Short answer: the Genelec G Two on measured sound quality, the Yamaha HS5 on price. The Genelec G Two ranks #16 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $1,390. The Yamaha HS5 ranks #43, rated 3.6/5, at $399.98, $990.02 cheaper.
What the Genelec G Two does well: A compact die-cast aluminum speaker built on the same drivers and waveguide as Genelec’s 8020 studio monitor, and it plugs straight into consumer gear through an RCA input. Watch for: Bass reaches only about 54Hz (-3dB) and fades by about 48Hz (-10dB), so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music or movies.
Why pick the Yamaha HS5: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. The catch: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance.
Buy the Genelec G Two if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Yamaha HS5 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec G Two | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,390 per pair | $399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #43 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9.5”H x 5.9”W x 5.6”D (242 x 151 x 142 mm) | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB), 56Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | RCA | XLR |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4.1” (105mm) woofer, 0.75” (19mm) metal dome tweeter | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble room switches) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) | 45w Per Speaker |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.26 | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.64 | 6.32 |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec G Two: $1,390 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A compact die-cast aluminum speaker built on the same drivers and waveguide as Genelec’s 8020 studio monitor, and it plugs straight into consumer gear through an RCA input. Spinorama measurements show the listening-window response holding within a 2.7dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, and a smooth predicted in-room response (0.79 smoothness), so voices and instruments sound natural rather than colored. With a subwoofer, its measured preference score rises to 7.64. Rear tone switches let you adjust the bass and treble for desk or wall placement. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches only about 54Hz (-3dB) and fades by about 48Hz (-10dB), so it needs a subwoofer for full-range music or movies. On-axis response is less even than Genelec’s larger monitors (0.42 narrow-band deviation versus 0.23 for the 8030C), and its preference score without a sub is a modest 5.26. Output tops out around 100dB short-term, and there is no balanced XLR input or GLM room calibration like the studio models.
Full Genelec G Two review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5”H x 5.9”W x 5.6”D (242 x 151 x 142 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.1” (105mm) woofer, 0.75” (19mm) metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble room switches) |
| Frequency Response | 62Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB), 56Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.26 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.64 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons