Short answer: the JTR Noesis 210HT. It ranks #39 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1999; the Yamaha NS-800A ranks #42 and costs $4800, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JTR Noesis 210HT offers: Exceptionally high-output sealed loudspeaker: Erin measured 92.5dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, less than 3% distortion at both 86dB and 96dB test levels, and excellent compression behavior. Watch for: Erin measured F3 at 76Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so the 210HT is designed to hand bass duties to subwoofers rather than operate full-range.
What the Yamaha NS-800A offers: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all - confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Watch for: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character - notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
Buy the JTR Noesis 210HT. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Yamaha NS-800A and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JTR Noesis 210HT | Yamaha NS-800A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999 each | $4800 |
| Ranked | #39 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #42 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | Approximately 3 ohms minimum at 100-200Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Dual 10" woofers; coaxial compression driver on 60° x 60° horn | 1.25" dome tweeter, 6.5" mid-woofer |
| Crossover | Approximately 850Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 34"H x 12.25"W x 14"D | 16.5"H x 9.1"W x 14.1"D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Weight | 85 lb each | 28.7 lbs / 13.0 kg (28.7 lbs) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | Bass reflex |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Output Power | - | 40W nominal, 120W max |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ATC SCM19
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Audio Craftsmen Victoria
- Danley SH50 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Revel M126Be vs JTR Noesis 210HT
- JTR Noesis 210HT vs McIntosh XR50
The Two Speakers In Full
JTR Noesis 210HT: $1,999 each JTR Speakers
Pros: Exceptionally high-output sealed loudspeaker: Erin measured 92.5dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, less than 3% distortion at both 86dB and 96dB test levels, and excellent compression behavior. The coaxial compression driver and dual 10-inch woofers cross at roughly 850Hz into a nominal 60° x 60° pattern, keeping radiation controlled enough that broad response errors remain amenable to EQ. Its sealed 12dB/octave bass roll-off simplifies subwoofer integration, while Baltic-birch construction and professional-grade drivers suit reference-level cinema use.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at 76Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so the 210HT is designed to hand bass duties to subwoofers rather than operate full-range. The impedance falls to approximately 3 ohms through 100-200Hz (Erin), making a stable separate amplifier preferable. Midrange resonances and the horn-to-woofer directivity transition raise the predicted in-room treble balance; careful toe-in, room treatment and DSP are advisable. Each enclosure is unusually large and heavy for a stand-mount, and the narrow coverage is less forgiving across a wide seating area.
Full JTR Noesis 210HT review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover | Approximately 850Hz |
| Dimensions | 34"H x 12.25"W x 14"D |
| Drivers | Dual 10" woofers; coaxial compression driver on 60° x 60° horn |
| Impedance | Approximately 3 ohms minimum at 100-200Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 85 lb each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha NS-800A: $4800 The Music Room
Pros: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all - confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Good, wide directivity (~75 degrees horizontal) that stays consistent enough to EQ successfully. Distortion is low, staying under 3% at 96dB, and dynamic range holds up well until right near its 102dB limit. A shallower, higher-frequency bass rolloff profile (F3 68Hz, F10 35Hz) means it can be placed closer to the wall (about a foot) without turning boomy, actually gaining bass presence rather than losing it.
Cons: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character - notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison. On top of that, treble breaks up badly above 10kHz, swinging up as much as 8dB - a significant, named flaw. Sounds inconsistently voiced as a result (bright on some material like cymbals and shakers, dull/laidback on vocals and instrument attack) until corrected with real parametric EQ (the reviewer needed a +2dB boost around 4.5kHz at Q0.5 plus taming the treble spike to bring it to life) combined with near-wall placement and 30-degree toe-out. Without that combination, it’s a tough sale for a $4,800 bookshelf speaker.
Full Yamaha NS-800A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.1"W x 14.1"D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.25" dome tweeter, 6.5" mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 40W nominal, 120W max |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs / 13.0 kg (28.7 lbs) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons