Short answer: the Dutch & Dutch 8C on measured sound quality, the Yamaha HS8 on price. The Dutch & Dutch 8C ranks #10 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $13,000. The Yamaha HS8 ranks #36, rated 4.4/5, at $797.98, $12,202.02 cheaper.
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. The tradeoff: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors.
The Dutch & Dutch 8C is the deeper-bass choice. Very deep measured bass reaches 23.4Hz at -3dB, while the 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids. Its bass reaches about 23Hz before falling 3dB, against 43.9Hz for the Yamaha HS8. The catch: Cardioid operation reduces some reflections; it does not make the speaker independent of the room.
Buy the Yamaha HS8 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Dutch & Dutch 8C when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Dutch & Dutch 8C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | $13000 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 118 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) | 19”H x 10.5”W x 15”D (482.6 x 266.7 x 381 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 23Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | <20Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | 2x 8” Aluminium Cone woofers, 8” Aluminium Cone midrange, 1” Aluminium/Magnesium dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (Ascend) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (24-band parametric) |
| DSP | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 1000W (250W tweeter + 250W mid + 500W dual woofers) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | - |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Sensitivity | - | ~106dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Streaming Services | - | Yes (network streaming) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes (Ethernet) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB @ 1m continuous (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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: $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
Dutch & Dutch 8C: $13000 per pair Tidepool Audio eBay
Pros: Very deep measured bass reaches 23.4Hz at -3dB, while the 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids. The 6.51 standalone score reflects that full-range strength. Cardioid midrange radiation and boundary-aware bass adjustment help integrate the system with nearby walls. Measured bass extension of 23Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 106dB.
Cons: Cardioid operation reduces some reflections; it does not make the speaker independent of the room. Rear-woofer placement and setup remain important. Its 7.16 ideal-subwoofer score trails the strongest tonal performers here, although its deep native bass is a meaningful advantage for listening without a sub.
Full Dutch & Dutch 8C review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1000W (250W tweeter + 250W mid + 500W dual woofers) |
| App | Yes (Ascend) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 23Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 19”H x 10.5”W x 15”D (482.6 x 266.7 x 381 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” Aluminium Cone woofers, 8” Aluminium Cone midrange, 1” Aluminium/Magnesium dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (24-band parametric) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB @ 1m continuous (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | ~106dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Streaming Services | Yes (network streaming) |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 57.3 lbs (26 kg) each |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Ethernet) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Active Pro
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Genelec 8361A
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Neumann KH420
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Kii THREE
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Dutch & Dutch 8C vs JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor
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