1978: First model NS-10M released, intended for home hi-fi usage, described as "sealed system, bookshelf" type ("密閉方式・ブックシェルフ型"). Designed by Akira Nakamura, who also oversaw the later models, as well as the groundbreaking NS-1000M.

Early 1980's: NS-10M gains a reputation as a nearfield studio monitor, first in Japan, and then elsewhere. Names often associated with this include Bob Clearmountain, Chris & Tom Lord-Alge, Nigel Jopson, Rhett Davies, Bill Scheniman, Grag Ladanyi, Andy Wallace, and others.

1987:Yamaha capitalize on the NS-10M's popularity as a studio monitor, and release the NS-10 STUDIO, NS-10M PRO, and NS-10MC models, which addressed some of the issues engineers had been having with the original model.

1993:Yamaha release the NS-10MX model, with magnetically shielded drivers.

1996: The final model, NS-10MT ("T" for "theater") is released, with increased wattage and a bass reflex port.

2001:Yamaha cease production of the NS-10M line, citing difficulty in obtaining the paper for the mid-bass drivers. However, the continued availabilty of spare replacement parts (including the driver in question) leads to some congecture as to the real motives.

2001:A research paper is published by the University of Southampton which shows scientific reasons why the NS-10M had been favored by so many expert engineers.

2006: Yamaha release the Nakamura designed MSP STUDIO series of powered reference monitors to "carry on the tradition of the NS-10M STUDIO monitor".

2007: Yamaha win the Technical Grammy for the impact their recording products have had on the industry, particularly the NS-10M series.