Short answer: the Focal Solo6 ST6 for the more detailed driver design; the Yamaha HS8 is the neutral, familiar choice. The HS8 is good for mixing and anything needing a neutral output, but carries a slight midrange boost and is quite expensive. The Solo6 ST6’s beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite cone is a low-mass, low-distortion combination rarely found below far pricier monitors, though its bass alignment Q is on the higher side.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Solo6 ST6 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Solo6 ST6 | Yamaha HS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,998 per pair | $797.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #30 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB peak at 1m | - |
| Amplifier Power | 130W total (80W LF + 50W HF); Bi-amped (Class G LF + Class AB HF) | 120w Per Speaker |
| Drivers | 1” Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5” “W” composite sandwich-cone woofer | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 | 7.58 |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13 kg) | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Solo6 ST6: $2,998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR measured a tight 1.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 7.34 ideal-subwoofer score, supporting accurate midrange monitoring. The beryllium tweeter and Focus mode offer a useful professional workflow, with Focus serving as an alternate mix-check presentation. Its beryllium inverted-dome tweeter and 6.5-inch W composite sandwich-cone woofer are a low-mass, low-distortion pairing. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is 46.9Hz, so deep-bass work benefits from a subwoofer. The standard-mode score does not apply to Focus mode. There is no automatic room-calibration system, and premium driver materials alone do not establish superior sound.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 130W total (80W LF + 50W HF); Bi-amped (Class G LF + Class AB HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1” Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5” “W” composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS8: $797.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR measurements support broadly neutral sound: a 2.3dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.58 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB bass extension of 43.9Hz gives useful weight for music, with straightforward analog connections and room-adjustment controls. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors. Vertical positioning around the crossover matters, and a subwoofer remains useful for deep bass. Basic rear-panel controls do not replace measured room correction.
Full Yamaha HS8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons