Short answer: the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 on measured sound quality, the Yamaha HS5 on price. The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 ranks #23 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $18,043.20. The Yamaha HS5 ranks #64, rated 3.6/5, at $399.98, $17,643.22 cheaper.
What the Yamaha HS5 does well: 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.
The Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.56 against 3.70 for the Yamaha HS5. Its bass reaches about 24Hz before falling 3dB, against 88Hz for the Yamaha HS5. Watch for: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone.
Buy the Yamaha HS5 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.98 per pair | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) |
| Ranked | #64 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| 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) | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker | 350W per speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 | 7.51 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
| Maximum SPL | - | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2:
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- JBL 305P MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- Kali Audio IN-5 vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
- KEF LSX II LT vs Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 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 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
Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2: $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) Sigberg Audio eBay
Older model: the Sigberg Audio SBS.1 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: The measured speaker-and-subwoofer system has a 1.7dB midrange response span and a 7.51 ideal-subwoofer preference score, supporting useful tonal accuracy above the bass region. The measured system reaches -3dB around 34Hz. Onboard parametric EQ and dedicated amplification provide flexible integration for a complete high-performance setup. Measured bass extension of 24Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured system explicitly includes a subwoofer: its 6.56 full-system score and bass extension must not be attributed to the bookshelf speaker alone. It is not directly equivalent to the standalone-monitor tests around it. The complete system is expensive and occupies more space than the main speakers suggest; the score alone does not prove superior output or room performance.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W per speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | Norway |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (410 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5” midbass, 5.5” coaxial mid/tweeter with 1” silk dome |
| EQ | Yes (9-band parametric, factory presets) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 26Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB, with subwoofers) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Maximum SPL | 116dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali Audio IN-5
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs JBL 305P MKII
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Adam Audio T5V
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Kali LP-UNF
- Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 vs Edifier S2000MKIII
- See all 12 comparisons