Yamaha HS8S 8-inch 150W Active Studio Subwoofer

Yamaha HS8S 8-inch Powered Studio Subwoofer — 150 W Low-Frequency Extension for HS Series Monitoring

The Yamaha HS8S is a powered studio subwoofer designed to extend HS series monitoring systems all the way down to 22 Hz. An 8-inch cone driver and a dedicated 150 W amplifier handle the low frequencies, while built-in crossover controls and a phase switch let you integrate the sub with your existing monitors over balanced cables — no external crossover hardware required.

Key features

• 8-inch cone driver in a bass-reflex MDF cabinet
• 150 W amplifier designed exclusively for low-frequency reproduction
• 22 Hz – 160 Hz frequency range (-10 dB)
• HIGH CUT and LOW CUT controls (80–120 Hz) for setting both crossover points
• PHASE switch (normal/reverse) for aligning the sub with your monitors
• Balanced XLR and TRS inputs; XLR outputs to the satellites plus an EXT SUB output

Why a studio subwoofer

Compact nearfield monitors run out of reach below roughly 40–50 Hz — which is where kick drum weight, bass guitar fundamentals and synth sub content live. If you cannot hear that range, you mix it blind, and the mix then surprises you on club systems, in cars and on home theatre setups with far too much or far too little bottom end. The HS8S takes over the lowest octaves so those decisions are made on evidence. It also relieves your main monitors of deep-bass duty, which generally cleans up their midrange.

Setting the crossover

Integration is handled on the back panel. The HIGH CUT control sets where the subwoofer’s output rolls off at the top (80–120 Hz), and the LOW CUT control, with its own ON/OFF switch, filters the signal sent onward to the main monitors so they stop working at the bottom. The PHASE switch (NORM./REV.) aligns the sub with the satellites around the crossover point, and a LEVEL control balances the sub against the mains. Small adjustments here matter: start where your monitors naturally roll off, then fine-tune by ear with reference tracks you know well.

Connections and pairing

Two balanced XLR inputs and two balanced TRS phone inputs take the stereo feed from your audio interface or mixer. XLR outputs for left and right carry the filtered signal on to your monitors, and a separate EXT SUB output lets you add a second subwoofer later. The HS8S is the matching low-end partner for the HS5, HS7 and HS8 full-range models, and it also works with other nearfield monitors that accept balanced line-level feeds.

Placement in the room

Where the sub sits changes what you hear as much as the crossover settings do. Under the desk, centred between the two monitors, is the usual starting point; moving the cabinet closer to a wall or corner reinforces the bottom end, which can help in a large room and overwhelm a small one. Because the HS8S is a rear-ported bass-reflex design, leave some clearance behind the cabinet rather than pushing it flat against the wall. Change one thing at a time — position, then phase, then level — and re-check with the same reference tracks after each change.

At 300 x 350 x 389 mm and 12.5 kg, the HS8S fits under or beside a studio desk in small to mid-size rooms — anywhere mixes need to be trusted all the way down.