Quick answer: The Yamaha HS8 is an 8-inch powered studio monitor with a 1-inch dome tweeter, 120 watts of bi-amplified power and a frequency response of 38 Hz to 30 kHz. It sounds flat and revealing, which makes it good for mixing vocals and beats, but it needs a room large enough for the bass and some acoustic treatment. In a small bedroom, the HS7 or HS5 often works better.
This page covers who the HS8 suits, how it sounds, how to set it up and what to compare it with. We do not run lab tests here, so the specs below come from the manufacturer's published figures and the opinions are ours. Prices change, so check the current price before you buy.
Yamaha HS8 specs
| Item | HS8 |
|---|---|
| Woofer | 8-inch cone |
| Tweeter | 1-inch dome |
| Amplifier | 120 W bi-amplified (LF 75 W, HF 45 W) |
| Frequency response | 38 Hz to 30 kHz |
| Crossover | 2 kHz |
| Inputs | XLR and balanced TRS (1/4-inch) |
| Controls | Level knob, plus Room Control and High Trim switches |
| Port | Rear |
Sold individually or as a pair. You need two for stereo mixing.
How the HS8 sounds
The HS8 aims for a neutral sound. It does not hype the bass or the highs, so a mix that sounds good on it usually translates to other systems. That also means a weak mix sounds weak. Many producers describe the HS series as honest and a little bright, but trust your own ears in your own room.
For vocals, the useful part is the midrange. You can hear mud around 250 Hz and harshness around 3 to 5 kHz clearly, which helps you apply the moves in our vocal EQ cheat sheet.
Is the HS8 too big for your room?
An 8-inch woofer pushes more low end than a 5-inch one. In a small, untreated room, that low end bounces off the walls and can make the bass sound boomy or uneven. As a rough guide, the HS8 suits a room of about 10 by 12 feet or larger. In a smaller room, consider the HS7 (7-inch woofer) or HS5 (5-inch woofer). This is a guideline from common studio practice, not a Yamaha rule.
Setting up your HS8 pair
- Place them in an equilateral triangle. The two speakers and your head form a triangle with equal sides.
- Aim the tweeters at your ears. Tweeter height should match ear height when you sit.
- Keep them away from the walls. Even 20 to 30 cm of distance from the rear wall reduces bass buildup. The rear port makes this more important.
- Use isolation pads or stands. They stop the desk from vibrating and muddying the bass.
- Set the switches. Use Room Control if the speakers sit close to a wall. Use High Trim to soften the treble if your room is bright.
- Connect with balanced cables. Use XLR or TRS from your audio interface to avoid noise.
HS8 vs other monitors
| Option | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| Yamaha HS5 or HS7 | Same voicing in smaller sizes, a better fit for small rooms |
| KRK Rokit series | Often described as warmer with a stronger low end, which some find less accurate for mixing |
| JBL 3 Series | Wide sweet spot and a detailed top end |
| Studio headphones | Useful in a bad room, but they do not replace speakers for checking the low end |
If you record vocals as well, an audio interface matters as much as the speakers. See our comparison of the Universal Audio Apollo Solo and Twin.
Who should buy the HS8?
- Buy it if you have a decent-sized room, mix vocals and beats and want a neutral reference.
- Skip it if you work in a small bedroom, share walls with neighbours at night, or want speakers that flatter the sound.
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Make the speakers worth it
Good monitors reveal the quality of your vocal chain. Try our free Toronto Warmth preset for Logic Pro X to hear a finished chain on your speakers. Or compare the Logic Pro Starter Pack ($19) and the GarageBand Starter Pack ($19). Our guide to mixing rap vocals in Logic Pro shows what to listen for.
Can you use the Yamaha HS8 on a desk?
You can, but the HS8 is a big speaker for a desktop. The 8-inch woofer and rear port push more bass than a small room handles, and a desk can carry that vibration into the speakers' stand surface. If you use a desk, make it deep and sturdy, and put the speakers on isolation pads. A better setup is a pair of stands behind or beside the desk, with the tweeters at ear height. Check Yamaha's page for exact size and weight before you measure your desk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best studio monitor for beginners?
It depends on your room. In a small room, a 5-inch monitor such as the HS5 usually works better. A 7-inch model suits a medium room. The HS8 suits a room of about 10 by 12 feet or larger. The room matters as much as the speaker.
Is the Yamaha HS8 good for beginners?
Yes, if your room is large enough. It is neutral, so it teaches you to hear problems. In a small room, start with the HS5 or HS7.
Do I need a subwoofer with the HS8?
Not usually. It reaches down to 38 Hz. A subwoofer helps if you mix bass-heavy music and want to hear the lowest octave.
Are the HS8 monitors sold in pairs?
They are commonly sold singly or as a pair. Check the listing before you buy, because you need two.
What cables do I need?
Two balanced XLR or TRS cables, one per speaker, from your audio interface outputs.
Should I use the Room Control switch?
Use it when the speakers sit close to a wall or in a corner, since it reduces boomy bass. Leave it flat when they stand away from walls.
