Short answer: the Yamaha HS8. It ranks #24 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $797.98. The Yamaha HS7 ranks #53, rated 3.9/5, at $349.99, $447.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Yamaha HS7 does well: A straightforward analog monitor with boundary and treble controls. Watch for: Its uneven bass response crosses -3dB around 87.9Hz in the normalized measurement, so quoting the 41Hz low-frequency score input as flat bass extension is misleading.
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. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $447.99 you would save on the Yamaha HS7 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS7 | Yamaha HS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.98 per pair | $797.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #53 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 6.5" cone woofer | 8" woofer, 1" dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 13.1H x 8.3W x 11.2D in | 15.4"H x 9.8"W x 13.1"D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 95W each (60W LF, 35W HF) | 120w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS | XLR |
| Country | Japan (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.54 | 5.85 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.48 | 7.58 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | 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 |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
Yamaha HS7: $699.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A straightforward analog monitor with boundary and treble controls. The measured -6dB point is 43.9Hz, so there is useful bass below the upper-bass region; the ideal-subwoofer score is 6.48.
Cons: Its uneven bass response crosses -3dB around 87.9Hz in the normalized measurement, so quoting the 41Hz low-frequency score input as flat bass extension is misleading. A 2.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and crossover-related variation also limit neutrality. Bass support does not fix all midrange and treble irregularities.
Full Yamaha HS7 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 95W each (60W LF, 35W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Japan (design) |
| Dimensions | 13.1H x 8.3W x 11.2D in |
| Drivers | 1" dome tweeter, 6.5" cone woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.48 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS8: $797.98 per pair Amazon eBay
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 →
| 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 →
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons