Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor Discussions | Drop

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Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor

Audiophile

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Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor

Just1Mohr

Mar 11, 2015

I'm going to continue research on my own, and hopefully come to a conclusion before this drop ends, but maybe someone here could tell me what I should look into for a DAC. I'm currently using a decent 5.1 surround computer setup and have started producing music so I need some good, transparent, speakers. So, I'm coming from on-board audio. Should I get a dedicated soundcard or an external DAC? Should I keep the 5.1 setup for gaming and movies and just use monitors like these for music?

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J_Navarro

Mar 11, 2015

Just1MohrI would get an external audio interface( you want to be using xlr or trs for your connections) I personally only use my interface and monitors for music and I have an onboard card that runs my surround sound for games,movies etc

talonjones

Mar 14, 2015

Just1Mohryoull be fine with just your onboard audio. You dont need balanced XLR or TRS unless you're going more than 20 feet or so from sound card to speaker.

Just1Mohr

Mar 17, 2015

Hell yeah! Thanks! I expected at least one answer to sound the way yours did from an audiophile perspective xP but I doubt I'll get rid of my 5.1 system because I really do love that surround sound gaming. I can't wait to hear my own music through these monster monitors, though! I'll check out the focusrite, for sure. Thanks for the suggestion. The only thing that should make a difference from one DAC to another is the selection of inputs available right?

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mike1808

Mar 17, 2015

Just1MohrBalanced and unbalanced cables don't affect on a short range. This speakers have only balanced input, however, you can make or buy unbalanced to balanced cable (however the input will remain unbalanced). If you want to create home studio, you'd think about your room and walls. Also, I want to mention that I have five inches JBL LSR and they are very loud for my room.

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SeanReid

346

Mar 18, 2015

Cables make a huge difference, especial when in-line with you board, your speakers or your mics. Balanced vs. balanced, shielded vs. non-shielded; all of these will effect the quality and reproduction from the original source.
You are correct there is no difference with length, until you get into extremely long distances, in regards to cables., And truthfully, only a handful of people have a well trained enough ear to hear any delay. That being said, room treatment is the best way to get the most out of any monitor. Even a low-end monitor can produce a great reference when in a properly treated room. We have some discussions and polls on such treatments right now:
https://www.massdrop.com/vote/auralex-studiofoam-roominator-kits?s=auralex
Whether you are a professional or a novice is irrelevant, we are all always learning. Honing your ear to hear small differences in your mix is a key element to becoming a great engineer. And mistakes often lead to great innovation, so I encourage you all to play around with your gear. Try new cables, different Auralex configurations, various bass traps; even A/B monitors side by side!
A great engineer can make any recording sound good, despite his equipment, if he or she knows what they are doing. Happy hunting Gearheads!

talonjones

Mar 28, 2015

Obviously Balanced is better quality, but at short range the only thing affecting the signal is RF Interference. Which I doubt you can hear with a cable 5-10ft long. There is no "Sound Quality" difference happening, its effectively the same signal.

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talonjones

Apr 4, 2015

The differences are definitely there. Just 99% of the world wouldnt be able to tell the difference between a 5ft Balanced cable and a 5 ft unbalanced cable in a normal environment. i.e. not inside a radio tower or nuclear reactor.