All user reviews for the Yamaha MSP5

I needed something better than my hi-fi system to make electronic music with my PC! I was looking at classified ads but a musician friend of mine recommended me the MSP5, which were on sale. An important point for me back then, and still today, is that the vents are on the front, because I can place them close to a wall (I don't have another choice!).

Use: Home studio, after more than 10 years, they still work perfectly

No amp because they are bi(amplified), my setup consists only of two MSP5s connected to the outputs of an analog mixer.

SOUND

I have not many points of comparison.

Frequency response curve: They lack deep lows (which is normal given the size of the speakers) and they have some sort of dip and a boost in the mids, which makes the overall sound more aggressive than with other speakers. I am so used to them that I have a hard time assessing sounds!
In any case, they have a very good dynamic response and at loud volumes the vents blow so much air with the kicks that you can use them as hair dryers! Beyond a certain volume you can hear air-swishing sounds from the vents, which is annoying (but only at very loud volumes, to rehearse with your deaf buddies, not a level you'd use for mixing).

I think they are best for rock, pop and similar, rather than electronic music or techno (especially due to the lack of deep lows).

OVERALL OPINION

After more than 12 years of use I still can't part with them (even if I bought some Genelecs, I'd still find a use for the MSP5s). I haven't tested any other models at my place but I have been able to use other ones in other home-studios: The big Yamaha 80W with subwoofer wouldn't suit me because the vents are on the rear and the difficulty to find the right place for the subwoofer. However, it's true that the lows go much deeper which makes it more comfortable to mix electronic music.

I have also used some Genelecs, which are certainly better... but the price is not the same!

I'm happy with my MSP5, which I know very well now. I also work with (good) cans since the kids' rooms are close to the studio. When a mix sounds fine both with my cans and the MSP5s then I can say it's okay.

They are solid, reliable, dynamic and a bit aggressive, you need to tame them (like all monitors), but once you do, it's a real treat to use them.

clarity, balance the spectrum.
The output of a Roland VS880EX.

SOUNDS

A slight weakness in the bass.
Dynamics is surprising category
The stereo image is a little tighter.
The clarity and precision are very satisfactory on the whole spectrum.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 years.
I tried other models in this price range and I did not hesitate after testing MSP5.
What I like: clarity.
What bothers me their weakness in the bass.
Q / P ratio is excellent.
With the same budget, I repeat without hesitation.

I've had the Yamaha HS50M, good speakers, but these one are CLEARLY better from any point of view: Impeccable finish, crystal-clear sound. They are small but weighty! They are perfect for a home studio, the best ones I've ever had. Right from the installation, I adopted them when I had some trouble with the HS50M.

SOUND

Sound is clear as crystal, it's a real treat. They distinguish themselves from the HS50M, which are pretty aggressive. These are very pleasant, I have finally found a set of speakers that satisfies me from all points of view. I ran a quick test this evening with the TotalMix of my RME UCX and it's fabulous, you can clearly hear the slightest change. I finally have the right speakers to mix, they have nothing to do with what I had up to now. Kudos for Yamaha for these speakers that transcend eras and trends.

OVERALL OPINION

I compared them to the 50M and they are obviously better, but the 50M are good speakers. On the other hand, they completely OUTCLASS the Prodipe P6, which are inaudible and much less precise in comparison. I did a test with an MSP5 on the left and a Prodipe P6 on the right and there's simply no comparison They are much smaller, but they have a superb sound and finish. It's a different ballgame altogether. Prodigious small speakers, I can hear things I couldn't hear before.

The MSP5 were my first monitor speakers. They are an excellent quality / price ratio, at least they were at the time.

SOUNDS

They are powerful, relatively neutral although a bit bright, they can be a bit tiring on the length but allow very good mix once you start to know them well (which is the case for all monitor speakers).
The sound is quite clear and precise and very good stereo image.

OVERALL OPINION

I use them for years. I replaced by Focal as main speakers stereo, and I spent a very decent 5.1 setup cost.

Moreover, they are very robust and I never experienced any problems with.

The choice of speaker monitoring is very subjective, it is difficult for me to do a review. I do not regret having bought.

Buy for the price / quality ratio. Amplified speakers with whom I had worked I knew robust, rather precise, not flattering low. The speaker that is found everywhere, it has reinforced my choice. I use to monitor my home studio signals (Mixing music, audio editing)

SOUNDS

Enclosure rather neutral, despite careful around 1kHz or there is a slight bump. Little low blow anything too flattering. Personally, I do not support such monitoring HS8 that we tend to flatter the bottom at the expense of upper midrange. Therefore not made to mix in extreme serious but rather between 200Hz and 12kHz accurate given the price. After 12kHz there's much more exploitable. For image and dynamic, they are correct.

OVERALL OPINION

I use these speakers for almost 8 years, they always run smoothly. Their openness allows them real close, perfectly suited to the small space. At the time, in the same price range I tried the KRK, the Beringhers, Samson, Fostex.

The range has expanded greatly since then, I would strongly advise taking a 2h in your favorite morning show room.

I love these boxes because until now it has never failed me. It was done quickly, no surprises. THE dynamic is good at low volume, which is appreciable. You choose between low and the accuracy of the listening medium / high.

I say now, I'm not a sound engineer ... but advised amateur musician

These speakers are very robust, due to the structural metal grates covering HP, but also by anti "pop" protection at power on and off. (Really a big plus)

I had plugged into a mini mixer, a Mackie 402-VLZ3 which made very easy to use.

Of severe acute settings / are disposed at the rear to make small adjustments.

SOUNDS

Difficult to note neutrality because I'm not an expert, but in any case the return is very detailed in acute as in the grave

OVERALL OPINION

I had low end Behringer before, there is a world between ...

I find them a bit expensive, but it's really serious building level, it is a tank!

The only thing that can be a bit annoying is the on / off switch on the back, but it is the case on many speakers.

I highly recommend it.

I've bought used for their prices, their robustness and acceptable to mix sound.

SOUNDS

It lacks a lot of bass, it is ok but small even compared to other speakers of the same size they are less good at the bottom.
I find the overall effect quite aggressive, useful for mixing but tiring.
The lower medium is little precise.

OVERALL OPINION

A strong point is the sturdiness, I'm not afraid to move, no need to mettres in a cardboard box, bubble wrap, foam and all the stuff to carry.

At bargain price, this is a very good value for money. By against nine I think there is more in the same category.

The price / quality ratio remains excellent.
A short proximity monitoring they allowed me to make mixes for many years. This loyalty has helped me in the sound made listening and the end result that I wanted the most neutral.
I've also used in troubleshooting small sound.

SOUNDS

Curve sufficiently neutral response, perhaps slightly lower in the medium, but not enough to disturb the mix. Good clarity across the spectrum, good dynamics.

OVERALL OPINION

Purchased there at least 8 years, I think.
I'm making tracks with 4 or 5 other models.
What I like: To mix it enables high fidelity and neutrality.
A quality / good price.
I would do this NIOHC without hesitation.