Yamaha HS5 powered nearfield studio monitor.
This 5” + 1” studio monitor shares a similar look to one of the mainstays of studio monitoring – the venerable Yamaha NS10.
We’re not altogether sure that HS5 actually passes the ‘Duck test’. Sure, the white woofer looks reminiscent of NS10, and the prominent high mids sound similar to the unforgiving nature of NS10, but there are also differences between HS5 and NS10.
For starters, HS5 is a powered studio monitor. The bi-amplified speaker has 45w going to the 5” woofer, with another 25w headed up to the 1” dome tweeter.
On the back:
You get a couple of choice for inputs, with XLR and balanced (TRS) 1/4″ Jack. Room Control allows you to attenuate the unnatural, exaggerated low-end that can often occur when speakers are placed next to walls, while HIGH TRIM allows for more flexible control of high frequency response.
Listen for yourself
If you’re in town, make sure you come and audition HS5. As always, there are plenty of options lined up and reading for testing in our studio monitor demo room. BYO music, or take a punt on some of the choices we have on offer.
54Hz – 30kHz frequency response (-10dB)
