Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M?

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Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M?

January 9, 2008 11:39 pm by Jonathan Grand

Yamaha is attempting (again) to replace the legendary standard , and studio owners and engineers appear to be accepting it! The latest Alter Bridge album, Blackbird, was mixed in Nashville on a pair of HS80M. Are the HS Series going to be the new nearfield monitors of the if-it-sounds-good-heresounds-good-on-anything type? Read on. We placed them under the microscope and under our refined ears. Extended review! Preface: Some History Yamaha introduced the NS-10 design, with the iconic white woofer, in 1978. At the time, they were marketed as home audio, compact bookshelf speakers, and did a terrible job at it. Long listening sessions proved fatiguing to the ear, due to tweeter-woofer alignment/phasing issues and the harsh quality of the tweeter, when used with the original crossover . Then a couple of well known mixing engineers revealed , by word of mouth in the industry environment, that some of their recent multi -platinum productions had been mixed on NS-10s , instead of the Auratone cubes that were the untouched standard at that point . For a good reason, most purchases and decisions in the audio world are made according to what the more experienced and successful use, and how they use it. So , by word of mouth, more and more engineers started using them in their studios. They were the only speaker design with a contrasty white woofer on a black enclosure, so they were easy to spot and recognize in any control room. But the tweeter was indeed too harsh, and some engineers started modding their NS-10 with some paper or cloth over the tweeter, to absorb and phase cancel the high frequency output, or even performing after market crossover modifications. Yamaha, confused that engineers were more interested in their home speakers than home users , grabbed the business opportunity and started catering to that new target market . Engineers were using the speakers laying on their side on a console , and complaining about the harshness, so they addressed those modifications in a new revision, NS-10M (for Monitor). These had an improved crossover circuit with slightly less tweeter output, and were designed to be placed horizontally, with the logo turned 90 degrees and the tweeter shifted to one side (always in the top-outer corner ). And now they were selling like candy. Engineers were discussing about the best amplifiers to use with their passive NS-10M, and later even adding subwoofers to compensate for lack of low frequency response. The white woofers were being used as kick drum mics, and due to the fragility of the tweeter, prone to burnouts, replacement parts were constantly being traded on eBay. Thousands of albums were made, using the NS-10M nearfields as the main source of monitoring. Virtually every well-known mixing engineer in history (people such as Andy Wallace, Terry Date, Brendan O Brien, the Lord-Alge brothers, Charles Dye, Dave Pensado, Ben Grosse, you name it) used them to make some of the most amazing production works ever . In 2007, they were awarded the Technical Grammy Award. But in the new millennium, Yamaha started having trouble finding the wood pulp to make the white woofer cones, and they werent yet prepared to release a new model after decades of leaning back and cashing in with easy sales. Quickly they put together a new line of active black-woofer monitors, the MSP series. They were well built and great for mixing, but sounded smoother , and people were missing the NS-10 raw feel of present midrange the Yamaha NS-10 sound and looks. So why not do things right ? Why not release a redesigned line of white-woofer, active nearfields, with improved technology and lower price for home studio affordability? Thats exactly what Yamaha did in 2006. The Facts: why NS-10M became the standard I love hearing the little experts bashing the NS-10 based on a 5-second listen, even more than I love hearing the clueless followers claiming that they sound amazing and flat. Theyre both right and wrong. But they dont know why, or how .

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Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M? | Moozek

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- Myth: The NS-10M have a flat frequency response. - False. Their 2 kHz bump of + 5 dB and low frequency drop starting at 200 Hz is part of what made them a studio workhorse. Far from being flat, they open the frequency range with a midrange-based response that exposes the most problematic and worst -sounding frequencies. In your consumer hi-fi, the EQ preset that makes most music sound better (Loudness, Rock) is exactly the NS-10 frequency response, flipped upside down Coincidence? - Myth: The NS-10M sound plastic, harsh and ugly. - Thats because you re either speaker-spoiled, listen to bad mixes, or dont know how to mix . They boost the uglier frequencies and hide the confortable ones. Theyre like the mixing version of Simon Cowell on American Idol. If you cant mix, they will tell it like it is. If youre not ready to accept that, you ll probably leave the room cursing the speakers and promising to someday become successful and show them they were wrong! And thats what happens to a lot of people. Similar situation, same effect. - Myth: The NS-10M sound great ! - Well, they are defined in the midrange (see above ) and very analytic - good if youre used to clinical listening. But I wouldnt use them in a living room to play jazz records at the fireplace. Today, there are 2 types of nearfield monitors: a) The Genelec-type that, thanks to new technologies, reproduce the kind of sound you listen in the mains, in a big studio. This is the type Yamaha tried to make with the MSP series. Pros: they are flat and you can hear everything, the good and the bad. Great for mastering. Cons : they are so defined and flat that everything sounds good on them, specially before you get used to it. Good for Hi-Fi systems . b) What I call the IISGHSGOA (If-It-Sounds-Good-Here-Sounds-Good-On -Anything) type. This is in theory, as only some can do that, while others linger between the a and b types. This is the simple nearfield speaker designed to sound like a mixing monitor - not like a Hi-Fi speaker . The Yamaha HS series belongs here. Pros: They tend to make it easier to achieve a great mix. Cons : They won t impress the client, because they dont sound too great. Basically, what happens in the mixing process is that one tries to make the mix sound as flat as possible to their ears. And when you try to make your mix sound flat on NS-10s, you end up cutting a lot of frequencies around the mid 2 kHz range and a lot of harsh high frequencies that cause ear fatigue (because the NS-10 are accelerating the process of fatiguing your ears and noticing the frequencies that usually dont sound good in most consumer systems ). Also, naturally boosting the midrange is a great way to make you pay more attention to the most important part of a mix, the midrange. And this leads to a better mix. Its not magic. Its sound. And Fletcher-Munson rules. Unpacking & Burning-in The box contains only a power cable, instruction manuals and the speaker . Like most studio monitors, theyre sold in units, not in pairs. The power rating is fixed and there is no switch - European models have a different transformer inside. The speakers were plugged in and played some test tracks. They sounded immediately detailed in the mid frequencies, with a definite NS10 feel to it. They were put through pink and brown noise for a couple hours, but only after a couple of weeks of normal use (with music) they started showing signs of proper burn-in, with some characteristics improving (specially stereo imaging). Click the image on the left to expand. Design & Features The HS50M sure look like smaller, more technologically advanced, active NS10s . These are good looking speakers. The 5 white polypropylene woofer cone is cleaner than the one on the NS10, which had 2 glued wires in black, right in the center . The HS80M model copied that perfectly. Still, the iconic white woofer is something to bear with pride and Yamaha definitely thought about the studio people. Back to the HS50M - having a smaller woofer and a smaller enclosure doesnt mean the low end response will be even worse than that of the NS10, because this is a ported design. At the expense of a little definition, the response will start dropping lower than on NS10s, but it will drop faster (see below). An important test - knocking on the enclosure gives back a solid, opaque sound of a speaker that is quite well built, for the price range. Not too many hollow resonances, the enclosure feels tight overall. In the HS80M things get worse , maybe because its a bigger enclosure.

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Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M? | Moozek Even using the unbalanced inputs, the level knob set to 12 oclock (it snaps in a groove at that point , so its easy to set, even without seeing it) is loud enough for most applications, and allows more control on the preamp stage . Using the HS50M Each speaker was placed on a stack of four 12 x 12 x 2 wedge acoustic foam from Foam Factory (a hint if you re still using humoristically overpriced Auralex products). Standing vertically, aiming slightly inwards to the listening position, some test tracks were played. Sure, they sound like NS-10s , as they should (see graph below).

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But theyre studio monitors - the ultimate test is not sheer music listening, its recording and mixing, and maybe a quick mastering. So I recorded a couple songs, tracking some instruments, synths and sampled drums, and then vocals . After that, the mixing fun starts. As with all small monitors, it takes some time to understand how they show us the low frequencies (yes, they are there), but for me, contrary to most bigger speakers (7 woofer and up) mid and high frequencies dont require any learning - maybe because Im used to the NS-10M sound . So it took some ABing with some good recordings (check out Daughtrys mainstream rock self-titled album). Things would start to sound good from the listening position, but walking around the room would reveal a lot more . Headphones confirm that there is still a lot to fix in the overall mix balance. And then I had the brilliant idea of fiddling with the controls. The MID EQ switch seems very inviting and it makes you think Yamaha put it there, right on the top of the EQ panel, for a good reason. Switching it up (+2) brought the frequency balance everyone thought was so useful in the NS-10 for 20 years! The mids sounded boxy all of a sudden - something that was not noticeable in a good commercial record . Mixing with this setup was like having super-NS-10 in front of me. I could tear the mix apart and put it back together where everything sounded right , in about 10 minutes. Switching the MID EQ down (-2) had the opposite effect and made these speakers sound more like Hi-Fi bookshelf speakers - genius. It was then obvious that Yamaha had made a great product.

As you can see in this exclusive and precise comparison of frequency response curves between the old NS-10M and the new babies, the flat settings make the curve quite similar to the NS-10, but those still have an even more pronounced bump of +2 to 3 dB at 2kHz. And Yamaha allows you to replicate that with the MID EQ, although, surprisingly, that is never mentioned in the manual. The only other differences are exactly what we can expect from a smaller ported speaker Vs. a bigger sealed one (low frequencies extend for longer, to 60-70 Hz, but then drop quickly, instead of a smooth descent starting at 200 Hz on the NS-10M). Troubles Maybe a side effect of bad quality control, the right tweeter started distorting a little after about a month of use - something that is only noticeable when playing resonating piano chords. These are not expensive speakers and its hard to control this kind of problems, but still, its a problem and it can become annoying after a while. Conclusion Sound: 9 Usefulness : 10 Build quality: 7

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Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M? | Moozek Pros: They are mixing workhorses! The future industry standard , and successor of the NS-10M. Cons : If you re one of those who hate NS-10, either change the way you think , or look elsewhere. Yamaha quality control could also improve. Tips

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- Don t be afraid to lay them horizontally, with the tweeters on the outside, if you re used to using NS-10M. Even though the HS50M are designed to stand vertically, this doesnt have a considerable effect on sound stage . - Remember, MID EQ switch at +2 replicates NS-10, -2 Hi-Fi speakers, and flat, somewhere in between. - Auralex sells MoPads, which are overpriced foam stands to decouple the speakers. If you have the money, go ahead (who am I to boycott the brand), but you can get similar products and better deals at other places, like Foam Factory (FoamByMail). Of course foam decoupling will never beat solid, good quality speaker stands, but its still the most used method for nearfields in the studio. Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed 1. Please comment and subscribe!

30 Responses to Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M?

2. a ser verdade!!! By HC on Jan 10, 2008 3. Was gonna look into a set of NS-10s as a friend has a pair and they impressed me how suddenly mixing mistakes were more apparent (and I have a good set of dynaudios)and the mixes we did on them seemed to translate well. This may save me the time of sourcing a second hand set. By adam on Feb 3, 2008 4. Thanks for the great article. I recently bought these for my home studio, and they really helped improve my mixes. Yamaha really did their homework. A+ By mick on Jun 18, 2008 5. My right tweeter has started distorting as well when using the MKII Piano sound of my M Tron. Odd that you experienced the exact same thing . Luckily I think I still have a few days to exchange mine. By brian on Jun 30, 2008 6. Thanks for the comments ! The MSP5 are very good monitors too. Im going to contact Yamaha support again regarding the tweeter problem. Just need to find time By Jonathan Grand on Aug 4, 2008 7. Yesterday I bought a pair of these , and spent just 10 minutes to get use to them (Iv spent 10 years trying to get use to various GENELEC sound systems ). There is a lack of low end (subs of course) but it makes me even more concentrated in upper frequencies and less tiring then working on main (big full range) monitors. I use Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro (5hz to 35hz) to check whats going on below 55hz. Looking forward to try HS10W subwoofer. Greets and thank u for your review By Nino on Oct 22, 2008 8. Sorry there is typing mistake in beyerdynamic freq range, its from 5hz to 35 khz. By Nino on Oct 22, 2008

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Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M? | Moozek 9. @Nino Those are the only good Beyers Ive tried. The old models used to be pretty bad! A headphone group review is long overdue . Ive been thinking about it for a long time! always buying new ones. By Jonathan Grand on Nov 7, 2008 10. Thanx for the review , but still can t decide between this or the HS80m By Gabriel Temmy on Nov 8, 2008 Tried so many headphones in my life - and Im

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11. Hi thanks for the great detailed review , I own a pair of HS 80s and I have to say that for the price these provide a great solid bass response and clean his I run them through a focusrite saffire adio interface with all settings set to FLAT . one thing i notice is that when these speakers are used for music listening purposes I find the mid to Hi frequencies tend to be very harsh and there is a hollow somewhere in the sound spectrum.. i was just wondering if anyone else noticed this I also just bought a pair of HS 50s Just as sound reinforcement (or Fun).. Overall Smashing speakers looking forward to adding the sub later on.. By MIKE on Jan 14, 2009 12. Hey Jonathan! Thanks for the great article, I just acquired my very own pair of these amazing speakers and thanks to your article got a package of 2 Wedge Foam from Foam Factory in the mail today. How did you stack the sheets of foam under the monitors? With the points touching the flat back of the sheet above it, or with the wedges interlocking? |>|> |>|> |>|> or |>| || |<| (I know the end result doubles that and has 4 sheets.) By Michael Nelson on Jan 16, 2009 13. Ugh, it butchered my failed attempt at an illustration, just ignore it and you can probably get what Im talking about from the text. By Michael Nelson on Jan 16, 2009 14. Hey Michael! Cool illustrations I use them with the wedges interlocking, making it a 2 1/4 solid foam piece.

