Yamaha's YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector adds HDMI upscaling

Yamaha's single unit surround sound bars have come a long way since the YSP-1 made its debut, and the company's latest entry, the YSP-4000, continues to up the ante, with 1080p HDMI compatibility, analog video upscaling to 1080i / 720p, XM Neural Surround compatibility, optional iPod dock, and a host of calibration modes, including one designed to make compressed audio sources sound better. Yamaha is being pretty coy with the frequency response numbers, suggesting that the YSP-4000 isn't an ass-shaking bass machine, but the 120W of power through six channels should provide plenty of clean sound for average TV and movie viewing. Available in October for $1,799.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

[hoob @ Aug 15th 2007 8:17PM]

Don't forget the subwoofers that Yamaha designed for use with the soundbars, too.
The YST-FSW050 and the YST-FSW150
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=558715&CNTYP=PRODUCT&VNM=WORKING

Together, that should give you a nice little thump.

[darkstar @ Aug 15th 2007 9:51PM]

which one is good? the yamaha or polk audio?

[hoob @ Aug 16th 2007 2:18AM]

Of the two, I'd choose the Yamaha over the Polk. The Polk, though nice, too needs a receiver to run through. The Yamahas are standalone, apart from the subs. Also, whereas the Yamahas are an array of 21 to 40-something speakers in the bar, the Polk is essentially a one-speaker component.

For the price and the quality, I say you're better off with the Yamahas.

[Josh Warner @ Aug 15th 2007 10:10PM]

I'm not sure where exactly Yamaha thinks they're marketing this... I can walk into a high-end audio store and pick up a pretty dang nice 5.1 or 7.1 channel separate system (for instance: Paradigm/Definitive/PSB/etc. for speakers and Denon/Sony ES/Harman Kardon/NAD for a receiver, along with decent cabling) for less than they are charging for this monstrosity of a center channel with DSP effects.

It would definitely sound better, too.

So what is the market for this? I am genuinely confused; is it just something to stick in AirMall and fill in some bullets on executives' powerpoints? This is something like Bose would bring out, but Yamaha doesn't have the brand recognition to sell absolute crap as 10x overpriced "botique hifi" like Bose does... do they?

[Whydrive @ Aug 15th 2007 10:46PM]

The appeal of this is that you don't have to deal with running cables through the walls/floor/ceiling and having 5 or more speaker boxes in the room. I think this would be a great unit for the bedroom (though I think many folks would consider this too expensive for a bedroom system).

Yes you can definitely build a 5.1 system for that amount of money (or even half that price) that will sound better, there is a group of folks (many of them females for some reason) that prefer something simple and can blend in with their new lcd or plasma tv.

[hoob @ Aug 15th 2007 10:42PM]

Sure, it's a bit pricey, but this particular piece fills the need for people who either don't have the space for a full 5.1 surround sound system or don't want to deal with it. I've heard the YSP-1100s and I've found that they're amazing. I loved the sound that came out of the soundbar and especially when you've got some walls to provide reflection for the sound. Even if you don't, the soundbar adapts to it and reflects the sound off whatever else.

This particular model is good for us because we've just remodeled and the only to have a 5.1 system would be to either have wires showing or loop them through the walls. Both very troublesome. That, and the HDMI throughput is nice, too.

So, we're some of the market that this soundbar is targeting. And do give the model a listen if you ever come upon it. You'd be surprised.

[----> @ Aug 16th 2007 3:44AM]

Looks neat, but what you said is really a let down.

I think $1,799 for an "average" tv viewing experience isn't good enough.

[Ross King @ Aug 16th 2007 4:57AM]

I have heard many of these (YSP 800, 900) in stores in the UK and I own one now and the sound quality is superb! No mater what shape or size (no concert halls!) of room you put this in, it will adapt that sound to the room by running a series of simple sound tests which bounce sound waves off the walls. So, no matter where you are sitting you can program full surround sound to that point. No conventional setups allow for that sort of multi global positioning.

Yes, if it were designed by Bose or Bang & Olufsen this would have been snapped up by the masses and probably hailed as genious. As its designed by lesser know but equally respected Yamaha its seen as a bit too ahead of its time. This remember is full digital surround sound not your usual woofer and magnet setup from back in the day. Of course, the ease of setup is another huge factor to buying something like this and it means that you can take it with you when you move and not have to chase out walls and run more cables. You can even move it from room to room if you'd like and still have the surround sound.

I am only guessing but this one should be equally as awesome and well worth the American price tag, it's just a shame it will be almost the same in our English pounds as it is in dollars!

Seriously though, if you haven't seen or heard one of these, hold your judgement, I was amazed!

[WhyNotV2 @ Aug 16th 2007 7:59AM]

Used one of the of the soundbars and after a week it was returned. I ended up with a Bose Accoustimass 6.1 and a Denon receiver for the same price as the Yamaha in this article. Phenominal sound, wonderful bass and no need for 'butt shakers' installed in the seats!

[andy @ Aug 16th 2007 10:01AM]

My YSP 1100 doesn't hold a candle to my Marantz/Paradigm setup.

But it's a clean install, and good enough to watch some stuff on in the den.

They REQUIRE a subwoofer. You don't need a big one, but you need one.

I wish this was out when I bought the 1100 so that I would have the switching. :(

[Noah Oliphant @ Aug 16th 2007 10:46AM]

I love my Yamaha YSP-1000. The wife loves it too. Sure the sound isn't as good as a fully integrated 5.1 setup, but it does a great job where you don't want to run wires and have speakers everywhere.

I have mine in my bedroom and love the setup.

http://www.reciperate.com

[diceburna @ Aug 16th 2007 3:05PM]

I live in a small apt and Ive been looking at gettin one this speaker b/c the design is sooo hot. But my biggest problem is w/ those little woofers, onboard amp, and other components all squeezed into that box the sq will not be as a good a traditional 5.1 setup. On top of that theyre charging a premium for it. The new Sony 5300ES that can decode the all the new DD and DTS formats and handle up to six hdmi inputs and even includes a faroudja vp is going for $1700. The ysp-3000 900 are priced pretty well but they dont look good at all.

[roger_huston @ Aug 19th 2007 4:36PM]

Come on, you all know that you can get this stuff cheaper than the MSRP. The YSP-1100 had an MSRP of $1699 and you could pick it up on Amazon for $1050. At times I saw it as low as $950.

The day it comes out it will be expensive, but we all know we will find it for less.

Also, I am one of those that want this over a 5.1 system. I live in apt. that is not conducive for routing speakers all around the room.

[D @ Aug 27th 2007 3:46PM]

Josh, the YSP-4000 is squarely targeted at people like me that live in 750 sq. ft. condos that cost $500K+. Wrap it up! I'll take it! d.

[Drebar @ Oct 14th 2007 12:28PM]

Does anyone know how this unit compares to other brands like Altec's? Any other suggestions if not this sound bar system. I am moving to an 850 sq ft condo in Manhattan that is basically a big loft that includes an open kitchen/living/dining area. Dont mind spending the money if it works. Also does anyone know how it 'plays' with a Sony Dream system? I was hoping to replace the wires and speakers with this.