Yamaha HS5 vs M-Audio AV32

These speakers are able to deliver sound that is pure, flat, and balanced. On its out of the box, flat setting, the HS5 reproduces music without any coloration whatsoever. While this may not be ideal for music enjoyment, this is crucial when you are trying to get your audio mix right. The HS5 features updated transducers and slightly bigger tweeters compared to the old HS50m studio monitors. This results in improved frequency response and increased sound resolution. With these monitors, you will be able to hear every detail of the song that you are mixing.

Also contributing to these speakers’ amazing clarity is the bi-amp setup, where there is an amplifier dedicated for the woofer and another one for the tweeter. This eliminates sound distortion, even at high volume levels.

The HS5 is versatile in terms of the input signals that it can accept. This is because the speaker gives users the option to choose from 2 different input types: XLR and TRS. Both these connections accept balanced and unbalanced signals. You can use these speakers with DACs, audio interfaces, receivers, mixers, and computers.

You can reduce the HS5’s output using the Room Control switch on the back of each speaker. You can choose to cut -2dB or -4dB from the overall volume. This is very useful when the speaker is placed near a wall as this will help to minimize sound reflections and help to maintain a flat and even sound.

You can choose to adjust the tweeter output of the HS5 using the High Trim switch on the back of each speaker. You can boost the output up +2dB for louder and more piercing highs or you can reduce the highs -2dB for a more mid and bass focused sound signature.

The HS5 comes in what is considered a sweet spot in terms of size as they are not that bulky. This makes them ideal for medium sized rooms, but these are compact enough that they can be used in tighter setups. However, these speakers are able to produce sound that is noticeably better than smaller studio monitors. If you have a small to medium sized room, these speakers can adequately fill the space with high fidelity sound. If you have a really large room, then full sized studio monitors may be the better fit.

These speakers are able to produce a nice and smooth sound despite being quite small in size. There is an emphasis on the higher frequencies and the bass can sound full. Imaging is forward with a lot of detail. This sound is achieved by the use of three-inch polypropylene-coated, high-temperature voice coil woofers for the low and mid frequencies and a 1-inch silk cone tweeter for the highs. Overall, the sound is clearly a cut above the multimedia speakers that are within the AV32’s price range.

These speakers deliver optimal high frequency detail and clarity to the listener. This is due to M-Audio’s use of their proprietary waveguide design which allows for efficient travel of the high frequencies to the listener’s ears. This tech is further supported by the use of highly flexible silk cones on the tweeters which further reduce the restriction of the sound being produced.

The AV32 can fit in virtually all studio setups thanks to its truly compact size. It's true even if you have a rather small and cramped desk. This feat is achieved via a simple and small cabinet that houses the 3-inch speaker and 1-inch tweeter combo.

You may find this speaker very convenient to use if you also tend to listen to music on your headphones. There is a 1/8” headphone out jack which will channel the sound output to the connected headphones instead of the speakers. For added sound control, you can also adjust the volume of your headphones using the volume knob on the speakers.

You can easily integrate these speakers into your current audio chain. These speakers offer RCA inputs at the back as well as 1/8” input in front. This makes the AV32 compatible with DACs, audio receivers, and even smartphones and mobile music players.

These speakers are very attainable price-wise. These are positioned as entry-level studio monitors with prices that are not too far off from most multi-media speakers available on the market. This makes high quality, pro-level audio monitoring speakers within relatively easy reach, and should fit many budding audio enthusiast’s budgets.