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Yamaha HS50M 5" Powered Studio Monitor

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$150.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (53)

12 Reviews

Find out who is using Yamaha HS50M 5"

6 community setups

13 wishlisted

125 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (3)

$150.00 5 available Used

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Average Price: $150

Budget/Beginner

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Active & Passive Monitors category, Yamaha HS50M 5" Powered Studio Monitor is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Yamaha's HS50M powered monitors were designed to be true studio reference monitors in the tradition of the famous NS10Ms. When choosing your next pair of near field reference monitors, remember it's not just important that they sound good. They also have to be an honest reference for your mix. The new HS50M reference monitors were designed to give you exceptionally flat response, so you can really trust what you hear. This means that mixes that sound good on Yamaha HS50M speakers will sound good on anything. In fact, that's the ultimate test of a reference monitor. Bonus: these HS50M speakers look great, too.

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	HS50M Powered Studio Monitor (Pair)
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Powered Speakers, Studio Monitors

FAQs

What are the connectivity options for the Yamaha HS50M studio monitor?: The Yamaha HS50M features both XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs, allowing for easy integration with various audio interfaces and mixing consoles.
Is the Yamaha HS50M suitable for mixing and mastering in a home studio?: Yes, the Yamaha HS50M is designed to provide a flat frequency response, making it suitable for critical listening tasks such as mixing and mastering in a home studio environment.
Does the Yamaha HS50M have a built-in amplifier?: Yes, the Yamaha HS50M is a powered studio monitor with a built-in biamplified system, eliminating the need for an external amplifier.
How does the Yamaha HS50M handle low-frequency response?: The Yamaha HS50M features a 5-inch woofer designed to deliver accurate low-frequency reproduction, suitable for small to medium-sized rooms.
Can the Yamaha HS50M be used for both professional and home studio applications?: Yes, the Yamaha HS50M is versatile enough for both professional studio settings and home studio use, providing reliable sound monitoring for various audio production tasks.

Videos

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Jakov Latkovic

Yamaha HS50M studio monitors as desktop speakers

Jakov Latkovic

Yamaha HS50M

Raynel Gonzalez

Look inside Yamaha studio monitors

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Yamaha hs 50m monitor test sounds

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Yamaha HS50M monitor speakers my thoughts

DJ Martini Midwest Reviews

Yamaha HS 50M Powered Monitor Speakers. DEMO.

Dale's Vintage Audio

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent budget alternative to NS10s, offering real-world mix translation
Midrange boost highlights mix balance, aiding mixing precision
Effective as both primary and secondary monitors
Provides clear and crisp sound, aiding sound mixing and production
Good stereo image and high frequency response
Reveals details in the mix that might be overlooked on other monitors
Great price-to-quality ratio, offering value for money

CONS

Lacks low frequency definition, making it hard to balance bass accurately
Sound can feel bland, requiring adjustments for high mid and sparkle
Small 5" driver limits low-end response, not ideal for bass-heavy music
Some users might find the sound to be less "colored", affecting preference

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha HS50M 5" Powered Studio Monitor.

Features and functionality

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The HS50M includes a "room control" switch to adjust low-end response, which can be crucial if monitors are placed close to a wall.
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User experience

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Some users find the highs on the HS50M could cause listening fatigue over time, particularly for extended mixing sessions.
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Owners transitioning from headphones note a significant improvement in their production workflow with monitors.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners mixing EDM without a sub may find the HS50M lacking in bass, making it less ideal for genres with heavy low-end emphasis.
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Transitioning from headphones to HS50M monitors can significantly enhance the mixing experience.
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The Avantone CLA-10A is highlighted as a powered alternative to NS10s, which improves mixes significantly over HS5s, despite higher costs.
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Comparisons

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The HS50M is noted for its crisp mids compared to the KRK RokitG2, which some say has a more pronounced bass but less clarity in mids.
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HS50M is considered very similar to the HS5, with minor improvements in low end and exterior.
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Avantone MixCubes are suggested as a midrange alternative to the HS50M, noted for their affordability and usage in professional mixes for artists like Michael Jackson.
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Setup and maintenance

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Users mixing in untreated small rooms should be cautious of bass inaccuracies when using the HS50M without a subwoofer.
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Value and pricing

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Owners report getting a pair for around $140-$150, considering it a steal for a discontinued model.
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NS10s, due to their discontinued status, are difficult to source and can cost $800-$1000 in the U.S., whereas local markets elsewhere may offer them for $350-$500.
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Other

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NS10s require an additional amplifier, adding to their overall cost, unlike the powered HS50M which doesn't require extra equipment.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 12 Reviews and 53 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

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1 star

hi1mham

244

over 9 years ago

Bland

Bought these after replacing my old BX5a's, at the time I was convinced I needed some Yamaha NS10s to accredit myself as a "real" producer, yet ofcourse didnt have the budget.

Ultimately, too much time spent searching on gearslutz.com boards led me to believe these HS50's had a "setting" that mimicked the frequency response of the NS10 (nevermind that they are ported speakers and inherently entirely different). Long story short, through multiple studio moves and being in a smaller home studio, these have continued to be my mains, mainly due being worried about low frequency sound bleed bugging my neighbors.

These speakers are bland for better or worse. I know that I have to scoop some of my high mid before bounce because i have to drive it really hard to feel the same sparkle you would get in headphones.

genericmeds

181

about 7 years ago

Japanese Workhouse Samurai Ninja Speaker

The whole samurai thing died out long ago I think. But it's spirit has lived on in the form of this speaker.

Made by one of the most diverse companies, this Yamaha speaker is overload in cost to work efficiency.

Cheap as fuck, great.

But what it also does is take you into it's dojo of sound and yell at you at why X sounds bad.

Yeah. they're mean. And they talk quick too.

But in the end, you will come out a better mixer. They have a midrange boost focus that points out one of the hardest things to do in this world: Balance. Balance to me is even more important than eq.

You can balance so easily on them.

Great mains (if you put in time to get to know them) and great 2ndaries to check shit on.

djota

438

almost 3 years ago

Literally a Cheaper and Active Powered NS10s

The best budget alternative to the NS10s, of course theres variation on the spectrum profile, but these do a perfect job of translating the mix to the real world. If it sounds good in these, it will sound good everywhere.

Roles:

Music Producer DJ

Genres:

Electronic Electronica Dance music

ebowglow

1822

over 10 years ago

Great monitors!

I really like these monitors and have used them extensively! And its true that you will hear things in your mix that you may have never noticed before. I will say that you wont hear lots of low end. Frequency response is 55hz - 20khz. And its a small 5" driver which isn't going to have that low down and dirty club bass. Word? But they are excellent and like they say.. if your mix sound good on these it will sound good anywhere. I really like them! Try them out if you get a chance!

elgringoloco

417

almost 7 years ago

Decent Monitors for every style

I've used them for around 4 years before switching to my current Focal Shape 50s, they are nice but the're not enough definition of the low frequencies which can result in too muddy or tight basses. Hard to find the right balance. Good stereo image and high frequencies though

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock

jordanjfroggatt

almost 13 years ago

Basic Self Powered Monitors, clear a crisp sound.

bandanban

105

13 years ago almost 13 years ago

do you recommend? they worth the price?

grungebob

813

almost 11 years ago

First Monitors

First monitors I got. Did a lot of research and decided to go with these, was not disappointed, sound doesn't sound very colored from what I can tell.