Yamaha TSS-1 5.1 Surround Speaker System

Finished in "home theatre" black, the TSS-1's dictionary-sized main unit houses the digital processor and amplifier/preamplifier (volume controls, etc.). Yamaha even includes a small stand, which lets you mount the controller either horizontally or vertically. Four small buttons let you select the input (digital, 4-channel and 2-channel), surround mode (Dolby Digital 5.1, 4-channel Pro Logic and 5.1-channel DTS), generate a test tone (to level-match speaker output), or mute the sound. A bank of corresponding green LEDs indicate your selections. Below these are three level controls (centre channel, surround channels and subwoofer) and a master volume control. Completing the front panel are a 0.125-inch headphone jack, a green LED power indicator and an on/off switch.

And the sound? Hooking up the TSS-1 to our PC makes a major improvement to the sound over standard speakers. Sampling a variety of jazz and vocal CDs showed the system's good overall tonal balance, clarity and richness, while the powered sub adds a nice sense of heft, if not the ultimate in bass extension. Plopping in a 5-channel DVD is also lots of fun, and we found our small office space seeming to morph into a much larger, multi-dimensional soundscape. The TSS-1 plays loud enough for us, but high-volume freaks may need a larger system.

Yamaha's TSS-1 is well-designed, integrated system that should make a sweet addition to any PC, laptop, CD player or small A/V system. And thanks to Yamaha's unusually clear user's manual, it's also easy to set up and a breeze to use.--Wayne Garcia

Product Description
Yamaha's TSS-1 theatre surround system brings premier theatre-style sound to personal computers as well as portable audio and video players. Featuring built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, the TSS-1 includes five satellite speakers, a wood subwoofer and a dedicated amplifier with master volume and individual level controls. The TSS-1 delivers clear 3-D sound from 20 KHz all the way down to 40 Hz, meaning all the sound from a DVD or game will be reproduced faithfully, from the shrill whine of jet engines to the deep bass of an explosion. It boasts a 5.1-channel system for DVD movies, games, and music; a 4.1-channel surround sound for PC and console games and virtual surround stereo for music and multimedia CDs. The elegant, compact all-black design of this high-performance system fits any décor and produces powerful, rich sound with its 2-inch, 6-watt satellite speakers and 5-inch, 18-watt subwoofer--all magnetically shielded so you can place them anywhere. The subwoofer incorporates Yamaha's exclusive Active Servo Technology, which optimises the interaction of the amplifier, speaker and enclosure to deliver deep bass, thus producing a significantly wider frequency range than other similarly sized and powered systems. Each satellite has an adjustable angle base for optimal listening pleasure. A headphone jack allows for private listening.

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