Short answer: the Yamaha HS8. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#36 and #48 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Yamaha HS8 costs $797.98 against $1,699.98 for the Mackie HR824mk2, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the Mackie HR824mk2: The updated Mackie HR824 with an 8.75” woofer, a 1” titanium dome tweeter in a waveguide, a solid aluminium Zero Edge baffle and a rear 6” x 12” passive radiator, driven by 150W and 100W amplifiers. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor, the Mackie HR824.
What the Yamaha HS8 does well: ASR measurements support broadly neutral sound: a 2.3dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.58 ideal-subwoofer score. Watch for: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $902 less than the Mackie HR824mk2.
About the ratings: the Mackie HR824mk2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie HR824mk2 | Yamaha HS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.98 per pair | $797.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #36 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| 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 |
| Drivers | 8.75” woofer, 1” titanium dome tweeter with waveguide, 6” x 12” passive radiator | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 250W (150W LF, 100W HF) | 120w Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz-20kHz ±1.5dB (manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) | - |
| EQ | Yes (acoustic space and HF controls) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Dimensions | 16.8”H x 10.8”W x 13.8”D (427 x 274 x 351 mm) | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Weight | 34.6 lbs (15.7 kg) each | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | - | XLR |
| App | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.58 |
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- Yamaha HS8 vs Genelec 8351B
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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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Mackie HR824mk2: $1,699.98 per pair Estimated Sweetwater eBay
Older model: the Mackie HR824 (ranked higher, rated 4.4/5). See every Mackie HR824 generation.
Pros: The updated Mackie HR824 with an 8.75” woofer, a 1” titanium dome tweeter in a waveguide, a solid aluminium Zero Edge baffle and a rear 6” x 12” passive radiator, driven by 150W and 100W amplifiers. Mackie rates it from 37Hz to 20kHz within ±1.5dB, and it has acoustic space controls for placement near walls.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor, the Mackie HR824. It weighs 15.7kg each.
Full Mackie HR824mk2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2007 (19 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 250W (150W LF, 100W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.8”H x 10.8”W x 13.8”D (427 x 274 x 351 mm) |
| Drivers | 8.75” woofer, 1” titanium dome tweeter with waveguide, 6” x 12” passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (acoustic space and HF controls) |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz-20kHz ±1.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 34.6 lbs (15.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- 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 HS8: $797.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Yamaha HS3 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.9/5), the Yamaha HS4 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Yamaha HS5 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha HS7 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
Pros: ASR measurements support broadly neutral sound: a 2.3dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.58 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB bass extension of 43.9Hz gives useful weight for music, with straightforward analog connections and room-adjustment controls. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors. Vertical positioning around the crossover matters, and a subwoofer remains useful for deep bass. Basic rear-panel controls do not replace measured room correction.
Full Yamaha HS8 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review: Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor Review More from Audio Science Review →
- Sercan Solmaz: Adam Audio T8V vs Yamaha HS8 vs KRK Rokit 8 (STUDIO SPEAKER SOUND TEST)
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A7X vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS7 vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 8 G4 RP8G4 vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons