Customer Reviews:
 Powerful sounding audio for anyone who does not want lots of speakers and wires around their room November 30, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
First of all, don't expect true surround sound with this unit. What you WILL get however is a very nice SIMULATED surround effect, especially with hi-definition Blu-Ray movies. The beauty and strength of the Yamaha YAS-71BL however is the following: The POWER, the PUNCH, and the BASS. Similar and cheaper units just do not have the power, volume or punch that this device has. It really is incredible. :-) I tested several devices thoroughly (less expensive AND more expensive) before spending $500 on the YAS-71BL and I am not disappointed! Some units I tested only allowed you to turn the volume up to level 50 -- the YAS-71BL however goes all the way up to 100!
I would thoroughly recommend the YAS-71BL for anyone who (a) has a small room (b) does NOT want multiple speakers or multiple cables around the room and (c) who wants powerful sound. This is THE solution for better sounding and more powerful audio for someone who likes a clean and small solution.
There are several audio modes (the Movie setting is the best -- it really has the room throbbing during action sequences, just like at the movie theatre), and there are buttons/options to control individual settings such as the sub-woofer, center-speaker and surround-sound effect. There's also an "enhanced surround sound" mode which attempts to spread the audio at a wider angle. Another very nice bonus with this soundbar is that it has a built-in FM tuner.
I am predominantly playing Blu-Ray movies through this soundbar and films like Transformers, The Incredibles and Wall-E sound SUPERB. I also stream my iTunes audio through the soundbar via my Playstation 3 and my audio has never sounded better. I love it! :-) But remember, do not buy this if you think this is a TRUE surround sound solution because it's not.
Set-up is a breeze, and the unit looks very cool with the piano-black finish. I really like the unit display, it reminds me of Philips audio displays, it's clean and simple and you have options to dim the display if you need. The remote control is wonderful because it is small and is very intuitive to use. Be sure to double-check the sub-woofer measurements before you purchase this soundbar as it is quite tall.
Although this soundbar is advertised as "surround sound", you will only get close to surround sound with Hi-Def movies. And even then, it's never going to be the same as a 5.1 setup with multiple speakers around the room. But this is a one speaker solution let's not forget, so if you look beyond the obvious surround sound flaw, you will appreciate that everything else about this soundbar is first class. Very-much recommended. :-)
 Nice Suond.... not quite surround November 22, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
For living in a small condo and not wanting to run wires everywhere this system did the trick. The sound produced out of this is far better then what my TV would ever produce.
The simulated surround sound is just that, simulated. If you have previously had any experience with true surround sound, then you will immediately be able to tell the difference.
The sub woofer is actually the receiver where you plug in all of your items, then two wires run from that to the long front speaker so you will have to keep that in mind when you are trying to layout things as far as wire length goes.
The sound coming from the sub woofer at regular levels is just a light rumble, nothing that is going to irritate the neighbors. You can adjust the output a little up and down to push more sound out of it which will bring up the rumble a little bit, but then again, nothing that would bother the neighbors during the day.
I would definitely recommend this unit to someone who would like a little more sound in a small space without going nuts with wires running all around the room.
The remote is small, but has everything that you need on it to make adjustments from the couch.
I have a Comcast DVR (hooked up optical), a DVD player (hooked up digital coax), and a Wii (hooked up standard RCA). There is one more Optical input that is open.
This unit will become my bedroom speaker once I get a house and will get a true 5.1 or 7.1 for the living room.
This is my second Yamaha Speaker system and I have been very happy with the brand and will probably go with them next round.
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