Short answer: the Yamaha HS5. It ranks #65 of 105 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $397. The Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #100, rated 2.7/5, at $298, $99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Yamaha HS5 is the more accurate option. ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 3.70 against 1.80 for the Fluid Audio FX50 V2. 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.
Why pick the Fluid Audio FX50 V2: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. The catch: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy.
Buy the Yamaha HS5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $99 saving on the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $397.00 per pair | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #65 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #100 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker | 90W each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | 4.42 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Yamaha HS5:
- Genelec 8331A vs Yamaha HS5
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Yamaha HS5
- Genelec 8030C vs Yamaha HS5
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS5
- Yamaha HS5 vs Reflector Audio Square Two
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Yamaha HS5: $397.00 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 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 →
| 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
Fluid Audio FX50 V2: $298 per pair Fluid Audio eBay
Older model: the Fluid Audio FX50 (ranked higher, rated 2.8/5).
Pros: The coaxial geometry and mounting provisions allow flexible physical orientation, while balanced inputs and boundary controls suit a compact studio installation. Bass reaches -3dB around 67Hz in ASR’s selected measurement.
Cons: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy. Listening-window and predicted-room narrow-band deviations are both around 0.80, showing irregular sound for both the listener and room reflections. Coaxial construction does not guarantee smooth dispersion or neutral reproduction, and correction features should not be credited as a proven fix.
Full Fluid Audio FX50 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| Enclosure | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.42 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Fluid Audio FX50
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Avantone Pro Active MixCube
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Midiplus MI5 II
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R1280T
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R1280DB
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier R1700BT
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Audioengine HD4
- Fluid Audio FX50 V2 vs Edifier S1000MKII
- See all 21 comparisons