Yamaha YSP-800 82-Watt Digital Sound Projector, Black

by Yamaha

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 32 x 5 x 6 inches ; 19.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 28 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000BKH1ME
• Item model number: YSP-800BL
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,909 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #68 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Speakers > Soundbar Speakers

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Do away with bulky surround sound speaker systems while still bringing your movies and music to life with the Yamaha YSP-800 digital sound projector. Housed in a single bar-shaped body but equipped with 23 speaker drivers--each with its own digital amplifier--the YSP-800 delivers full-bodied, multichannel sound through a single elegant component. The device works by focusing the sound into "beams," and then projecting them at optical angles into the room via the analytical IntelliBeam function. At the same time, the YSP-800 controls the driver delay times and optimizes the level and frequency response of each beam. The resulting sound waves--both direct and reflected--create a soundscape that seems to be coming from speakers placed throughout the room, but in reality is playing through the digital sound projector.

The YSP-800 isn't just about sound, though. Its slim, contemporary design is also wildly convenient, as listeners no longer have to find complementary locations for five satellite speakers and a subwoofer, nor do they have to fuss with extra-long speaker cables running all through the house. Rather, listeners can place the YSP-800 next to or on top of their video display, or they can purchase an optional wall-mount bracket and hang it securely on the wall. The latter option is particularly handy for owners of moderate-sized flat-panel TVs and monitors, as it both saves space and visually complements the display. The projector is even versatile enough to work in corners or other unusual room configurations.

The projector's versatility extends to its variety of sound modes, which include a five-beam mode, a three-beam mode, a stereo mode, a stereo + three-beam mode, and a target mode. Each mode produces a unique effect that varies depending on the shape of the room, the orientation of the projector, and other factors. Meanwhile, a subtle blue LCD on the projector's base keeps listeners informed of the current surround setting and volume level.

Listeners will also dig the YSP-800's built-in 82-watt digital amplifier, which connects directly to A/V components. The amp offers a host of valuable features, including Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Neo:6 decoding and a trio of Cinema Digital Sound Processing (DSP) programs (Movie, Music, and Sports). Connectivity stems from the three digital audio inputs (one coaxial and two optical) and two analog audio RCA inputs. The device also offers a subwoofer output terminal for listeners who want to enjoy a more robust bass performance.

The YSP-800, which is outfitted with twenty-one 1.62-inch tweeter/midrange drivers and a pair of 3.94-inch woofers, measures 31.5 by 6 by 4.5 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a two-year warranty.

What's in the Box
YSP-800 digital sound projector, remote control, IntelliBeam microphone, user's manual.

Product Description

Yamaha YSP-800BL Black Digital Sound Projector provides true Multi-channel surround sound enjoyment from a single component with IntelliBeam auto setup! A perfect match for 32" and other video displays. No need for extra wiring or speakers. A wider range of optimum listening positions thanks to the proliferation of audio "sweet spots". The YSP-800 can be wall-mounted (with optional SPM-K8 wall mount) or placed on a shelf or rack. The design is more elegant and less obtrusive than multiple speaker boxes. There is no need for numerous speakers and cables. IntelliBeam Automated Calibration System automatically sets up the product for your room. It ensures optimum multi-channel sound reproduction with accurate image location by monitoring and analyzing the sound with the microphone included with the system. Intellibeam automatically sets the best beam angles and modes, while optimizing the level and frequency response of each beam. This makes initial setup both extremely simple while acoustically perfect. Manual setup is also possible.The YSP-800 features 3 Cinema DSP Programs, Dolby Digital and DTS sound formats. The original Yamaha Digital Amplifier provides 2W each to the 21 beam drivers and 20W each to two woofers. A total of 82W of power. The advanced digital design is highly efficient and keeps distortion to an absolute minimum. The YSP-800 also features On-Screen display, 0.1W standby Power Consumption, and a preset remote control. It features 21 1 5/8" drivers and 2 3 15/16" woofers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Astounding Sound, March 20, 2006

By 

Lincoln (herenow) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Yamaha YSP-800 82-Watt Digital Sound Projector, Black (Electronics)

This unit is simply amazing! I first heard the original YSP-1 in December 2005 in a professional sound room at a local hi-end audio store. During the demo, the sound was actually coming from behind and next to me! I was in wonder. The clarity was amazing. The only thing that kept me from buying right then and there was the price tag of $1500.

So when I saw the new models online, and a price tag of nearly half the original (I actually got mine for less than half :o) I just had to put it on my list. And this one sounds even better!

Plus, no wires is key! And the look is simple elegance. Plus, to see the look on a friend's face when he hears the surround sound and can't find any speakers back there is priceless!

