REVIEW: Yamaha HS8

Get to know these studio monitors as Matt does his Yamaha HS8 Review. What are the best studio monitors for a budget? Find out if these make the cut!
-- THE GEAR --
Yamaha HS8: tidd.ly/3UDjoEd
-- VIDEO --
Sony Pxw x320: amzn.to/2Ty299w
-- Work with me --
Web - www.MattIngram...
Instagram - / mattingramsound
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that we provide we may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you!

[@yungang5t169]

I heard these in the store compared to 1400$ Adams monitors and let me tell you these things are not that far off. They sound so clear and clean it’s fucking awesome

[@mattingramsound]

Absolutely! I tested mine in the store first too, and they sounded more transparent than speakers twice the price.

[@69TOKE]

just got my brothers set, 2 years later and still beautiful sound!

[@mattingramsound]

Ya man, as long as you take care of these things, they will keep on ticking!

[@katukolihagamagenadira6957]

is this good for listening music?

[@mikewallace1270]

Nice review. I have already purchased mine and can’t wait to receive them.

[@TheFollowthrough]

Thanks Mike! Let me know what you think after you use them for a bit.

[@mattingramsound]

Oops! I replied under TFTmusic instead of TFTgear. But still, thank you for the compliment!

[@southvalleynews8759]

Just ordered my pair of HS8's !!! Can't wait!!

[@mattingramsound]

Nice! Let me know what you think of them!

[@elfishpresleybarbiebreath1116]

@@mattingramsound These speakers play better than most decent home 2.1 systems with a sub. The bass in these Yamaha's are so well designed. i just love them to death :)

[@mattingramsound]

@@elfishpresleybarbiebreath1116 Awesome! Glad to hear it. Ya, the dynamic range on these is going to be way better than any home speaker system as well, and should have way more detail.

[@kitchensproductions]

I just bought a pair! Awesome stuff!

[@mattingramsound]

Awesome!

[@fedge9049]

I bought a pair of HS8 MP and they are worth it. You can hear very quickly these are made for music not film and tv like he mentioned. The window is forgiving but when you're in the sweet spot.. wow. The best part, you don't lose that crisp flat sound when you go up in volume. Just heads up.. they are huge! I use the HS5's for a while and they are great if you're looking for something smaller. Just as great a sound as the 8's but personally, go big !

[@mattingramsound]

Don't the qualities that make them good for music also make them good for film and TV? Full range, clear and transparent audio, etc.

[@mattingramsound]

You know TV and film is mixed on studio monitors as well, right?

[@weslaycock466]

Reviews don't get better then this, thank you

[@mattingramsound]

Thank you! I am glad you liked it!

[@Jay.Hemlock]

Dude awesome review bless you 🙏🏼

[@mattingramsound]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@StratsRUs]

Perfect review.

[@mattingramsound]

Thank you!

[@vishaanroyan5212]

Thanks bro needed this

[@mattingramsound]

Glad I could help!

[@levinste2750]

RCA or XLR, with RME ADI 2 DAC FS???

[@MattrixNY]

You deserve way more subscribers man!!! Great video!!!! Is that a green screen behind you? I am about to buy the HS8 monitors and a green screen too. Peace & love! ✌

[@mattingramsound]

Thank you! I will keep putting videos out and hopefully one day I'll get there! And yes, that is a green screen.

[@davidscott2095]

Thank you for the video. Quick question: Do the Yamaha HS monitors make that "hissing" noise, when they are plugged in, but when you aren't playing music through them? Blessings!

[@mattingramsound]

Mine are absolutely quiet even at max volume. If you have a hissing noise, it is probably coming from your source.

[@davidscott2095]

@@mattingramsound Thank you for your response. Blessings!

[@RyanMartinRAM]

Use a balanced XLR cable. Don't use a line cable

[@davidscott2095]

@@RyanMartinRAM ❤👊

[@Scalhada]

Hola, buén programa. Tengo una pregunta y si es posible contestarla me haces un rey. Quiero comprar uns Yamaha HS con su subwoofer HS8S a parte, pero no sé por cual decidirme si por los monitores HS5 o los HS7. Cual me recomiendas?? Gracias!!

[@epicon6]

Upside down hair man.

[@mattingramsound]

I like my upside sown hair.....

[@scottpeters4401]

I have the HS7’s and the matching sub....had them for several years...they are great,but I was thinking of getting the HS8’s...Just wondering if there is a noticeable difference in sound??Would the 8’s sound bigger and beefier than the 7’s(which have a 6.5 woofer)??Actually they are closer to 6 than 6.5....

[@mattingramsound]

The HS7's are going to sound a bit punchier with more emphasis on the mids, while the HS8 will be a bit more full. The manuals say there is only a 5hz difference, (38hz and 43 hz). but I think it is a bit more than that. I think the difference is noticeable, especially in a room that can support the lower range. If you already have the sub though, it may not be as noticeable. Your sub should be covering those lows just fine. Hope this helps!

[@RoyFJ65]

These speakers, like typical Yamaha monitors of the past, are transparent and in the case of the HS series, great build and value for money. I have the HS7 with HS8S sub and that allows me to send all lows below 100hz to the sub and gives me great mids and trebles without sibilance while the HS8S do their job with tight fast bass.

[@rustar00]

I got a pair of HS8's in excellent condition from a Goodwill store for $10 each, total of $20 for the pair. Lucky me.

[@mattingramsound]

DANG! Mine cost like 700.

[@levinste2750]

Could anyone please tell me if it would be possible to use an external DAC ( not some cheap one ) with those monitors? Would it help to improve the sound quality? Thank you

[@BrokenBeats94]

Great review, I'm pretty sold!

[@TheFollowthrough]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You will definitely not regret it if you get these monitors.

[@dwight971]

I need something for my garage (my side of the garage. 😊). Do I have to get a pair of these or can one do the job?

[@mattingramsound]

Almost all modern music is mixed in stereo. If you only do one speaker, you'll be missing a lot.

[@dwight971]

@@mattingramsound Good Point...I totally didn't think of that. Thank you. The HS8 seems really nice. Is the bass in these good enough to drive some deep reggae bass?

[@mattingramsound]

@@dwight971 The bass response on the HS8 is quite good, though it depends heavily on your room. You can always add in the sub later if you need it.

[@kennethsalter9998]

These r nice!!! -I had Krks...could not seem 2 balance the mid.....Now Its on!!!

[@mattingramsound]

Ya man, those krk's can be rough in the mids. I'm sure your mixes will be much better now!

[@kennethsalter9998]

@@mattingramsound Appreciate your Insight!!...You really did a very great analysis!! A while back one of your vids helped put me in the right direction !!..Thank you!!

[@mattingramsound]

@@kennethsalter9998 I'm very happy to hear that! I am honored to have the chance to help any of my viewers. Seriously, thanks for letting me know.

[@christelhall9379]

How are they for casual music listening?

[@mattingramsound]

I love them for casual listening. They won't have all the bells and whistles that a consumer stereo system will have, but they will give you a less hyped sound.

[@tacoconch7678]

I've been looking for monitors to play guitar through. Would spending extra on monitors like the Adams ax8 just be a waste of money? The prices of monitors vary wildly and it's kinda confusing.

[@mattingramsound]

If you just need something to play your instrument through, and not record or mix on, then I don't see a need to go super expensive. Be careful with the low end of your guitar though, studio monitors aren't going to take the same abuse a guitar amp would.

[@tacoconch7678]

@@mattingramsound What about a 12" KRK subwoofer? Could that give me the low end I'm looking for so I don't mess up the monitors?

[@mattingramsound]

@@tacoconch7678 If you are looking for a lot of low end, using a 12" sub will definitely help, and protect your mains as well.

[@loveparade6573]

@Sean Stevens its dumb buying 8" monitors for small rooms but im talking only about mixing

[@micedevice2389]

@@loveparade6573 IMO, even in a small room the extended range of the 8’s will be usefull and not a waste for mixing bass dependant music like electronic, hip hop and others. I switched from 5’s to 8’s and the difference is night and day.

[@annandriana]

the low is 38Hz.. Mmm.. is good! :D

[@elfishpresleybarbiebreath1116]

Just to clear things up...i own these, and the roll-off starts at 38Hz. But you can definetely hear 28Hz :)

[@DrAudioBot]

Brukermaskin Bærbar not correct. it‘s -10dB at 38Hz. At 45 it‘s -3dB...

[@elfishpresleybarbiebreath1116]

@@DrAudioBot every speaker has a roll-off curve. I said I could still hear 28hz. I think you know what that means.

[@jesperzeng]

It’s a ported speaker, therefore the low end is room dependent as well.

[@loveparade6573]

@@elfishpresleybarbiebreath1116 i dont think you get this right, i can also hear 30Hz on my 80€ Bose Mini Soundlink, but its not the actual frequency of the sound

[@williamtael8379]

Can I pair these with a Klipsch 12" sub? What would I need for that, a 5.1 DAC?

[@mattingramsound]

With most powered monitor subs, there is an input and output so that the sub can control the crossover frequency. Looking at the model you mentioned though, it only has inputs, so you would need the dedicated outputs on your interface or an additional device.

[@williamtael8379]

@@mattingramsound So I need a 5.1 DAC right? Not that I need 5 channels, but I doubt there are 2.1 DACs out there. Am I right?

[@williamtael8379]

@@mattingramsound I use a PC, by the way.

[@mattingramsound]

@@williamtael8379 It really depends on your setup. You could do with 3 channels if your system will auto sum your left and right channels for the mono sub. Or you could use 4 channels for stereo monitors and the stereo input to the sub.

[@williamtael8379]

​@@mattingramsound My motherboard has 5.1 output P2 ports, but since that would use the internal DAC from the mobo and mobo DACs are usually "bad", I think the quality of the sound would be better on an external DAC. My mobo is a MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC.

[@paulallenMacca]

Thanks for your review on the HS8,would I notice a difference in sound or even need the Subwoofer if I got the subwoofer I have my Yamaha HS8’s connected to my Yamaha CP88 Stage piano which I have in a small room 20 feet by 12 feet.

[@mattingramsound]

You would definitely notice a difference. I think the HS8S sub would actually be more useful in that application than mixing. Not many people listen back with subs, so I don't typically like to mix with them, but if you are using it as essentially an amp for an instrument, (especially a full range piano), it would make a nice improvement. Hope this helps!

[@Wond3rland___]

Darren Hirst What sub would you get?

[@srinathsatya]

I am planning to buy monitors for our studio. Which one will you recommend? Yamaha msp5 or Yamaha hs8. Please help me in this regard. Thank you.

[@mattingramsound]

I have never used the msp5, so I can;t really speak to that. I am sure you would be very happy with the HS series though.

[@ronivaris8030]

great interview :D

[@mattingramsound]

Thank you! There are many more to come. Stay tuned!

[@marknarain6617]

I had krk they r good but I upgrade to the hs8 witch is better

[@TheFollowthrough]

I'm not a KRK fan.

[@augmentedkeys5971]

What KRK model did you have?

[@augmentedkeys5971]

How about the Yamaha's?

[@augmentedkeys5971]

@@TheFollowthrough Why are you not a fan of the KRK rokits?

[@augmentedkeys5971]

@Neurolicious WHy?

[@johnnyguitar7921]

i fucked the cone on one for playing too loud my music,,, what recommendations you have for fixing the broken cone? cheers

[@mattingramsound]

Sorry Johnny, I missed this comment. You can buy a new cone from Yamaha and replace the dead one. You must have been boosting the lows pretty hard to blow a cone on one of these. They can take a lot.

[@musicpatrickmusic]

0:54 Naaahhhh If you put a 150$ pair of some old monitors into a great sounding room, you'll get a good stereo image and a phantom center with a very flat response. This beats the mix translation of any other room with any sort of speakers, every day of the week. What you need for translation is the phantom center and good imaging. Transient and frequency accuracy are waaaaay less important for a great mix.

[@katukolihagamagenadira6957]

is this good for listening music?

[@mattingramsound]

Yes they are!

[@katukolihagamagenadira6957]

@@mattingramsound thank you very much

[@amirprog]

What if i want to connect it it to a sound interface, a keyboard and a pc at the same time? It does not have 3.5" jack...

[@mattingramsound]

Without knowing your exact setup it is hard to say. The obvious answer to me would be to hook up the interface as the sound card for your PC, with 2 TRS or XLR coming out of your interface into the monitors. Then you could just put your keyboard into an input on the interface. Or you could get something that would allow you to switch sources to the monitors like a Big Knob. Like I said, without knowing more about your rig, this is my best answer. Hope it helps!

[@psysword]

I think a little music school will help. Invest in your future.

[@senseii562]

I'm asking something mat....is it true that if I buy dem in pare I won't get dat good sound is it true

[@mattingramsound]

I don't understand. You definitely want to buy them in pairs.

[@senseii562]

@@mattingramsound if I'm not going to get what I want...then kno....but is it Tru thuo

[@loveparade6573]

@@senseii562 youre talking straight nonesense

[@SeraDoll89]

You don’t need monitors if you’ve got an amazing pair of 280hd pro Seinheiser headphones. Would you agree? Although I will be buying these anyway lol. I Would like to know your opinion headphones though.

[@mattingramsound]

Headphones are great for reference and editing, however, I would never mix in them. I use mine often to check reverb times, and do final listens. A great pair of headphones a re an essential tool. I have never used that model, but I'd love to try them out. I also hear really good things about the Blue headphones. Let me know what you think of the monitors when you get them!

[@SeraDoll89]

TFTGear I definitely will. Thanks for that. What’s the reason you wouldn’t mix with headphones? I do everything with my headphones 🎧 :)

[@mattingramsound]

@@SeraDoll89 Headphones just tend to have more color than studio monitors. It is also hard to have accurate lows and low mids with drivers that small.

[@thebassbat7882]

@@SeraDoll89 headphone's have a too tight of a sound wave. monitor's are more open because they are not right on your ear and will give you a more real flat sound.

[@indyawichofficial1346]

HS8 is completely different concept than NS10, the only thing they have in common is white woofer. NS10 have no crossover at all, and its fully closed design, unlike bi amped HS8 with bass port on the back.

[@mattingramsound]

They are completely different. The only similarity I drew was the looks. And the NS10 does not have an active crossover, but I am sure it has a passive crossover built in to the drivers.

[@Xzvsc]

How is this compared to mackie cr4?

[@mattingramsound]

I have not tried any of the mackie monitors, but I have used a good amount of their analog gear in the past, with good results. They are 4 inch monitors, so you will not get the range of an 8 inch.

[@Xzvsc]

@@mattingramsound ah ok. I'll go for hs8 then 👍

[@mattingramsound]

@@Xzvsc It depends on your studio situation. You may want smaller speakers. If you do go with the HS8's though, do me a favor and use my link in the description. Thanks!

[@elwafi2001]

I’m wondering how the Yamaha CP4 will sound on these monitors, someone have any ideas?

[@mattingramsound]

Never used the CP4, but be careful playing keys or synth out of studio monitors without a limiter!

[@elwafi2001]

@@mattingramsound could you suggest a limiter brand plz!

[@mattingramsound]

@@elwafi2001 Are you going through a DAW? If so, whatever stock limiter is fine. If you are plugging direct into the speakers, you can get a DBX or boss pedal. Just something simple to make sure you protect your speakers.

[@senseii562]

How much can I get these for bro ?

[@jmikefitness]

What camera and lens was used in this video?

[@mattingramsound]

There were multiple cameras and lenses, but the main is a Sony PMW 320 with a cannon 16x9 lens. Why so you ask?

[@jmikefitness]

It looked great 9

[@mattingramsound]

@@jmikefitness Thank you!

[@Childofthehighmost_7]

Unbalanced or balanced? What’s the best way to connect to an audio interface..

[@mattingramsound]

Always try to use balanced where possible.

[@RodneyD]

I have the ha8 and the Yamaha sub. HOWEVER I also have the Presonus Sceptre S8 and it’s 10 inch sub. The Presonus are more accurate than the Yamahas. But the Yamahas sound really great on commercially released music. Commercially released music on the Presonus has to spot on in order for them to sound great. In other word I can hear flaws in commercial releases on the Presonus that can’t be heard on the Yamahas. Get your mixes right on the Scepters and it translates everywhere. Not so much with HS8. That’s the truth

[@mattingramsound]

Completely disagree. I've not found ant monitors in the price range that translate to real world listening as well as the HS8's. Also, I have been fairly disappointed with most of Presonus gear I have tried over the years.

[@RodneyD]

TFTGear And I’ll have to disagree as well. The only TWO monitors I have in my studio are the HS8’s with its respective sub and the S8’s with its respective sub. My assessment I gave was pertaining to the Yamaha HS8’s vs Presonus S8’s In comparision. I have both monitors hooked up to the same monitoring source in a treated space as well listening through high end converters. I am able to switch back and forth between the two sets of monitors with one push of a button. So I coming from daily personal experience. The Yamahas are great but they are not AS accurate as the Presonus Sceptre’s. Same sounds don’t play back the same way on each set. The mid range frequencies is where the HS8’s are not as detailed and the bottom end is tighter on the Scepters. The HS8’s highs are better. When listening to great music the HS8’s sound amazing on virtually everything. But when it comes to critical listening the HS8’s tend to miss those subtle details. This even more apparent when listening to genres such as classical music. The S8’s always reveal the details the HS8’s miss. If get it right on the Presonus then it’s 100% on the Yamahas but not vice-versa. Unless you’re working with the monitors at the same time as I am then you can’t make this assessment. But the Presonus are a little more expensive. Yamahas are $349 a piece. The Presonus are $599 a piece. But I still love my Yamahas and it will hard to find a pair of monitors that sound as good as the HS8’s for $700.

[@edhikurniawan]

Had you try the HS10W? Yamaha 10 inch sub. Honestly HS8S has a lot of distortion. I tried that one with HS5. Turning the sub off made the song clearer.

[@aBBB321]

How about the hs5? Any good?

[@mattingramsound]

I haven't spent any time with the HS5, but given the quality of the HS8, I'm sure it's great.

[@nickrobinson2276]

I have the HS5. They are really really good but don't produce low end very well. I rely on a frequency monitor to make sure my low end isn't sticking out to far. Around 50-70hz is my problem area. They don't colour at all to me they sound really "raw". I'm going to the 8s when I can but the 5s have done me well for a long time.

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

I've had them for 2 days... too harsh for me (medium tones), the basses are't very present. I must say my acoustic recording sounded awesome, but to listen to music they are not great. (it hurt my ears) I sent them back and ordered the HS8, which will arrive this week.

[@pjaw8226]

@@acousticsong-guitarco964 How're you finding your HS8s now? I've owned the HS5s for 4 years now and I do not like the sound because the low end is terrible - it doesn't give metal & rock music any presence or depth. It feels as if a lot is missing from the music and sound if you understand what I'm getting at? Was that your experience too?

[@rahmaizu]

Cant these speakers be used as home theater

[@mattingramsound]

They sure can.

[@meti9230]

Correction for you. Hs8i is the hs8 with mounting holes. The hs8s is the subwoofer. You are welcome

[@rommyproductions]

so these are the perfect monitors for mixing? I need monitors to sound great in my room and on other speakers

[@mattingramsound]

Don't know that any monitor is "perfect", but these are very good.

[@iggswanna1248]

everything i mix in my hs8's sound horrible anywhere else, especially car stereo and heavy bass BT headphones they DO sound AMAZING tho

[@loveparade6573]

learn mixing and get used to them first

[@mattingramsound]

I would recommend looking into changing up your room. The placement makes a huge difference.

[@iggswanna1248]

@@mattingramsound they live in an odly shaped attic. room is deep they are 2 meters from a wall covered in books. attic is filled with stuff. its not a wet place by any means... been using them for 3 years... they are so bright that I tend to over darken everything, hence why the highs sound so bad

[@blessonjacob3809]

Where does it stand among competitors at or above this price point?

[@mattingramsound]

At the price range I have not found anything as good. Of course, as you start to look at more expensive gear, you can find better. Barefoot, Genelec, each makes awesome gear, but you have to be willing to pay for it.

[@psysword]

Dude these puppies are hard to drive... If you are hearing details and a thumping kick on the HS8s, then youre going in the right direction. I have some headphones that help me with my mixing and mastering decisions. flat flat and sometimes, the sound is recessed. you put more power in the mix which will translate so much better into the mixdown/ Good decisions can be made on these speakers. As a long time mix engineer, i give the HS8's a 7/10. p.S i havent given any other monitor or studio headphone more than this due to other limiting parameters. 10/10 doesnt exist.

[@ulfrohdin]

38 seconds in.....I disagree a bit. The most imortant factor in my opinion is the room and it's treatment.

[@mattingramsound]

The room is certainly a huge factor. However, work can be done to make a bad room sound good, but if your speakers are bad, there is not much that can be done. Either way, both should be a priority. Thanks for watching!

[@jakehargrov3]

TFTGear thats 100% true, but in general - speakers are way more comparable to one another than rooms. People suck at treating their rooms and placing their speakers properly. The difference between 200 and 400 dollar studio monitors doesn’t make as big of a difference as a good room vs. bad room imo

[@mattingramsound]

@@jakehargrov3 You can't really address one without the other, they are both parts of a whole. We are all right. lol

[@catsbyondrepair]

No bass

[@MeastrasElKachelino]

These are not accurate either, they color the Mids.

[@mattingramsound]

The HS8's are some of the best speakers I have hear in the price range. The amount of color they add is much less than the bulk of the competition.

[@RavenWinterz]

As good as these monitors may be I cant justify spending $700 for a pair when I can get a pair of KRK RP 8's for $500, the latest generation of KRK's, mind you.

[@tusharistherails]

Joey Chaparro guitar center has a special right now on HS8’s for buy one get one half off. U can cop a set for $525... Cop now before the sale is over!

[@Minerro]

Lol Krks are the worst monitors Ive ever listened to bro

[@samanthasteen7090]

krks are garbage

[@MichaelRasco]

Not bashing on KRK's at all. They do tend to push the low end quite heavily. IMO they're great for listening to music, but not mix music.

[@podfuk]

yeah "NS-10 greatest studio monitors in the world, KRK Rokit worst studio monitors in the world" - idiots believes to every myth they read on internet LOL