Short answer: the SHIVAUDYO Point Zero. It ranks #29 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5); the Yamaha HS8 ranks #36 (rated 4.4/5).
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. Watch for: Its response and off-axis behavior are not as refined as the leading monitors.
The SHIVAUDYO Point Zero is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Measured -3dB extension of 31.5Hz and a 7.66 ideal-subwoofer score combine useful bass with broadly balanced sound. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.59 against 5.85 for the Yamaha HS8. Its bass reaches about 31Hz before falling 3dB, against 43.9Hz for the Yamaha HS8. Watch for: Cardioid control begins around 200Hz rather than extending through all deep bass.
Buy the SHIVAUDYO Point Zero. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha HS8.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | SHIVAUDYO Point Zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | €6,500 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 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 8.7”W x 15.4”D (400 x 220 x 390 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 20kHz ±1dB (anechoic, Preset 1) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 31Hz (measured on-axis, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 22Hz (measured on-axis, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, RCA, AES-EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | 6.5” mid-woofer, 1” waveguide dome tweeter, 2x 8” side-firing subwoofers (opposed, vibration-cancelling) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | Yes (Hypex, downloadable software, 3 bass presets) |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 600W total (300W subs + 200W mid-woofer + 100W tweeter, Hypex NCore) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | 6.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | 7.66 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 120Hz / 1600Hz, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley |
| Sensitivity | - | 92.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; Erin notes this figure is scaled rather than directly comparable to passive-speaker sensitivity) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB long-term, 116dB short-term, 120dB peak (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
SHIVAUDYO Point Zero: €6,500 per pair Shivaudyo eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 31.5Hz and a 7.66 ideal-subwoofer score combine useful bass with broadly balanced sound. Cardioid control through the low midrange reduces some rearward energy, and selectable bass presets let the listener trade extension for headroom. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92.9dB.
Cons: Cardioid control begins around 200Hz rather than extending through all deep bass. Listening height can change vocal weight, and the measured 2.0dB midband span does not capture every directional variation. The deepest bass preset sacrifices output, so its nominal cutoff is not a clean-SPL guarantee.
Full SHIVAUDYO Point Zero review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 600W total (300W subs + 200W mid-woofer + 100W tweeter, Hypex NCore) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 22Hz (measured on-axis, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured on-axis, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Crossover Frequency | 120Hz / 1600Hz, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley |
| DSP | Yes (Hypex, downloadable software, 3 bass presets) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8.7”W x 15.4”D (400 x 220 x 390 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” mid-woofer, 1” waveguide dome tweeter, 2x 8” side-firing subwoofers (opposed, vibration-cancelling) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz ±1dB (anechoic, Preset 1) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, AES-EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB long-term, 116dB short-term, 120dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 92.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; Erin notes this figure is scaled rather than directly comparable to passive-speaker sensitivity) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.66 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs (16.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs Thomann Swissonic A306
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs Genelec 8351B
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs Kii THREE
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs Klipsch The Nines
- SHIVAUDYO Point Zero vs JBL 4329P
- See all 12 comparisons