Using Studio monitors as stereo setup

[Harsh007]

I’ve been using Yamaha HS8 studio monitors as a stereo listening setup, and honestly, they’re way more versatile than people think
Sound Signature
Flat, detailed, and brutally honest. If you like clarity over coloration, HS8 delivers excellent instrument separation and a wide stereo image.
Stereo Imaging
When placed correctly (equilateral triangle, tweeters at ear level), the left–right imaging is impressive for nearfield monitors.
Bass Response
The 8-inch woofer gives tight, controlled bass. Not “boomy,” but accurate—great for music that’s well mastered.

Are Yamaha HS8 good enough to replace traditional stereo speakers for music listening? Or are they strictly ‘studio only’ and i move back to my bookshelf speakers

 

[chander]

Sounds like a "bait post" - LOL. Just Kidding.

I absolutely love studio monitors in a stereo hi-fi listening setup. My main setup is exactly that - all pro audio gear, studio monitors, studio sub, studio DAC, studio cables.

Nothing wrong with it. For the price actually they are phenomenal. Less hassle, easy to setup. Nothing wrong with them.

But do remember that all systems have strengths and weaknesses and studio monitors have their own bouquet of each. The traditional systems work great and sound great. So why not keep an open mind and enjoy both kind of systems.

 

[HifiNewbie]

I’ve been using Yamaha HS8 studio monitors as a stereo listening setup, and honestly, they’re way more versatile than people think
Sound Signature
Flat, detailed, and brutally honest. If you like clarity over coloration, HS8 delivers excellent instrument separation and a wide stereo image.
Stereo Imaging
When placed correctly (equilateral triangle, tweeters at ear level), the left–right imaging is impressive for nearfield monitors.
Bass Response
The 8-inch woofer gives tight, controlled bass. Not “boomy,” but accurate—great for music that’s well mastered.

Are Yamaha HS8 good enough to replace traditional stereo speakers for music listening? Or are they strictly ‘studio only’ and i move back to my bookshelf speakers

Maybe a decade back, when I was just sampling audio around. I visited a friend with some big ...think 10 or 15 inch active yamaha monitors. These were definitely from the pro world, as they had metal grills. But boy did they sound good. Big wide stage, killer dynamics, gobs of detail. Could'nt fault them...except for the looks. So from a sound quality perspective, they certainly are up and above equivalent hifi setups for the same money. Looks as always are subject to taste.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Studio monitors are definitely good. Being bi/tri amplified with active crossover, they are much more efficient in bringing the power to each speakers.
Having said that, studio monitors are made for a purpose. To monitor sound. To find out the mistakes in music. Sometimes studio monitors sound bad because they bring out the bad side of recording.
I moved from studio monitors to hifi speakers and the difference is with studio monitors I analyse the music. Maybe as I was an Audio engineer before, I was trained to analyse audio. With hifi setup, I don’t analyse anymore. I just enjoy music. Maybe high end studio monitors are also made to enjoy music but I am not sure about it. There are analytical hifi speakers too. This is my opinion.

 

[DB1989]

I’ve been using Yamaha HS8 studio monitors as a stereo listening setup, and honestly, they’re way more versatile than people think
Sound Signature
Flat, detailed, and brutally honest. If you like clarity over coloration, HS8 delivers excellent instrument separation and a wide stereo image.
Stereo Imaging
When placed correctly (equilateral triangle, tweeters at ear level), the left–right imaging is impressive for nearfield monitors.
Bass Response
The 8-inch woofer gives tight, controlled bass. Not “boomy,” but accurate—great for music that’s well mastered.

Are Yamaha HS8 good enough to replace traditional stereo speakers for music listening? Or are they strictly ‘studio only’ and i move back to my bookshelf speakers

I heard the KRK Rokitts and they sounded fantastic for the price as well. Not the last word in bass reproduction and treble refinement but voices were very good and they generally sounded very serviceable for a stereo setup.

 

[Kannan]

My setup is now a pair of small Dynaudio active speakers (model is Xeo 10) that sound excellent and produce tight bass albeit their size (4 inch woofers). It is more a lifestyle product than their studio monitor range and the enclosure is made out of some hard plastic with a beehive type internal damping.
At the same time my, nephew owns a pair of 3-way Dynaudio studio monitors (8 inch woofers) that are a detail king and need some careful pairing, else can get fatuiging on longer sessions.
Before I had a Presonus Eris (MTM design) active monitors. Though I lapped them initially, I just could not get to liking their sound over a period of time inspite of innumerable tweaks, and hence sold them. However some of my friends loved the Presonus presentation.

 

[Harsh007]

Sounds like a "bait post" - LOL. Just Kidding.

I absolutely love studio monitors in a stereo hi-fi listening setup. My main setup is exactly that - all pro audio gear, studio monitors, studio sub, studio DAC, studio cables.

Nothing wrong with it. For the price actually they are phenomenal. Less hassle, easy to setup. Nothing wrong with them.

But do remember that all systems have strengths and weaknesses and studio monitors have their own bouquet of each. The traditional systems work great and sound great. So why not keep an open mind and enjoy both kind of systems.

Haha I get that
I think both approaches have their place. Studio monitors shine with accuracy and ease, while traditional systems offer a different listening experience
No rules just enjoying good sound

 

[Harsh007]

Maybe a decade back, when I was just sampling audio around. I visited a friend with some big ...think 10 or 15 inch active yamaha monitors. These were definitely from the pro world, as they had metal grills. But boy did they sound good. Big wide stage, killer dynamics, gobs of detail. Could'nt fault them...except for the looks. So from a sound quality perspective, they certainly are up and above equivalent hifi setups for the same money. Looks as always are subject to taste.

That's true
Keeping my white hs8 covered so dust and marks don't catch easily

Studio monitors are definitely good. Being bi/tri amplified with active crossover, they are much more efficient in bringing the power to each speakers.
Having said that, studio monitors are made for a purpose. To monitor sound. To find out the mistakes in music. Sometimes studio monitors sound bad because they bring out the bad side of recording.
I moved from studio monitors to hifi speakers and the difference is with studio monitors I analyse the music. Maybe as I was an Audio engineer before, I was trained to analyse audio. With hifi setup, I don’t analyse anymore. I just enjoy music. Maybe high end studio monitors are also made to enjoy music but I am not sure about it. There are analytical hifi speakers too. This is my opinion.

Enjoying both my stereo setups
New to the active world and I guess it is growing on me although I move back to AB amplification for the richness

 

[Harsh007]

My setup is now a pair of small Dynaudio active speakers (model is Xeo 10) that sound excellent and produce tight bass albeit their size (4 inch woofers). It is more a lifestyle product than their studio monitor range and the enclosure is made out of some hard plastic with a beehive type internal damping.
At the same time my, nephew owns a pair of 3-way Dynaudio studio monitors (8 inch woofers) that are a detail king and need some careful pairing, else can get fatuiging on longer sessions.
Before I had a Presonus Eris (MTM design) active monitors. Though I lapped them initially, I just could not get to liking their sound over a period of time inspite of innumerable tweaks, and hence sold them. However some of my friends loved the Presonus presentation.

I use HS8 Pair from Yamaha
The details of the sound are flat so it might take time to get used to that listening
Gonna try Tube pre amplification to see if the sound profile changes with that other than that happy with the active setup

 

[alpha1]

I think there is a different definition of hi-fidelity in HIFI circles and forums = a gear that is not accurate in reproduction but modifies the signal to sound good/sweet/appealing.

 

[hydra]

I’ve been using Yamaha HS8 studio monitors as a stereo listening setup, and honestly, they’re way more versatile than people think
Sound Signature
Flat, detailed, and brutally honest. If you like clarity over coloration, HS8 delivers excellent instrument separation and a wide stereo image.
Stereo Imaging
When placed correctly (equilateral triangle, tweeters at ear level), the left–right imaging is impressive for nearfield monitors.
Bass Response
The 8-inch woofer gives tight, controlled bass. Not “boomy,” but accurate—great for music that’s well mastered.

Are Yamaha HS8 good enough to replace traditional stereo speakers for music listening? Or are they strictly ‘studio only’ and i move back to my bookshelf speakers

The bang-for-the buck factor for studio monitors to be used as a HiFi listening setup is very high.

Unlike what most people believe, studio monitors are not all made with a ruler flat response (which would mean all monitors from all brands would sound exactly the same in the same room and position). Different brands have their own variation of what's supposed to be the reference, and once we find what works for us, a set of studio monitors could very well be our only/main listening setup.

I use studio monitors with a studio subwoofer in my home office, and a "proper" HiFi setup in my living room. I like both, for what they do and how they sound like. I would not be able to choose between the two if I were made to, as they both serve their intended roles really well.

My HiFi setup barely ever gets used as a critical listening/enjoyment tool, thanks to paucity of time. (It is now mostly a background music setup, played at high volume, as I go about doing things at home).

The office setup (Studio Monitors, Subwoofer, Studio grade cables) is also used similarly as I work, but I get more time with it, as it is on nearly all day, and there are times during the day when I sit and listen to it, purely for the sake of enjoyment)

If budget is tight, I could happily go with studio monitors as my only music setup, and not feel a sense of having lost out on anything.

 

[morerajendra5678]

Gonna try Tube pre amplification to see if the sound profile changes with that

Tube Pre-amplifier will introduce warmth and smoothness into your system as well as you will get to hear micro-nuances of music from your system. Different tubes used in tube Pre-amplifier will bring distinctive changes in your system. For ex Tube Pre-amplifier with 12AU7 tube will bring different changes than that of tube Pre-amplifier with 6SN7 tube.
Maintaining different tube Pre-amplifiers will bring different flavours in music and you can use them with rotation.

 

[sunder]

I use HS8 Pair from Yamaha
The details of the sound are flat so it might take time to get used to that listening
Gonna try Tube pre amplification to see if the sound profile changes with that other than that happy with the active setup

Instead of a tube preamplifier, you can use a tube buffer - after the source - before the powered studio monitors. Most probably you would get that tube warmness. Strength of the musical source should be healthier. Did you blind buy these Yamaha HS8 ? Are these sound better than other brand models? How the sound adequate and convincing? Will you recommend this model? Cheers.

But do remember that all systems have strengths and weaknesses and studio monitors have their own bouquet of each. The traditional systems work great and sound great.

Is the strength and the weakness because of the amp section ? or the drivers inside the enclosure? I think that most of the amp section belongs to Class D in powered monitors.

 

[chander]

Is the strength and the weakness because of the amp section ? or the drivers inside the enclosure? I think that most of the amp section belongs to Class D in powered monitors.

Depends.
Strictly from an amplification point of view, class D makes sense as it offers many advantages - size, runs cool & cost. So almost all budget monitors do have class D, but there are monitors with class AB as well. I am not generally bothered by what class of amp is running as far as it sounds right.

But there are several advantages to each kind of system be it fully powered or separates.
1 - Convenience, system matching, cost & room adjustment - goes to studio monitor.
2 - Durability, universal & mixing and matching - goes to separates.

You can however get great sound from both kind of systems.

There are many ways to look at everything, this is what I feel.

 

[sunder]

Depends.
Strictly from an amplification point of view, class D makes sense as it offers many advantages - size, runs cool & cost. So almost all budget monitors do have class D, but there are monitors with class AB as well. I am not generally bothered by what class of amp is running as far as it sounds right.

Fantastic. Thanks Chander.

 

[arj]

This is a hobby where everybody , their uncle and uncles monkey have an opinion and everyone of them feels they are right

And they are , since if you are enjoying the music it IS right for you.

Unless you get to the expensive stuff there's very little difference between studio and home audio ..so if you are able to actively listen ( not background listen) for extensive time periods and enjoy the music dont worry about categorization of components at all.

 

[sidvee]

This is a hobby where everybody , their uncle and uncles monkey have an opinion and everyone of them feels they are right

And they are , since if you are enjoying the music it IS right for you.

As Arj has aptly put it, this hobby is highly subjective, especially when one is using their ears for judgement. Your feeling/emotion/enjoyment is paramount - everything else is just an outside opinion with equipment/system/listening environment and most importantly ears/hearing significantly different from yours, don't let someone else tell you what your ears should hear.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

The 8-inch woofer gives tight, controlled bass. Not “boomy,” but accurate—great for music that’s well mastered.

About 99% of the bookshelves that I have heard and owned mostly had a 6" woofer (1 maybe had 7"). Since I switched to a mofi sourcepoint (with a 8" coaxial driver), I will never go back to those smaller woofers again. I am hearing proper bass frequencies from a book shelf design now.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[DB1989]

About 99% of the bookshelves that I have heard and owned mostly had a 6" woofer (1 maybe had 7"). Since I switched to a mofi sourcepoint (with a 8" coaxial driver), I will never go back to those smaller woofers again. I am hearing proper bass frequencies from a book shelf design now.
Cheers,
Sid

I'm a big proponent of as much bass extension as possible from the mains and correct me if i'm mistaken but that's what you're alluding to as well. I use an 8 inch coaxial bookshelf too - the Tannoy DC8, besides the Spendor Classic 2/3 which is a 2 way but a unique driver size of around 9", but i've found that even 6.5 inch drivers from Dynaudio dig pretty deep. The Dynaudio Focus 160 i'm running goes decently low and puts out a ton of bass, enough to embarrass some floorstanders i've heard including, very recently, the Monitor Audio Silver RX6.

 

[sidvee]

I'm a big proponent of as much bass extension as possible from the mains and correct me if i'm mistaken but that's what you're alluding to as well. I use an 8 inch coaxial bookshelf too - the Tannoy DC8, besides the Spendor Classic 2/3 which is a 2 way but a unique driver size of around 9", but i've found that even 6.5 inch drivers from Dynaudio dig pretty deep. The Dynaudio Focus 160 i'm running goes decently low and puts out a ton of bass, enough to embarrass some floorstanders i've heard including, very recently, the Monitor Audio Silver RX6.

Yes that's exactly what I am alluding to. I used to have 2-3 dynaudio bookshelve models in the past, and while I agree they do put out decent amount of bass when compared to similar sized woofers in other models, the quality of bass produced by a 8" woofer is in a different league - at-least ime. Ultimately the larger woofer wins, both in scale and extension. Another advantage I have noticed is at-least with the mofi, I can pull the speaker out much farther into the room without having the bass collapse as in other smaller book-shelves which use the rear wall for reinforcement. This really helps is getting significant sound-stage depth when compared to other designs which sound more 2 dimensional without much depth.
Cheers,
Sid