YAMAHA INTRODUCES THE YSP-3050 DIGITAL SOUND PROJECTOR,

ITS LATEST SINGLE COMPONENT SURROUND SOUND SOLUTION

—New model to its market-leading line offers HDMI, video upconversion, iPod and XM Satellite Radio compatibility, FM tuner and advanced listening settings —

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Yamaha, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today unveiled the YSP-3050, the latest in its award-winning line of Digital Sound Projectors which focus audio signals into precisely controlled and directed "beams" that provide true multi-channel surround sound from a single component. The YPS-3050 fits neatly underneath a flat-panel television and gives consumers a space-efficient option to installing multiple speakers throughout a room for immersive audio for watching movies, television and sports programming.

The new YSP-3050 features 21 beam drivers, and two woofers, 23 corresponding digital amplifiers, three Cinema DSP programs (movie, music and sports), analog to HDMI video upconversion, high definition video upscaling to 1080i/720p and a 1080p (24Hz and 60Hz) compatible HDMI interface with two inputs and one output to facilitate pure digital connections with the latest home theater components.

The YSP-3050 is XM Satellite Radio ready with XM HD surround sound powered by Neural Surround. The YSP-3050 also offers iPod compatibility via the new optional YDS-11 dock (more information on the YDS-11 below). Once docked, the iPod can be operated (song selection, play, etc.) via the YSP's remote control and on-screen display. Yamaha's proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer technology compensates for the lost detail of audio that is compressed during the "ripping" process, recapturing the essence of the original recording. An integrated FM tuner further broadens the user's entertainment choices.

The YSP-3050 creates a wide soundstage designed to fill the whole room with convincing surround sound regardless of where listeners are seated. Sound settings include 5-Beam, 3-Beam, 3-Beam + Stereo, 2- channel Stereo, My Beam, 5-Channel Stereo and My Surround modes. My Surround mode delivers surround sound to even the most difficult installation environments where walls may not be present or are covered with unsuitable materials. My Beam mode focuses the sound at a specific listening position, so the listener can hear all program audio clearly, including dialog, without disturbing others in the room.

Yamaha's proprietary IntelliBeam™ automated system calibration enables users to quickly and easily set up each system for the optimal listening experience and intuitive, multi-language on-screen displays.

The YSP-3050 offers full support for surround sound standards, including Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6, as well as CINEMA DSP technology, to create realistic soundscapes in any room. For late night movie and music enjoyment, a Night Listening Enhancer mode allows dialog and quiet passages to be heard clearly, even at low volumes. The TV Equal Volume mode prevents sudden startling bursts of sound from TV programs and commercials. The model also features SRS TruBass technology to provide exceptionally deep and rich bass response.

The YSP-3050 is currently available for a suggested retail price of $1,399.95.

One great thing about the set is that you can change the way it does sound depending on room size and TV placement using simple menu options. Oh yeah, and the picture on the 120Hz set wasn't bad either. The 149 comes in two flavors, a 46" for $3300 and a 52" for $3700, out soon. [Mitsubishi]

They have teamed up with Triad speakers to offer units that incorporate the front left, center and right channel speakers underneath your flat-panel television. When you turn on the unit, the artwork retracts to reveal the screen but leaves the speakers masked from view behind a black matte material. Custom sizes and speaker setups are available, but I'm sure that regardless of the configuration you choose, installing VisionArt in your home will not come cheap. Still, it may be a small price to pay for such a seamless solution. [VisionArt via Electronic House]

The guide covers everything from making channel adjustments to positioning your equipment to reduce the effect of big bursts of sound. For the home entertainment aficionado, this advice may be old hat—but may prove extremely helpful for the novices out there. For more info, hit the following link. [Sound & Vision]

Fortunately, an online tutorial exists that gives detailed step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish true surround sound with as little difficulty as possible. It also discusses what to buy and where to get it. The final product looks great and it seems to work well—plus it costs under $60. Hit the link for the complete instructions. [HTIFSC]

Research conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and various consumer electronics manufacturers and suppliers has determined that "surroundophobia" is becoming a widespread problem—even among those who did not purchase out-of-the-box systems. Some of this research puts the number of crippled systems out there at around 25-35% while others like retail giant Best Buy put the problem at 40-50%.

Potential solutions to the problem include soundbars and wireless speakers, but there are still shortcomings and a learning curve associated with both. So, in the end, it really comes down to consumer education. That having been said, for the love of God do some research—because good surround sound is a terrible thing to waste. [Sound and Vision]

There are also HDMI inputs, digital audio inputs, digital media port, preset equalizers and a digital audio decoder that is compatible with Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG-2, AAC and PCM. Naturally, there is no word on whether this will ever see the light of day in the US—which is something that we should be used to by now. [Hifi-ring via Electronic House]

For one thing, we've laughed in the past at fancy home theaters that still had 720p monitors; well, this guy leapfrogs even 1080p and goes with Sony's formerly commercial $100,000 4K SRX-R110 projector, lighting up an 18-by-10-foot Stewart Snowmatte "laboratory-grade" screen. Ironically, the Sony doesn't have an HDMI HDCP input, but it can upconvert all Blu-ray and HD DVD content to 4,096 x 2,160 in analog. There's also a secondary projector, if you're just dying for the olden days of "full HD."

The sound system is 8.8 channel, though I can't figure out why it's not 9.16, or even 11.16, given the fact that there are eight Snell THX towers spaced all around, plus three Snell center-channel speakers, all powered by a combination of solid-state and tube amplifiers. As I hinted, the low end is handled by 16 Snell subwoofers. (I guess this means Snell makes the best speakers money can buy—I'll just file that away for...never.)

All of this is crowded into a room that's not ginormous by any means, just 26.5 x 33 feet, with a single three-cushion menage-a-trois couch as the focal point for all 11,315 watts of juice. (Fun Fact: That's like 11,215 more watts than anything I own.)

Want one? Well, you're in luck, cuz Jeremy Kipnis is selling this design, along with an even bigger one called the Alpha Ciné and a tinier one called the Gamma Ciné. That's right: $6 million doesn't even get you the Alpha; it gets you the Beta. [Kipnis via Crave and, most informatively, Audio Video Interiors]
Thanks Steve!

Sony DS6000
Price: $300 retail, $230 street
Impressions: You'll notice the solid build quality immediately. Featuring soft cups that fit around your ears, the headphones turn on automatically when placed on your head. Testing out Superman Returns, we were impressed by bright trumpets and deep, powerful planets whizzing by our head during the opening credits alone. When Superman returns to the Kent farm, we felt and then heard the subtle roar of an asteroid approaching from behind our ears—while dishes clanked in the foreground and water gurgled in the middle of our ears. We were able to appreciate the crisp, distinct sound design in a way we never had before.

Acoustic Research AWD510
Price: $250 retail, $200 street
Impressions: We were disappointed that while the earcups appear oversized, they didn't wrap around our ears all the way. So even when the sound localization—our made-up term for how far or close the sounds felt from our ears—may have actually been slightly superior to the Sony model, we wondered why Acoustic Research didn't seal the deal and disconnect us completely from our wives/kids/lives by covering 100% of the ear. On the sound front, the AWD510 had a tinniness that was a real turn-off. It might have been a product of compression: on the other end, the headphones never once roared, and often left us craving more.

Sennheiser RS 130
Price: $170 retail, $110 street
Impressions: See the two headphones above these? They have two things in common. 1. True surround sound capabilities. 2. They run on 2.4ghz radio signals. These Sennheisers are a cheaper alternative, instead supporting SRS (fake 3D sound with only two speakers) and IR (infrared) data streaming. So how big are these compromises?

Actually, the SRS works pretty well. You won't get those a-ha! moments like, say, when Superman flies by the screen and you'd swear his cape is in your face, but there's a lot to say about really good stereo-esque sound attached to your head. It's the IR that's a deal breaker. From the second we put the headphones on our ears, we heard a hiss that never left and occasionally got worse. And it's a shame, because otherwise the headphones sound pretty good, though mid- to low-range speech left a bit to be desired.

Pioneer SE-DHP800
Price:$475 retail, $275 street
Impressions: (We didn't like our picture). There's no doubt, this pair of Pioneer headphones emphasizes clarity. The moment that stuck out most for us was during the space credits, a shattered meteor whizzed by our heads and we could distinguish more pieces, eyes closed, than on any other model. If the Acoustic Research model features good localization, the Pioneers sound even better. The catch? They cheat you out of the low ranges almost completely. And the effect is like eating reduced fat cheese: it seems alright in the first bite, but you're missing a whole dimension of fulfillment. Ultimately, they feel like a headphone experience.

Oh, and these bad boys are infrared as well, but we didn't encounter problems like we did with the Sennheisers (we could only make the sound fail by placing our hands in front of both our ears). As we've found with previous experience, avoid cheap IR headphones...they will probably just disappoint you.

VERDICT: We favor the Sony DS6000, especially since they're cheaper than Pioneer's offerings. From their easy dock charging to their very solid (and best-rounded) listening experience, we wouldn't mind turning off the speakers if it meant we were turning these on.* The Pioneers come in a close second, but felt like surround sound without a subwoofer: technically impressive, but at the end of the day, coming up a bit short on our id factor.

*But buyer beware, the Sony system's powerful radio transmission has occasionally interfered with both our Wi-Fi connection and, surprisingly enough, the clarity of our wireless Xbox LIVE headsets. We still recommend the product, but it's something to keep in mind if you have a small space and heavy Wi-Fi dependence. The Pioneer model should cause no such interferences.

Also of note, Panasonic has an interesting competitive model we were not able to acquire at the time of this testing.

The dual mute function allows you to mute the audio coming out of the speakers so your mom doesn't complain about you going deaf. And it lets you mute your headset, so your battalion of renegade mercenaries (or is that mercenary renegades?) don't have to hear the dreaded, "I love you too, mommy."

The final touch, for the more artistic gamer, is something called G-Skin. The speakers have clear shells, under which you can insert your own "personal artwork." Hopefully, once Logitech sees what your own stuff looks like, it will begin offering download-and-print artwork of its own. That or you borrow some of those excellent unicorn drawings from your sister.

Fact Sheet

Logitech® G51 Surround Sound Speaker System

Bring games to life with 360-degree surround sound

Announcement Date: August 22, 2007 Shipping: October 2007

Price: $199.99 Available at: www.logitech.com

Product Description
With high performance audio, gamer-inspired features such as dual mute controls and gaming matrix mode, the G51 speaker system is optimized for 5.1 high-definition audio. The laser-tuned satellites include FDD2 technology, which produces a uniform soundfield, while the ported, down-firing subwoofer rumbles with every explosion.

Key Features
• 360-degree surround sound with dual matrix modes:
• Gaming matrix mode creates 5.1 surround sound from common two-channel stereo sources such as legacy PC games
• Music matrix mode takes two speakers and electronically upmixes to 5.1
• High-performance audio: speakers feature laser-tuned satellites with FDD2 technology
• Precision dual mute controls: weighted, non-skid control pod features independent mute controls that allow for one-touch muting of both audio output and microphone input
• Customizable: design and insert personal artwork into the G-Skin™ mod system on each satellite speaker

Technical Specifications

Power
• Total RMS power: 155 watts RMS
• Satellite powers: 20 watts
• Subwoofer: 56 watts
• Frequency response: 36 Hz - 20 kHz, +/-6dB

Drivers
• Satellites: 2-inch laser-tuned drivers
• Subwoofer: 5-inch high-excursion driver

Source Inputs
• Six-channel direct
• Stereo RCA

Control Center
• Master volume control
• Subwoofer, center & surround level controls
• Matrix surround sound music and gaming modes
• Independent audio and microphone mute controls
• 2 Headset jacks (microphone jack + headphone jack)

System Requirements
• PC or Mac with at least a six-channel sound card (for discrete surround sound)

Contents
• Four satellites (4.2 inches x 5.6 inches x 8.5 inches)
• Center channel (8.0 inches x 3.9 inches x 5.6 inches)
• Subwoofer (7.7 inches x 10.4 inches x 13.1 inches)
• Control pod (5.7 inches x 3.4 inches by 1.8 inches)

Warranty
• 2-year limited warranty

Active surround sound: Plug and play, no external amp needed
Philips Ambisound ($1,000) - You get a lot for your money with this one. Not only is it an active surround system, but it comes with an iPod dock and has a built-in DVD player.

Yamaha YSP series ($900 to $1,800) - Real deal audio projectors rely on reflection against back walls and a particular sweet spot, but often do very well to convey the 3D sound feel. The new flagship does video upscaling via HDMI and can handle iPods and XM radio.

Yamaha YAS-70 ($600) - This is very promising, for the money. It's meant specifically for smaller rooms, but promises the same surround as its siblings. And like the YSPs, it also requires a separate subwoofer.

SoundMatters SlimStage (Still "Under $1,000") - A powered sound-bar billed as slim yet so powerful and rich in frequency range, it doesn't even need a separate subwoofer. Too bad it hasn't shipped yet. When it does, it will succeed the $429 MainStage HD.

Denon DHT-FS3 Active Surround Sound System ($1,200) - 5-channel built-in amplifier for surround, plus a powered 50-watt subwoofer. (Three digital inputs, one analog one.)

Passive surround sound: Needs a little juice
Polk SurroundBar50 ($1,100) and SurroundBar ($950) - Delivers true five-channel sound, but does it the old fashioned way: It requires a 5.1 amplifier, like an A/V receiver or a home theater in a box. Also, you still need to supply a subwoofer.

Stereo sound bars: Not true surround, but you can fool some people some time
Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two ($400) - Today's Boston Acoustics entrant promises just 2.1, with a wireless "woofer" for middle to low-end fillout.

ZVOX ($200 to $600) - A bit chunky and stereo all the way, this all-in-one speakerbox has a cult following because of how much it eerily mimics surround sound with nothing more than stereo source. Great for people who just don't care about things creeping up from the rear.

A few of you audiophile folks might be wondering where some of your favorite sound bars are, like the Paradigm 3-in-1, the Mirage Uni-Theater or the Atlantic FS-5000 Flat Screen Speaker. These are all pretty awesome speaker bars, but they don't fulfill the specific goal of the others: they don't keep you from installing surround speakers behind your couch. Anyone who buys one of these and not use it as a complete surround system (in some cases, by buying a second to mount in the rear) is just dumb, or at least should have probably stuck with that tasty ZVOX.

Well, are they the end of the world? I don't think so. As you can see, there are just too many different types at work here, some are bound to be good, others not so much. The most important takeaway for all of us, including that stuffy editor, is that in the coming year there will only be more, not less, of these. So it's good to know what we're in for.

I mean, I enjoy Johnny Depp as much as the next guy. But what about a Scarlett Johansson version...maybe wearing this costume. Or a pirate outfit. I'll basically take her in anything that can be removed at this point. [cepro]

Now why would you plug in your iPod just to use the dock's headphone port? Once your iPod is docked, you can control it by the player's buttons, or by remote. It's got pretty much everything else you'd expect in the way of frills, from the usual AM/FM tuner to a backlit LCD clock that has an alarm, too. Expect to pay around $350.

Flat Panel Docking System

* 2.1 CH System w/True 3D Sound & SRS TruBass
* Built-In Magnetically Shielded Full-Range Stereo Speakers & Dual SubWoofers
* Digital Tune AM/FM Stereo Radio w/Station Memory Presets
* Backlit LCD Segment Display w/Clock, Timer & Sleep Timer
* Electronic Volume Control & Preset EQ, Lighted Keys
* Headphone Jack
* Aux-In Jack for other Audio Players, TV, DVD
* 4 x AV Inputs - 2 x RCA, 2 x S-Video + RCA Audio Input,
* S-Video Cable & Audio Line-In Cable, included
* Docking Platform with Recharge Circuit for iPod/mini/nano/shuffle/video/photo Players
* Certified Apple iPod Connectors installed
* Motorized iPod Docking Drawer & Automatic Detect
* Control iPod using the function buttons & remote control
* Video Out Photo & Video versions, Composite & S-Video Jack
* Full-Feature Remote Control operates iPod
* Mini-USB Jack for PC Communication, USB Cord, included
* Wall-Mountable, Mounting Hardware, included
* AC-Powered, built-in AC Cord, ETL/CETL Approved

Both of the Powered Theater units take advantage of NXT flat panel loudspeakers–which is NXT's specialty. The cheaper, one-piece PT7031 emulates 5-channel surround sound, though its more complex brother will communicate wirelessly between its two units for multiple front and rear channels, producing more convincing surround sound.

