Yamaha HS7 vs. Yamaha MSP7 ($100 difference noticeable?)

[brdrumz]

Looking and narrowing down my choices for new monitors.
Don't have a local music store I can listen at, but trying to gather info from reviews and other's personal experiences, Youtube and such. So any offered opinions (such as they may be all different) is greatly appreciated.

YamahaHS7 or YamahaMSP7 Studio Monitors?
I'm in an 11X13 room, going to be acoustic treated. (minimally, but some)
I've read great things about both...but wondering for the $100 per monitor extra for the MSP7, what is the noticeable difference. Some say "bass" on HS7 is better and "high end" is better on MSP7. What would concern you more for mixing and mastering at home? And which would you choose?

Thanks for any comments to this matter.

[JJBiener]

I was just in Guitar Center buying studio monitors. I listened to the Yamaha HS8 and the M-Audio BX8 as well as comparable JBLs and KRKs. My feeling was that the JBLs sounded thin. The KRKs were way too bass heavy. The HS8's were very good, but they were $100 more than the others. I ended up buying the M-Audio BX8s because out of the four, they had the clearest, cleanest sound. When I am mixing, I want to be able to hear the individual instruments clearly, and the BX8s were the best for that. When I walked into the store, M-Audio wasn't even on my radar, but listening to them really sold me.

I understand not having a local music store. I drove an hour to get to the closest one, Guitar Center. If there is anyway you can find some place to listen to them, I would do it. Even if it is a bit of a drive. It made all the difference for me.

I don't know if it helps, but I just saw that Massdrop has the HS8s for $260 each. I don't know what your budget is, but that is a good price. And it is a good monitor. I didn't know this when I bought the BX8s for $250 each, but I don't think I would have changed my mind.

[Hermetech Mastering]

Go for the MSP7, very underrated speakers, in another league to the HS series, IMO. The last speaker designed by the designer of the NS10's before he retired. I had a pair of MSP5s for a decade and they served me very, very well. The MSP7s used to be quite expensive but you can probably find them cheaper now as I think they were discontinued some time ago. They are very flat for their price range, the HS range not nearly so, so especially if you are thinking mastering duties, the MSPs are a no brainer. Really, you won't regret it. Turned quite a few clients on to these over the years and they are all still using them! My opinion is that they were built more for flat response and excellent sound quality, and less to a price point, they were a labour of love. There's a sub that goes with them too.

[nathanj]

I second Harmetch Mastering's opinion. I just picked up my second pair of MSP5's (moved overseas and didn't want to deal with power converters).

I've also had the hs5's and they were fine but the msp5s offer a much fuller representation. I've found that while my mixes translate very well to other systems they also sound really good for for playing music, which is a nice bonus.

you won't regret the $100 difference in a year, I promise.

[brdrumz]

I've heard the MSP7 had a flatter response and that the high end frequencies were quite remarkable. I've also heard great things about the HS7. I do plan on doing my own mastering (or attempting it anyway) and I would like a real precise sound and a good stereo image. Does the MSP bass response perform well? I do like the fact the woofers have a front facing bass port as opposed to the HS7's rear port bass. (I will need to keep about 18"/2ft. from the front wall) I can save space by having the front facing bass ports. Thanks for your reviews and opinions. I believe Sweetwater still has these in stock. Not sure if they are discontinued yet. I'm really interested!

[Hermetech Mastering]

Go for it, bass on the MSP7s is great! Am sure you wont regret it. They feel more pro than prosumer (like the HS series).