Yamaha YSP-1 Digital Sound Projector

The Yamaha YSP-1 employs multiple small speakers, each with its own digital amplifier.

Sound reflecting off the walls is strikingly suggestive of having actual speakers placed behind and at the sides of your listening position. Because the YSP-1 packs a digital signal processor as well as speaker cones and discrete amplifiers, it relieves you of the need for an audio/video surround receiver while freeing you from four of the five primary speakers in a traditional 5.1-channel speaker system. (A subwoofer, the ".1" in a 5.1 system, is optional.) Cabling is minimal and unobtrusive, so you won't have to drape speaker wires around your living room.

All five channels: L, R, C, Ls, and Rs are given separate orientations. Sound is beamed off the walls to create the effect of a surround system with rear speakers.

The device even offers three memory settings to accommodate the listening preferences of different household members or different settings for different sources (movies vs. music, for instance). Its slim depth--under five inches--makes it perfect for use with flat-screen LCD and plasma televisions.

Please keep in mind that to produce successful surround effects, the YSP-1 requires reasonably symmetrical positioning between bare reflective walls, either parallel to two walls or positioned at a 40- to 50-degree angle, as in a corner. Even in rooms laden with books, rugs, and furniture, however--elements that can interfere with the sound reflection needed for proper spatial cues--the YSP-1 still produces a pleasingly full and spacious sound that we found superior to the sound from most surround systems composed of tiny satellite speakers.

The projector comes with four adhesive pads for mounting on a shelf above or below your television, and Yamaha makes an optional bracket, the SPM-K1 wall mount for fixing the YSP-1 on your wall.

For full-impact home entertainment, we strongly recommend using the speaker with an optional stand-alone powered subwoofer. It's certainly usable and enjoyable without a sub, but it's far more impressive (and movies and music far more dramatic) with a subwoofer engaged.

The YSP-1 easily connects to your existing components via two optical and one coaxial digital-audio jacks and two stereo (left/right) analog RCA inputs. The supplied preset remote can control TVs, DVD players, and VCRs. An RS-232C interface permits advanced commercial customization.

The digital sound projector rear panel offers two optical and one coaxial digital inputs, two analog inputs, subwoofer output, and RS-232C interface for custom applications.

When connected to DVD players via its digital-audio inputs, the YSP-1 delivers full processing for Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround formats. Dolby Pro Logic II (with Music, Movie, and Game settings) and DTS Neo:6 Music generate discrete multichannel surround from any two-channel source via either digital or analog audio inputs. Customizable parameters for DPL II include panorama, dimension, and center width; DTS Neo:6 lets you alter the perceived width of the center sonic "image." --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Very good sound for both movies and music
• Simple to use
• Frees you from needing a surround receiver and a multichannel speaker system
• Cutting-edge surround format compatibility
• Remarkably convincing surround effects
• Extremely efficient performance
• Includes bass management
• Great off-axis response
• Three user settings for channel levels, EQ

Cons:

• Does not perform video switching
• Requires large shelf below TV/monitor or wall mounting

What's in the Box
Speaker unit, 4-device universal remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, 1 composite-video cable, 1 coaxial digital-audio cable, 1 optical digital-audio cable, 1 stereo (left/right) analog-audio cable, a cable holder, 4 base fasteners, an AC power cord, and warranty information.

Amazon.com Product Description
Get the surround sound experience without the need for multiple speakers or an expensive, awkward home theater setup. The YSP1 offers true multi-channel surround sound from a single component. The unit houses 42 individual speakers, each driven by a separate digital amplifier, to create a true multi-channel surround environment. The digital sound projector technology used in this compact system controls the direction of sound from its speakers by focusing it into beams. When sound reflects off the walls in the room, it sounds like there are actually speakers behind and to the side of the listener. These multi-channel sound beams are created using sophisticated algorithms that take advantage of controlled sound dispersions to sculpt the multi-channel experience.

The slim and stylish YSP1 is ideal for use with advanced home theater displays. It works in a variety of room configurations, including corner placement. The elegant, self-contained design makes additional speakers and wires entirely unnecessary. YSP1 will appeal to anyone with a desire for true multi-channel sound from a neat, uncluttered, unobtrusive home theatre system.

YSP1 easily connects to existing components with its two optical (digital), one coaxial (digital), and two stereo (analog) inputs. The preset remote can also control TVs and DVD players. For advanced customization, an RS-232C interface has been incorporated into the design. Although a subwoofer is not required, a subwoofer output is provided.

What's in the Box
YSP1 unit, user's manual.