The Yamaha HS5 is one of the best entry-level studio monitors that one can get. It has exceptional sound quality and has a very modest price tag which could fit most listeners’ budgets. The level of sonic performance you are getting from the Yamaha HS5 is simply amazing, but as a compact size entry-level studio monitor, it does have its own limits such as being unable to deliver deep bass reproductions prominently.
Based on the number of positive ratings the HS5 studio monitors have gotten, there is no doubt on how good they are. Even so, integrating an active subwoofer into the mix could provide a better overall sonic performance. We will be sharing with you a list of the subwoofers which you can get and match with your Yamaha HS5 but first, let us learn more about its sonic prowess and characteristics.
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Sonic Characteristics of Yamaha HS5
The Yamaha HS5 is the smallest studio monitor under the HS Series, it has a 1″ (25mm) dome tweeter, and below it will be the 5″ (125mm) cone woofer. It comes with its own built-in bi-amplifier providing a total of 70 Watts. For a compact size nearfield monitor, the frequency response of the Yamaha HS5 is pretty impressive which is 54Hz-30kHz (-10dB). These specs also indicate the HS5 is not really capable of delivering subterranean bass reproductions. To make the bass performance slightly more pronounced, you could make use of its rear-firing bass port and place the Yamaha HS5 nearer to the rear wall so as to let it reinforce the low-end delivery.
This is a very neutral and revealing studio monitor with an innate ability to dig out a massive amount of music details and produces them out in spades. It has astounding clarity where you could hear the subtlest of detail clearly and not to mention, the level of accuracy is outstanding as well. The Yamaha HS5 provided us with faithful and detailed music presentations, very close to what the artists have intended for us to hear. Still, when it comes to bass performance, the Yamaha HS5 is lacking especially when it comes to delivering subsonic frequencies. The overall bass performance is highly accurate and very tight but lacks weight and prominence.
More Information at Amazon – Yamaha HS5 Powered Studio Monitor
Yamaha HS5 will be excellent nearfield studio monitors for mixing and mastering if the soundtracks are not bass-heavy. This is where the subwoofer comes into play and can help with delivering the low ends which the HS5 could not deliver. All in all, the Yamaha HS5 is definitely worth the investment and at this price point, there is really nothing to complain about this nearfield monitor. Before we start looking at the range of subwoofers to go for, we will also need to find out more about your requirements. These main subwoofer requirements will influence your choice and so it is wise to consider them seriously.
Yamaha HS5 Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-Way (Rear-ported)
- Drive Units: 1″ (25mm) Dome Tweeter, 5″ (125mm) Cone Woofer
- Frequency Range: 54Hz-30kHz (-10dB)
- Built-in Amplifier Power: 25 Watts HF, 45 Watts LF
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 285mm x 170mm x 222mm | 11.2″ x 6.7″ x 8.7″
- Weight: 5.3kg (11.7lbs)
Main Subwoofer Requirements
The Yamaha HS5 are brilliant entry-level studio monitors and will fare even better when partnered with a high-quality subwoofer. You should work out a comfortable budget that you are willing to spend on a subwoofer. The bigger and more powerful a subwoofer is, the higher the cost will be. For small studios/nearfield listening, there is no real need to get a large subwoofer though. Another requirement you might want to consider will be the frequency response of the subwoofer that you will require. For instance, do you need a powered subwoofer capable of delivering bass frequencies down to 20Hz or below or need a sub with more midbass punch. This requirement will be depended on the type of music you are listening/working on and also your own preferences.
Usually, subwoofers that could deliver subsonic bass down to 20Hz will also require more power and all these might increase the price points. If you do not have the budget now for such an active subwoofer, you might want to consider saving first. You should also check for available space in your studio, if it is very limited then you should look for a compact size subwoofer. These are some of the usual subwoofer requirements and you should add more of your own onto this checklist. We have prepared a list of the best subwoofers which you can choose and pair up with your Yamaha HS5 studio monitors.
Best Subwoofers to pair with Yamaha HS5
The Yamaha HS8S is probably the best subwoofer to pair with the Yamaha HS5 studio monitors. Not only the HS8S is made by the same reputable company, but it is also under the same HS-Series. This will ensure they will have very similar sonic signatures and provide us with cohesive overall sound reproduction. The Yamaha HS8S is an 8″ studio subwoofer with a very impressive frequency response which belies its size and price. It could reach deep down to 22Hz bass extension. What’s more important will be the accuracy and quality of the bass performance, this professional subwoofer is certainly well-matched with the Yamaha HS5.
More Information at Amazon – Yamaha HS8S Subwoofer
If the budget is tight or you are not interested in investing too much in a powered subwoofer then the PreSonus Eris Sub 8 will be an ideal choice for you and your Yamaha HS5 nearfield monitors. This is a compact 8″ studio subwoofer where it will fit in nicely with most studios. The bass accuracy of the Eris Sub 8 is incredible and the low-end delivery is well-controlled too. The PreSonus Eris Sub 8 uses a Class AB amplifier which provides up to 100 Watts of peak power. For such a small subwoofer, it can go louder than we expected and reaches down to a 30Hz bass extension.
More Information at Amazon – PreSonus Eris Sub 8
For listeners who need a subwoofer that could reach down to 20Hz bass extension, the SVS SB-1000 Pro will be a fantastic choice to go for and match with your Yamaha HS5. This is a powerful entry-level 12″ sealed subwoofer with an RMS power of 325W and a Peak power of up to 820W. It has a frequency response 20Hz-270Hz (+/-3dB) which is impressive for a powered subwoofer at this price range. The SVS SB-1000 Pro is able to deliver tight and articulate bass performance, producing subsonic low frequencies and complements the Yamaha HS5 studio monitors really well.
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro (Black Ash)
This is another amazing budget studio subwoofer to go for and its pricing is easy on the wallet. The Mackie CR8S-XBT 8 is a small 8″ subwoofer and even comes with Bluetooth to provide even more value to its users. It is also rather powerful for a studio subwoofer at this price point, the CR8S-XBT 8 has up to 200 Watts. The accuracy of this compact studio subwoofer is really good and it doesn’t overemphasize the low-end delivery which makes it a suitable match for the Yamaha HS5 nearfield monitors. Mackie CR8S-XBT 8 will only reproduce bass when it needs to and it would be great for mixing.
More Information at Amazon – Mackie CR-X Series 200w Subwoofer (CR8S-XBT)
The Yamaha SW10 is one of the best subwoofers to match with your Yamaha HS5 nearfield monitors. Since they are designed and built by the same company, the SW10 studio subwoofer should have similar sonic characteristics and will enable it to seamlessly integrate with the HS5 studio monitors. This is a 10″ powered studio subwoofer with up to 100 Watts of output power. It is able to deliver very accurate and realistic sounding bass frequencies. Yamaha SW10 is also very agile, remains composed throughout the session, and has a taut bass delivery. The frequency response of the SW10 studio subwoofer is 25Hz-150Hz.
The JBL Professional LSR310S will be one of the best studio subwoofers to partner up with the Yamaha HS5 studio monitors. It is very highly rated and well-received by its satisfied owners. The JBL Professional LSR310S delivers a dynamic bass performance with accuracy and agility which is ideal for professionals. This is a 10″ active studio subwoofer and has a 200 Watts amplifier, enabling the LSR310S to deliver low frequencies of down to 27Hz (-10dB). This studio subwoofer can go pretty loud (Peak SPL Max: 113dB) and will be a suitable match with the Yamaha HS5 nearfield monitors.
More Information at Amazon – JBL LSR310S Studio Subwoofer 10-Inch
To Sum It Up
These matching subwoofers listed here have price points that are quite close to a pair of Yamaha HS5 studio monitors. We wouldn’t advise going too high-end when finding an active subwoofer for the HS5 and will rather you invest in a pair of higher-end Yamaha studio monitors. Before getting the potential subwoofer, you should arrange an audition to have a listen and see if this is the bass quality you are looking for. If possible, the subwoofer auditions should be held in your own studio/listening room.
