Short answer: the Genelec 8030C for better sound quality, the Yamaha HS5 for the lower price. The Genelec 8030C ranks #3 of 42 powered bookshelf speakers at $1590. The Yamaha HS5 ranks #11 at $339.98, $1250.02 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8030C gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a near-flat on-axis response with smooth directivity - “very nice overall.” Predicted in-room response is excellent aside from one minor dip. The catch: A minor but measurable dip between 2-3kHz shows up in both on- and off-axis measurements.
On the Yamaha HS5 side: Very neutral. Set against that: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class.
Buy the Genelec 8030C if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Yamaha HS5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8030C | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1590 | $339.98 |
| Ranked | #3 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 42 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (297.2 x 188 x 177.8 mm) | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 11 lbs / 5 kg each | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each |
| Drivers | 5.1" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, treble tilt, room response) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 110dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) | 45w Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Presonus Eris E5
- Edifier R1280DB vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Adam Audio T5V vs JBL 705P
- Genelec 8030C vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Genelec 8030C vs Kali LP-UNF
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8030C: $1590 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a near-flat on-axis response with smooth directivity - “very nice overall.” Predicted in-room response is excellent aside from one minor dip. Reasonably wide horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees that doesn’t narrow even above 10kHz. At 106dB SPL/1m, bass distortion measures much lower than a comparable passive speaker-plus-amplifier combination (Revel M106) tested the same way. Compression is purely instantaneous/amplitude-related rather than thermal, with max SPL before compression reaching 111dB SPL at 200Hz (96dB plus 15dB of headroom). The reviewer found it immediately musical, with reference tracks “translating” beautifully out of the box, and EQ correction of its one measured flaw improved detail with no downsides. Overall conclusion: excellent value, a rare combination of measured accuracy and genuinely engaging sound.
Cons: A minor but measurable dip between 2-3kHz shows up in both on- and off-axis measurements. Vertical directivity varies significantly with frequency, so listening height needs to stay right at the tweeter/ear axis for accurate tonal balance. Distortion at 106dB SPL/1m is elevated in the 500Hz-2kHz range compared to the Revel M106 comparison, even though bass distortion is much better. Compression headroom drops substantially at low frequencies - only about 105dB SPL max at 50Hz (a 0.5dB compression point) versus 111dB SPL at 200Hz, roughly a 6dB difference. As a near-field monitor, it has genuinely limited headroom in the deep bass - the reviewer noted severe distortion on deep-bass-heavy tracks at anything beyond modest listening levels.
Full Genelec 8030C review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (297.2 x 188 x 177.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, treble tilt, room response) |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 110dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Weight | 11 lbs / 5 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS5: $339.98 Amazon
Pros: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.
Cons: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Reddit Search for Yamaha HS5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons