The Yamaha HS series monitors are some of the most popular mid-priced studio monitors for home studio setups on the market today.
So, we thought it’d be best to compare the two larger sets in the series – the Yamaha HS7 vs. HS8. We’ll look at what they’re capable of, what they’re good for, and why you might want to pick one over the other.
Specifications
| HS7 | HS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth) | 210 mm x 332 mm x 284 mm | 250 mm x 390 mm x 334 mm |
| Power (Watts) | 95 W | 120 W |
| Frequency Response | 43 Hz – 30 kHz | 38 Hz – 30 kHz |
Custom bundles
Interested in picking up a set of HS series monitors? We have a variety of customisable bundles available that let you configure your pair of monitors, with stands and cables of your choice. We even have sets that come with Yamaha’s HS8S subwoofer for extra flexibility and bass.
Our sets include:
The legendary Yamaha HS Monitors
Yamaha probably aren’t the first brand you think of when it comes to studio monitoring and mixing, but their venerable NS-10 monitors, released in 1978, quickly became a standard bearer for professional, industry-leading audio engineers. Although they were originally made as hi-fi speakers, they turned out to be revealing and a good way of simulating what listeners at home would play music on.
They were popularised by famous producers like Chris Lord-Alge, Bob Clearmountain, Rhett Davies, Nigel Jopson, Sunset Studios’ Bill Scheniman, and Fleetwood Mac producer Greg Ladanyi, who recommended the pair to Scheniman after hearing them at a studio in Tokyo. Scheniman, in turn, recommended them to Davies, who recommended them to Clearmountain, who then encouraged Jopson to buy a pair.
From there, the monitors exploded in popularity, due to these big-name engineers putting them to use on famous mixes.
There was a problem with the NS-10s, however. Most people agreed they didn’t sound particularly pleasant. They had little bass below 150 Hz and an aggressively forward midrange. So why were they so popular amongst world-famous audio engineers? How did they stay so popular for 23 years? Frankly, the answer is because of these very characteristics.
Despite their idiosyncrasies, the NS-10s were popular for good reason. A common adage was, “If it sounds good on NS-10s, it’ll sound good on anything”. Not because the NS-10s sounded bad, but because they were revealing, picking out and exaggerating flaws that higher-end systems wouldn’t. They didn’t lie, which made it easy to make mixes that translated onto any other audio systems.
After discontinuing the NS-10 range in 2001, Yamaha set to work on other monitor ranges and PA speakers, leading to the launch of the HS series in 2005, with the current models coming out in 2013.
Yamaha incorporated many of the successes of the NS10’s design into the HS series and learnt from past experience how to make the monitors more full-range. Using the same resonance-reduction and responsive curved driver design, the HS series now boasts a flatter midrange, better bass extension, and more balanced treble.
The HS series received the same reception as their predecessors, with professional artists and producers leaning on them for monitoring.
Solo artist and Billie Eilish co-producer FINNEAS, Polyphia’s Tim Henson, legendary modern rap producer Metro Boomin, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, alt-rapper and producer JPEGMAFIA, Twenty One Pilots vocalist Tyler Joseph, and Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda have all used Yamaha’s current HS monitors.
Yamaha HS7 vs. HS8
Build and size
Quite clearly one of the main differences between the HS7 and HS8 is their overall size. I didn’t quite understand it until I saw both monitors in person, but the HS8 is significantly larger than the HS7 in all dimensions.
I’ve seen the HS7 and smaller sibling HS5 commonly and comfortably used on desktop home studio setups, but the HS8 is so much larger that it’s hard to see them fitting on desks. The HS7 is large but can be used on desktops much more easily. HS8s would be much better off on floor stands.
They both have the same great build quality, with a sturdy construction that can be driven hard without distortion. For regular or small home studios, the HS7s are ideal and could still be placed near walls. On the other hand, the HS8s are better for larger home studios or even professionally-sized studios.
Features
Overall, the HS7 and HS8 are pretty similar in terms of features.
The HS7 has a 6.5-inch low-frequency woofer, and the HS8 has an 8-inch woofer, while they both have the same 1-inch tweeter. This is reflected in their bass response, with the HS8 offering better low-frequency extension – but keep in mind that this is a contextual benefit. Both have a rear port for extra bass definition, offering pretty respectable low-end no matter which model you choose.
The monitors have balanced XLR and balanced 1/4″ jack audio inputs as well as an adjustable output volume dial and two switches for attenuation. Their Room Control switches let you cut some bass, which seems counterintuitive but is very beneficial in smaller rooms or setups where they’re sat on desks or near walls, which will exaggerate low frequencies and overrule their detail.
There is also a high trim which has a neutral setting as well as a +2 dB boost or a −2 dB reduction.
Power and subwoofer considerations
As the HS8’s extra size and larger woofer might indicate, this monitor also has more output power, with a total of 120 watts: 75 in the woofer and 45 in the tweeter. The HS7 has a lower but respectable 95 watts on tap, with 60 in the woofer and 35 in the tweeter.
