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Comparison Yamaha YSP-5600 vs Sony HT-ST9

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Yamaha YSP-5600
Sony HT-ST9
Yamaha YSP-5600Sony HT-ST9
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Main
Support for Dolby Atmos, DTS X
Audio format7.1.27.1
Mount typeshelf / wallshelf / wall
3D
Ultra HD (4K)
Tech specs
Rated power128 W800 W
Soundbar speaker power600 W
Frequency range90 – 20000 Hz20 – 20000 Hz
Subwoofer
Built-in subwoofer
Wireless subwoofer
Acoustic designpassive emitter
Subwoofer power200 W
Subwoofer speaker size180 mm
Subwoofer dimensions (WxHxD)249x403x426 mm
Subwoofer weight16 kg
Interfaces
Interfaces
AirPlay
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
 
LAN
DLNA
 
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
NFC
LAN
DLNA
Streaming services
Spotify
Pandora
 
 
Audio decoders
DTS
DTS 96/24
DTS HD
DTS ES
DTS Neo:6
DTS X
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Pro Logic II
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Atmos
DTS
 
DTS HD
 
 
 
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
 
Dolby TrueHD
 
Connectors
Inputs
 
 
RCA
optical /2/
coaxial S/P-DIF
iR control input
USB A
mini-Jack (3.5 mm)
 
optical
 
 
HDMI input43
Outputs
to subwoofer
iR control output
 
 
HDMI output1 pc1 pc
Speakers
Number of speakers
38 шт /6 — ВЧ, 32 — НЧ/
10 шт /3 — ВЧ, 7 — НЧ/
Tweeter size28 mm14 mm
Midrange speaker size38 mm
Woofer size (LF/MF)114 mm65 mm
General
Display
Control
remote control
from smartphone
remote control
 
Dimensions (WxHxD)1010x212x93 mm1130x88x133 mm
Projector weight11.7 kg6.8 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalogapril 2016september 2015

Audio format

The audio format produced by a sound projector is actually the largest number of individual audio channels supported by the device. Note that in this case we are talking about the number of real channels, that is, channels for each of which at least one speaker is allocated; Models that support virtual surround sound can give the listener the impression of more channels than there actually are (see below for more details).

The sound format is indicated by two or three numbers separated by a dot. The first indicates the number of main channels, the second - the number of subwoofers, the third - the number of additional vertical radiators. For example, 2.1 format corresponds to stereo sound (2.0) supplemented by a subwoofer. And the conditional 3.1.2 format includes left, right and center channels, a subwoofer, left and right vertical speakers.

Sound projectors that support a more advanced sound format than 3.1 are designated in our catalog as multi-channel. The classic multichannel audio format is 5.1, but there are other options. In any case, a large number of real channels contributes to the fidelity of the reproduced sound and simplifies setup compared to virtual surround sound systems, but is also more expensive.

The most common sound formats are: 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.1.2, 7.1.

Rated power

The total power rating of the sound projector speakers (including subwoofer, if present).

This parameter is often used to estimate the overall sound volume of the device, but this is not entirely true. The fact is that the actual sound volume is determined mainly by the power of the main speakers of the sound projector, and the total power is the sum of this power and the power of the subwoofer. Therefore, models with the same power rating can vary markedly in actual volume: for example, a 150-watt soundbar with a 50-watt subwoofer will be louder than a 100-watt projector with a subwoofer of the same power, although in both cases the rated power will be equal to 200 watts.

Summing up, we can say that it is possible to evaluate the volume by rated power only if the sound projector is not equipped with a subwoofer — in such models, the rated power is equal to the power of the main speakers. In other cases, it is worth focus on the power of the soundbar and the power of the subwoofer directly stated in the characteristics (see below for both).

Soundbar speaker power

The nominal power of the speakers installed directly in the soundbar, excluding the subwoofer (in models with a built-in subwoofer, respectively, only the power of the main speakers is taken into account).

This indicator directly determines the overall volume of the sound projector; It is worth choosing according to this parameter taking into account the specifics of the room in which the projector is planned to be installed: the larger the room and the greater the distance to the viewer, the higher the power should be, otherwise the soundbar will not be able to effectively sound the scene. Detailed recommendations on the optimal power for different situations can be found in special sources.

Frequency range

The audio frequency range supported by the projector's speakers.

When evaluating this parameter, it is worth remembering that the audibility range of the human ear is about 16 – 22,000 Hz (and narrows with age). If the projector's frequency range is narrower, this can result in "cutting" low or high frequencies (however, with a slight narrowing, this effect is almost imperceptible). There are models in which the frequency limit is much wider — however, this is a kind of "side effect" of high-quality acoustics and has no meaning other than advertising.

Also note that a wide frequency range in itself does not guarantee high-quality sound — a lot depends on other parameters of the projector.

Built-in subwoofer

The presence of a built-in subwoofer in the design of the sound projector.

Any subwoofer enhances the bass response, delivering rich bass. Models with a built-in subwoofer are more convenient to install and take up less space, because. no need to look for a separate place for the woofer. On the other hand, the dimensions of this speaker are usually smaller than those of a separate subwoofer (this is due to the limited space in the projector cabinet) — accordingly, the bass is less powerful and richer.

Wireless subwoofer

The presence of a wireless subwoofer in the design of the sound projector.

Any subwoofer enhances the bass response, delivering rich bass. The advantage of a wireless subwoofer is the ability to install it almost anywhere in the room without the hassle of laying wires — this makes it easier to adjust the sound to specific conditions. In addition, such subwoofers can have a fairly solid speaker size — 200 mm or more (see below for more details). However note that wireless acoustics require their own power source and significantly affect the cost of the projector.

Acoustic design

Acoustic design of the subwoofer used by the sound projector.

— Closed type. The simplest design option is a speaker installed in a closed case. Such subwoofers have a relatively low volume, but are distinguished by good sound fidelity and a minimum of distortion.

— Bass-reflex type. Subwoofers equipped with a phase inverter - a special tube connecting the inner volume of the case with the outer space. Such equipment improves the volume and saturation of the sound, but increases the likelihood of interference (primarily the rumble of air in the pipe).

— With a passive radiator. The passive radiator is actually a speaker without a coil and a magnet, installed in the subwoofer cabinet along with the main speaker. The purpose of such a radiator is similar to the phase inverter described above, except that it is less susceptible to interference.

Subwoofer power

The rated power of the subwoofer included in the design or delivery of the sound projector.

The higher the power, the louder the sub can sound, the richer the bass it can provide. On the other hand, an increase in power inevitably promises an increase in the size and cost of the speaker. Therefore, an overly powerful subwoofer is just as undesirable as one that is too weak. Detailed recommendations for selecting power for the size and acoustic characteristics of a particular room can be found in special sources.

Note that the external subwoofer in soundbars should be approximately twice as powerful as the soundbar in order to prevent sound sags at maximum volume. So, if the total output power of the speaker system is 300 watts, then 100 of them should come from the soundbar alone, and 200 should go directly to the subwoofer.

Subwoofer speaker size

The diameter of the speaker in the subwoofer used by the sound projector.

It is believed that the larger the speaker, the louder the sub and the deeper and richer sound it can provide. Models up to 200 mm in size are entry level; This is exactly the size that built-in subwoofers usually have (see above). But free-standing bass speakers can use larger speakers, up to 254 mm (10").
Yamaha YSP-5600 often compared
Sony HT-ST9 often compared