Short answer: the Yamaha HS5. It ranks #13 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $339.98; the Mackie MR524 ranks #25 and costs $380, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Yamaha HS5 offers: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output. Watch for: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
What the Mackie MR524 offers: The available measurement stays within a 2.0dB reference band and reaches 46.2Hz at -3dB, 41.8Hz at -6dB, and 36.7Hz at -12dB. Its preference score is 4.30 without a subwoofer and 6.25 with one. It includes balanced XLR and TRS inputs, RCA, boundary compensation, high-frequency trim, and 50W of bi-amplification per speaker. Watch for: The low-quality Spinorama measurement shows a +0.47dB-per-octave on-axis rise, 1.158dB on-axis average absolute deviation, low 0.170 predicted-in-room smoothness, and a 3.61 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation. Output is also limited by the 5-inch woofer and 50W amplifier.
Buy the Yamaha HS5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Mackie MR524 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Mackie MR524 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.98 | $380/pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-20kHz |
| Inputs | XLR | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha HS5: $339.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.
Cons: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each |
- 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 →
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- 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)
- Reddit Search for Yamaha HS5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie MR524: $380/pair Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: The available measurement stays within a 2.0dB reference band and reaches 46.2Hz at -3dB, 41.8Hz at -6dB, and 36.7Hz at -12dB. Its preference score is 4.30 without a subwoofer and 6.25 with one. It includes balanced XLR and TRS inputs, RCA, boundary compensation, high-frequency trim, and 50W of bi-amplification per speaker.
Cons: The low-quality Spinorama measurement shows a +0.47dB-per-octave on-axis rise, 1.158dB on-axis average absolute deviation, low 0.170 predicted-in-room smoothness, and a 3.61 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation. Output is also limited by the 5-inch woofer and 50W amplifier.
Full Mackie MR524 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-20kHz |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA |
| Output Power | 50W bi-amplified per speaker |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples