When comparing Yamaha HS5 vs Mackie MR8 mk3, the Slant community recommends Yamaha HS5 for most people. In the question“What are the best speakers for music production?” Yamaha HS5 is ranked 1st while Mackie MR8 mk3 is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Yamaha HS5 is:
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.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Clear and accurate sound with a balanced output across the bass, mids and treble
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.
Pro Can easily be incorporated into a multitude of audio setups
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.
Pro You can adjust the speakers’ volume level in accordance to your room setup with the Room Control switch
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.
Pro You can increase or reduce high frequency output with High Trim switch
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.
Pro Can easily fit on medium to large sized desks and setups
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.
Pro Professional-grade audio accuracy and distortion-free sound to go along with high volume output
What makes the MR8 a great choice for a studio monitor is that this speaker is able to deliver truly accurate sound ideal for music production. At its flat setting the bass is tight and punchy without much boom. The mids are full and precise while the highs are crisp and airy without being too sharp.
This sound is achieved thanks to the speaker’s 8-inch woofer which is able to provide great bass and mids output, as well as higher volumes without distortion or hiss. This large woofer is complemented by the 1-inch silk dome tweeter for accurate and natural reproduction of the higher frequencies. Audio accuracy is further achieved thanks to the monitor’s amps being matched to the drivers used.
Pro Provides highly detailed sound imaging
This studio monitor is capable of producing clear instrument separation and imaging. For example, crash and ride cymbals can come off from the far left or far right of your listening space, as if you were sitting in front of the drums. This is thanks to Mackie’s proprietary waveguide design which allows for efficient soundwave travel from the tweeters to the listener’s ear.
Pro Even bass response due to rear bass ports
Lower frequencies can be quite difficult to tame, but the MR8 can provide bass that is balanced yet impactful and fast without sounding loose or floppy. This is achieved by the use of custom tuned bass port situated in the rear of the monitor.
Pro Option to enhance or cut high frequencies with the high boost/cut switch
With this studio monitor, you also have the option to boost the highs for enhanced detail and sparkle to the sound or lower the highs output to get a sound that is flatter, with more emphasis on the mids. This can be adjusted according to your preference via the High Boost/Cut Filter switch that can also be found on the rear of the monitor.
Pro You can increase bass output using the low boost switch
This studio monitor’s bass out can be increased up a notch or two, which will give you more powerful bass, resulting in more thump and boom from the woofer. This option gives the MR8 the extra versatility to be used as a multimedia speaker as, for example, explosions in movies can have a lot of oomph and rumble. This can be toggled by the Low Frequency Filter switch in the back.
Pro Can work with different studio setups thanks to a variety of input options available
You can easily use this studio monitor with a number of audio sources including computers, audio interfaces, audio receivers, and mixers due to the three input options this monitor has. This includes balanced TRS and XLR inputs as well as an unbalanced RCA input.
Cons
Con Bass may be lacking for some
Due to the smaller 5 inch woofer of the HS5, some may find the bass to be quite lacking when using this studio monitor for general listening. However, this can be offset by adding Yamaha's HS8S Sub-woofer. This can be an expensive upgrade though.
Con Usually sold as a single piece
Do check if you are paying for a single speaker or a 2-speaker bundle. If this is your first time buying studio monitors, then you might think that the price is for 2 speakers. However, this HS5, as many other studio monitors, is usually sold per piece. This effectively doubles the list price for a 2 channel system.
Con Can produce a different sound character depending on your room setup
It is recommended to have a room that is optimally set up for music listening/monitoring if you want to get the most out of these speakers. For example, if you have a listening space that is quite small with a lot of flat and hard surfaces for the sound to reflect off of, then you can have problems like unnatural and lean sounding bass. Thick curtains, bass traps, and other sound absorption solutions can help you get the flat and accurate sound reproduction that these monitors are known for.
Con Can be difficult to fit on some desk setups due to this studio monitor’s large size
This studio monitor may not be the best option if you have a small room or a small desk. The 8-inch woofer of the MR8 requires a large cabinet design to house it, which means that this studio monitor will take up a lot of desk space. You will definitely want to use this with a large desk or a much better option would be for you to use speaker stands.
Con Bass reflections can be a problem with these monitors if placed near a wall
If you place this studio monitor with the rear near a wall, it may result in bass reflections due to the rear bass ports. This can cause you to hear too much or too little bass. Either way, this is bad for mixing. You may want to consider a 1 to 2 feet distance from the rear of the monitor and the wall. Also, you can add bass traps and other sound absorption solutions behind the speaker to minimize bass reflections and achieve optimal sound accuracy.