Surround Sound in a Box

Yamaha YSP-1 Digital Sound Projector

Sure it's expensive, and yes, you could spend the same amount on separate speakers, but why do that when you can get everything you need in a single unit? The sleek and stylish YSP-1, which measures 40.5 by 7.6 by 4.6 inches, incorporates Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, as well as Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 surround-sound processing; it also supplies its own moderately powerful internal amplification, so you don't need to connect it to a receiver. You simply hook it up to a TV (analog or digital), a DVD player, a cable or satellite receiver box, or a VCR to get stellar sound. Yamaha provides all the cables you need, as well as a remote control. The YSP-1's 40 little speakers and 2 midrange speakers project the sound such that it bounces off nearby surfaces. As a result, when the device is situated properly (underneath your TV, ideally, though you can mount it on a wall), it delivers high-grade surround sound. The YSP-1, unlike the other devices we discuss here, presents you with a setup that's far from simple--but in this case that's a good thing. It requires you to select your room size, and then it calibrates the sound accordingly. You can also program it according to your room's exact specifications. The final result: amazingly strong, vibrantly clear sound that conveys the distinct impression of coming from several speakers. The YSP-1 does not include a subwoofer, so bass tones were not strong. Nevertheless, this is a great unit for the style-conscious, and audiophiles will likely be mighty impressed, too.

Kalpana Ettenson is a senior editor for PC World.