Dateline: 09/09/2014
If you are looking for a way to experience 5.1/7.1 channel surround sound without a room full of loudspeakers and wires, then the Yamaha YSP-2500 Digital Sound Projector System might be one solution.

Utilizing an array of small speaker drivers (each with its own amplifier) housed in a central unit that looks like a sound bar, a digital sound projector employs and array of "beam drivers" (tiny speakers) that project sound with directional accuracy from the front to the main listening position as well as to the side and rear walls of your room which bounce back into the listening space to create a realistic 5.1 or 7.1 channel (depending on model) surround sound field.

Digital Sound Projectors can be a great complement to a flat panel LCD or Plasma Television.

The $999.95 (suggested price) YSP-2500 houses 16 beam drivers in very slim profile cabinet, each powered by its own two watt digital amplifier (32 watts total). This is combined with an external 130 watt (dynamic power output) wireless subwoofer with dual 4-inch drivers, supported further by a front mounted port.

Core connectivity includes three 3D, 1080p, and 4K (up to 60Hz) pass-through (no additional video processing or upscaling) compatible HDMI inputs, one Audio Return Channel compatible HDMI output, and built-in Bluetooth capability that allows direct streaming from compatible devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

Additional connectivity includes 2 digital optical, 1 digital coaxial, and 1 set of analog stereo RCA-style inputs. Also, even though the YSP-2500 comes with a wireless subwoofer - there is also a subwoofer preamp output provide in you desire to connect a different one.

For private listening, Yamaha also includes a headphone output that features virtual surround sound processing.

This enables you to experience surround sound using any set of headphones.

The YSP-2500 also offers full Dolby Digital and DTS decoding (including TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio), as well as Prologic IIx and DTS Neo:6 audio processing, that can extract up to 7-channel surround sound from two-channel sources. For additional surround sound listening flexibility, Yamaha also provides several preset Cinema DSP modes. Also, there is a built-in Lip-synch function as well as volume stabilizer (UniVolume).

For optimal listening from compressed music sources, the YSP-2500 also includes a Compressed Music Enhancer.

For control flexibility, the YSP-2500 comes with a wireless remote, but can also be controlled via Yamaha's iOS and Android Remote Controller App.

The YSP-2500 is 37-1/8 inches wide and only 2-7/8 inches high (adjustable  up to -3-3/8 inches in height, if desired) which makes for a very slim profile that should not block your TV's screen or remote sensor when placed in front of the set. However, just in case, the YSP-2500 has a built-in IR repeater that will receive and transfer remote control signals through the sound projector to your TV.

For more details on the Yamaha YSP-2500, check out the Official Product Page.

Other recent related Yamaha product announcements:

Yamaha SRT-1000 TV Speaker Base with Digital Sound Projection

Yamaha YAS-203 Sound Bar System with AirSurround Xtreme