Yamaha’s “HPH-MT” series is a line of studio monitor headphones. In this article we compare the HPH-MT5 and HPH-MT8. In this article we compare the 2 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 14 monitor headphones on this site.
Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.
In short: which one to choose
- HPH-MT5 (rank B): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on suitability for recording (sound leakage).
- HPH-MT8 (rank B): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on ease of driving and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
The highest score among the 2 models is HPH-MT8 (rank B, average 3.2). But the model you need depends on how many things you record at once and which features you use. You do not need to choose a higher model for inputs, outputs or features you will not use.
Main features of the YAMAHA HPH-MT series
Yamaha’s thinking about studio monitors
These monitor headphones are made with the same design philosophy of “faithful to the original sound” as Yamaha’s monitor speakers (the NS-10M, MSP and HS series). Both are closed-back, over-ear (covering the ears) and said to isolate sound well.
The difference between the MT8 and MT5
The MT8 has a 45 mm driver, plays 15 Hz to 28 kHz and has aluminum die-cast arms. The MT5 has a 40 mm driver, plays 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and at 245 g is more than 100 g lighter than the MT8 (350 g).
One-ear monitoring and a fit that does not tire you
Three-dimensionally moving arms and length-adjustable sliders are said to keep them comfortable for a long time. The ear cups move, so you can also monitor with one ear only.
Cables and accessories
Both have detachable cables. The MT8 comes with two, a 3 m straight cable and a 1.2 m coiled cable, and the MT5 comes with one 3 m straight cable. An adapter to a 6.3 mm standard plug and a carrying pouch are also included.
Where it is useful
- Listening to the backing track with little sound leakage while recording a cover
- Wanting headphones that do not tire you in a long mixing session
- Wanting to match your thinking about sound to Yamaha monitor speakers
Differences in specifications (comparison table)
| Model | Rank | Ease of driving | Low-frequency range | High-frequency range | Lightness | Suitability for recording (sound leakage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPH-MT5 | B (2.8) | 51 Ω (3 points) | 20 Hz (2 points) | 20,000 Hz (1 point) | 245 g (3 points) | closed-back design (5 points) |
| HPH-MT8 | B (3.2) | 37 Ω (4 points) | 15 Hz (3 points) | 28,000 Hz (3 points) | 350 g (1 point) | closed-back design (5 points) |
How we score (Monitor headphones)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of driving | Impedance (the lower it is, the easier to reach a good volume from a small amplifier) | ≤32 | ≤40 | ≤55 | ≤100 | >100 |
| Low-frequency range | Lower limit of the frequency response | ≤5 | ≤8 | ≤15 | ≤20 | >20 |
| High-frequency range | Upper limit of the frequency response | ≥40000 | ≥30000 | ≥25000 | ≥22000 | <22000 |
| Lightness | Weight (cable excluded) | ≤200 | ≤220 | ≤250 | ≤290 | >290 |
| Suitability for recording (sound leakage) | Closed-back or open-back (closed-back keeps sound out of the microphone while you sing) | Closed-back | — | — | — | Open-back |
Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Ease of driving is compared by impedance (Ω), which every manufacturer publishes. The lower the number, the easier it is to reach a good volume from the headphone jack of an audio interface or a smartphone, so a headphone amplifier is less likely to be needed (sensitivity is shown in the table for reference). "Suitability for recording" scores closed-back headphones higher because the sound is less likely to leak into the microphone while you sing. If you choose open-back headphones for mixing, you can ignore this item.
Rating of each model
HPH-MT5
Score 2.8 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 51Ω
- Weight
- 245g
- Upper limit
- 20,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 51 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 112.9 dB/V.
HPH-MT8
Score 3.2 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 37Ω
- Weight
- 350g
- Upper limit
- 28,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 37 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 116.3 dB/V.
Compared with other monitor headphones
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
YAMAHA HPH-MT series: connection and getting started
| Connection | 3.5 mm mini plug (adapter to a 6.3 mm standard plug included) |
|---|---|
| In the box | MT8: two cables (3 m straight, 1.2 m coiled), adapter, carrying pouch (synthetic leather) / MT5: one cable (3 m straight), adapter, carrying pouch (nylon) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Type | ImpedanceΩ | SensitivitydB/V | Lower limitHz | Upper limitHz | Weightg | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M20x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 47 | 109.3 | 15 | 20,000 | 190 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M30x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 47 | 109.3 | 15 | 22,000 | 220 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M40x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 35 | 112.6 | 15 | 24,000 | 240 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M50x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 38 | 113.2 | 15 | 28,000 | 285 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M70x | S 4.2 | Closed-back | 35 | 111.6 | 5 | 40,000 | 280 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-R70x | B 3.2 | Open-back | 470 | 101.3 | 5 | 40,000 | 210 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-M1 | S 4.4 | Closed-back | 50 | 115 | 5 | 80,000 | 216 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-M1ST | S 4.8 | Closed-back | 24 | 119.2 | 5 | 80,000 | 215 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-CD900ST | S 4.2 | Closed-back | 63 | 118 | 5 | 30,000 | 200 | Not disclosed |
| YamahaHPH-MT8 | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 37 | 116.3 | 15 | 28,000 | 350 | Not disclosed |
| YamahaHPH-MT5 | B 2.8 | Closed-back | 51 | 112.9 | 20 | 20,000 | 245 | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO 80Ω | A 4.0 | Closed-back | 80 | Not disclosed | 5 | 35,000 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 990 PRO 80Ω | B 3.0 | Open-back | 80 | Not disclosed | 5 | 35,000 | 250 | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserHD 280 PRO | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 64 | Not disclosed | 8 | 25,000 | 285 | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserHD 25 | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 70 | Not disclosed | 16 | 22,000 | 140 | Not disclosed |
| ShureSRH440A | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 40 | 111 | 10 | 22,000 | 268 | Not disclosed |
| ShureSRH840A | A 3.8 | Closed-back | 40 | 111 | 5 | 25,000 | 273 | Not disclosed |
| AKGK371 | S 4.4 | Closed-back | 32 | 114 | 5 | 40,000 | 255 | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO X | A 3.8 | Closed-back | 48 | Not disclosed | 5 | 40,000 | 305 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-7506 | B 2.8 | Closed-back | 63 | 118 | 10 | 20,000 | 230 | Not disclosed |
Specifications are the manufacturer's published values (checked October 19, 2026). Sensitivity is written differently by each manufacturer, so it is shown for reference; beyerdynamic and the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO do not publish a sensitivity.
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