Looking for advice/recommendations for HS8 replacement.

[TDearman]

Hey all, I'm hoping to get some advice on choosing monitors that will work well in my newly downsized space. I currently have a pair of Yamaha HS8s, but feel they’re too large physically and sonically. Space is 9x9 ft (it's small lol) but well treated. My listening distance is around 0.8-1 meters, and my budget is up to $1,500. I'd like monitors that can grow with me—either as future reference monitors or something I could add a sub to—once I move into a larger space.

Here’s my shortlist, but I’m open to other suggestions:

• Neumann KH80
• Genelec 8030C or 8320A
• Dynaudio LYD5
• Adam A4V
• Or, if it makes sense, I could go for a budget option for now (like the LP-UNF, Eve SC205 or Adam A3X) and continue saving for the future.

A bit of context: I’m a full-time songwriter/session guitarist, and I primarily use this space for tracking and mixing guitars for clients. I plan to move into a larger space within the next few years, where I’ll likely purchase a set of 3-way (Barefoot Footprint 03, Adam A8H, Eve LYD48, etc.).

Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!

 

[AnalogSteph]

I currently have a pair of Yamaha HS8s, but feel they’re too large physically and sonically.

I can't argue with physically, but sonically? How? I hope you're using some sort of room EQ (Sonarworks or whatnot), given that a smallish square room is likely to have some fun room modes in store in the bass.

My listening distance is around 0.8-1 meters, and my budget is up to $1,500.

Honestly, that's not impossibly close for your old HS8s... probably just about the minimum one would want to use but definitely doable. They are nearfields after all, not the most radical kind with even closer driver spacing like KRKs or Focals but definitely in the ballpark. A 1.5 m distance would not be atypical for them.

A bit of context: I’m a full-time songwriter/session guitarist, and I primarily use this space for tracking and mixing guitars for clients.

That's good to know, since it indicates that midrange and lower treble are going to be the most important areas while the low end may not be quite as critical.

I would probably strike the A4V (a bit rough round the edges) from the list, and the LYD 5, while a solid effort, arguably still isn't quite on the same level as the Genelecs and Neumanns dispersion-wise. Of the two Genelecs, the 8320A has somewhat lumpier dispersion and decidedly less low end. Between Genelec and Neumann, the KH80s gets narrower in the treble so that may be a matter of taste (there would be more relative change in brightness between nearfield and in-room). In your well-treated room I may be more leaning towards the 8030C but you wouldn't be doing much wrong with the KH80 either.