Short answer: the Yamaha HS5. It ranks #13 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $339.98; the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 ranks #24 and costs $18043.20, 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 Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 offers: The best-measuring of Sigberg’s three active systems, with a 6.74 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer versus 6.26 for the SBS.1 and 5.91 for the Manta. This is the appropriate apples-to-apples comparison because all three are designed for use with companion subwoofers. Unlike the other two measurements, the SBS Gen 2 data includes its subwoofer and verifies 24Hz bass extension. Its updated asymmetric 1st/3rd-order linear-phase crossover also delivers the best on-axis linearity and in-room and sound-power smoothness of the three. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) includes a 9-band parametric EQ. Watch for: Slightly wider directivity variation than the Manta (spinorama directivity index standard deviation 3.27 versus 2.50), though broadly comparable to the SBS.1’s 3.19. Sold only as a complete speaker-and-subwoofer system with pricing well into flagship territory. Built to order with a lead time of several months.
Buy the Yamaha HS5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.98 | $18,043.20 for the full system (2 speakers + 2 dedicated subwoofers, built to order) |
| Ranked | #13 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 60 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) | - |
| 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) |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker | 350W per speaker |
| Enclosure | - | sealed |
| Max SPL | - | 116dB |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Country | - | Norway |
| Measurement Source | - | Manufacturer |
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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 →
- 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)
- Reddit Search for Yamaha HS5 Review
- 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
Pros: The best-measuring of Sigberg’s three active systems, with a 6.74 Spinorama preference score with a perfect subwoofer versus 6.26 for the SBS.1 and 5.91 for the Manta. This is the appropriate apples-to-apples comparison because all three are designed for use with companion subwoofers. Unlike the other two measurements, the SBS Gen 2 data includes its subwoofer and verifies 24Hz bass extension. Its updated asymmetric 1st/3rd-order linear-phase crossover also delivers the best on-axis linearity and in-room and sound-power smoothness of the three. Active 3-channel Hypex nCore Class D amplification (350W per speaker) includes a 9-band parametric EQ.
Cons: Slightly wider directivity variation than the Manta (spinorama directivity index standard deviation 3.27 versus 2.50), though broadly comparable to the SBS.1’s 3.19. Sold only as a complete speaker-and-subwoofer system with pricing well into flagship territory. Built to order with a lead time of several months.
Full Sigberg Audio SBS Gen 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24Hz (measured, spinorama.org, with companion subwoofer) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| 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 |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, Optical, Coaxial/SPDIF, AES |
| Max SPL | 116dB |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output Power | 350W per speaker |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg each |