Yamaha's YSP-500 compact "Sound Projector"

As much as audiophiles may hate all-in-one "sound projection" boxes that simulate multiple speakers, as long as consumers have limited space in their apartments -- or remain unwilling to chuck cables all over the place -- there will be a market for such devices. The Yamaha YSP-500 has dimensions of 610 x 120 x 220mm, and pumps out a rather dismal 62W over sixteen (!) 28mm, and two 8mm loudspeakers. It supports a variety of different surround sound formats, but if you really care about them you probably shouldn't be looking at this set, which is launching late this month in Japan. No word yet on pricing, or a US launch.

[max andrews @ Oct 6th 2007 9:42PM]

Engadget, watts are only half of how load a speaker gets. Any given speaker will have a certain sensitivity, which is how much sound it will produce with one watt of input at a distance of one meter. A speaker that has a sensitivity of 90dB will sound twice as loud with one watt than a speaker with a sensitivity of 84dB with one watt. Some people have 100dB sensitive speakers that they run with a one-watt amplifier, and it could probably shake your walls down.

[Nipponese @ Oct 7th 2007 1:03AM]

You mean 90dB will sound twice as loud than 87dB. It is double every 3dB.

[martin @ Oct 7th 2007 6:00AM]

A 3 dB increase corresponds to a doubling of the sound energy (pressure^2), but psychoacoustically this doesn't translate into a doubling of perceived loudness.

Loudness depends on spectral content and the individual, but a good rule of thumb is that a ~10 dB increase in sound pressure level yields a doubling in apparent loudness.

[BananaBoat @ Oct 6th 2007 10:17PM]

Why bother explaining when we all know that this product is junk?

[joseA @ Oct 6th 2007 10:27PM]

BananaBoat...

Why do you think this will be junk? You've never heard the device.

Do you have any experience with Yamaha sound projectors that you'd like to share?

[David Susilo @ Oct 6th 2007 11:00PM]

agreed. Although conceptually it's a great product, none of the Yamaha Sound projector every really works in real life. I've tried YSP1, YSP800 and YSP1000. If those three are of any indication, the YSP500 will be no different. IE: junk.

no, let me reiterate: OVERPRICED junk.

[Noah Oliphant @ Oct 18th 2007 11:00PM]

I completely disagree. I have the YSP 800 and have really enjoyed it. The first time I hooked it up and had it configured it amazed me. It continues to be a great product for what it is: Simple 5.1 setup without extra speakers and wires running everywhere.

I would recommend it.

[joseA @ Oct 6th 2007 10:23PM]

I hope this comes to the US. The sound bar idea is great and it fits a real need for those of us that don't want use our TV speakers, don't want large receivers, have limited space, etc .

Yeah, audiophiles probably won't approve of this device but this product isn't really for them.

I've been watching this space grow steadily. There are some great products out there today but they fail in one aspect - size. The YSP-500 seems to solve this problem.

Yamaha, please bring this out in the US!

[BananaBoat @ Oct 6th 2007 10:33PM]

JoseA -

I've had experience with all in one "Soundbars" and they are, universally, junk. Going by that track record, I can chaulk this one up as junk aswell, if for no other reason than to warn people that they are better off with a nice pair of sennheiser, Grado, etc headphones if they truly don't have the space for dedicated speakers. Nothing against Yamaha (my reciever is made by Yamaha) but stay away from any brand of all in one soundbars.

[joseA @ Oct 6th 2007 11:35PM]

hmmm...

I know a few people who own these types of devices (my brother owns a yamaha and I know a few people who purchased the philips sound bar/dvd player) and they swear by these devices. I've listened to both and I was impressed. If you look at the reviews on Amazon, post sales customers give these products high ratings.

If by junk you mean the sound quality isn't up to your standards, that's one thing. I think you would agree that sound quality can very subjective. Again, I think the sound quality is great on these types of devices (I've listened to most of these devices with the exception of Altec Lansing sound bar).

If by junk you mean that the fit, finish, etc. of device is not up to snuff, that's something else...

Personally, I've been holding off buying one of these because of the size (the current generation of devices are just to high and they can sit in front of my LCD TV without blocking the bottom part of the screen).

[UrsuSH @ Oct 7th 2007 5:14AM]

Too harsh by far. I have a YSP-900 and am very satisfied with the output, both for movies and music. My standards are not audiophile - the receiver/speaker combination I might have considered was *alot* more expensive. The YSP is a very neat solution with all the inputs I need for my HTPC, squeezebox and DVR. It weighs and looks the part. I have yamaha sub to support the bass. After tinkering with the room setup (as with any 5.1) I am happy with the reflection. I do not think it can meaningfully rival separates for audio quality, but the compromise has been worth it in my living room setup. It's well worth a demo.

[sr @ Oct 7th 2007 10:48AM]

Whatever man. I have five figures invested in my stereo system. But right now, I have space issues around my TV in my bedroom and I don't need wires everywhere. So why not get one of these?

I'm an audiophile, meaning I care about music reproduction.

When it comes to TV or even movie audio in the bedroom this is just fine. Everyone has different needs.

[Joe @ Oct 7th 2007 12:31AM]

I've heard the Yamaha YSP-1000 at a friends house. I have to be honest, I thought it was perfect for his setup.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BOCAJ4/ref=nosim/freeplefav-20/

And if you think 62 watts is dismal then this one is 120 watts AND it has 42 integrated speaker drivers! But, yes it is quite expensive. Only a particular consumer would want to purchase this.

[kaz @ Oct 7th 2007 12:44AM]

In one room I have a "real" setup. ADA THX amps, Martin Logans, REL subs, Stewart Screen, yada yada. In another room I have one the YSP800 and an Outlaw Audio sub. I love the "real" setup...I also love the YSP800 in the smaller room - it's perfect for that use. The room is too small to have a full 7.1 setup, and I can actually hear spatial differences from the surround effect. No wires, one speaker, I think the Yamaha sound bars are perfect and actually work...whereas the other ones don't.

[tga @ Oct 7th 2007 1:41AM]

Re comments on price...

Yeah, the cost is prohibitive. However, something in $299 to $500 range would be an easy buy for most consumers. An acceptable 5.1 receiver/speaker combo runs the same price range these days. A sound bar essentially gives you same thing.

I saw on another website that the Japanese price was $647 USD approx (when converted from yen). The price is getting closer...

Altec Lansing's sound bar, the PT7031, is $599. The price is getting close...

[sr @ Oct 7th 2007 10:50AM]

Yes. These kinds of things are great for second setups. I would never use it in a primary setup, but for a secondary setup it is likely better than those HTIB systems any day.

[Sir.Byrd @ Oct 7th 2007 1:02AM]

This is nice and all,
but will it blend?

[oxjox @ Oct 7th 2007 3:14AM]

I listened to this at CEDIA and have to say it was impressive. This was in a wide open convention center with probably more ambient noise than a airplane at take off. I've installed a number of these sound bar type of speakers and they do a good job when there aren't many other options or if you just want a simple set up without running wires in the wall. There's also a tiny, impressive sub that goes with the system and a tv rack that houses this perfectly. Absolutely perfect for a bedroom or basement system for the kids to play video games on.

[Davyo @ Oct 31st 2007 7:34AM]

Im reading these comments saying the YSP's are junk and dont work in the real world.
All I can say is WOW, I will bet the posters that made those comments have never owned or perhaps never even heard a YSP system.
Having owned a YSP-800 and a YSP-1100 I can say from personal hands on use of these systems they are far from junk or BS.
In the right shaped room with some walls to reflect the sound the YSP's systems can sound jaw droppng great.
I cant tell you how many times I have had friends over to watch movies and they cant watch the movie because they are in such shock over how great the YSP sounds.
If ya wana get some real opinions of the YSP systems from folks that really do own them and have really heard them (unlike some of the posters on this comment page) go on the AVS forum and read the tons of positive feedback and real comments about the YSP's.
Davyo