Auralex uses solid pieces of foam, so I just tried to mimic what they do. Except this is a thicker foam block than what they give you with MoPads. By Jonathan Grand on Jan 16, 2009 15. Jonathan, Great article! Could you give me some information on burn-in and why to practice it? i.e. fact or myth, proper burn in period, and best allocated frequencies to do so ? Jordan By Jordan on Jan 29, 2009 16. After using the HS80Ms back home for a few years, I found myself in a new country with a need for something a bit smaller. I had a great time with the HS80Ms .. After reading this article, it was clear the 50s would be up to the task. I considered the MSPs, but figured - hey, go with what I know! I guess Im going to find out tomorrow But Im with Jordan (above) - any info regarding burn-in and how it alters characteristics would be a really interesting read. By Tim on Mar 2, 2009 17. Though I dont own a set of NS-10s as of yet, I do have the NS-1000Ms and I could not believe how revealing this monitor is, nor could I believed how poorly mixed a lot of music is. You can clearly hear the mics turn on and off, loops, plates, and compressed background effects, mistimed effects. I listened to one Celine Dion album in particular and without first checking the CD brochure I could tell the tracks were recorded and mixed in different studios by its reverb and gears sonic signature. In some other music we can hear a singer was recorded in

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Super Review: Yamaha HS50M - The new NS-10M? | Moozek multiple sessions on differentgear for just one track. Ive had these against electrostatics and they did very well , one spot in the woofers midrange gives it away through a reduction in detail. By Anon on Mar 13, 2009 18. , - . P.S. , , By on Oct 18, 2009

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19. Thank you so much for the article. I use NS10ms in my companys recording studio. I have gotten very used to how they work and how that translates to other systems . I also use HS80s in another studio. I bought them with the idea that they would be enough like the NS10s that I could bring projects from one place to the other and was always dissapointed with the HS80s because they felt dull and the mix felt very different between the two places. Your mention about the mid boost switch was something I had not tried. After reading your article, I set the mid boost to +2 and it was amazing . I could hear the upper midrange detail like I wanted now. Great article. By matt carpenter on Oct 30, 2009 20. well , thanks for great and professional article. my question is that tweeters in my pair seems always to emit a noise, a really inaudible one, but still one that makes me nervousand the second thing which happened last night , I have noticed a crack in the one of the speaker s boomer white cone , about 1 inch , on the cone surface. my question is: 1. do tweeters emit some kind of noise even when there is no cable plugged in except mains? 2. with this crack in the boomer , have they become unreliable? any chances to repair (which will cost as near as a new monitor?) thanks By vlear on Nov 2, 2009 21. Hi vlear. I have exactly the same problem with the noise. I send a few e-mails to many services and im still waiting. I wonder other dont hear this or had PC/MAC in the same room and everything is normal because PC emit own noise:) Maybe our HS50M have a problem or overall AMP in HS50M emit static white noise which is especialy disturbing in tweeter and people dont listen it:) We have to check other pair of Yamaha HS50M By Dorian on Nov 27, 2009 22. Hi Vlear and Dorian, I recently bought a pair of these and I have your same problem. The tweeters emits a sort of annoying white noise constantly even there is no cable plugged-in. I see it is a common problem. By Ariel on Dec 25, 2009 23. Thanks a lot for this article, Jonathan! I read lots of reviews on different monitors, but your one is so inspiring and well argumented that Im now a happy owner of HS50Ms . Although still a beginner, I can already see that my mixes will improve dramatically with these (and thats after just 1 day of use). Cheers! By Sergey on Jan 18, 2010 24. HI Vlear, Dorian and Ariel , I got the same problems too! I have checked my cable , my AI, even the power source, but no idea whats wrong with these noise. are they normal? searched online for a while but got no result. By Karc on Feb 5, 2010 25. Hi- vlear, Dorian & Ariel . I also bought a pair of these - being adviced to it- and convinced of this good article.I am very satisfied - immediately easier achieving better mixes. But the first day using them , I also , like you , discovered some disturbing noise in ONE speaker . After thinking and switching cables , I found out the sound still was appearing without any connections- so I checked out where they were connected to the mains - and found that noising one , was connected to an extension cord with plural transformers. Moving cord to another outlet , fixed this immediately. Thanks for a good ,informative article ! By Asgeir on Mar 18, 2010

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26. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. Its pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion , if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before. By ProstoHam on Jun 8, 2010 27. @ProstoHam : Thank you for the kind words! Good content is harder to write, and without enough compensation for it, I eventually stopped writing it . This blog has been stopped for some time now . By Jonathan Grand on Jun 10, 2010 28. I just wanted to say that this was a really great article and i learned a lot from it. Got my pair of Hs50ms and I love them! Thanks a lot Jonathan. Cheers:) By Miguel on Aug 21, 2010 1.

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2. Dec 26, 2008: Studioholic 3. Jan 26, 2009: Yamaha HS50M & HS80M Studioholic 4. Jun 26, 2009: i wanna get a pair of these http ://lamba Food. Denim. Gear.

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