With more power in the low frequencies and extra low-frequency extension in their response, the HS8s are pretty great standalone monitors without subwoofers, even in big rooms.
The HS7s, while offering a lower maximum output and a little less extension, remain fairly close in bass. But in particularly large spaces it may be worth investing in an additional subwoofer. Fortunately, Yamaha have made the dedicated and relatively compact HS8S subwoofer to pair with this series.
If you’re looking for something more compact, or just want some portable monitors for work while travelling, Yamaha have not long since released new additions to the series, the HS3 and HS4, which each have 52 watts of power, making them great for computer audio as well as music.
Sound quality
The extra bass on the HS8 is noticeable, but it may be a little on the excessive side for many average-sized home studios, obscuring extra detail in the midrange and treble in these spaces. However, for producers and beatmakers who don’t do mixing and mastering themselves, you may want these extra low frequencies to make things really jump out.
By contrast, the HS7 offers a much more balanced sound. Even, flat, accurate, and not overpowered by bass, it’s ideal for the smaller spaces most home producers tend to dwell in these days. Even if your space is on the larger side, adding a subwoofer will help bring the punch to the low frequencies you need.
Either pair will be great for production, mixing, or mastering in the right space. Just keep the HS8s away from walls and in larger rooms to not overemphasize the bass, or use the HS7s in more compact spaces. The midrange response in both is super flat and accurate enough for detailed monitoring.
HS7 vs. HS8 – the verdict
It’s hard to go wrong with either model in Yamaha’s HS series, so long as you pick the right one for your space and setup.
The HS7 is great both standalone in small-to-mid-sized home studios and paired with a subwoofer for extra low-end punch. The HS8, however, is better on floor stands and is suited to standalone use in bigger home or project studios, or even as a nearfield option for bigger professional studios.
How to choose the right monitors for you
To choose the right studio montiors, first make sure your space is properly acoustically treated. No matter how big or small your studio is, this is the first place you need to start.
We have a whole guide to acoustic treatment and monitor setup – follow this to lay the groundwork for setting up your speakers if you can.
Then, think about the size of your space and where you can put your monitors. Will they need to be on a desk? Will they need to be against a wall? Both of these things can cause acoustic issues.
Placing monitors – particularly rear-ported monitors – near a wall will exaggerate bass, resulting in a softer sound with less definition. Positioning is key, so knowing what you can do about these issues before you buy is smart.
Next, consider the size, power, maximum SPL output, and frequency response of your speakers of choice.
Maximum SPL output will let you know how loud the speakers can get when they’re maxed out. The size will dictate how and where you can set them up, and the frequency response will give you a strong idea of the sound character of the speakers.
For production, you can pick a more colourful sound with strong bass and energetic treble that makes everything sound pleasing is fine. However, for more fine-detailed recording, mixing, and mastering, you want something with a flatter response.
FAQs
Is the Yamaha HS8 better than HS7?
The Yamaha HS8 is better than the HS7 for larger spaces due to its extended low-frequency response and greater power. The HS8’s 8-inch driver delivers deeper bass, making it ideal for rooms where clarity in the low end is crucial. For smaller spaces, the HS7 may be more practical and balanced.
Is the HS8S subwoofer worth it?
The HS8S subwoofer is worth it if your setup requires accurate low-end monitoring for bass-heavy music or mixing. It extends the frequency range of Yamaha HS monitors, adding precision to low frequencies that regular monitors can’t fully replicate. This helps in creating more balanced mixes.
Is the Yamaha HS8 good for mixing?
The Yamaha HS8 is great for mixing due to its flat, accurate frequency response, which reveals details across the spectrum. Its clarity allows you to hear subtle nuances, making it easier to craft precise mixes. The HS8’s design also provides consistent and reliable performance in professional settings.
Final thoughts
Yamaha’s HS series not only has a very interesting history based on a classic vintage design from the ‘70s, but it uses that design experience to deliver a more affordable yet equally high-performance studio monitor with an extended range. Coming in a range of sizes with different power and bass extensions, these studio monitors can cover any needs for a range of consumer and professional audio alike.
As our round-up of the Yamaha HS7 vs. HS8 has shown, these monitors are functionally very similar, but they’re suitable for different spaces and positioning. The HS7 is the most powerful monitor in the range that’s still suitable for desktop setups but can comfortably be set up a little further away if you have the space. It’s balanced, even, and powerful, but will benefit from being paired with the HS8S subwoofer.
Meanwhile, the HS8’s extra bass response and large enclosure mean it’s better for larger spaces and professional studios. Its extra bass may need some taming through proper acoustic treatment, though, in order to really make the most of the sound without losing its balanced tone. It doesn’t need to be used with a subwoofer, but if you really want that extra low-frequency punch, it can be!
Both monitors are high-performance, well-designed, and great for casual listening, recording, mixing, and mastering. They’ve been chosen by a range of professionals, so you know that they’re a safe choice for whatever kind of space you have.
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