Short answer: the Adam Audio S2V on measured sound quality, the Yamaha HS8 on price. The Adam Audio S2V ranks #16 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $3,399.98. The Yamaha HS8 ranks #36, rated 4.4/5, at $797.98, $2,602 cheaper.
The Yamaha HS8 is the deeper-bass pick. ASR measurements support broadly neutral sound: a 2.3dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.58 ideal-subwoofer score. Its bass reaches about 43.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 52.7Hz for the Adam Audio S2V. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Adam Audio S2V lacks. Watch for: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors.
What the Adam Audio S2V does well: A 7.98 ideal-subwoofer score and relatively even listening-window response support a strong role as a subwoofer-assisted studio monitor. The tradeoff: Measured -3dB extension is 52.7Hz, so the large cabinet does not automatically deliver the deepest bass here.
Buy the Yamaha HS8 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Adam Audio S2V if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Adam Audio S2V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | $3,399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 9.8”W x 13.1”D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) | 13.6” x 8.7” x 13.3” (346 x 222 x 338 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 24.3 lbs (11.0 kg) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | 7” woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | 7.98 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Adam Audio S2V compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8341A vs Adam Audio S2V
- LOGProfessional Alpha vs Adam Audio S2V
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Adam Audio S2V
- JBL 308P MKII vs Adam Audio S2V
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Adam Audio S2V
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha HS8: $797.98 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 HS5 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the Yamaha HS7 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Yamaha HS8S (subwoofer, rated 3/5).
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 →
- Sercan Solmaz: Adam Audio T8V vs Yamaha HS8 vs KRK Rokit 8 (STUDIO SPEAKER SOUND TEST)
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A7X vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS7 vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 8 G4 RP8G4 vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Adam Audio S2V: $3,399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the ADAM Audio S3V (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S3H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.5/5), the ADAM Audio S5V (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5) and the ADAM Audio S5H (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5).
Pros: A 7.98 ideal-subwoofer score and relatively even listening-window response support a strong role as a subwoofer-assisted studio monitor. The review’s low-distortion findings add useful evidence beyond amplifier ratings, and onboard DSP permits tailored adjustment. The review measured distortion about 70dB below the signal at 1kHz. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Measured -3dB extension is 52.7Hz, so the large cabinet does not automatically deliver the deepest bass here. The native balance rises toward the treble, with some lower-midrange unevenness. DSP can improve that balance, but an EQ-optimized result is not its unadjusted performance.
Full Adam Audio S2V review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 8.7” x 13.3” (346 x 222 x 338 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 7” woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.98 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons