Yamaha sound projectors

I have been researching these Yamaha YSP sound projectors as a home theater audio system and have found they are an amazing alternative to an AV receiver and 5.1, 7.1, or 9.1 speakers. I’ve owned the 800, 4000, 5100. They all sound similar as far as I can tell. A subwoofer is a requirement. There is an Intellibeam calibration mic that is used to run an auto calibration program and it plays several tones for a couple of minutes so it knows the dimensions and characteristics of the room it’s being used in and adjusts the sound accordingly

Set the subwoofer to 5 out of 10 volume. 

I’m so impressed with these YSPs and highly recommend them as a home theater audio solution. You can pick them up used for $100, except for the YSP-5600 which is $600-$900 on the used market.

I was going to get an AV receiver, 7.1 or 9.1 speakers, and install them myself. After hearing the YSP 800 I bought a 5100 and abandoned the receiver and speaker model. The YSP sound projectors include an AV integrated amp and speakers so they really save the user a lot of money and hassle with installation. Plus, smaller rooms may not have the space for all those speakers. Visually, I think no one can complain about a single speaker that sounds so good compared to 5.1 or 7.1 speakers around the living room.

Background on YSPs

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/contents/audio_visual/ysp10th/chapter01/index.html

On the numbering system of home theater speakers

https://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/What-Does-5-1-2-or-7-1-4-Mean-for-Surround-Sound-Speakers-Dolby-Atmos-and-DTS-X.shtml

Numbering of YSP models can be confusing. Odd that there is no YSP-2000 and the 3000 belongs in another category.

There are 3 distinct YSP model lines.

  1. The flagship models with 40+ drivers, 4 feet wide, and heavy!

5600, 5100, 4000, 1000, 1, 

  1. The smaller narrower version of these flagships with 20+ drivers

4100, 3050, 3000, 900, 800, 500

  1. The models designed to be short enough to fit underneath the TV bottom edge sight line. Some include a separate subwoofer. Approximately 3-4” tall. Models with a subwoofer include the 2200, 4300. Models without a subwoofer include the 1600, 1400

Timeline of YSP models

https://www.avforums.com/threads/15-years-of-yamaha-soundbar.2326337/

2005

YSP-1, first YSP model, had many configuration issues that were solved in the next generation with the auto calibration feature.

2006

YSP-800 $900

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/yamaha-ysp-800-digital-sound-projector-review/ 5.1 audio, auto calibration

YSP-1000 $1700

https://www.audioholics.com/trade-shows/2005-cedia-expo/yamaha-ysp-800-and-ysp-1000

2007

YSP-500 First compact sound bar

YSP-4000 $1800 flagship

2008

YSP-900

YSP-3000

2010

YSP-4100 $1700 https://www.cnet.com/reviews/yamaha-ysp-4100-review/

YSP-5100 flagship but no 3.5mm input or bluetooth connection. 7.1 surround sound, note some reviews mention that video and audio from DVDs and Blu Rays will cut out intermittently.

2011

YSP-2200 slimmest YSP to date

2012

YSP-4300 includes a wireless subwoofer

2013

YSP-1400 built in subwoofer, Bluetooth $400! I doubt a “built in” subwoofer could sound nearly as good as a separate one.

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/sound_bar/ysp-1400/index.html

2015

YSP-5600

7.1.2 audio surround sound so Dolby Atmos

This flagship model was introduced 7 years ago. Could definitely use a refresh, but maybe 9.1.2 isn’t possible without great expense? Or maybe users won’t be able to hear the difference?

Notes:

  1. A good source for info on YSP models is cnet.com
  2. In general, stereo doesn’t sound as good as two large speakers 15’ apart, so if this is how you plan to use it, I’d recommend 2 separate speakers and not a YSP
  3. Some YSPs are heavy and large like the 5600, 5100, and 4000. Placing them beneath a TV on the same stand or table won’t really work. You have to mount both to the wall.
  4. Others are small to fit below the sight line of a TV on the same surface like the YSP-1400.
  5. The 800 and 900 series is narrower to visually look better with a 40” TV and the 1000, 3000, 4000, 5100, 5600 models are wider and taller to visually match a TV 50” and larger
  6. There are also slimmer models that are designed to be lower than the sight line of the bottom of the TV
  7. Some come with an external sub. A subwoofer is really a requirement for good sound.
  8. Best sound is from the full size models with a subwoofer
  9. There is a wall mount available for YSPs for $60
  10. Get a subwoofer and calibrate with it plugged in.
  11. Make sure the sound bar comes with a calibration mic and it is the correct model. They are not all interchangeable.
  12. You can get replacement calibration mics directly from Yamaha here: https://www.yamaha24x7.com/
  13. Owners manuals are available in pdf format from Yamaha. Here is the YSP-5600 manual https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/3/605013/web_YH433B0EN1_YSP-5600_om_UCALV_En_B0.pdf
  14. Oddly, most of these bars do not have a 3.5 input for an iPod or bluetooth. The 4000 has a 3.5mm input in front.
  15. None have a 3.5 output to headphones as far as I can tell.
  16. You can use a RCA to 3.5 cable to play music from your iPod
  17. Note some of these sound bars are more than 10 years old so make sure all the drivers, inputs, outputs, and remote works. This can take some time to check everything.

When buying a used YSP, inspect carefully and note the following to negotiate the price:

  1. Grills are often dented.
  2. Case ends are often cracked because in moving they get dropped.
  3. Calibration mics are often missing $25
  4. Remotes are often missing. $25 for off brand, $65 for Yamaha original.
  5. Verify the remote is the correct model remote too.
  6. The wrong power cord is often supplied. For the large models like the 4000, 5100, 5600 you’ll need a right L type power cord like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZUPEK4/ so you can plug in and the sound bar can sit flat on a table $9
  7. In general, pay around $100 for a used YSP and $600-$800 for the YSP-5600.
  8. Before buying, run through the calibration auto set up and verify all the inputs work. Then listen to it in different sound modes and make sure they work.
  9. Also test out the subwoofer response

Notes:

  1. The calibration is very easy with the correct mic and a tripod to place the mic on.
  2. A subwoofer is a must.
  3. When sitting in the sweet spot of the calibration, the sound is amazing.
  4. These sound bars are really sound projectors and on a whole different level than an ordinary sound bar.
  5. There are many of these sound projectors on the used market. I got a YSP-800 in good shape for $100. A YSP-4000 with the YST-FSW050 subwoofer for $130. The case was cracked on both ends, and the calibration mic was missing, but the sound is amazing. I picked up a 5100 on eBay for $300 but again, the case was cracked on both ends so I got $85 back from the seller.

Researching:

  1. Using the same subwoofer, the YSP-800 sounds amazing, but the YSP-4000 doesn’t. Exactly as the review said on cnet. I plan to turn the subwoofer down to 1, recalibrate and see if that fixes it. If not, then I will manually configure and see if that works. This is really a deal breaker if I can’t get the sub to sound better. I know it’s not the sub itself since the 800 sounded so good. “The YSP-4000 stumbled when we played big special effect driven flicks like Mission: Impossible III. The explosions fell flat, the bass was rumbly, and the Yamaha couldn’t play loud at all. We hooked up the Acoustic Research HT60 subwoofer to add extra muscle to the sound, and it helped a little, but we still felt the YSP-4000 lacked punch.”
  2. Manual calibration, I want to experiment with that.