Yamaha HS8 Review
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Yamaha HS8 speakers are the top-of-the-range model of the HS near-field active monitors lineup.
The update of the HS series took place in 2013. HS50M and HS80M monitors were followed up with three new models — HS5, HS7, and HS8.
The first thing that catches the eye in the new series is completely different speaker cones.
According to the Yamaha, the speakers have been completely redesigned in order to provide accurate frequency response and low frequencies clarity. In addition, the size of the tweeter has been increased from 3/4″ to 1″.
What makes the HS8 so special?
Yamaha HS8 monitors have a lot for you to offer when it comes to music production, mastering, and mixing. These monitors were designed to create accurate and perfectly flat representation of your music, regardless of the genre you are working in.
Material
The acoustic design of the HS cabinet is a dense, high damping MDF (medium-density fiberboard) material, which is great for studio monitors.
Using Yamaha extensive experience in producing pianos and other musical instruments, engineers have incorporated a traditional triangular connection at an angle of 45 degrees inside the HS cabinet. The tight angles fix and significantly reduce unwanted resonances inside the cabinet.
Modern Technologies
In order to reduce diffraction, which can distort the whole picture of the sound, the dome-shaped tweeter is located in a thick waveguide. A significant thickness of the waveguide minimizes vibration and distortion of the signal.
Using modern noise reduction technology, which is based on a visual analysis of the sound waves, Yamaha engineers were able to reduce unwanted noise caused by the turbulence of air inside the woofer cabinet.
This accurate analysis shaped the model of an ideal audio channel; as a result, the level of unwanted noise is reduced to 6 dB.
Clear sound and room control
The sound WILL surprise you! These are probably the flattest and most accurate mid-range speakers for monitoring. Yamaha PA Product Manager, Chris Irvine, once mentioned that Yamaha HS8 deliver perfectly flat and uncolored representation of your music. That’s exactly what HS8 is all about.
Bass and midrange spectrum are crystal-clear without any muddiness. And most significantly, there is no “flabbiness” in the bass, which is quite common for the most studio monitors of this price range.
In terms of control, HS series is traditionally equipped with HIGH TRIM and ROOM CONTROL controllers. It enables you to adapt the sound for rooms of various sizes and shapes.
HS8 studio monitors have implemented three-position switch on the rear panel: 0, -2, and -4dB attenuation below 500 Hz. It allows you to easily place a monitor close to the wall.
It’s also worth mentioning that Yamaha HS8 monitors include advanced magnetic circuit technology. Solid magnets create controlled flux field ensuring faultless sound and striking LF response.
Pros
In general, with Yamaha HS8 in your arsenal, you’ll get superb, melodic, and flexible sound with perfect imaging and deep tight bass reproduction for its price. That is why you can easily use the HS8 monitors without a subwoofer. Stable reproduction of the signal from 50 Hz would be a case in a point.
The presence of a subwoofer in the HS lineup does not mean its mandatory for you to add it to your system. Subwoofer will come you handy to check low end on electronic mixes or control LFE signal in a multichannel configuration. Other than that, Yamaha monitors DO have great bass down to 50Hz.
The reason why HS8 monitors are the gold standard in the music industry is that these monitors are extremely flexible and handy for many applications, whether it be a home or project studio, education, live broadcasting, or just a place where you need an affordable yet accurate monitor.
With accurate and honest sound, these monitors will be a practical choice for all music styles and genres, from EDM to heavy rock.
Let’s take a closer look at the main pros of the monitors:
- Yamaha HS8 provide smooth frequency response and wide sound spectrum.
- Wide frequency range from 38 Hz to 30 kHz.
- Best quality-price monitors at the mid-range market
- 120 W of total dynamic power
- Minimalistic and esthetic design matches every kind of studio environment
- Well-defined low and middle frequencies
- Flexibility and non-colored sound
Cons
We’ve run through the specs, outstanding features and advantages. However, Yamaha HS8 (like any other monitors in this price range) has a room for changes.
The room control feature is used to adjust the low frequencies by changing the volume level. The advantage of the filter is LF targeting. However, the disadvantage of the filter is an undesirable phase shift. When you activate Room Control with 2 dB cut below 500 Hz, the bass response may sound less extended.
As for the sound quality in the high-frequency region, it is worth noticing that HF are sometimes excessively bright when whistling and sharp sounds are played. There is a slight lack of space and the background sounds are a little bit drawn, but you can hear it on the other monitors of this price range as well.
Speaker response can greatly vary depending on the size, shape, and acoustics of the room they are used in, as well as how they’re placed within that environment. HS8 model will definitely need more room space for the power it produces.
The problem with mixing in a small room are room modes, but it shouldn’t be much of a deal with Noise reduction and Room Control technology.
The declared frequency response of the Yamaha HS8 is 47 Hz to 24 kHz (-3 dB). Looking at the frequency response diagram of the HS8 closely, the most noticeable deviation is a 6-dB dip around 2 kHz. Other deviations do not exceed 1 dB according to the stated indicators.
Conclusion
Yamaha HS8 speakers are no-nonsense choice for both home and professional recording studios.
If you are willing to spend under $1000 on a pair of monitors, these time-proven speakers should be your go-to deal. Compared to their direct competitors, Yamaha HS8 monitors really stand-out.
Their selling point is flat response on a budget and durability.
With HS8 in your studio, mixing songs wouldn’t be a rocket science anymore, but a sheer pleasure.
With thousands of 5 star reviews and positive feedback across the Internet and online retailers, there’s no way they disappoint.
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