Angry Box vs Yamaha NS10M
The Yamaha NS10 defined the modern mixing reference, and it's now discontinued, ageing and only available used. Here's how the Tantrum Angry Box compares to the legend it was designed to succeed.
| Angry Box | Yamaha NS10M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (per pair) | £565 | ~£800–£1,200 |
| Design | Point-source, single driver | Two-way (woofer + tweeter) |
| Enclosure | Sealed | Sealed |
| Max SPL | 102 dB | ~100 dB |
| Amplification | 65W Class D | Passive (amp required) |
| Onboard DSP | ✓ Full Range + Mid-Focus | ✗ |
| Mid-focus / mono mode | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dimensions | 14 × 14 × 14 cm | 21 × 33 × 21 cm |
| Bandwidth | 60Hz–20kHz (−10dB) | 60Hz–20kHz |
| Mic-stand thread | ✓ 3/8" built in | ✗ (needs bracket) |
Competitor specs and pricing based on publicly available information as of June 2026. Prices approximate, per pair, excluding VAT. Check the manufacturer for current details.
The Honest Verdict
The NS10 is the original unforgiving reference: its harsh, hyped midrange makes a good mix obvious by making a bad one painful. It's discontinued, which means used pricing varies wildly and units are ageing. The Angry Box was specifically designed with a similar sealed-box, fast-transient philosophy (the waterfall plots are strikingly similar) but adds DSP, a self-contained amplifier, and a mid-focus mode that replicates the same forcing function without the pain tax.
You want the NS10's sealed, fast, midrange-honest philosophy in a modern active package, with DSP, a mid-focus mode, a self-contained amp and a current warranty.
You specifically want the original NS10 sound and don't mind sourcing ageing used units plus a separate amplifier.
Common Questions
Is the Angry Box a good NS10 alternative?
Yes. The Angry Box was designed with the same philosophy as the Yamaha NS10: a sealed enclosure, fast transients, an honest midrange and a low end that rolls off where most playback systems do. Its real-world waterfall plots are strikingly similar to the NS10's. The difference is that the Angry Box is a modern, actively amplified design with onboard DSP, a mid-focus mode and a built-in mic-stand thread, with no separate amplifier required.
Why is the NS10 so expensive now?
The NS10 is discontinued, so the only supply is the used market, where prices vary widely and units are increasingly old. The Angry Box is a current product at roughly £565 per pair (ex VAT) with a warranty.
Does the Angry Box need a separate amplifier like the NS10?
No. The NS10 is passive and requires an external power amp. The Angry Box is fully active with a built-in 65W Class D amplifier, so you connect it straight to your interface.
What does the Angry Box's mid-focus mode do that the NS10 can't?
The NS10 has a single fixed response. The Angry Box adds a switchable mid-focus mode that narrows the response to roughly 90Hz–12kHz, isolating the midrange for mix-translation and mono referencing, while still offering a fuller extended-range mode for general work.
Hear The Difference Yourself
Specs only tell half the story. Demo the Angry Box, or see the full line-up of monitors it's up against.
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