Yamaha YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector Review

[gene]

<P><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/yamaha-YSP-1100p1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[ysp1100] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/ysp1100_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>The Yamaha YSP-1100 is NOT a typical pseudo-surround system. With just one physical box you are able to convincingly recreate a 5-speaker surround environment that almost envelopes you in a sound “bubble” and is an altogether different experience.&nbsp; Taking into account that there are a host of manufacturers who charge more for a simply combined flat panel LCR speaker, the YSP-1100 is a veritable steal and has earned its 5-star value rating.</P>
<P>[Read the Review]</P>

 

[aarond]

I saw this at EHX in Long Beach yesterday. Sounded better than expected. Would be something to cosider for an apartment.

 

[Hi Ho]

I have setup several YSP's and they are nothing short of amazing. It requires the proper room to really shine but I agree with everything Gene said in the review. It really is nothing like any other "one speaker surround" systems on the market. You can actually walk around the room and hear the sound coming from different places on the walls. It also doesn't have the tinny and boxy sound that I was expecting before I heard one.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Who the hell wants one speaker? Isn't the goal to accumulate the most black boxes?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Who the hell wants one speaker? Isn't the goal to accumulate the most black boxes?

Yes, but now those black boxes don't have to cost much at all. Wood is cheap Shape it to desired look, paint it black and you can have all the black boxes you want
The placebo experience Fool your friends

 

[Rob Babcock]

Sorry, Mty- you forget the Men's Golden Rule...He who dies with the most toys wins!

 

[flyfish23]

Does any one have an idea of the room size limitiations for the 1100?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sorry, Mty- you forget the Men's Golden Rule...He who dies with the most toys wins!

You mean pretend boxes don't count? Don't tell anyone that they are

 

[ilikestuff]

How long will it take?

How long will it take for systems like this to completely replace our "static and old fashioned" 5.1 speaker configurations?

I see a time when physically locating a speaker somewhere becomes a hinderence in producing TRUE surround sound.

I betcha we'll see complete mainstream adoption of systems like this in about 10 years. With the right support from organizations like Dolby and DTS, we could have audio configurations that are not limited to numbers and locations of physical speakers.

Imagine what you could do with 5 or 10 "beams" of audio that could be re-targeted on the fly even a few times/second each. Systems like this could emulate a "static" surround system with literally hundred's of speaker locations positioned around you in a virtual sphere.

Forgive me if this has already been mused over elswhere, I just got excited and needed to dump my thoughts; fantastic technology that is still in its infancy.

Good stuff.

 

[davidc]

Compare to 5.1 system at same price?

Thanks for the review, Clint. Can you please comment on how the Yamaha with a subwoofer would compare to a similarly priced traditional 5.1 system? I'm starting from nothing and comparing spending $2,000 for a YSP-1100 and subwoofer versus the same amount, split between a $500 receiver and $1,500 for a 5.1 speaker system. In addition to movie DVDs, I like to watch concert DVDs and listen to music alone. Does the Yamaha sound good enough for that kind of mixed use?

 

[markw]

It's a purpose designed solution to overcome one objection.

Thanks for the review, Clint. Can you please comment on how the Yamaha with a subwoofer would compare to a similarly priced traditional 5.1 system? I'm starting from nothing and comparing spending $2,000 for a YSP-1100 and subwoofer versus the same amount, split between a $500 receiver and $1,500 for a 5.1 speaker system. In addition to movie DVDs, I like to watch concert DVDs and listen to music alone. Does the Yamaha sound good enough for that kind of mixed use?

No, it won't be "as good" as a well chosen system comprised of a good receiver and good separate speakers. It's designed to be a one box system and, as such, there are inherent compromises that one must learn to live with.

Looked at as such, it's a very good solution for someone who demands only one speaker and is willing to live with the implied compromises.

 

[rbj9]

I've had mine for about a week and I'm impressed with the sound quality even though it's not properly set up yet, it's just sitting one the floor in front of my tv.
I have a plasma coming, speakers are not included with it, a $700 option. I intend to use this for everyday viewing and still have a surround sound system besides.
Built like a tank also.

rb

 

[akak1997]

How does the Yamaha YSP 1100 compares to the SurroundBar, Soundmatters Mainstage HD, or even the Bose 321 GS II?

I just bought a 40" LCD and place it in my office. I want a decent but small surround sound speaker system for that room. it's a small room (roughly 9' x 9'), and I don't want a big reciever and speaker cables everywhere.

Thanks

 

[Snap]

For the 40 inch in an office, may check out the YSP800. Little smaller, and will probably work better for a 40 inch in an office.

The main use for us of the YSP is for applications were either the looks are a factor, (wife does not want anything AV let alone 5 speakers.) Or in applications were cost overruns make traditional 5.1 systems not an option.

Like retro work in appartments, condos, and that type of install. The customer will be more happy spending the money on the YSP1100 vs, sheet rock repair, paint repair, and the AV install charges.

I have only compaired the YSP to the Bose 3,2,1 system. I like the YSP sound better. Throw in a sub with the YSP and you will be very happy.

 

[bigpow]

hate to sound like a broken record, keep repeating the same question;

how's the YSP-1100 + Yamaha Sub(?) sound, when compared to:
a) SVS SBS-01 5.1 + Yamaha RX-V2600? ~similar price
b) AV123 X-LS 5.1 + Yamaha RX-V659? ~cheaper

I hate wiring rear speakers (unless they sound stellar?) and I hate complicated setup (unless they sound awesome?), and the room is not square (one side is wall, the other is another room)

I had a very cheap Logitech Z560 (4.1) and recently upgraded (or so I thought) to another cheap Logitech Z5450 (5.1 wireless), simply because of the wireless rear speakers

oh, and in case you haven't noticed, I'm also super cheap (not by choice ): )
I've got the cheap Westinghouse LVM42-W2 -really cheap- and now I'm feeling like upgrading my cheap sound system...