HS Series Story

Staying true to the original

Since its inception in 2005, the HS Series has been dedicated to delivering exceptional accuracy in sound reproduction – an essential quality for nearfield monitors. Drawing on decades of expertise in studio monitor design and leveraging state-of-the-art analysis technologies, Yamaha has consistently pursued one goal: staying true to the original sound.

From world-class professional studios to personal recording setups, Yamaha HS Series monitors have become a trusted industry standard used in various types of productions.

Looking ahead, Yamaha remains committed to evolving the series to meet the ever-rising expectations and exacting demands of uncompromising creators and engineers.

  • Celebrating 20 years

Yamaha monitor speakers—our history through to the HS Series

Yamaha Pro Audio’s history of exceptional quality and innovation goes back to 1969. Since releasing its first pro audio products, the VA120 and VA180 vocal amp systems, Yamaha has repeatedly aspired to create wide-ranging lineups to suit various applications. Our monitor speakers form an important product foundation in this fifty-year history. The NS-10M, which was launched in 1978, was a studio monitor speaker prized by numerous engineers, and earned an indispensable role in studios worldwide.

In 1998, Yamaha released the MSP5 powered monitor which also featured sonic accuracy that users could depend on. After that, the MSP/MSP STUDIO appeared through the years of 2000 through 2008. And in 2005, the first HS Series model was launched as a powered monitor speaker ideal for home studio environments.

NS-10M

The NS-10M was a two-way passive speaker featuring a 7-inch white cone woofer made from a single sheet of paper having uniform density pasted into a cone shape, and a 1-3/8-inch lightweight soft dome tweeter, housed in a closed wooden enclosure. Initially conceived and released as a home speaker, its fast response and uncolored sound were highly praised by professional engineers, leading to its popularity in recording studios around the world, and ultimately contributed to Yamaha receiving a Technical Grammy Award in 2007.

1978 NS-10M

NS-10M STUDIO

The NS-10M STUDIO was an improved version of the NS-10M, designed originally as a bookshelf speaker for home use, and the new model featured design enhancements specifically for studio use. The improved high-frequency response resulted in overall better-balanced acoustic characteristics. The speaker was meant for horizontal placement, and the wire mesh grille was removed. Although production was discontinued in 2001 due to difficulty in obtaining the white cone material, this popular speaker is still used as a standard near-field monitor in studios around the world.

1987 NS-10M STUDIO

MSP5

The MSP5 was Yamaha's first powered studio monitor, designed as a next-generation model by the same development team behind the NS-10M STUDIO. It was a two-way bass-reflex type, with a titanium dome tweeter that provided outstanding sonic response and excellent resolution. It also had an aluminum former and long voice coil for the woofer, producing high-quality sound. In addition, Yamaha’s extensive know-how and technology in professional studio monitor design has been generously incorporated, including a waveguide horn with a uniform circular directional pattern, a thick one-piece molded cabinet with a round baffle that reduces the effects of sound diffraction, and a new magnetic circuit that enhances sound quality—achieving a high level of perfection worthy of a flagship model.

1998 MSP5

HS5/7/8/8S

Building on the HS Series legacy, this second-generation model stays true to the original sound. A newly developed dome tweeter and a thick, resonance-minimizing wave guide work together to reproduce high frequencies smoothly and with superb accuracy. The remarkably responsive woofer features high input capacity and reproduces low frequencies with outstanding movement control, resulting in low distortion and clear sound. Yamaha optimized every component—from the high-performance, model-specific power amplifier and high-rigidity MDF enclosure to precision acoustic elements—to deliver more accurate, musical monitoring.

2013 HS5/7/8/8S

HS50M/80M/10W

This first-generation model of the HS Series was developed specifically for small to medium-sized home and project studios. Three models were released: two 2-way full range speakers (5-inch and 8-inch) featuring a vividly distinctive white cone evoking the original NS-10M, and a separate 8-inch subwoofer. Faithfully inheriting Yamaha's studio monitor design philosophy, these speakers delivered flat acoustic characteristics and high resolution. Comprehensively equipped with XLR and TRS inputs on the rear panels, as well as EQ, trim, and low cut controls for optimizing the sound, it featured everything necessary for a wide variety of applications.

2005 HS50M/80M/10W

HS3/4

These compact powered monitor speakers are for content creators and artists who refuse to compromise on sound quality, even in tight spaces. Boasting premium components, including a high-performance Class D amplifier, a precision-engineered woofer, and a soft dome tweeter, they deliver sound that’s faithful to the source despite their small size. In tandem, Yamaha's proprietary Twisted Flare Port technology enhances low-end performance, producing deep, articulate bass to ensure flat, high-resolution sound across the entire frequency range.

The rear panel features intuitive Room Control/High Trim settings, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to perfectly match your acoustic environment. A versatile array of input options ensures seamless integration with a wide range of production setups—whether you’re working on music, video editing, or other creative content.

2023 HS3/4

HS Series—design principles maintained and perfected

In its studio monitors, Yamaha has always been committed to faithfully reproducing the original sound, as well as the reproduction of subtle changes in tone and positioning in the mix. The design principles employed provide exceptional sound quality and precision that is optimal for the studio environment—combining the know-how cultivated over many years of experience with cutting-edge analysis technology. This is firmly inherited in the HS Series and even exemplified by the bright white cone.

  • HS series—design principles maintained and perfected

Continuing into the future

The HS Series was born from a singular vision: to offer engineers and creators a fresh perspective—a new “set of ears.” Every detail was then purposefully crafted to elevate the listening experience. As always, Yamaha remains committed to pushing boundaries and driving innovation, continually striving to deliver the ultimate monitoring environment for music production.

  • Continuing into the future

Lineup

  • HS5/7/8

    These standard models can be used in any audio production environment, from home studios to professional installations.

    Application of HS5/7/8
  • HS5I/7I/8I

    These models are equipped with rigging points and speaker brackets for safe and easy installation.

    Application of HS5I/7I/8I
  • HS3/4

    These compact, lightweight models (sold in pairs) are designed for creators who do not want to compromise on sound, even in limited spaces.

    Application of HS3/4

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