If having speakers dotted around your living room with wires trailing behind isn’t for you, then the Yamaha YSP-40D sound bar might be the answer. It appears to be a single speaker, but instead crams in 40 small speakers and two subwoofers. By controlling these using some clever software, the unit can process surround sound to give you the impression it is coming from all directions.
In practice, it works extremely well. Sound genuinely appears to come from behind and all around you. It’s not quite as good as a dedicated surround-sound system, but impressive nonetheless. It’s also a worthy replacement for the living room hi-fi, as you can simply plug in an iPod, and it even has a built-in digital radio.
For minimalists, it’s ideal, and
for anyone trying to find an easy way to produce decent sound in a
meeting room, it’s also well worth a look. Note that as with all
electronics, it is advisable to shop around, as many retailers are discounting the YSP-40D.
£700
