Digital Sound Projectors

[erikjo]

Hi I was looking into getting one of the Yamaha digital sound projectors. I was wondering if they sound as good as the traditional home theater set up. How do they compare to a comparibly priced traditional home theater system?

What subwoofer would you recommend with it, and do you need a reciever for it? If so what would you recommend. My price range is pretty open, but i dont want to spend like thousands of dollars on just the sound system.

Thanks,

Erik

 

[j_garcia]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/yamaha-ysp-1100/ysp-1100-digital-sound-projector-first-impressions-and-build-quality?searchterm=YAMAHA+YSP

No, you don't need a receiver according to the reivew. Any sub of your choosing should work fine, based on the size of room and how much bass you are looking for (and of course, budget).

 

[erikjo]

Thanks for the reply. I found the review very helpful. I am long over due for an upgrade on my sound system, so I am trying to get the best thing I can for the money. Has anyone ever heard or own this new technology? I am wondering how it compares to the Bose speaker systems as well.

I would rather get a reciever seperate too, since I noticed that this has no hdmi connection, and I plan on getting an LCD HDTV. Does it really matter?

The walls in my living room are very high, and I would rather not have to go up and wire/install speakers on them. This is really the only reason I was even considering this thing.


Thanks again for all help given.

 

[erikjo]

I just learned how to search on the site, and read everything about these products that is on the site. My question is, since this doesnt have an hdmi connection, is there any point in getting a 1080p hdtv with this audio system? Would I be able to use this for sound and still be able to get upconversion if I connect directly to the tv with an upconverting DVD player? Thanks again.

 

[Hi Ho]

My question is, since this doesnt have an hdmi connection, is there any point in getting a 1080p hdtv with this audio system? Would I be able to use this for sound and still be able to get upconversion if I connect directly to the tv with an upconverting DVD player? Thanks again.

No problem there. Simply run HDMI straight to the TV and use an optical or coax digital cable for sound to the sound projector.

The YSP is a very impressive system. I have seen and heard them installed in several very different types of rooms and they really are like magic. You can actually walk around the room and hear sound coming from the different places in the room as if there were multiple speakers.

 

[erikjo]

Thanks HiHo,

One other thing i was wondering was about my room shape. I will try to show it here

<pre>
______________________
| |
| Dining Room |
| |
|____ |__________DOOR______
| 4ft |
| TV and |
| Sound system on |
| 4ft wall WINDOW
| |
| Living Room Fireplace
| |
| |
| Window
Front Entrance 5-6ft wide |
| |
| couch here |
____ 2-3 ft entrance________________________
</pre>

I hope that gives some idea. The living room is 14x24 ft. There will be between 8-10ft from couch to TV. I want to get a Samsung 42 in LCD HDTV at present time. I will place the Tv to the right of the left of the door and would like the digital sound projector in the same place. Do you guys think because of the large open space into the dining room and the size of my room the projector will still work well. My walls are also possibly 10-12 ft high and the ceiling is vaulted.

 

[erikjo]

Wow that didnt work for the picture. My living room is 14x 24. It is longer horizontally.

The dining room is connected to it and there is an opening in one of the long walls approximately 7-8 ft in the middle of the wall. The tv stand is right next to this opening and the opening is across from the couch as well as the tv stand( they are right next to each other). Will this present a problem between the froom shape and the ceilings?

 

[j_garcia]

One problem with that layout could be that the sound projector will be further from one wall than the other. I think the DSP can account for some of that, but I haven't heard one work, so I can't say for sure. The review said it was best placed in rooms that had good placement for "bouncing" the sound on either side.

 

[markw]

I've heard 'em. I was inpressed, but...

Hi I was wondering if they sound as good as the traditional home theater set up.

no. It's a one box system and, as such, it will have it's limitations. There is no sound from the rear and it's operation is very room dependent. It likes walls off which it can bounce sound.

How do they compare to a comparibly priced traditional home theater system?

It doesn't. Given my duthers, I'd opt for a traditional system every time but if you gotta go with a one box system, it's very good.

 

[Hi Ho]

There is no sound from the rear and it's operation is very room dependent.

I'd have to disagree. There is sound from the rear, unless there is no wall at all. One can actually get up and walk toward a wall where a surround speaker would be and hear sound coming from that spot. Yes, it is very room dependant and that will not be the case in all room layouts but I have seen one installed in a very similarly layed out room in a similar location and it sounded great.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha SP

The Yamaha Sound Projector will definately work best in a small room with walls on all sides. In these conditions it can simulate the surround sound effect. In your larger room and layout you would benefit from a more traditional 5.1 bookshelf system and receiver for audio.

 

[erikjo]

Thanks and reply

Thanks for your help guys, I was thinking of getting one and trying it out. I have heard it sucks to wire a house with speakers, so I am trying to avoid it. What do you guys think about the Bose Cinemate? It is a 2 speaker system i believe. I would like something that sounds great, but I am not so attuned to these things to spend like 2-3 thousand on just a reciever. I would like to spend about the price of the projector at most (1500 dollars i believe). Any other suggestions of systems or setups in this price range?

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

I would not recommend the 2 speaker Bose system, the Yamaha sound projector is a better option.

For better performance in your room, you should consider a 5.1 bookshelf speaker system like the following.

5.1 bookshelf speakers and sub: SVS ($1k), or Onix X-LS ($800)
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V659 or HTR-5960 ($3-400)
DVD Player: Oppo Digital ($150-220)

Also, like you suggested, you can connect an HDMI video source directly to the TV and digital audio to the receiver if you have a receiver without HDMI. An entry level receiver's main function is audio power and processing and the video features are secondary.

 

[Bee-Man]

An alternative that I would go for considering the hassles of wiring a whole room is a 3.1 sound.

HSU Research has a very decent sound...

2 x HB-1 Horn and 1 x HX-1 dedicated centre with a VTF-2MK3 subwoofer and the YAMAHA RXV-659 - or even a RXV-559.

Sound will be better than the very impressive YSP and allows you to additional speakers if you have a change of thinking in the future..

Good luck...