Yamaha HS3 Active Studio Monitor 2 pcs

Yamaha HS3 — Compact Studio Monitor With the HS Series Sound

The Yamaha HS3 is the smallest member of Yamaha's HS Series nearfield studio monitors, built for creators who need accurate monitoring in compact spaces. Inside the 132 × 223 × 189 mm enclosure sit a 3.5-inch (89 mm) cone woofer, a 0.75-inch (19 mm) soft-dome tweeter, and a class-D amplifier delivering 26 W + 26 W of dynamic power. This monitor continues the HS Series tradition of flat, uncolored response so mixes translate reliably to other playback systems.

What Sets the HS3 Apart

Yamaha's proprietary Twisted Flare Port shapes airflow through the rear bass-reflex port to reduce turbulence noise, giving the small woofer cleaner low-end extension than typical 3.5-inch designs achieve. ROOM CONTROL and HIGH TRIM switches on the rear panel compensate for placement near walls or in untreated rooms, while a single class-D amplifier drives both cabinets through the included 2.5 m speaker cable to keep wiring simple.

Driver Configuration and Frequency Response

The 3.5-inch (89 mm) cone woofer handles low and midrange, while the 0.75-inch (19 mm) soft-dome tweeter covers the upper registers, with a crossover at 3.2 kHz. Maximum output reaches 100 dB SPL (peak, IEC noise @ 1 m).

• Woofer: 89 mm (3.5") cone — handles low end and lower mids with controlled excursion
• Tweeter: 19 mm (0.75") soft dome — smooth top end without metal-dome harshness
• Crossover Frequency: 3.2 kHz — keeps vocal fundamentals on the woofer for natural body
• Frequency response of 70 Hz - 22 kHz (-10 dB) and 85 Hz - 20 kHz (-3 dB)

Power, Room Tuning, and Input Flexibility

A class-D amplifier drives both cabinets from a single supply, with total power consumption of just 15 W. Three input formats cover professional and consumer sources without adapters.

• Output Power: 52 W total (26 W + 26 W dynamic, RL=6 Ω) — class-D efficiency in a compact chassis
• ROOM CONTROL: 0 / -2 / -4 dB under 500 Hz — trims low-end buildup near walls
• HIGH TRIM: +2 / 0 / -2 dB above 2 kHz — adjusts top-end presence for bright rooms
• Rear-panel inputs — COMBO XLR/TRS ×2, RCA ×2, Stereo Mini — cover audio interfaces, mixers, computers, and phones

Build Quality and Physical Footprint

The MDF cabinet follows HS Series resonance standards, with the Twisted Flare Port opening on the rear baffle. The left cabinet houses the amplifier and controls, while the right connects via the included speaker cable.

• Cabinet Material: MDF — dense, low-resonance enclosure for tighter bass
• Dimensions of 132 × 223 × 189 mm (L) / 132 × 223 × 177 mm (R)
• Weight: 2.8 kg (L) / 2.1 kg (R) — light enough for mobile rigs
• Stereo Mini - RCA cable (1.5 m), speaker cable (2.5 m), and anti-slip pads included

Ideal Users for the Yamaha HS3

This monitor is the right choice for bedroom producers, content creators, podcasters, and mobile musicians who need a trustworthy nearfield reference in a space where a 5-inch or 8-inch cabinet would dominate the desk. Its compact footprint and 2.8 kg powered-side weight make it a natural fit for laptop-based production rigs, dorm rooms, and travel setups. Video editors and streamers benefit from the wide sweet spot and forgiving top end for long sessions without ear fatigue, while producers working on electronic, hip-hop, or vocal-driven material will appreciate the revealing midrange and fast transient response.

The HS Series Legacy Behind the HS3

The HS Series has been a studio reference for two decades, trusted by audio engineers, producers, and artists worldwide for its accurate, uncolored monitoring. Released in November 2023, the HS3 extends that legacy into the compact-monitor category by applying the same voicing philosophy, class-D amplification, and Twisted Flare Port design to a smaller enclosure. In 2025, Yamaha marked the 20th anniversary of the HS Series, underscoring its role as a long-standing industry standard.