Yamaha soundbars - any experiences
Discussion
We are currently looking at soundbars as a compact alternative to a 5.1 system.
In terms of inputs, it'll be Sky HD and an Apple TV - both via HDMI - and connected to a Sony TV.
Recommendations thus far seem to have been the Yamaha YHT-S400 (circa £349) and the YSP-2200 (circa £750) - which is a pain as we had initially set a £500 budget.
So, before we go and listen to either, does anyone have experience of either? Is there anything else on the market worth a look?
In terms of inputs, it'll be Sky HD and an Apple TV - both via HDMI - and connected to a Sony TV.
Recommendations thus far seem to have been the Yamaha YHT-S400 (circa £349) and the YSP-2200 (circa £750) - which is a pain as we had initially set a £500 budget.
So, before we go and listen to either, does anyone have experience of either? Is there anything else on the market worth a look?
The YSP's can work well in a fairly standard room with walls down both sides as they use the side walls to reflect sound off then to get the rear sounds to be behind you.
Alternatively you could look at the Polk SoundBars, the 5000 and the 6000 are active and come with wireless sub's and could be got for close to your budget.
The main difference is they use clever digital processing to delay the sounds for rear. The tech does work really well and I have used it on several projects.
V.
Alternatively you could look at the Polk SoundBars, the 5000 and the 6000 are active and come with wireless sub's and could be got for close to your budget.
The main difference is they use clever digital processing to delay the sounds for rear. The tech does work really well and I have used it on several projects.
V.
The Polks are an interesting option, thanks.
I notice the Yamahas use HDMI, and the Polk uses optical. So with the Yamaha, the sources HDMI to the soundbar, then to the TV, whereas the Polk would mean all sources going to the TV via HDMI, then outputting to the soundbar via optical.
Is one a better option than the other?
I notice the Yamahas use HDMI, and the Polk uses optical. So with the Yamaha, the sources HDMI to the soundbar, then to the TV, whereas the Polk would mean all sources going to the TV via HDMI, then outputting to the soundbar via optical.
Is one a better option than the other?
Personally I prefer the Polk. But I would wouldn't I.
The issue i have with the Yamaha is that even if you just want the TV on for news without the sound bar on the you still have to turn it on to get the sound and video to pass through it.
With the Polk you just don't turn it on!
Simples!
V.
The issue i have with the Yamaha is that even if you just want the TV on for news without the sound bar on the you still have to turn it on to get the sound and video to pass through it.
With the Polk you just don't turn it on!
Simples!
V.
Edited by VEX on Sunday 4th November 21:01
Both options (and the Polks) all come with a separate sub, so that shouldn't be a problem. 
I appreciate the sound coverage wont be as good as the 5.1 setup we currently have, but in terms of practicality and space consumed the soundbar is a better solution for us, given how little time we spend in front of the telly.
I appreciate the sound coverage wont be as good as the 5.1 setup we currently have, but in terms of practicality and space consumed the soundbar is a better solution for us, given how little time we spend in front of the telly.
I remember plugging the YSP in for the folks there was some messing about with optical vs hdmi. They were hoping to be able to control the volume at least via the hdmi link but I don't *think* we ever got it to work. IIRC it's on optical at the moment just using the separate remote for volume.
I've a YHT-S400. £400 a few years back. The original Sony TV got broken and the replacement Sony just had terrible sound so this was required. Considered a 5.1 system but wires and small children do not mix.
PS3 connected to the Yamaha, hdmi and an optical toslink connected to TV, Tivo connected directly to TV (I think). TV controls the Yamaha via hdmi, turns it off/on when the telly switches on and volume is controlled with the tv remote.
It just works. Absolutely no problems with it, bass can be a bit pounding but its easy to turn down. The univolume feature is quite handy. There is a small issue that the youngest used to push cars and lego in though the sub port but they were easy to fish out.
Sure, its not the pinnacle of AV tech and sound quality but hard to beat for the price I think.
PS3 connected to the Yamaha, hdmi and an optical toslink connected to TV, Tivo connected directly to TV (I think). TV controls the Yamaha via hdmi, turns it off/on when the telly switches on and volume is controlled with the tv remote.
It just works. Absolutely no problems with it, bass can be a bit pounding but its easy to turn down. The univolume feature is quite handy. There is a small issue that the youngest used to push cars and lego in though the sub port but they were easy to fish out.
Sure, its not the pinnacle of AV tech and sound quality but hard to beat for the price I think.
Well, as an update to this thread I purchased the Yamaha YSP-2200.
Really quite impressed, and it gives a good sound. Clearly not quite as good as a genuine 5.1 system, but for the amount of telly we watch it's brilliant and there are no cables or speakers dotted about, so the room is a much nicer place to be.
Handily, the soundbar on its lowest height setting leaves a gap big enough for the Apple TV to sit under
Delighted to report that with the Sony TV we have, we have full HDMI-CEC control, so when we turn the TV on/off, the soundbar follows - even the volume button on the Sky remote adjusts the soundbar volume too.
Haooy days
Really quite impressed, and it gives a good sound. Clearly not quite as good as a genuine 5.1 system, but for the amount of telly we watch it's brilliant and there are no cables or speakers dotted about, so the room is a much nicer place to be.
Handily, the soundbar on its lowest height setting leaves a gap big enough for the Apple TV to sit under
Delighted to report that with the Sony TV we have, we have full HDMI-CEC control, so when we turn the TV on/off, the soundbar follows - even the volume button on the Sky remote adjusts the soundbar volume too.
Haooy days
Podie said:
Well, as an update to this thread I purchased the Yamaha YSP-2200.
Really quite impressed, and it gives a good sound. Clearly not quite as good as a genuine 5.1 system, but for the amount of telly we watch it's brilliant and there are no cables or speakers dotted about, so the room is a much nicer place to be.
Handily, the soundbar on its lowest height setting leaves a gap big enough for the Apple TV to sit under
Delighted to report that with the Sony TV we have, we have full HDMI-CEC control, so when we turn the TV on/off, the soundbar follows - even the volume button on the Sky remote adjusts the soundbar volume too.
Haooy days
Hi, a couple of questions if I may?Really quite impressed, and it gives a good sound. Clearly not quite as good as a genuine 5.1 system, but for the amount of telly we watch it's brilliant and there are no cables or speakers dotted about, so the room is a much nicer place to be.
Handily, the soundbar on its lowest height setting leaves a gap big enough for the Apple TV to sit under
Delighted to report that with the Sony TV we have, we have full HDMI-CEC control, so when we turn the TV on/off, the soundbar follows - even the volume button on the Sky remote adjusts the soundbar volume too.
Haooy days
Do you get 5.1 sound from the TV using ARC?
Does the soundbar pass-through the HDMI signal even when it's in standby?
Cheers!
telford_mike said:
Hi, a couple of questions if I may?
Do you get 5.1 sound from the TV using ARC?
Does the soundbar pass-through the HDMI signal even when it's in standby?
Cheers!
If the source is 5.1 (Sky or Apple TV), then yes. Sky HD requires you to connect the optical connector and assign the port to the HDMI input (easily done via the menu) so sounds goes via optical and video via HDMI (Sky only does stereo over HDMI). Do you get 5.1 sound from the TV using ARC?
Does the soundbar pass-through the HDMI signal even when it's in standby?
Cheers!
Yep, pass throug works, as long as the unit is on standby.
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