Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 (August 2026)

Short answer: the 8020D, if the price gap is acceptable. It ranks #3 of 25 in the bookshelf-medium class at $1,100; the HS8 ranks #14 of 21 in the larger bookshelf-large class at $678.28, $422 less.

The 8020D’s measurements are unusually well documented in our notes. Klippel-based spinorama data shows a flat, well-behaved on-axis response from about 60Hz to 10kHz, with tight horizontal directivity out to roughly ±30 degrees before narrowing. Its limitation is a small 4.1-inch woofer and tweeter pair that begins to beam above 500Hz to 1kHz.

The HS8 is the more conventional, larger-cabinet choice, good for mixing with a neutral output, at the cost of a slight midrange boost.

Buy the 8020D for the stronger measurements if budget allows. Buy the HS8 for a bigger cabinet at a meaningfully lower price.

Specifications Side By Side

	Genelec 8020D	Yamaha HS8
Price	$1100	$678.28
Ranked	#3 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers	#14 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Dimensions	9.5"H x 5.8"W x 5.6"D (241.3 x 147.3 x 142.2 mm)	15.4"H x 9.8"W x 13.1"D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm)
Frequency Response	56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB) (Manufacturer specified)	47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR	XLR
Weight	7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg each	22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg
Drivers	4.1" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter	8" woofer, 1" dome tweeter
App	No	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	50Hz	-
Bass Extension (-3dB)	56Hz	-
Bluetooth	No	No
EQ	Yes (Bass tilt, desk proximity)	Yes (Room adjustment)
Max SPL	103dB @ 1m	-
Output Power	100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter)	120w Per Speaker
DSP	-	No

The Two Speakers In Full

Genelec 8020D: $1100 Bhphotovideo

Pros: Klippel-based spinorama measurements show a flat, well-behaved on-axis response from about 60Hz to 10kHz, with listening-window and early-reflections curves tracking closely together - a sign of well-controlled directivity. Horizontal directivity holds tight out to about ±30 degrees before starting to narrow. Applying EQ correction visibly closes the gap between the on-axis and predicted in-room curves, raising the calculated on-axis preference score from 5.4 to 6.4 and the in-room score from 5.6 to 6.6 - a straightforward, worthwhile tuning target for anyone using it with room correction.

Cons: Sound power rolls off starting around 500Hz-1kHz as the small 4.1” woofer/tweeter pair begins to beam, a typical trait of small nearfield monitors at this price. Off-axis response (measured out to 90 degrees) narrows noticeably above 1kHz, so off-center listening loses top-end energy. High price for the driver size.

App	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	50Hz
Bass Extension (-3dB)	56Hz
Bluetooth	No
Dimensions	9.5"H x 5.8"W x 5.6"D (241.3 x 147.3 x 142.2 mm)
Drivers	4.1" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter
EQ	Yes (Bass tilt, desk proximity)
Frequency Response	56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR
Max SPL	103dB @ 1m
Output Power	100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter)
Weight	7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg each

Check current price at Bhphotovideo →

Yamaha HS8: $678.28 Amazon

Pros: Good for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.

Cons: Slight midrange boost. Quite expensive.

App	No
Bluetooth	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)
Inputs	XLR
Output Power	120w Per Speaker
Weight	22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg

Check current price at Amazon ($678.28) →

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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.