Yamaha HS80 "good" enough?

[Steven mc.]

Hey all. Mixing Rock Music for 4 years now, started on event tr-5s (Indispensible) and then added the JBL4410a's. My studio is professionally designed and built, I Use studio C in a complex.
Over the past 6 months I have done way to many Mixes to count, and slowly I getting closer to achieving top40 quality.
I don't actually use the JBLs much at all.
Because Of the Level of professionalism I sometimes need now and Hope to need more in the future, I want to invest in a respectable 8 inch active monitor. Not Tr-8s or rp-8s or the like.
I've always wanted the ASP-8, But they are pricey. I hear Lots about the HS80s...I never heard them and My local joint doesn't carry them...Only MSP series. I trust Yamaha for anything, They always Have proven to build good products. should I buy the Hs80s? I will have to save up both ways.

is there someone who DOESNT own them that has good to say about them?
Thanks all for your help, appriciate it.
steve

[gik acoustics]

I have a pair of the HS80s and like them a lot. They seem to translate as well as any $1500 monitor on the market, for half the price. BUT YMMV so don't hate me if you don't like them. Monitors are a very personal thing.
You may want to contact Warren at Front End Audio. Tell him Glenn sent you!!!!!!!

Glenn

[_controlfreak]

I upgraded to HS80M's from TR8XL's and love them; they're detailed, extended and pretty well-balanced. They sound a lot better than Yamaha's MS line (which are ridiculously bright). I chose them over Dynaudio BM5A's because of the HS80's bass response (some BM5A owners say they put out enough bass in a treated room, others don't). The HS80M's are also loud enough to use as mains in most small to medium venues. If you're used to Yamaha MS's, the HS's won't sound bright, if you're used to something neutral, the HS's are a little bright (you can cut/boost highs/mids and there are two adjustments for the lows). I actually leave all the settings at 0; if the speakers are extremely close to the wall the "room control" (which is basically an HPF) might reduce the bass/resonance issues. No one who's used them thinks they sound anything like NS-10's.

[nanashiwanderer]

Glenn just so you know you can't link stores here that sell zzounds products... its the violation of their affiliate policy with us. However, you can mention him and the company just fine.

[gik acoustics]

I just did a edit. Sorry about that guys.

Glenn

[nanashiwanderer]

When I heard the HS80M, they seem to be a good mid priced option... they sounded to me like a clear step above the RP... and you can tell by when you here the KRK RP8 ext to a nice set they just sound sort of fuzzy, midrange is muddy ect... the Yamaha isn't like that, things are clear present. . When I heard them (just in the store) I thought KRK V Series (Which is the nicer KRK line) but apparently a few people who've compared the two, the stereo field is much wider on the Yamaha stuff.

Though I don't know how much stuff is in japan theres a line of monitors called ADAM A7 Series its 6.5" and seems to have a great rep around a 1000$. may want to look there.

[Rimskidog]

I did a careful review of of monitors in this range before buying. I went withh Dynaudio BM5A. If I did the same again I would probably have chosen the Focal twin or adam S2.5A. Live and learn. That's life eh...

[Steven mc.]

Thanks everyone. Dynaudio and ADAM are US and european companies?
There aren't cheap here In Japan. Not expensive either, But I Look at Yamaha because they are MIJ and the New price one a single speaker is 287.13 as of today, Vs the 349.95 in the US. If I go event or Other Im paying More Vs american prices.
I'm wondering what other speakers I can compare the sonic quality to?

[nanashiwanderer]

thats a good price. though I will say this most of the JBL Stuff is the same caliber as the ADAM, Dyna-Audio. I think there European. I believe ADAM is continental europe, and Tannoy is UK if i'm not mistaken. Thats a real good price on those yamaha, if you get that tweeter repaired on the JBL, and the Yamahas you may be good as far as monitors go... you may want to pick up something like a central station though to switch between all of those (tweak has a review if you don't know what it is, its a D/A convertor & monitor control center.)

[Steven mc.]

Thanks Nanishi, I have a DBX program route selector In my rack already at arms reach. I know JBL is real respected. But I dont actually enjoy them very much. It's hard for me to place things, maybe because they are 3 way so they are a bit confusing to my ear. I don't want to rid of them (BTW I got the new tweeter) because If nothing else they Look cool and add class. BUT to be honest I don't enjoy their sound. It's easier to comprehend the mix on my Tr-5, for me.
Hows the low end on the yams compared to 20/20s or Tr-8s or RP-8?
tight and deep?

[nanashiwanderer]

In your case you should really just go listen to them if you can. Don't they have any nice pro-audio stores near you in japan. It seems like I don't think user reviews are going to get you far. I'm not familiar enough with events line of monitors they definitely have better response than KRK.

[Steven mc.]

Yeah, They have some Nice stores. But the 2 that aren't a few hours drive away don't carry the HS80, even The far ones might not either. so I can't really listen to them. I can Hear the msp speakers, Not Hs.

[Keskin]

I just auditioned some monitors today, including the the yamahas and i would say that they are good for the price but i doubt their linearity.
I didn`t measure anything but switching back and forward to Genelec and Adam monitors, the Yamahas had just too agressive highs so youre mix will probably come out with too less highs.
They were as loud as the Genes and Adams but another concern of mine was the sweet spot or placing of the instruments.
Ok the monitors were 1,5 - 3 meters seperated from each other but even then, the Genelec 8050 and KRK VXT series (even the VXT4) just placed the instruments in front of you, especially the Genelec.
Fostex was the worst disappointment, even the small yamaha HM50M ate the Fostex NX-6a alive, switching from Fostex to Yamaha, Adam, KRK or Event was just switching to another sound universe and i was going place a blind buy on the Fostex, thank god i listened first.
From what i heared today i would recommend Event , Yamaha and KRK Rockit for cheap monitor options, smaller Genelec and Adam for middle, KRK VXT and Adam for upper and for the best and most expensive option the bigger Genelec`s and Adam`s .
Of course the shop didn`t have all monitors connected, no Samson, Mackie or Tannoy so it`s a limitied recommendation and of course just my ears favorites.

If the Yamahas had more balanced higs and a better stereo panorama, for me they would play in the same high end category as Genelec or Adam.

Depending on how much i want to spend, i know what i will get in return, you should do the same, just take the trip and compare them.

[Phil (Diddy) Combs]

i own a pair of hs80m's...they're great!

[jason]

I've had my HS80's for about a year (maybe less), I remember when I auditioned them at the dealer, I thought they were much better than the RP8, BX8A, HS50, and were comparable to the Mackie 824 (almost), but much cheaper. I think the hi's can be a little much, but the switches on the back do a nice job compensating for things like that. And after you learn the monitors, that isn't even an issue really.

[Keskin]

I must say i didn`t try the switches, if that compensates well then it`s definately a bargain but still the Genelec just placed everything in front of you.
That brings up the question if or not to wait a bit more and get KRK VXT or Adams and make an entry directly into the high end class. The VXT6 is not that much more then the yammies, at least not in the US, in Europe they cost much more.

[jason]

I like that the VXT's come with the option to add protective grills to the front, something I wish the Yamaha's had. I've never heard those monitors, but they do look cool.

[Spy!]

The trouble with grilles (and the reason that most studio monitors don't have them or are used with them removed) is that they can interfere with high and high-mid frequencies and potentially muck up your stereo imaging.