The Yamaha HS80M reference monitor features a look that is instantly recognizable as a throwback to the NS-10 monitors. The white-woofers, black frames and the flat, honest response are similar to the iconic, once-upon-a-time staple of every studio, the NS-10.
The Yamaha HS80M Series are designed to provide an honest rendition of your mix with their remarkably flat response. This means that what you hear is what you get. If your mix sounds good on the Yamaha HS80M, then it will sound good anywhere else. Beyond the sound, the Yamaha HS80 looks as good as it sounds, what with its iconic looks, the lighted classic Yamaha logo, polypropylene white woofer cones, rubber surrounds, full magnetic shielding, premium quality MDF material cabinet which delivers a tight bass response and a multi-layered coated black finish that reduces resonance to a minimum.
Let us take a closer look at some of the significant features of the Yamaha HS80M.
120-Watt Bi-Amped Power
One significant difference between the NS10 and the Yamaha HS80M is that while the former was a passive monitor, the HS80M has 120 Watts of bi-amped power which drives the 8″ woofer cone and the 1″ dome tweeter. The precise execution of the bi-amp-ing and the perfectly tuned internal crossover maintains Yamaha’s classic tone, without fatiguing the user with mid and high-range harshness and distortion.
Flexible Input and Output
The Yamaha HS80M Monitors are very flexible in terms of both input and output. The HS80M reproduces tones from 42Hz to 20 kHz. The Monitors accept both balanced and unbalanced XLR and TRS inputs by means of a level pot. It also has an EQ setting at the rear which is further divided into four parts: Low Cut (Bypassed, 100Hz, or 80Hz), Mid EQ, High Trim, and Room Control. Boosts or Cuts to suit your listening environment can be made here, or one can leave the monitor in its neutral settings to get a flat output, even in a tuned room.
When it comes to output, the +/- 2 dB trims for all three frequency bands help compensate for distortion like bass coupling or frequency-amplifying reflections occurring from wrong positioning in crowded rooms.
Competitive Pricing
In their drive to make the HS80M the staple of every recording studio, like the NS10, these monitors are simply unmatched at their price point of $350 each, considering the manufacturing specifications, durable quality of raw materials used as well as advanced features like magnetic shielding etc.
Add-Ons
With the Yamaha HS80M one has the option of opting for an Enhancement Pack which includes an adjustable monitor sound allowing it to be positioned at ear-level and a set of Auralex MoPADS that helps to isolate the monitor from the stand and thus reduce distortion.
The Yamaha HS80M monitors are good value for the money, because of the excellent and honest mix that they deliver for mixing while drastically reducing ear fatigue. With the excellent level of control available, one can control both low, mid and high frequencies of the mix, or leave the monitor at a “neutral” setting. This makes the monitors extremely versatile, allowing you to mix everything from country to rock, and rap to hip-hop (though you might want to add a sub-woofer to the set-up). With an active monitor featuring built-in bi-amplified power, various trims, ability to tune to different room set-ups and a precise and accurate gain control, coupled with pleasing sound and tonal output, the Yamaha HS80M is a solid choice.
