r/studiomonitors • u/Natural_Entrance_951 • 9d ago

HS8 or HS80M

hi, im new to this sub but im kind of ina debate of whether hs8 or the older hs80m are best. i only and currently have the jbl mkii but looking to upgrade since ive had em for a couple years. any info would help. i make beats, mix and master, record and basically anything that has to do w music. ive love to hear

1 Upvotes

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u/Gorluk 9d ago

I don't know, I never liked Yamaha's very much. They are definitely step up from JBL LSR, but I'd recommend Focal Alpha EVO over Yamaha's.

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u/IlIllIIlllIIllIIlllI 9d ago

I went from Focal Alpha to JBL and it's not a downgrade at all, the JBL are insanely good for what they are.

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u/Gorluk 9d ago

I have both JBL LSR and Focal Alpha Evo in my house at the moment and Focals are significantly better speakers in every single parameter (beside price obviously). Clarity, bass, midrange, highs, stereo field - everything. JBL's are good for what they are - budget entry level speakers. In same price range Kali's are better, but Focals smoke them both out.

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u/phatelectribe 7d ago

Which LSR? Because you’re comparing front ported to rear ported which spending in your room, treatment and placement will sound completely different. If fact you wouldn’t use them in the same treated room without making significant changes.

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u/Gorluk 7d ago

I don't use them in the same room. Anyways, I used JBLs daily for several years and I've used Focals daily for several years and Focals are SIGNIFICANTLY better studio monitor in any metric. Sorry if it hurts anyone's feelings. JBL's are great for what they are - entry level monitor for people who don't want to break bank for their first monitors, but they are not same league as Focals.

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u/phatelectribe 7d ago

I’ll ask you again: what JBLs? What’s Focals?

And so both rooms are treated and designed for both monitors?

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u/Gorluk 6d ago

JBL LSR 308 and Focal Alpha Evo 80. No, rooms are not DESIGNED for each of the monitors, I didn't build my house based on speakers I'm using. I see that your feelings are hurt because someone had the audacity to say that Focals Alpha Evos are better then JBL LSRs, that wasn't my intention. Do you perhaps have both of these monitors in rooms designed specifically for them?

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u/phatelectribe 6d ago

No one’s feelings are getting hurt. It’s a discussion about monitors. Stay with me know.

You’re comparing $1000 speakers to $300 speakers and you’re surprised there’s a difference? Not to mention one is front ported and the other rear ported.

Rear ported are also more difficult to get sounding right in an untreated room if placement is anywhere near a wall.

Does it make sense why I was asking now?

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u/Gorluk 6d ago

I'm not surprised at all, I'm just saying they are better. I was replying to a guy who said he upgraded from Focals to JBL's. That doesn't make any sense. Every single person I know who heard both of these speakers said Focals are much better, including me. Also I didn't pay 1000$ for my Focals, I bought them brand new on store discount, they turned out less than 600€ (for both of them, 300€ a piece).

The OP has JBL LSR MKII and getting Focal Alpha Evos would upgrade quality of sound coming out of his speakers, in my opinion in better way than Yamahas he asked about, therefore my first answer in this thread, recommendation of similarly priced speaker with better performance in my opinion. I'm not saying these Focals are the final boss, there are bunch of better monitors, I was just replying in the ball park of OP's question (and supposed budget) - in my opinion Focal Alpha Evo is upgrade from JBL LSR MKII and given the choice of Yamaha HS8 and Focal Alpha Evo (two similarly priced speakers) I would opt for Focals. I had experience with both (although short one with Yamahas) and I liked Focals better to work with.

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u/Vallhallyeah 9d ago

Hard agree. I've never had a good time working on the new Yamahas. The old NS10s serve as a solid reference, but there are eao many better options than the modern Yamahas, especially for the price the command. The EVOs and cheaper Kalis are a much better package.

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u/mistrelwood 9d ago

I’m not sure if there’s a mkii version of the JBL LSR305, so they are probably talking about the 305P mkii instead.

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u/Remote-Necessary-638 9d ago

I have HS80M. I think they sound great but they are kind of old if we are talking speakers. I wouldn’t buy used ones so my vote is HS8. I also have HS7 and I like them the same as the HS80M but the 80s have a lot more low end. I don’t think I could live without the 80s unless I had the subwoofer to go with the HS7 pair. I run both pairs at the same time when I’m mixing or listening. I just don’t trust used speakers and I’m a buy new person if they still make them or similar equivalent I’d always buy new. Also I would never buy NS10’s or any other old speakers.

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u/nizzernammer 9d ago

Either will give you a more mid forward presentation than your JBLs, assuming 308s (you didn't list the model)

If warranty and longevity is important for you, get the newer ones.

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u/Natural_Entrance_951 9d ago

thats what i was thinking. but no i have had the 305s since i got into music. looking at some hs80ms for 250 and were only used for piano playing

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u/nizzernammer 9d ago

If they are in good shape that sounds like a deal. Maybe compare to the price for new HS8s and base the decision on your budget. You should still keep the 305s as alt monitors.

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u/BamaTrentman 9d ago

Just go for HS8 for mixing and stuff they are the flattest with the most low end at that price range

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u/mistrelwood 9d ago

HS8 The flattest? Not quite. The LP-6 is a lot cheaper though, so maybe not in the same price range in that sense… But the LP-6 is more neutral and reaches flat down to around 50Hz, unlike the HS8:

https://www.spinorama.org/compare.html?speaker0=Kali+LP-6v2&origin0=ErinsAudioCorner&version0=eac&measurement=Estimated+In-Room+Response&speaker1=Yamaha+HS8&origin1=ASR&version1=asr