It was time to replace my old Yamaha NS10M Studio monitors as it was getting harder to find adequate amplifiers to feed them.
After much searching and reading i decided to stay in the brand and go with the Yamaha HS8 (MP version as i use them in an acoustically treated professional studio).
I was a bit concerned about the often mentioned "excessive LF response" and the fact that they are rear ported (Bass Reflex in the back).
When they arrived i was impressed (but not surprised) by the construction quality and how heavy each monitor is.
They're not luxurious and are clearly meant to be set up and forgotten.
First things first: the "too bright" white light in the front is nice. Not "too" bright as i constantly see written on the internet.
First impression upon listening to them was that the bass is really powerful but very deep and extremely clear.
Still, i felt it was maybe a bit too much so i switched the "Room Control" switch in the back to the -2 position.
Much better.
Tried the -4 setting and it didn't sound as "flat" to my hears.
I let them "play" loud a few hours each day, a couple of days and the sound became much more balanced. Is this a "burn-in" time? Maybe but whatever it is, the monitors improve after being played moderately loud for a while.
As they say: YMMV!
Then, upon setting them in their definitive stands, just 25cm from the back wall i decided to put foam baffles in the rear ports.
Superb!
Not bass heavy, no excessive lower octave, nothing.
Just plain well balanced, well built monitors.
Sound is clear and detailed, Bass is deep and very clear.
They're not fatiguing at all and i've been operating them for 10 hour sessions everyday.
So, if you're planning on buying HS8s, don't read too much and if the price is right for you, buy them.
One final note: don't use UPS for delivery!
They took 13 extra days of constant delays in delivery and all delays were comunicated on the "day of delivery".