The cleancher for me was when I played the first "top sound quality" dvd - The Last Samurai. I almost jumped off the couch during the battle scene. This speaker rocked the house! Far surpassing the clarity of my past $400 Sony and Panasonic 6-speaker systems. And I didn't even have Yamaha's matching subwoofer yet.

Don't be dissuaded by the stringent room set up. My livingroom has one side wall of glass windows, and one broken wall with a couch. And still the sound comes from all around. With just a little thoughtfulness and tweaking (and the simple automatic microphone setup), I got full surround.

Now, I have the matching YST-FSW100 subwoofer. GET IT! This allows the speaker to focus solely on hi and midrange sounds and lets the deep base to the sub. So much better sound.

Just the idea that one speaker can do such an amazing feat is worth the purchase in my mind. And it does it so well. Five Stars Yamaha!

62 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good hi-fi sound, good ergonomics, spousal approval, May 7, 2007

By 

David Freeman (Memphis TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha YSP-800 82-Watt Digital Sound Projector, Black (Electronics)

I have lived with the Yamaha YSP-800 for approx. 90 days and I have to say this unit does exactly what was expected of it.

Many years ago I was considered an audiophile by most of my friends spending obscene amounts on vacum tube pre-amps and amplifiers, turntables, tonearms, moving coil and strain gauge cartridges and exotic speakers of various vintages. At one time my vinyl collection contained over 3000 albums. Currently my music system is much simpler consisting of a receiver, dvd player for music, Infinity floor standing speakers, and a decent Boston Accoustics sub-woofer. I probably don't have the golden ears I read about in some of the remaining hi-fi magazines, but I can usually tell whether equipment sounds close to right which includes qualities like tonal accuracy and balance, sound stage, and depth. In the 1980's my hi-fi equipment was worth over $15,000.00 and included some of the cult names of the time. Currently I have the best sound ever. It comes close to sounding like real music, and is the least expensive system I have had since my early 20's. Total value under $3,000.

My wife and I are empty-nesters and decided to move from an estate sized home we had custom built in 1988 to a condo. Part of the old home design included a family room optimized for home theater and hi-fi sound. My hi-fi equipment ranging from expensive to reasonable, plus various large screen and hi-definition televisions all performed great in the room which also served as a gathering place for my son and his friends during his adolescent and teenage years.

We have now moved to a condo and experienced major lifestyle change. Our new home is open, bright and airy. Every room opens off a large living area which includes a living room and dining room with vauted ceilings throughout. There is also a den, and sunroom which open from this area with double wide doors. Things look beautiful, but all of the long walls i had grown accustomed to for 19 years were not there. No built-in bookcases for books, CD's and DVD's. No long walls for entertainment equipment. No back wall for surround sound. The solution for hi-fi was easy as our sun-room became the reading and listening room with excellent results. However, no room there for our plasma HDTV. In fact there was only one logical spot in the whole place for a large screen TV which was in one corner of the living room. We had a custom built cabinet for the TV built and it extends from just beyond the door facing leading into the sun room to a set of double wide windows on the opposite side. There is no spot for speakers outside of the cabinet.

The first week in the new condo my wife and I both noticed that we had to crank the internal speakers from the plasma TV way up to have decent volume. This was probably the first time I had listened to TV speakers in decades. They have improved, but they sure weren't good. Over the next 3-4 months I examined numerous possibilities for hi-fi sound with the home theatre, but almost everything had drawbacks whether esthetically or sonically.

After reading a review of the Yamaha Sound Projector, I went to a local Best Buy that included a Magnolia home theater section to listen to the large Yamaha Sound Projector. I was impressed by the sound and the dynamics. It was clean and the various surround modes were impressive. I asked to hear the unit in stereo-only mode and the help at Best Buy really didn't want to help. After I explained that my new home had almost no walls for sound reflection, the sales person was sure that the Yamaha wound not work as it needed walls to reflect from. He wanted to come to the house and give me an estimate for a custom in wall system. I told him there would be no walls to mount his in-wall system into and that all of the rooms had vauted ceilings that would make the installation even harder. All I wanted was decent sound from my plasma TV. I would be satisfied with decent mono or stereo and didn't require 5, 6, or 7 channels like I had at my old home. Bottom line, I decided not to do business with Best Buy. This is not the first time that I have been ready to spend money at a Best Buy, but the sales help knew what was best for me and didn't want to sell me what I wanted. Three years ago they even missed out on a laptop PC sale because I wasn't going to pay them $65 to set the unit up for me. I explained that I worked with computers for over 30 years and had been a senior systems analyst for the last 19 and was perfectly capable of setting up my own computer. He said Best Buy didn't want to sell home computers unless they set it up and that did I know that I could get over 3000 viruses by just plugging the unit into the AC in the wall. I did not have the time or patience to try to explain things to this young man and drove down the street and purchased the same unit, same price from Circuit City who also gave me 24 month interest free financing. Does Best Buy train these people this way or do they dream this stuff up on their own. And yes I worry about security as I have seen various computer threats bring down whole corporations. Enough of my rant about Best Buy.

