Short answer: the Kii THREE on measured sound quality, the Yamaha HS8 on price. The Kii THREE ranks #3 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.9/5, at $16,970. The Yamaha HS8 ranks #36, rated 4.4/5, at $797.98, $16,172.02 cheaper.
Why pick the Yamaha HS8: 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 Kii THREE is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Exceptionally even measured balance: the 300Hz-5kHz response spans only 1.2dB, with preference scores of 7.70 standalone and 8.35 with an ideal subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.70 against 5.85 for the Yamaha HS8. Its bass reaches about 28Hz before falling 3dB, against 43.9Hz for the Yamaha HS8. The tradeoff: Deep-bass output has limits: demanding low-frequency material at high levels can trigger compression or audible distress.
Buy the Yamaha HS8 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Kii THREE if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Kii THREE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | $16,970 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #3 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) | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 15.7”D |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (-6dB at 20Hz; ±0.5dB 100Hz-10kHz; ±1dB 10kHz-20kHz) (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 | XLR (analog), XLR AES/EBU (digital), proprietary KiiLink digital multi-pin |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 42.1 lbs (19.1 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | Four 6.5” woofers; 5” midrange; 1” waveguided tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | Yes; boundary, contour, phase-exact and low-latency modes |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 1,500W total per speaker; Six Ncore channels |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | 7.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | 8.35 |
| 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 |
| Coverage | - | DSP-controlled cardioid above approximately 70-90Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Kii THREE compares with other leading options:
- Kii THREE vs Dutch & Dutch 8C
- Kii THREE vs Buchardt A10
- Kii THREE vs Buchardt A500
- Kii THREE vs SHIVAUDYO Point Zero
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Kii THREE
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
Kii THREE: $16,970 per pair Vintage King eBay
Same family: the Kii Seven (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.6/5).
Pros: Exceptionally even measured balance: the 300Hz-5kHz response spans only 1.2dB, with preference scores of 7.70 standalone and 8.35 with an ideal subwoofer. Cardioid control reduces rearward low-midrange energy, while measured -3dB extension of 29.3Hz provides convincing full-range bass in a compact system. Measured bass extension of 28Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Deep-bass output has limits: demanding low-frequency material at high levels can trigger compression or audible distress. The reviewer preferred a small treble reduction, so the high score is not a promise of ideal tonal balance for every listener. Linear-phase operation adds latency, and the system is expensive.
Full Kii THREE review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1,500W total per speaker; Six Ncore channels |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 20.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Coverage | DSP-controlled cardioid above approximately 70-90Hz |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (-6dB at 20Hz; ±0.5dB 100Hz-10kHz; ±1dB 10kHz-20kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (analog), XLR AES/EBU (digital), proprietary KiiLink digital multi-pin |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.35 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 42.1 lbs (19.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons