Short answer: the KRK Rokit 5 G5. It ranks #50 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $398; the Yamaha HS5 ranks #66, rated 3.6/5, at $397. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for the KRK Rokit 5 G5: A 5” woven Kevlar woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The case for 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 KRK Rokit 5 G5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1 with the Yamaha HS5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the KRK Rokit 5 G5’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.6 to 4.0, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Rokit 5 G5 | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 per pair | $397.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #66 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Weight | 10.9 lbs (4.95 kg) | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (288 x 191 x 242 mm) | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 55W (35W LF + 20W HF, Class D) | 45w Per Speaker |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| DSP | Yes (3 voicing modes) | - |
| EQ | Yes (25 boundary and tuning settings) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| App | Yes (KRK app) | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR | XLR |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.32 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KRK Rokit 5 G5:
- KRK Rokit 5 G5 vs Topping MA4
- JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Rokit 5 G5
- KRK Rokit 5 G5 vs Mackie MR524
- KRK Rokit 5 G5 vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- KRK Rokit 5 G5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
KRK Rokit 5 G5: $398 per pair Estimated Amazon $199.00 eBay
Older model: the KRK Rokit 5 G4 (ranked lower, rated 3.7/5). See every KRK Rokit generation.
Same family: the KRK Rokit 7 G5 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the KRK Rokit 8 G5 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5).
Pros: A 5” woven Kevlar woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter. Onboard DSP adds three voicing modes (Mix for a flat response, Create, and Focus for the midrange) and 25 boundary and tuning EQ settings, set up with the free KRK app. Bi-amplified Class D amplification and a silk dome tweeter rated to 40kHz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. A 5” woofer limits bass extension and output, so a subwoofer helps for full-range listening. Sold individually, so a stereo pair costs twice the listed price.
Full KRK Rokit 5 G5 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 55W (35W LF + 20W HF, Class D) |
| App | Yes (KRK app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (3 voicing modes) |
| Dimensions | 11.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D (288 x 191 x 242 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) Kevlar woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (25 boundary and tuning settings) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 10.9 lbs (4.95 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS5: $397.00 per pair Amazon $397.00 eBay
Same family: the Yamaha HS3 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.9/5), the Yamaha HS4 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Yamaha HS7 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5), the Yamaha HS8 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
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 →
| Released | Apr 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- 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
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons