Yamaha YSP1 Digital Sound Projector

Pros: A really cool concept when dealing with a odd shaped room or finished carpentry

Cons: Most definately need the sub-woofer

Summary: Those of us in the business of designing, sellling and installing home theater systems have a tough time when it comes to irregular room shapes, equipment tucked into a corners or finished carpentry. Custom installation is sometimes not cheap or easy especially when the home is complete. Customers sometimes are unwilling to move the equipment around, but on the same token want that true "Home Theater" experience.
The Yamaha offers a unique solution for that type of client as well as the wealthly college students dorm-room. The ability to "steer" the sound towards the listening position is really this devices claim to fame: Can you say "REFLECTIONS".
You can program it with its onscreen display and EZ setup. Input your rooms diminsions, and speakers location in that room as well as other neat features. It has terrific in all of its four modes (5-beam mode, Stereo mmode, 3-beam mode and 3-beam + stereo mode) sound and a suprising ammount of power, 120 watts to be specific. The rear panel has 2 optical inputs, 1 coaxial digital input and 2 analog inputs, 1 sub woofer out and a RS232C interface.
It is a pretty neat system. Pricey, but look at the alternatives: tons of wiring, potentially a fair bit of custom installation, the cutting open of the walls or ceilings. Custum installation is not cheap. Hum: What to do.