Short answer: the Yamaha HS8 for neutrality per dollar. It is the cheaper at $797.98 against $4,400 and ranks #24 of 68 against #62 of 68, with a neutral output for mixing and only a slight midrange boost. The Focal Twin6 Be is a high-output 2.5-way with an inverted beryllium tweeter, but its response and directivity are not as uniformly neutral as newer waveguided three-ways.
The case for the Focal Twin6 Be: High-output 2.5-way studio monitor with an inverted beryllium tweeter and two 6.5-inch W-composite drivers, one covering bass/midrange and the other reinforcing only 40-150Hz. The tradeoff: The response and directivity are not as uniformly neutral as newer waveguided three-way monitors, and Erin suspected intermodulation-related roughness even though conventional harmonic distortion was low.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Twin6 Be and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Focal Twin6 Be | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | $4,400 per pair |
| Ranked | #24 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 68 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) | 9.8” x 19.7” x 13.4” (250 x 500 x 340 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 48.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | 1” inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5” W-cone drivers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | 6.06 |
| 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 |
| Bass Extension | - | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 →
- 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
Focal Twin6 Be: $4,400 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: The dual-woofer arrangement offers useful output capability for studio work, with a 48.3Hz measured -3dB point in the horizontal test. Its professional controls and format can suit a dedicated monitoring installation. Measured bass extension of 48.3Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The horizontal measurement scores 6.06 with an ideal subwoofer and spans 2.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz. Off-axis variation limits tonal consistency across listening positions. Orientation matters, and neither the beryllium tweeter nor the additional woofer makes its measured balance class-leading. Erin suspected intermodulation-related roughness even though harmonic distortion measured low.
Full Focal Twin6 Be review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 19.7” x 13.4” (250 x 500 x 340 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5” W-cone drivers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.06 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 48.5 lbs (22 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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