The PT7031 is expected to carry a $600 price tag, and $1000 for the more advanced PT8051.

Press release [Altec Lansing via Electronista]

Heck, that's a lot of power for such a small unit, where each of the five surround speakers are just 4-inch cubes. Looks like a lot of sound for very little money. Here's JVCs press release:

PLAY IT COOL WITH JVC'S NEW ENTERTAINMENT SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM

New TH-L1 Offers Powerful Connections for Surround Sound Enjoyment of
Gaming Systems, iPods® and More

WAYNE, NJ, June 27, 2007 - JVC's newest addition to its audio lineup is a compact entertainment surround system designed to bring a high-powered, multi-channel home theater audio experience to game systems and the full variety of digital audio/video devices, including the latest generation of iPods®.

A complete digital entertainment center designed to complement the latest video game consoles, the TH-L1 delivers high power and sound processing without taking up a large amount of space. The TH-L1 is comprised of five small, cubic speakers, a subwoofer and a main unit that features 360 watts, 5.1-channel surround decoding and a full complement of inputs and outputs.

The main unit, which stands vertically and is not much larger than a Manhattan telephone book, provides Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding. HDTV owners will appreciate the receiver's 1080p-compatible HDMI switching provided by two HDMI inputs and an HDMI output. This allows users to switch between two high-definition sources, such as a gaming console and high-def disc player, while maintaining pristine picture quality for both.

For gaming, the TH-L1 delivers a highly realistic sound field that places gamers in the middle of the action offering a competitive advantage by allowing them to hear enemies that may not be visible on the screen. The same crisp surround sound experience turns a stand-alone DVD player into a powerful home theater. Power ratings are 40 watts per channel for the two front channels, 100 watts for the center channel, 40 watts per channel for the two rear channels and 100 watts for the subwoofer.

The system's five speakers are four-inch cubes - small enough for easy integration into a room while remaining discrete. In addition, they can be easily hung on the wall. The 6-5/16-inch subwoofer is in a cabinet that measures roughly 10 x 11 x 6 (W x H x D) inches, so it, too, is easily accommodated.

Expanded Connectivity for Multiple Entertainment Devices
What the TH-L1 does for video gaming it can also do for a wide range of digital audio/video players, with a full complement of inputs and outputs for connection to multiple digital entertainment devices. The TH-L1 offers a front panel iPod connection that provides charging and control of play, pause skip and search. The sound is routed through the system's 5.1-channel speaker system, and with Dolby Pro Logic II, even two-channel material gets the surround sound treatment. Video is sent to a connected display via an S-Video or composite output.

A front USB Host input allows playback of files from most flash digital audio players, and even from most USB storage devices. It offers playback compatibility with MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM), MPEG4 and JPEG files, so it can handle music, stills and video.

Rear panel connections include two component inputs, two composite inputs, two S-Video inputs and two digital (one optical, one coaxial) audio inputs. Additional rear panel connections include a component video output. A third set of composite, S-Video and digital (optical) audio inputs reside on the front panel along with one composite video output and one S-Video output.

The JVC TH-L1 is available immediately and sells for about $299.95.

About JVC Company of America
JVC Company of America, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a division of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Ltd., and a holding company for JVC companies located in North, Central, and South America. JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipment, including high definition displays, camcorders, DVD players and recorders, satellite systems, home and portable audio equipment, mobile entertainment products and recording media. For further product information, visit JVC's Web site at http://www.jvc.com or call 800-526-5308.