I returned home and reviewed additional articles and tests on various iterations of the Yamaha Sound Projector. I decided to order the model YSP-800 with the associated sub-woofer through Amazon and J&R Music World. J&R shipped my order free and it arrived within about 4 days. I initially unpacked only the speaker, made the connections and began the setup process. The Yamaha setup process is very good and when complete the speaker is ready to use. The unit was mounted inside the new corner cabinet flush with the doors and directly below the screen of the plasma TV.

My first impression was that decent sound had returned to my home theater. My wife and I put some favorite DVD's on, watched and listened and were favorably impressed. I used some of the manual setup features at this point to change the unit from it's default of three-channel beamed sound to basic two-channel stereo. I also entered information concerning the shape and dimensions of the room. This was not a side by side A/B test, but we both felt the sound was more solid and defined and would definitely play loud enough on any of our source material without strain. With only a few minor changes, this setup has remained for the last 90 days.

One thing most reviewers had warned about was the lack of bass since the YSP-800 comes with two smallish 5-inch woofers. My initial impression was that the bass was accurate and smooth down to it's cutoff point. I never heard any stress while playing movies with loud, deep bass content. No, it did not have the impact of my regular system including the sub-woofer, but it did what I expected. I added the subwoofer about one week after the initial install of the YSP-800 and adjusted the crossover and output for balance with the main system. The Yamaha sub-woofer is not a sub-woofer in the truest sense. It is however a well made good, clean woofer and gives good response somewhere into the upper parts of the lowest octave. It also fits easily into our decor and integrates perfectly with the sound projector.

Overall, this was an excellent investment. I have good, hi-fidelity sound while viewing television which was my goal. Both units are well-made and since the main unit is hidden behind doors with the plasma TV when not in use and the subwoofer is unobtrusive against a wall (recommended placement) behind a queen anne chair, they get high ratings on the spousal approval meter.

My only complaint was the fact that I have multi-device remotes included with every piece of equipment in the house. They all brag about how they can control up to 5 or 7 components. They all include codes for all sorts of Yamaha (and other) equipment. Yet, I could not get a sinle one to work with the Yamaha Digital Sound Projector. I contacted Panasonic (plasma TV & DVD), Scientific Atlanta (Hi-Def Cable/DVR) and neither could find a Yamaha code to work with the new speaker. I then contacted Yamaha and had a nice conversation with a congenial young man who told me that he had the same problem with almost identical equipment and Yamaha did not have any codes to work on any of my existing remotes. He did tell me he was using one of the Logitech Harmony remotes and that solved all of his problems. I really didn't want to spend an additional $120 for a new remote but broke down and purchased the least expensive model that included DVR functions. As the young man from Yamaha promised, the Logitech did control everything. There were also other advantages to the Logitech remote such as turning on or shutting off all components with a single button and setting up activities such as watch DVR where the remote controls picture and input via the TV, cable channel and DVR functions from the Scientific Atlanta unit, and last but not least, sound from the Yamaha Digital Sound Projector.

Recommended.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Make sure you have the correct space environment, January 20, 2007

By 

D. Rooney "roondog238" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yamaha YSP-800 82-Watt Digital Sound Projector, Black (Electronics)

Before you even think about buying this, Is your furnature up against the walls with no hope of ever re-arranging your furnature?. If no, go buy something else. Seriously, I heard this thing in Best Buy and I was blown away and my thought was "If it sounds this good in a warehouse, its gonna sound incredible at home!"... Well it wasnt what I expected, but it still is damn good. This is a fine piece of equipment IF you have the right set up... If your main point of viewing your TV is on a couch in the middle of the living room this is going to sound great because the sound can bounce off the walls behind you and back to your ears, but that is NOT going to happen if your furnature is up against the walls... trust me! Also, if you buy this unit dont even think about it unless you plan on getting a Sub-woofer with it... the sound its a million times better with it and you definitely get more of the theater experience... without it, it sounds like a very nice speaker... one final note: The louder you play this thing, the better it sounds no doubt about it...