YAMAHA HS Series Compared: HS3, HS4, HS5, HS7, HS8 by Official Specs

Yamaha’s “HS” series is a line of powered studio monitors (monitor speakers with built-in amplifiers), in five models, the HS3, HS4, HS5, HS7 and HS8, which differ in woofer (the speaker for bass) size. The HS3 and HS4 are sold as a left-and-right pair; the HS5, HS7 and HS8 are sold one at a time. In this article we compare the 5 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 13 monitor speakers 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

• HS3 (rank A): a monitor speaker with a 3.5-inch woofer (sold as a pair). Strong on adjusting to the room, ease of connecting and ease of placement.
• HS4 (rank A): a monitor speaker with a 4.5-inch woofer (sold as a pair). Strong on adjusting to the room, ease of connecting and ease of placement.
• HS5 (rank B): a monitor speaker with a 5-inch woofer (sold individually). Strong on adjusting to the room.
• HS7 (rank B): a monitor speaker with a 6.5-inch woofer (sold individually). Strong on room for low frequencies and adjusting to the room.
• HS8 (rank B): a monitor speaker with an 8-inch woofer (sold individually). Strong on room for low frequencies and adjusting to the room.

The highest score among the 5 models is HS3 (rank A, average 3.8). 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 HS series

The classic monitor with the familiar white woofer

A series in the line of Yamaha studio monitors that goes back to the 1970s, designed to play faithfully to the original sound without coloring it. The HS5, HS7 and HS8 are the second-generation HS series, and the HS3 and HS4 put the same idea in a small cabinet as compact models.

Size differences: the HS3 and HS4 are a pair, the HS5, HS7 and HS8 are sold singly

The HS3 (3.5 inches) and HS4 (4.5 inches) come as a pair, with the amplifier in one of them. The HS5 (5 inches), HS7 (6.5 inches) and HS8 (8 inches) are sold one at a time, each with its own amplifier (bi-amp). The bigger the woofer, the lower it plays; the lower limit of bass measured at -10 dB goes down from 70 Hz on the HS3 to 38 Hz on the HS8.

Two switches to match the room

On every model, ROOM CONTROL on the back (500 Hz and below at 0 / -2 / -4 dB) reduces the swelling of bass when placed near a wall, and HIGH TRIM (highs at ±2 dB) adjusts the amount of treble.

Differences in connections

The HS3 and HS4 have XLR / phone combo, RCA and stereo mini inputs and a front headphone jack, so they can connect directly to a computer or electronic instrument. The HS5, HS7 and HS8 have only XLR and phone (balanced) inputs and are meant to be connected to an audio interface or mixer.

Where it is useful

• Wanting Yamaha monitor speakers in a room with a small desk (HS3 and HS4)
• Connecting to an audio interface and using them as a reference for mixing (HS5, HS7, HS8)
• Wanting to check how the bass comes out on speakers too (HS7 and HS8)

Differences in specifications (comparison table)

Model	Rank	Room for low frequencies	Adjusting to the room	Ease of connecting	Ease of placement
HS3	A (3.8)	3.5-inch (1 point)	2 of 3 (4 points)	5 of 7 (5 points)	132 mm (5 points)
HS4	A (3.8)	4.5-inch (2 points)	2 of 3 (4 points)	5 of 7 (5 points)	150 mm (4 points)
HS5	B (3.0)	5-inch (3 points)	2 of 3 (4 points)	2 of 7 (2 points)	170 mm (3 points)
HS7	B (3.0)	6.5-inch (4 points)	2 of 3 (4 points)	2 of 7 (2 points)	210 mm (2 points)
HS8	B (3.0)	8-inch (5 points)	2 of 3 (4 points)	2 of 7 (2 points)	250 mm (1 point)

How we score (Monitor speakers)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Room for low frequencies	Woofer size	≥8	≥6.5	≥5	≥4	<4
Adjusting to the room	High and low frequency controls, DSP or app adjustment	All 3	2	1	—	None
Ease of connecting	Types of input and output jacks	5 to 7	4	3	2	1 or fewer
Ease of placement	Width (one speaker)	≤140	≤160	≤190	≤220	>220

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price is not part of the score. Manufacturers measure low-frequency response under different conditions (-3 dB, -6 dB, -10 dB and so on), so it is hard to compare side by side. The score therefore uses the size of the woofer (the speaker for low sounds), and the published low-frequency limit is shown in the table together with its condition. Amplifier power is also written differently (rated, RMS and so on), so treat it as a rough guide; it is shown in the table for reference and is not part of the score. Ease of placement is decided by width, with a desktop in mind.

Rating of each model

HS3

• It is sold as a left-and-right pair. One purchase gives you stereo.
• The inputs are XLR, TRS (phone jack), RCA, stereo mini. Check the shape of the cable that connects to the output of your audio interface (most use TRS phone jacks).
• The width is 132 mm. Besides room for two speakers, check that you can leave a little space between the speakers and the wall.

HS4

• It is sold as a left-and-right pair. One purchase gives you stereo.
• The inputs are XLR, TRS (phone jack), RCA, stereo mini. Check the shape of the cable that connects to the output of your audio interface (most use TRS phone jacks).
• The width is 150 mm. Besides room for two speakers, check that you can leave a little space between the speakers and the wall.

HS5

• It is sold one speaker at a time. You need two for stereo. When comparing prices, think of the cost of two.
• The inputs are XLR, TRS (phone jack). Check the shape of the cable that connects to the output of your audio interface (most use TRS phone jacks).
• The width is 170 mm. Besides room for two speakers, check that you can leave a little space between the speakers and the wall.

HS7

• It is sold one speaker at a time. You need two for stereo. When comparing prices, think of the cost of two.
• The inputs are XLR, TRS (phone jack). Check the shape of the cable that connects to the output of your audio interface (most use TRS phone jacks).
• The width is 210 mm. Besides room for two speakers, check that you can leave a little space between the speakers and the wall.

HS8

• It is sold one speaker at a time. You need two for stereo. When comparing prices, think of the cost of two.
• The inputs are XLR, TRS (phone jack). Check the shape of the cable that connects to the output of your audio interface (most use TRS phone jacks).
• The width is 250 mm. Besides room for two speakers, check that you can leave a little space between the speakers and the wall.

Compared with other monitor speakers

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

YAMAHA HS series: connection and getting started

Connection	HS3 and HS4: XLR / phone (combo), RCA, stereo mini, headphone jack / HS5, HS7 and HS8: XLR, phone (balanced)
Power	Powered from a wall outlet
In the box	HS3 and HS4: stereo mini to RCA cable (1.5 m), speaker cable (2.5 m), non-slip pads / HS5, HS7 and HS8: power cord
Other	The HS3 and HS4 are sold as a pair; the HS5, HS7 and HS8 are sold one at a time

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Related reading

• Monitor speakers compared
• How to choose monitor speakers
• How we rate specifications