Yamaha HS3 3.5-inch Powered Studio Monitors (Pair, Black)

Yamaha HS3 3.5-inch Powered Studio Monitors (Pair, Black)

The Yamaha HS3 is the most compact model in the HS studio monitor series, the reference line that descends from the NS-10M and is valued for an honest, uncoloured sound that helps mixes translate to other systems. The HS3 brings that philosophy to desks where larger monitors simply do not fit: a two-way bass-reflex pair with a 3.5-inch cone woofer and a 0.75-inch dome tweeter in each cabinet, finished here in black and supplied as a matched pair.

A high-efficiency Class D amplifier package housed in the left speaker drives both cabinets, delivering 26 W plus 26 W dynamic output (20 W plus 20 W at 0.1 percent THD), with a single speaker cable linking the pair. Frequency response runs from 70 Hz to 22 kHz at minus 10 dB and 85 Hz to 20 kHz at minus 3 dB, the crossover sits at 3.2 kHz, and maximum output is 100 dB SPL peak at 1 metre — ample for near-field listening at a desk. Yamaha’s Twisted Flare Port shapes the airflow through the port so bass stays clean rather than chuffing at higher levels.

Key features

• 2-way bass-reflex powered monitors with Twisted Flare Port for clean low end
• 3.5-inch cone woofer and 0.75-inch dome tweeter per cabinet
• 26 W + 26 W dynamic Class D output from a single amplifier package
• Frequency response of 70 Hz to 22 kHz (minus 10 dB)
• Balanced XLR/TRS combo inputs, plus RCA and stereo mini inputs
• Front-panel volume control and headphone output
• ROOM CONTROL and HIGH TRIM switches for placement tuning
• Compact MDF cabinets; the pair weighs 4.9 kg in total

Tuning for Real Desks

Monitors on a desk, close to a wall, usually need help, and the HS3 provides it without software. The rear ROOM CONTROL switch cuts output below 500 Hz by 2 or 4 dB to counter the bass build-up that nearby boundaries cause, while the HIGH TRIM switch adjusts the region above 2 kHz by plus or minus 2 dB. Used together, they preserve the flat, decision-friendly balance the HS series is known for in bedroom studios, edit suites and shared workspaces where textbook placement is not possible.

Connections and Everyday Use

Inputs cover professional and casual sources simultaneously: two balanced combo jacks at +4 dBu for audio interfaces and mixers, and RCA and stereo mini inputs at minus 10 dBu for computers, phones and instruments. A front-panel volume control and headphone socket make the HS3 a self-contained desktop audio hub for music production, podcasting, video editing and streaming, as well as everyday listening where accuracy matters more than size. Power consumption is just 15 W, and the cabinets measure 132 x 223 x 189 mm (left) and 132 x 223 x 177 mm (right).

Who the HS3 Suits

The HS3 suits creators starting a home studio, editors who need trustworthy dialogue monitoring, and musicians who want a portable pair that can move between rooms. Full specifications, including inputs, controls and dimensions, are listed in the Additional Information section.