should be at least five feet away from your wall.

If your studio monitor is too close to the wall, you won’t be hearing the true bass. Instead, you’ll be hearing build-up. Even the best studio monitors won’t produce a clear sound with a bad set-up.

Try to have enough space, but maximize whatever you can.

• Put furniture against the walls first and have your audio set-up five feet or more away from your walls.
• You can also add stabilizers and attack walls to your set-up.
• If you want to go the extra mile, put up acoustic treatments.
• I recommend using soffit mounts.

That way, you can listen better.

How Close Should I Sit to Studio Monitors?

You should have the best listening position possible in your studio. Try to match how far your monitors are from each other.

You should also be five feet away from the studio monitors to hear the audio better if they’re five feet apart as well.

Try to be equidistant as much as possible. Studio monitor space can affect its performance greatly.

Keep the following rules in mind if you want to hit a sweeter spot in your control room:

• Mitigate your mix from hitting the walls and reflecting your ears. You want to be at least eight to twelve inches away from the wall. Don’t settle for corners. This is just for your desk first!
• Choose an orientation. Usually, you might need to set up your pair of monitors vertically, but some models allow a horizontal orientation. Whatever the case, choose one that goes best for you.
• Form an equilateral triangle with your chosen pair of speakers. You’re going to be the “tip” of the triangle, so measure your distance from them, too.
• Your ears should be the same height as the tweeters, not the woofer. This results in a more accurate listening position.
• Find the best position for your subwoofer, too. A subwoofer can help a lot, but it takes some experimenting to figure out the sweet spot. To make matters much easier, place your subwoofer near your speakers and play anything with a lot of low-frequency acoustics. Listen carefully and find the best possible spot for your subwoofer with the playing as a guide!

You can recalibrate your listening as you go along, but this guide should be enough to get you started!

See if other products like bass traps are necessary to keep your experience optimized. Placement is everything!

Is the Yamaha HS8 Good for Mixing?

Yes, it is!

The Yamaha Hs8 was built for mixing and mastering audio, and it shows in the design to the output it gives.

As mentioned earlier, the goal is CLARITY. These are built to give you a clean and crisp listening experience for professional mixing.

If mixing music is a top priority for you, you won’t go wrong with choosing the Yamaha Hs8.

These are the best studio monitors you can get for your home studio set-up!

Are there any additional software or drivers required for the Yamaha HS8?

No, there are no additional software or drivers required for the Yamaha HS8.

The HS8 studio monitors are ready to use right out of the box! Simply connect it to your audio interface or mixing board and you’re good to go.

Who Can Benefit from the Yamaha Hs8?

All musicians and producers can benefit from Hs8!

However, it will work better for those who need a lot of power for their mixes. That’s what the Hs8 does best.

It’s also the best buy for people who work in relatively larger studios.

While it’s still possible to use the Hs8 in smaller rooms, it’s designed to work better where it has the space it needs. You might get overwhelmed or complain about the heaviness of low-frequency sounds.

Better to look for smaller monitors if you don’t have the space!

If you work with many low frequencies where even the subwoofer would be a great help, the Yamaha Hs8 is for you, too!

Alternatives to Yamaha HS8

Not sure about the Hs8? It’s all right.

I have here the best possible alternatives of monitors that will work for you.

Let’s begin!

1. Neumann KH 120 A

Our first alternative is Neumann’s trailblazer model! The frequency response is distinct and precise, and the monitor itself allows you to have power over the smallest details.

The Neumann does have some of the same functions.

• It’s still a two-way bi-amplified monitor, and its focus is still on the clarity of your mixes. The design disperses noise and reduces distortion, too.
• Everything is clear and crisp, down to the lowest possible notes you can get.

Unlike the Yamaha Hs8, a subwoofer isn’t needed to get you the power you want and need from a pair of monitors.

Everything is smoother to the ears with Neumann, too. It works well with diverse acoustic environments, so you don’t have to worry about possible reductions and distortions like before.

If you want a distortion-free, powerful pair of monitors, get the Neumann KH 120 A! It does go for a similar price, but it’s still cheaper than the Hs8.

2. Mackie HR624 MK2

Right off the bat, the Mackie HR624 MK2 offers you something different with the same precision and clarity in mind.

• Its design is a wood cabinet fitted with open-cell foam materials and rigid internal bracing.
• Just the build is enough: it’s strong and able to dampen any standing waves from the end output.
• You can orient these monitors either vertically or horizontally. Its design minimizes noise and diffractions for the clearest and fullest lows, highs, and mids.
• Instead of a port, the Mackie has a passive radiator. With the radiator in place, the Mackie makes sure its output has the least possible distortions and higher sound pressure levels.
• The Mackie stands at just 6 inches, too. If you want a flexible setup, a compact monitor, high-performing precision and clear mixes, the Mackie HR824 MK2 is perfect for you.

The Mackie, however, comes at a higher price at over $700. You’ll be paying the price for more flexibility and better output, so it’s up to you if you deem it to fit your needs!

3. Yamaha Hs7

Why explore any further? The Yamaha line has other models that you may find a great alternative.

The Yamaha Hs7 is the next one in line. Like the Hs8, it features a newly-designed tweeter and woofer. The amp and design are high-performance and focus on as much noise reduction as possible.

The Hs7, however, is a pair of smaller monitors.

• The cone woofer is only 6.5 inches, and it’s also significantly lighter.
• It’s 8 inches wide and 13 inches long, weighing just 8 kilograms.

The insides are still fitted with medium density fiberboard, and the same controls are available. However, there’s also less power for a pair of the Yamaha Hs7.

If you want the same features but want a more compact model, the Hs7 is worth trying! The price is a whole $100 cheaper at $440.

You can check our comparison guide for HS7 vs. HS8 for a more detailed rundown. And if you want to consider another alternative, HS5 is a worthy model as well.

Final Verdict: Is the Yamaha HS8 Worth It?

Drumroll, please! We have to reach a decision.

The answer: YES, in this Yamaha Hs8 review, we deem the Hs8 worth it. It’s one of the best possible speakers you can get as a musician. Add it to your setup for a successful home recording experience!

While it is an expensive buy, we can’t deny that the features and power are worth it.

However, I do have to warn you. If you live in smaller spaces, it’s not ideal for getting this product. You might compromise your listening experience and the music you make as well!

Like its smaller siblings in the Hs line, other speakers may be a good alternative.

You can check other studio monitor buying guides:

• Best Studio Monitors Under $500
• Best Studio Monitors Under $200

I hope you enjoyed diving deep with us in this Yamaha Hs8 review! Are you heading out to buy it soon? Or have I swayed you to an alternative?

Let me know what you think! I’m happy to contribute to how your studio setup looks.