Short answer: the Yamaha HS8. It ranks #15 of 62 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $678.28; the Adam Audio S2V ranks #43 and costs $3500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Yamaha HS8 offers: ASR’s Klippel measurements show a notably neutral predicted in-room response, smooth horizontal directivity, and strong bass extension for a studio monitor: about 44Hz at -3dB and 35Hz at -10dB. Its Spinorama preference score rises from 4.95 full-range to 6.68 with a subwoofer, and the rear room-control switches provide some placement adjustment. Watch for: There is still some midrange unevenness and the vertical listening window is much narrower than the horizontal one, so ear height matters. The rear port and cabinet depth complicate close-wall placement, there is no DSP or automatic room correction, and the price is per speaker rather than per pair.
What the Adam Audio S2V offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows excellent driver blending through an imperceptible crossover between the 7” woofer and AMT tweeter, with distortion measured 70dB down at 1kHz. The 350W amplifier was the first the reviewer tested that didn’t run out of power on demand, delivering over 120dB SPL per pair. Watch for: An intentional shelving curve creates a dip in the low bass response, roughly 200-500Hz. The rotary-encoder control interface is non-intuitive, and the companion PC app requires serial-number registration with settings that only take effect after a manual “write” step that takes 5-10 seconds and produces audible ticks and pops. Expensive at $3,500 per pair.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Adam Audio S2V and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Adam Audio S2V | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $678.28 | $3500 |
| Ranked | #15 of 62 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #43 of 62 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) | not published by manufacturer |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" dome tweeter | 7" woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 120w Per Speaker | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
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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 HS8: $678.28 Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel measurements show a notably neutral predicted in-room response, smooth horizontal directivity, and strong bass extension for a studio monitor: about 44Hz at -3dB and 35Hz at -10dB. Its Spinorama preference score rises from 4.95 full-range to 6.68 with a subwoofer, and the rear room-control switches provide some placement adjustment.
Cons: There is still some midrange unevenness and the vertical listening window is much narrower than the horizontal one, so ear height matters. The rear port and cabinet depth complicate close-wall placement, there is no DSP or automatic room correction, and the price is per speaker rather than per pair.
Full Yamaha HS8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 120w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg |
- 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)
- Reddit Search for Yamaha HS8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Adam Audio S2V: $3500 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows excellent driver blending through an imperceptible crossover between the 7” woofer and AMT tweeter, with distortion measured 70dB down at 1kHz. The 350W amplifier was the first the reviewer tested that didn’t run out of power on demand, delivering over 120dB SPL per pair.
Cons: An intentional shelving curve creates a dip in the low bass response, roughly 200-500Hz. The rotary-encoder control interface is non-intuitive, and the companion PC app requires serial-number registration with settings that only take effect after a manual “write” step that takes 5-10 seconds and produces audible ticks and pops. Expensive at $3,500 per pair.
Full Adam Audio S2V review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 7" woofer, S-ART AMT tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 350W total (300W woofer Class D, 50W tweeter Class A/B) |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons