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anonymous 3 September 2005

New HS Series Monitors from Yamaha

http://news.harmony-central.com/New...0M-HS10W-lg.jpg

September 2, 2005
The HS Series is a two-way, internally powered speaker system designed to provide reference monitoring for all types of recording and multimedia applications--home studios, computer-based music production, gaming systems, keyboards rigs and personal computer systems. Three cabinet models, the HS50M (MSRP $249.95), HS80M (MSRP $449.95) and HS10W (MSRP $599) subwoofer will be available in October 2005 and will replace current model MSP10 Studio. All products are sold and packaged individually, making it easy to build flexible monitor setups and 5.1 systems.

The 70-watt HS50M (5-in. cone and 3/4-in. dome tweeter) and 120-watt HS80M (8-in. cone and 1-in. dome tweeter) are housed in bass reflex-type cabinets, and reproduce surprisingly tight low end and smooth, high frequency response to beyond 20 kHz. Inputs include a balanced XLR and 1/4-in. phone jack. In addition to master level controls, each speaker has trim switches that allow you to custom-tailor low, mid and high frequency response for different applications.

The HS10W powered subwoofer contains a long-stroke, 8-in. 120-watt woofer and bass reflex design cabinet that maintains high efficiency and low distortion. Connections include dual XLR and 1/4-in. inputs, and three balanced XLR outputs (Mix, L&R). Controls include master level, phase and low/high cutoff frequency. The HS10W complements the HS speakers, and easily handles today's bass-enhanced music or the most dramatic surround effects.

HS Series enclosures are constructed of MDF material and a multiple layer finish that minimizes resonance. Design elements include a black finish and lighted Yamaha tuning fork logo. White polypropylene woofer cones recall the look of the classic Yamaha NS10M, and include low-damping rubber surrounds and full magnetic shielding.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.Yamaha.com.

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Comments

KurtFoster Sat, 09/03/2005 - 17:04

After I wrote the review on the Yamaha MSP5's, Yamaha America was so happy they sent me a pair of the MSP10s to review for them as well. What dogs those things were! All tubby and muffled sounding ... nowhere as good as the MSP5s.

It goes to show there is some serendipity involved in designing audio gear.. Same design team, building what should be a better speaker but falling short of the mark. Sometimes you just get lucky! The NS10s weren't even intended for the studio market. There were designed as bookshelf speakers for the consumer segment. Bob Clearmountian discovered them and the rest is history.

drumist69 Sun, 09/04/2005 - 09:53

why?

Why would Yamaha manufacture and market speakers that sound terrible? Is this just a way for them to capitalize on the NS10 mystique, since original NS10's in good shape are getting harder to find, as well as parts for them? In other words, did they put out a product they knew was junk, just to cash in??? If so, they suck!

KurtFoster Sun, 09/04/2005 - 14:15

drumist69 wrote: Why would Yamaha manufacture and market speakers that sound terrible? Is this just a way for them to capitalize on the NS10 mystique, since original NS10's in good shape are getting harder to find, as well as parts for them? In other words, did they put out a product they knew was junk, just to cash in??? If so, they suck!

The whole thing is so subjective. I really don't believe Yamaha intended to make a speaker that sounded crappy on purpose.

I still give them the benefit of the doubt as to whether or not they put it on the market knowing it was not up to snuff. They simply have too good a track record over the years for quality products assume such a thing. IMO it was just a bad business decision.

Many people still think the NS10 is a bad sounding speaker but the countless gold record mixes pumped out on them over the years is a hard legacy to argue with. I think that Yamaha was in some way attempting to replicate the NS10's performance but fell short of the mark.

In view of the fact that Yamaha has decided to discontinue the MSP10, I think it's safe to assume they realized at some point the speaker wasn't "all that and a bag of chips too" ... I think it's to their credit they responded with an upgraded version. Hopefully it will be better that its predecessor.

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