Yamaha HS4 and HS3 Powered Studio Monitors

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this Yamaha product. The HS4 and HS3 are compact, high-quality studio monitors designed for use in music and video production.

About this manual

The manuals covering the HS4 and HS3 are listed below:

• Safety Guide (included with this product): Lists safety-related points to be aware of when using this product. Read this information before use for correct and safe operation.
• Quick Start Guide (included with this product): Explains setup steps and sound playback with illustrations.
• Owner's Manual (this guide): Explains all functions of this product. Refer to this manual for any installation or operation details not understood in the Quick Start Guide. Precautions and related points are categorized as follows:

⚠️ WARNING: This content indicates "risk of serious injury or death."

⚠️ CAUTION: This content indicates "risk of injury."

ℹ️ NOTICE: Matters to be observed to avoid product breakdown, damage, malfunction, data loss, or environmental harm.

? NOTE: Points of note, limitations in functionality, and supplementary information.

Keep the included manuals accessible. You can also download them from the Yamaha website: https://download.yamaha.com/

NOTICE

To avoid potential malfunction, damage to the product, or damage to other property, follow these notices:

Handling and maintenance

• Do not obstruct the bass reflex port on the back of the speaker unit, as this reduces sound quality.
• Do not use the product near TVs, radios, or other electric products, as this may cause noise.
• Avoid excessive dust, vibration, extreme cold, or heat to prevent unstable operation or damage to internal components.
• Do not install in locations with severe temperature changes, which can cause condensation, leading to breakage or deformation. If condensation forms, wipe immediately with a soft cloth. If condensation is suspected internally, leave the product powered off for several hours to dry completely before use.
• Do not touch the speaker driver unit, as this may cause malfunction.
• Do not place vinyl, plastic, or rubber objects on the product, as this may cause alteration or discoloration.
• Clean the product with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid chemically infused cloths or chemical products, as they may cause discoloration or deterioration.

Information

• About functions bundled with the product: XLR-type connectors are wired per IEC60268 standard: pin 1: ground, pin 2: hot (+), pin 3: cold (-).
• About the manuals: Illustrations are used for explanation. Company and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. iPhone and Lightning are trademarks of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

Included Items

• Speaker L x1, R x1
• Speaker Cable x1
• Stereo Mini-to-RCA Cable x1
• Quick Start Guide x1
• Safety Guide x1
• Anti Slip Pad x4 (for speaker bottom corners)

Cables

You will need appropriate cables to connect the HS series speakers to your audio interface or source equipment.

• Short, high-quality cables: Use the shortest practical length to minimize noise.
• Balanced cables: More resistant to noise than unbalanced cables. Use shortest possible unbalanced cables if your source equipment only has unbalanced outputs.

Connectable cables

• XLR type: Widely used in professional audio. Primarily intended for balanced connections. Wiring: Pin 1 (ground), Pin 2 (hot +), Pin 3 (cold -).
• Phone type: Used for unbalanced and balanced connections. TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) plugs are needed for balanced connections. Standard mono phone plugs are used for unbalanced connections.
• RCA plugs: The included stereo mini-to-RCA cable provides an unbalanced connection.
• Stereo mini plugs: Use an audio cable with stereo mini plugs.

Balanced connections effectively cancel noise and allow for longer cable runs. Unbalanced connections are commonly used for electronic musical instruments and guitars; they are suitable for cable runs up to one or two meters.

Setting Up for Superior Sound

This product features two speakers: an active (with built-in amplifier) speaker L and a passive speaker R. For accurate monitoring, position the L speaker angled left and the R speaker angled right. Speaker L is marked "LEFT" on the rear panel.

Diagram description: Shows the L and R speakers positioned at an angle, forming an equilateral triangle with a listening position, with a 60° angle indicated between the speakers.

NOTICE: Do not set the speakers up with the front baffles facing down.

Setup points:

• Position away from walls or corners: Ideally, place speakers away from walls/corners. The ROOM CONTROL switch can compensate for excessive bass caused by reflections. Moving speakers closer to walls may require higher compensation settings (e.g., [0] → [-2] → [-4]).
• Position left and right speakers symmetrically: Ensure speakers are equidistant from the rear and side walls.
• Optimum listening position: At the apex of an equilateral triangle formed by the speakers and yourself, with speakers angled inward.
• Position tweeters at ear height: For accurate high-frequency response, tweeters should be at approximately ear level when seated.

Controls and Connectors

Rear Panel

Air blowing from bass reflex ports is normal, especially with bass-heavy content.

Diagram description: Shows the rear panels of the L and R speakers with numbered controls and connectors.

• 1. ROOM CONTROL switch: Adjusts low-frequency response to compensate for room reflections. [0] provides a flat response; [-2 dB] attenuates below 500 Hz by 2 dB; [-4 dB] attenuates below 500 Hz by 4 dB.
• 2. HIGH TRIM switch: Adjusts high-frequency response. [0] provides a flat response; [+2 dB] boosts above 2 kHz by 2 dB; [-2 dB] attenuates above 2 kHz by 2 dB.
• 3. ST MINI chassis connector: Unbalanced input for stereo mini-plug cables (e.g., smartphones).
• 4. LINE 2 (L/R) chassis connectors: Unbalanced RCA input connectors for devices like computers, MP3 players, or CD players. Use the included stereo mini-to-RCA cable.
• 5. LINE 1 (L/R) chassis connectors: Balanced input combo connectors (XLR/TRS phone) for line-level synthesizers, mixers, or audio interfaces.
• 6. OUTPUT TO RIGHT SPEAKER: Connect the included speaker cable to send signals from the L speaker to the R speaker.
• 7. [?]/[ ] (standby/on) switch: Turns the product on or puts it into standby. NOTICE: Avoid rapid switching; wait at least five seconds between standby and on. A protective circuit shuts down power on excessive input signals; wait three seconds after shutdown before re-powering. A small current flows even in standby; unplug the power cord for long periods of non-use.
• 8. Power cord: Connects to an AC outlet.

Front Panel

Diagram description: Shows the front panel of the L speaker with numbered controls.

• 1. [?]/volume knob: Combines power and volume adjustment. Turn clockwise slightly to power on (indicator lights up). Turn clockwise to increase volume, counterclockwise to decrease. Turn fully counterclockwise to standby (indicator darkens). NOTICE: Avoid rapid switching. If the protective circuit activates, turn off the rear power switch for three seconds before re-powering. Unplug for long periods of non-use.
• 2. Headphones socket: Connect headphones here. Speakers are muted when headphones are connected.

Connections

WARNING: Before connecting or disconnecting devices, turn off power for all devices and set all volume levels to minimum. Failing to do so may result in hearing loss, electric shock, or device damage. When powering on an audio system, turn the product on LAST. When powering off, turn the product off FIRST.

Connecting the speakers with the included cable

Diagram description: Shows the rear of the L speaker and the included speaker cable. Connect the red lead to the red terminal and the black lead to the black terminal.

Connecting to an Audio Interface

Connect audio interface outputs directly to the speakers' input connectors (typically LINE OUT 1 and 2).

Diagram description: Shows connections from an audio interface (L and R outputs) to the LINE 1 or LINE 2 inputs on the speakers.

Recommended cables:

• For balanced connection: 1/4" TRS phone cables or XLR-to-1/4" TRS phone cables.
• For unbalanced connection: 1/4" Standard mono phone cables.

NOTE: Refer to "Connectable cables" for connector details.

Connecting to a Mixer

Connect mixer's MONITOR OUT or C-R OUT connectors directly to the speakers' input connectors for independent monitor level control.

Diagram description: Shows connections from a mixer's monitor outputs (L and R) to the LINE 1 or LINE 2 inputs on the speakers.

Recommended cables:

• For balanced XLR connection: XLR cables.
• For balanced phone connection: 1/4" TRS phone cables.
• For unbalanced phone connection: 1/4" Standard mono phone cables.

NOTE: Refer to "Connectable cables" for connector details.

Connecting to a Synthesizer or Other Electronic Musical Instrument

Connect the instrument's L/MONO and R outputs to the HS speaker inputs.

Diagram description: Shows connections from a synthesizer's L/MONO and R outputs to the LINE 1 or LINE 2 inputs on the speakers.

Recommended cables:

• For unbalanced connection: 1/4" Standard mono phone cables.

NOTE: Refer to "Connectable cables" for connector details.

Connecting to a computer

• Use the included stereo mini-to-RCA cable to connect the computer's headphones output to the RCA connectors (LINE 2) on the product.
• Use a commercially available stereo mini-plug cable to connect the computer's headphones output to the ST MINI connector (LINE 2) on the product.

Diagram description: Shows both connection methods from a computer to the speakers.

Connecting to a smartphone

• Use the included stereo mini-to-RCA cable to connect the smartphone's earphone connector to the RCA connectors (LINE 2) on the product.
• Use a commercially available stereo mini-plug cable to connect the smartphone's earphone connector to the ST MINI connector (LINE 2) on the product.

NOTE: For Android with USB-C, use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter cable. For iPhones with Lightning, use a Lightning-3.5mm adapter.

Diagram description: Shows both connection methods from a smartphone to the speakers.

Connecting headphones

Connect a pair of headphones with a stereo mini-plug cable to the headphones socket on the front panel.

Diagram description: Shows headphones connected to the front panel headphone socket.

Turning on the power and making sound

Follow these steps after setting up the speakers:

1. Ensure all connected devices are turned OFF before connecting the product.
2. Turn the output level of connected devices (e.g., audio interfaces) down to minimum.
3. Connect speakers L and R with the included speaker cable. CAUTION: Use only speaker-designed cables; other types may cause fire.
4. Connect any external devices and plug in the product's power cord.
5. Set the ROOM CONTROL and HIGH TRIM switches to 0 dB.
6. Turn on the power of your connected devices first, then turn on this product (rear switch, then front knob). The indicator lights up when the power is on.

Diagram description: Shows the standby state of the speakers and the front knob indicator, and the 'On' state with the indicator lit.

WARNING: When turning power OFF, turn off this product first (front knob, then rear switch), then turn off connected devices.

7. Adjust the volume using the [?]/volume knob on the front panel. Turn the knob in either direction while the indicator is lit.
8. Output a signal from the connected device and gradually increase the level. NOTICE: Avoid applying excessively loud signals to prevent speaker damage.
9. Set the knob to a comfortable listening level. NOTE: Adjust ROOM CONTROL and HIGH TRIM settings as needed.

Troubleshooting

Specifications

* This product will work at voltages between 100V and 240V. Limiter settings vary with supply voltage; use the voltage indicated on the rear panel.

The contents of this manual apply to the latest specifications as of the publishing date.

Dimensions

Diagram description: Detailed diagrams showing the dimensions (width, height, depth) for the HS4 Left, HS4 Right, HS3 Left, and HS3 Right speakers.

• HS4 Left: 150 mm (W) × 240 mm (H) × 213 mm (D)
• HS4 Right: 150 mm (W) × 240 mm (H) × 203 mm (D)
• HS3 Left: 132 mm (W) × 223 mm (H) × 189 mm (D)
• HS3 Right: 132 mm (W) × 223 mm (H) × 177 mm (D)

Frequency Response

Diagram description: Graphs showing the frequency response for the HS4 and HS3 speakers. The X-axis represents Frequency (Hz) from 10 Hz to 10 kHz, and the Y-axis represents Response (dB) from -40 dB to +10 dB. Both graphs show a relatively flat response across the audible spectrum, with a roll-off below approximately 80-90 Hz.

Block Diagram

Diagram description: A block diagram illustrating the signal flow within the HS series speakers. Inputs (LINE 1, LINE 2, ST-MINI) are processed through LEVEL, LOW CUT, ROOM CONTROL, HIGH TRIM, and EQUALIZER stages before reaching the POWER AMP. Outputs include speaker outputs (HF, LF) for the Left and Right cabinets, and a headphone output. The diagram also shows the connection between the Left and Right speakers via the "OUTPUT TO RIGHT SPEAKER" and the headphone detection circuit.