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Photo of Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor and more gear in a studio and synths

Photo of Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor and more gear in a studio

Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor

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$348.56 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (110)

32 Reviews

Find out who is using Yamaha HS80M

6 community setups

29 wishlisted

208 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (2)

$348.56 4 available Used

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Average Price: $349

Standard/Professional

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Active & Passive Monitors category, Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor is a modern classic, designed to deliver pristine sound quality for all your studio recording needs. Inspired by the legendary NS-10M, this monitor is a staple in professional studios worldwide. With 120 watts of bi-amplified power, the HS80M provides accurate sound reproduction, ensuring that what you hear is exactly what you get—a crucial feature for any serious musician or audio engineer.

The 8-inch cone woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter are meticulously engineered to produce a balanced response across a wide frequency spectrum. This allows you to capture every nuance of your mix, from the deepest bass to the crispest highs. The HS80M also features switchable room control and high-trim response controls, giving you the flexibility to tailor your sound to any acoustic environment.

The sleek, understated design of the HS80M not only looks professional but is also built to last, making it a reliable addition to any studio setup. Whether you're crafting a new track or polishing a final mix, the Yamaha HS80M promises to be a trusted companion on your creative journey.

Key Features:

8-inch cone woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter
120W bi-amplified power output
Frequency response: 42Hz - 20kHz
Switchable room control and high-trim response controls
XLR and TRS jack inputs for versatile connectivity
Enclosure designed for optimal acoustic performance

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	HS80M 8" Powered Studio Monitor (Single)
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Powered Speakers, Studio Monitors

FAQs

What are the key features of the Yamaha HS80M studio monitor?: The Yamaha HS80M features an 8-inch woofer and a 1-inch dome tweeter, powered by a 120-watt bi-amped system. It offers a flat frequency response, making it ideal for accurate mixing and monitoring in studio environments.
Is the Yamaha HS80M suitable for a small home studio?: Yes, the Yamaha HS80M is suitable for small home studios due to its precise sound reproduction and ability to reveal subtle details in audio mixes, which helps in crafting accurate mixes that translate well across different playback systems.
How does the Yamaha HS80M compare to the NS10?: Unlike the passive NS10, the Yamaha HS80M is an active monitor with 120 watts of bi-amped power, providing more headroom and a more extended frequency response, making it more suitable for modern studio applications.
Does the Yamaha HS80M have any room control features?: Yes, the Yamaha HS80M includes room control and high trim response controls, allowing you to adjust the monitor's output to suit different acoustic environments and personal preferences.
What connectivity options does the Yamaha HS80M offer?: The Yamaha HS80M offers balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs, providing compatibility with a wide range of audio interfaces and mixing consoles for seamless integration into any studio setup.

Videos

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Front End Audio

Yamaha HS80M 8" HS Series Powered Studio Monitor @ FrontEndAudio.com

Front End Audio

Genelec 8350 Vs Yamaha HS80M

Musical Box Studio

Yamaha HS80m Studio Monitors Review

InseparableRecords

Yamaha HS80 Active Studio Monitor - www.whybuynew.co.uk

whybuynewonline

Yamaha HS80M inside

djrelaxmind

Reviews

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PROS

Affordable with great sound quality
Nice build and durability
Accurate for mixing, revealing details in tracks
Superb stereo imaging
Balanced sound with adjustable room controls
Tight bass and crisp highs compared to competitors
Works well with the HS10W subwoofer for extended low range
Good for beginners and professionals alike
Helpful for sound referencing and mastering tracks
Classic look reminiscent of the NS10

CONS

Some find them harsh sounding
Lacks built-in subwoofer, affecting full range sound accuracy
Low mids could be more pronounced
Requires calibration to match room acoustics
May need a subwoofer for optimal low-frequency response

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor.