Product Page [Via Consumerist]

Patent [via Gadget Lab]

Paradigm Bows 3-in-1 Surround Speaker [Crave]

Acoustic Research Shows Off Wireless 5.1 Speaker Package [Electronic House]

YSP-900: Latest Generation [Gizmologia]

Evesham's SOund Stage X1 incorporates speakers into a TV stand [Pocket-lint]

But dang-it-all if they wouldn't fire these babies up for us—they're just mockups, so who knows how realistic their simulation of surround sound really is. At that price, we're skeptical. We won't find out until they ship in April or May. – Charlie White

HTZ-370

HTS-570

– Travis Hudson

Soundmatters Slimstage: Surround Sound from One Speaker [Crave]

1) A virtual surround sound system that does a good job at emulating rear speakers. Most of the systems I've heard do an outstanding job emulating front and side speakers, but none of them trick me into thinking I have a pair of satellites sitting behind me.

2) A system that doesn't limit me to sitting in a "sweet spot," which usually ends up being directly in the middle or in front of the speakers.

3) Some VSS systems consist of one speaker, usually a soundbar. While I like the minimalism, often times these setups lack bass. Show me a soundbar with solid bass and I'll be first in line to buy it.

4) Many of the VSS systems I've seen have been demoed in majestic hotel rooms. If I lived in such a room, I'd just buy a proper surround sound set up to begin with. So I'd like to see a VSS system that works with any size/shape room (including my funky L-shaped living room). – Louis Ramirez

Niro Virtual Surround Speakers [via Electronista]

Okay, this has a little more application overseas where the DMB television runs free on cellphones, but still, wouldn't regular stereo sound be sufficient? That is bound to suck the battery dry in addition to annoying everyone on the train. This prototype phone is currently on display at CEATAC. – Travis Hudson

Cellphones with 5.1 surround sound [Uberphones]

Dynamic range and visceral impact were the equal of most entry-level home-theater-in-a-box systems. Dialog was clear and fairly natural. And for the most part, the SD-SP10 didn't fall prey to the artifacts—an irritating hollow or echoey quality—we experienced with other virtual-surround speaker systems.

All was fine as long as you were sitting directly in front of the speaker. If you moved left or right, the effect disappears and you only hear sound coming from the one direction. All in all good for a 1.1 system, but at close to $400, we'd recommend a standard surround sound system unless you're really tight on space. – Jason Chen

Sharp SD-SP10 [CNET]

Many of the features fell on deaf ears, such as "active bass with vibration function," which excelled only at giving the reviewer an active bass headache.

Gamers lacking a true 5.1 setup may be the ones gaining the most with these headphones, as they provide decent enough sound for many of today's games, games that aren't exactly models of aural excellence.

For £35 (or about $66), the Sweex 5.1 Home Theater Headphones represent a so-so entry into the world of upscale (well, compared to earbuds and the like) headphones. Just don't expect your world to be rocked.

Sweex 5.1 Home Theatre Headphones Review [Pocket-lint]

Details are as slim as garter snake, but let's chalk this up to "overkill, mkay" and move on.

6 speakers in one headphone?? [AVing]

Pionneer s HTP-XGS1, Surround Sound For Your Xbox 360 [OhGizmo!]

JVC surround adapter for headphones [TechJapan]

Here's another leap in virtual surround sound. Banshee Audio introduced its all-in-one 5.0 surround sound listening station for portable audio players, claiming to be the first of its kind. Quite decent-looking, it basically gives you surround sound from its one single desktop speaker. And because it's small (11.5 L x 3 W x 6 D), it can obviously be used in the office or anywhere you have space troubles. It does, however, promise 50 watts of power. Retails for about $150 in mid-March.

Product Page [Banshee Audio]

No need to get yourself a honking new set of headphones for surround sound listening, just check out the new JVC SU-DH1 surround sound headphone adapter, which uses Dolby Headphone technology to give you 5.1-channel surround sound through any two-channel headphones. Weighing only 3.5 oz, it uses 2 AA batteries and can connect to a laptop, portable DVD player, handheld video game system or any other portable product you may have with you. And the Dolby technology gives you virtual surround from anything encoded with Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS-ES and MPEG-2 AAC—even Dolby Pro Logic II. With three different modes, you can replicate a smaller room, a larger, more typical listening area or a theatre or concert hall type environment. Good show. Comes with an analog input cord and an optical digital mini jack for use with an optional connecting cord. Out in March for $130.