The sound bar just wasn’t enough space savings for Yamaha. Nope. The audio manufacturer just introduced its YHT-S400 system including none other than a sound bar and a receiver with integrated subwoofer.
Designed to fit in front of most 32 to 50-inch TVs, the sleek sound bar measures 32″ long by 2″ high. You get, three…yup, cout’em three, HDMI inputs, one HDMI output, HD Audio compatibility and Yamaha’s UniVolume technology, which provides volume consistency across inputs and programming sources. Yamaha’s AIR SURROUND XTREME creates an optimal, faux-surround-sound experience.
Yamaha is calling this the first of it’s kind and we know not otherwise.
The YHT-S400 retails for $599.95 but it’s on sale for $499 here! Full release below.
YAMAHA’S INNOVATIVE TWO-PIECE HOME THEATER PACKAGE
COMBINES HD AUDIO AND SUBWOOFER-INTEGRATED RECEIVER
YHT-S400 Offers Several Installation Options with Ultra-Slim ‘Sound Bar,’ Exclusive AIR SURROUND XTREME, UniVolume and Extended Stereo for Immersive Audio
BUENA PARK, Calif.––Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduces its innovative YHT-S400 two-piece home theater audio package. The system, which consists of an ultra-slim “sound bar” front speaker and a first-of-its-kind subwoofer-integrated receiver, provides HD Audio compatibility, three 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs (and one output), the company’s exclusive AIR SURROUND XTREME, UniVolume and Extended Stereo technologies for immersive audio for movies, sports and music experiences.
The YHT-S400′s sound bar stands at 2-inches high and fits in front of most 32 to 50-inch TVs without blocking the screen. In addition, the feet of the sound bar can be adjusted horizontally or vertically, or taken off entirely, for additional installation flexibility. By integrating the system’s subwoofer into the receiver, Yamaha is able to offer users an easy connection to a full-featured receiver without adding a separate component and the ability to place the unit in a rack or on the floor in tight spaces.
For optimal sound quality, the YHT-S400 accepts HD Audio signals (linear PCM transmission) from Blu-ray disc players. Three 1080-compatible HDMI inputs enable three different HDMI sources to be connected to the receiver.
Yamaha’s UniVolume feature maintains a consistent volume level between different channel, programs, commercials and input sources. For instance, when watching TV, the volume of commercials will not be louder than the program being viewed. The same is true when switching sources to watch a DVD or Blu-ray movie or to listen to music on CD. This is particularly helpful for late night watching and listening when spikes in volume can disturb others in the house or apartment building.
Yamaha’s proprietary AIR SURROUND XTREME technology better delivers sound around the listener than other “virtual surround” systems. Dialogue is clearly heard from the center while ambient audio from on-screen action is clearly heard from the right, left and behind the viewer with smooth sound movement from position to position. AIR SURROUND XTREME can also deliver surround sound from 7-channel sources. Yamaha’s exclusive Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) maintains the dynamic virtual surround sound regardless of the viewers’ positioning or direction they are facing.
Yamaha’s proprietary Extended Stereo technology moves the stereo image further to the sides. With it, audio from the 31 ½-inch sound bar sounds as if it is emanating from speakers that are five feet or more apart, resulting in a wider optimum sound field.
The YHT-S400 also has HDMI CEC functionality that allows the unit to automatically power on with CEC-compatible TVs. In this scenario, the TV remote can also control the YHT-S400′s volume. CEC-compatibility also provides advanced functions with other components.
The YHT-S400 also supports Yamaha’s YDS-11 universal iPod dock and YBA-10 Bluetooth wireless audio receiver to stream A2DP audio from Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, PCs and Macs.
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