Comparisons

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The HS80M is noted to have slightly hotter highs and less bass body compared to the HS8, with more adjustment controls available.
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The HS8 has a redesigned tweeter and weighs slightly less at 12.5 kg compared to the HS80M's 13.2 kg, indicating potential changes in speaker design.
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Features and functionality

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These monitors include big 1/4" mono jacks or XLR connections, with the possibility of using a "breakout" cable for dual mono connections from a stereo source.
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The monitors have adjustable settings on the back that can significantly change sound, but it's advised to start with settings at 0/off to assess their effect.
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The HS8 lacks mid EQ and low cut adjustments present in the HS80M, limiting sound customization without additional equipment or software.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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It's recommended to start with gain knobs down and source volume mid-range, then adjust gain to medium loudness to avoid noise issues from the source device.
Source

Use cases and applications

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These monitors can handle small gatherings but may struggle in larger spaces; users recommend caution to avoid damage from high volume levels.
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For a more immersive sound experience during events, supplementing with a subwoofer is advised to enhance bass presence.
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User experience

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Owners caution that while the HS80M can be used for parties, they are primarily near-field monitors and may not project well over long distances.
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Renting a PA speaker is suggested for events with more than a few attendees to prevent strain on the HS80M monitors.
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Some users noticed a background hiss in the HS8, less pronounced than the HS80M, and a peculiar ticking noise in the HS8's tweeter under certain conditions.
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Value and pricing

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The price difference between the HS8 and HS80M is minimal, with the HS8 at 288.62 euros and the HS80M at 282.84 euros in some European markets.
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Other

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The HS80M has a longstanding reputation for reliability and sound quality, making it a preferred choice for many users despite the HS8 being the newer model.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 32 Reviews and 110 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

mineral_walter

1248

about 10 years ago

Fairly good

They sound very nice. They got little hiss and hum but considering the output power you'll not hear it. Nice frequency response but you may want to extend the low range with the HS10W subwoofer. Combined they have a superb sound.

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Electronica

dastefster

over 11 years ago

Best monitor for the money

I have worked in the sound engineering field/produced for 6 years now, so I have heard A LOT of speakers. I've also gone through many in my own studio, but my Yamaha monitors have been the longest standing monitor I own. No, they're not the best in the world but for their price tag, I have't been able to find better. The only complaints I have (which aren't really that important) is they don't have a 'sub' built in like some more expensive monitors I own/use. They just have a midrange cone and tweeter, so I guess you can argue they don't deliver the most accurate full range of sound, but Yamaha offers a sub to pair them with! BOTTOM LINE: if you're a beginner and are looking for a good set up without spending 1,000's, GET THEM.

coki_gear

103

about 4 years ago

Affordable price

Affordable price, great sound quality, nice build..a standard for studio monitor

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock

grsjeremy

198

over 8 years ago

They sound great and I can work with them!

Some people find them harsh, but this harshness helps me with my mixing a lot. A lot of people are saying that they don't sound flat... I don't believe that any speaker is perfectly flat, anything is a compromise. Get used to your speakers and you can mix on them. Their job is to reveal things, and these ones certainly do the job.

tav

almost 12 years ago

Classic, Clean & Flat

These speakers are the definition of truth speakers. No thrills or frills. They want hide anything or make your mix sound any better. They will simply look you in your face and tell you rather or not your mix sucks PERIOD. Low end is not muddy, mids and highs are the cleanest. The "Stand Out" feature of these monitors is their stereo image. Wow! I'm serious! These guys really provide a de-facto picture of your stereo mix. Looks awesome in the studio giving that classic NS10 look.

PS: If you're getting new go for the updated HS8s.

djarkos

over 11 years ago

Great Monitors!

These monitors are really nicely balanced and sound great but make sure that you tune the adjustments on the rear to suit the room they are placed in. For example, if you have them close to a wall, be sure to adjust the room control. You won't find better studio monitors than these for the price.

bommel

574

over 7 years ago

unforgiving highend but ...

... i wouldn't use thse without a subwoofer and the low mids could be more ... i sold them shortly after buying them, i simply couldn't work with them.

federicovaona

424

about 11 years ago

Good reference sound for mix

This monitors are a good alternative to my Mackie HR824. It is a great reference for recording and mixing. Better to calibrate with the switches behind and match the right sound depending the acoustic you have. But of course it is a personal taste. I prefer using them with dedicated Yamaha Subwoofer.

samgraffeo

302

about 6 years ago

The Standard

The Yamaha classic. What all monitors are measured against

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Metal

From Gear Setup

chacho

342

over 9 years ago

great quality

Personally other than the KRK speakers which are my fav. these are great monitors especially if you want to master your track without the pain of headphones or earphones in your ears.