I don't care if you buy it or not. I just consider writing endless polemics about noise in speakers without trying something really cheap and effective as waste of time especially if you can return it within 30 days without giving a reason.

You were right. I bought the HD400 and Yamahas became dead silent. Not a crackle. With videocard in overdrive and crappy RCA cables coming out of the interface and all.

Thank you.

You are welcome

How loud is the hiss. Did you measure? Price looks nice ?

I didn’t measure it. I only hear it as I’m turning the speakers on since my ear is close to it at that point. As soon as I sit down in my chair I don’t really notice it.

Maybe some people sit right on top of there speakers.

I honestly never think about it. It is very faint, but again I have hard-drives and guitar amps that make more noise just sitting there than the speakers. Again, there are some people who are super sensitive, but they’re perfectly useable and sound amazing.

Anybody else purchase a set of the IN-8 monitors? The ads all over this website caught my attention.

I have also considered Tannoy Gold 8 and Neuman KH-120.

Hey, I’ve used both pretty extensively! I work at a studio and we’re just getting started so we didn’t have the budget for high end speakers in the beginning. Anyway, we used some HS-8s for a few months on loan from my friend while browsing for what would ultimately be purchased. I decided on the IN-8s, and hearing them side-by-side, it was the right choice. The Yamahas do have a good track record and have been proven over and over again, but these Kalis are sweet. I hope they become the next go-to for budget monitors. To my ear they’re flatter, lower noise, and when pushed to listening party volume, maintain their neutrality.

One complaint: one of my speakers never goes to sleep, while the other does after 15 minutes, and it takes 8 seconds to kick back on once you ply something. It’s not necessarily an issue, but I can’t find any explanation on how to address this and it bugs me.

With everything else in the room shut off, I’ve also noticed a hiss in the Kalis. However, it’s pretty quiet, and nowhere near mixing level. Ive never caught myself mixing to compensate for hissy high end, so I don’t think it’s caused any interference with work. But yeah, there’s a slight hiss that I didn’t notice in the Yamahas.

Thanks for your input! What monitor stands are you using with your Kali?

This is meaningless. Poor room acoustics and audio material. This would be better if they just did a sweep with SMAART and used the Transfer function.

I don't think it is meaningless and I can certainly hear the difference, but there are much better ways to compare for sure. Why no step response?

I had a pair of yamaha HS80M for roughly 6 years. No hiss, no noise at all. If you're getting noise, it's more than likely dirty power, equipment outs or cabling that's causing the issue.

Just to chime in with some comparisons at either end of the price spectrum.

I'm in a relatively well treated room (extensive GIK kits plus extra) but by no means perfect.

I have a pair of Yamaha HS7's as seconds and just sold a pair of Dynaudio Core 47s as they just weren't working in here.

In the interim I bought a pair of Kali IN-8 Wave 2 as I kept hearing good things, and the good things were warranted.

Compared to the Cores there are some obvious shortcomings. The Cores have way, WAY more detail and transient accuracy, more separation AND power for days, but the difference isn't as big as you'd think. There is a genuine benefit to the 3 way design of the IN-8's, although I did find the coaxial design a little strange at first, my ears accustomed to it after a day or so. Bass 'seems' a bit beefier on the IN-8's, but nowhere near as detailed. But for the money they are spectacularly good. Comparing to my (smaller) HS7s I would say the IN-8s are definitely an upgrade from anything in the HS series, although I've long been a fan of the Yamaha's too.

Also worth noting, there is zero perceivable noise from the IN-8s at my listening distance of 3-4 feet, and I can't hear anything close up either, but my 50 year old ears don't hear a thing past 13k any more anyway

What interface and cables are you using? Because the only time I had any of what you described was when I was using 3.5 stereo jack to 1!4 inch unbalanced from my pc soundcard to a focusrite then 1/4 inches to my hs50m's and then to the same with my Hs8.... I can pretty much guarantee that if that's the way you're hooking up it's not your monitors but you're pc you're hearing. Soon as I upgraded all my cables etc (balanced and hooked up my new Id44 to my pc via USB boom! No noise. I can sit there with it cranked right up with no signal and I can't hear squat.

Here's checking back in on this exact same question in June/July of 2022 - how do these two compare? How is the low-end accuracy in terms of hysteresis/smeariness/driver speed etc? I'm on some T7V's now but it's like a blob down there, so I'm trying to get some crisp, defined lows from a slightly higher price bracket.

HS8?

IN-8 V2/2nd Wave?

Alternatively, anywhere I can get some of those $5k speakers for around 20% of the price?

Probably. But legally? Probably not.

hi, have you tested Eve audio too.? if you have, how do they compare? to Yamaha and kalis?

I have the Kali IN-8 V2 and initially had hissing. This is paired on my Windows desktop connected to an Audient iD4 audio interface. Took a little trip over to guitar center and got some professional XLR cables with maximum insulation. Thought about buying a power conditioner too but didn’t need to. Hooked them up and minimized the cables crossing with any power lines or other cables and looped up the excess cable with itself not crossing any other cables.

Result: Zero hissing

I didn’t end up needing the power conditioner for the time being which saved me money.

Since the pro cables are so well insulated even if they cross another cable still no hissing. Very pleased.

I know they are not even in the same category but how would you compare IN-8s to Yamaha HS8s?
I am bouncing between
- Yamaha HS8 MP
- Kali IN-8 2nd Wave
- Focal Alpha 80
- Dynaudio lyd-8

Very hard to decide especially considering higher tag of the last two. I have no chance of trying any of these out in the country I live in so brutally honest comments from people who are experienced with these products would be really appreciated. Thank you.