Short answer: the Yamaha HS8. It ranks #36 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $797.98 and is still sold new; the Thomann Swissonic A306 ranks #52 (rated 4.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
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.
Why pick the Thomann Swissonic A306: With the treble control set to -2dB, Erin measured a 7.29 ideal-subwoofer score and 43.9Hz -3dB bass extension. The tradeoff: The published result is not the flat-control setting: it specifically uses -2dB treble.
Buy the Yamaha HS8. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Thomann Swissonic A306 is discontinued.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS8 | Thomann Swissonic A306 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $797.98 per pair | $250 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 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) | 8.8”W x 14.2”H x 11.1”D (224 x 361 x 282 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced) |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 13.6 lbs (6.17 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” dome tweeter | 6.5” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter with waveguide |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | Yes (rear-panel treble/bass trim, wall/near-wall placement switches) |
| Amplifier Power | 120w Per Speaker | 100W bi-amplified total (50W + 50W, Class D) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.85 | 5.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.58 | 7.29 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| 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 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Sensitivity | - | 89.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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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
Thomann Swissonic A306: $250 per pair Discontinued Thomann eBay
Older model: the Thomann Swissonic A305 (rated 4.2/5).
Pros: With the treble control set to -2dB, Erin measured a 7.29 ideal-subwoofer score and 43.9Hz -3dB bass extension. This is a useful affordable monitoring option when carefully set up, with onboard controls for basic tonal adjustment. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.9dB.
Cons: The published result is not the flat-control setting: it specifically uses -2dB treble. Even then, the response spans 2.8dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, so balance is not as even as the leaders. Bass output and vertical listening position remain practical limitations. Discontinued.
Full Thomann Swissonic A306 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W bi-amplified total (50W + 50W, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| DSP | Yes (rear-panel treble/bass trim, wall/near-wall placement switches) |
| Dimensions | 8.8”W x 14.2”H x 11.1”D (224 x 361 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Sensitivity | 89.9dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.29 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.6 lbs (6.17 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs JBL 4329P
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs Kali Audio LP-8 V2
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs SHIVAUDYO Point Zero
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs M-Audio BX8 D3
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs Adam Audio T8V
- Thomann Swissonic A306 vs Kali Audio LP-8
- See all 11 comparisons