The Yamaha HPH-MT8 Studio Monitor Headphones feature a pair of custom 45-mm drivers and powerful neodymium magnets. The MT8’s are a closed-back, circumaural design and have a 15Hz to 28kHz frequency response. The MT8 has a Sensitivity SPL rating of 102dB/mW—a measure of loudness versus power required making them fine for portable players.
I liked the MT8’s large ear pads made from smooth synthetic leather; the comfortable cushions absorb excess vibrations and reduce sound leakage—important for long hours of studio use. I found them to fit my head perfectly without a lot of fiddly adjustments. I could just slap them on my head and get instant isolation from both outside noises as well as headphone mix spill going into microphones.
I compared the MT8’s with three other sets of headphones in my studio’s collection. The MT8’s are super-accurate sonically and I liked that they are neither overly “hyped up” or boring sounding.
The MT8 includes both a detachable straight 3-m cord and coiled 1.5-m cable and both cables are equipped with a corrosion-resistant gold-plated stereo mini plug and ¼-inch stereo adapter. For DJs, the MT8’s have ear cups that rotate 180-degrees and stop in place as well.
The MT8’s are now one of my four best sets of headphones that are used every day in my studio. You’ll be happy with the MT8’s for studio work and/or just pleasurable listening all day and night!
The Yamaha HPH-MT8 sell for $329 MSRP.
Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs, and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com
