Short answer: the Kii THREE for better sound quality, the Yamaha HS8 for the lower price. The Kii THREE ranks #2 of 66 powered bookshelf speakers at $14000. The Yamaha HS8 ranks #15 at $678.28, $13321.72 cheaper.
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 Kii THREE offers: A genuinely full-range active cardioid monitor. Erin measured a 28Hz F3, and boundary gain in his room kept useful response close to 20Hz. Four side/rear 6.5-inch woofers use DSP delay and cancellation to suppress rearward radiation above roughly 70-90Hz, reducing front-wall and sidewall interaction while the 5-inch midrange and waveguided tweeter maintain exceptionally smooth directivity. Six Ncore amplifier channels provide 1,500W total per cabinet, phase-exact mode offers precise impulse behavior, and Erin found imaging, tonal neutrality and left/right symmetry outstanding. Watch for: The protection limiter becomes evident above approximately 96dB at 1m; bass-heavy material can overdrive the compact woofers with an audible plop even though many tracks exceed 100dB at a four-meter seat. The BXT modules are the appropriate but very expensive solution for more deep-bass headroom. Erin preferred the treble control at -2dB because broad radiation around 3-5kHz could sound sharp. Phase-exact operation adds latency, while low-latency mode trades away some low-frequency correction. System cost, proprietary connectivity and 42-pound cabinets also narrow its audience.
Buy the Yamaha HS8 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Kii THREE if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Kii THREE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $678.28 | $14,000/pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 66 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) | 15.7"H x 7.9"W x 15.7"D |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 28Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 20.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg | 42 lb each |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" dome tweeter | Four 6.5" woofers; 5" midrange; 1" waveguided tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | Yes; boundary, contour, phase-exact and low-latency modes |
| Output Power | 120w Per Speaker | - |
| Sensitivity | - | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Amplification | - | Six Ncore channels, 1,500W total per speaker |
| Radiation | - | DSP-controlled cardioid above approximately 70-90Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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 →
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- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
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- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- 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
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- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Yamaha HS8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Kii THREE: $14,000/pair Vintage King eBay
Pros: A genuinely full-range active cardioid monitor. Erin measured a 28Hz F3, and boundary gain in his room kept useful response close to 20Hz. Four side/rear 6.5-inch woofers use DSP delay and cancellation to suppress rearward radiation above roughly 70-90Hz, reducing front-wall and sidewall interaction while the 5-inch midrange and waveguided tweeter maintain exceptionally smooth directivity. Six Ncore amplifier channels provide 1,500W total per cabinet, phase-exact mode offers precise impulse behavior, and Erin found imaging, tonal neutrality and left/right symmetry outstanding.
Cons: The protection limiter becomes evident above approximately 96dB at 1m; bass-heavy material can overdrive the compact woofers with an audible plop even though many tracks exceed 100dB at a four-meter seat. The BXT modules are the appropriate but very expensive solution for more deep-bass headroom. Erin preferred the treble control at -2dB because broad radiation around 3-5kHz could sound sharp. Phase-exact operation adds latency, while low-latency mode trades away some low-frequency correction. System cost, proprietary connectivity and 42-pound cabinets also narrow its audience.
Full Kii THREE review and specifications →
| Amplification | Six Ncore channels, 1,500W total per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 20.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DSP | Yes; boundary, contour, phase-exact and low-latency modes |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 7.9"W x 15.7"D |
| Drivers | Four 6.5" woofers; 5" midrange; 1" waveguided tweeter |
| Radiation | DSP-controlled cardioid above approximately 70-90Hz |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Weight | 42 lb each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons