Well, I recently re-arranged my entertainment room and changed from a 2.0 speaker setup to sound bar.
I had the opportunity to test out two different sound bars, one being the Sony HT-ST7, and the other one is Yamaha YSP-3300.
I just started this tonight so can't say much about it, but here are some of my first impressions.
Sound:
The Yamaha does a better job simulating the surround sound effect, but the sound quality itself is not as good as the Sony.
Sony's sound feels more bold, crispy, and full. Yamaha's sound doesn't feel as full and bold as Sony's, but they are more strategically directed to simulate the surround effect. The speakers in the Sony are larger than the Yamaha's, but there are less speakers in the sound bar.
I think there are more tweaking options on the Yamaha, but not on the Sony.
Surround sound effect: Yamaha wins
Sound quality: Sony wins
Design:
The Yamaha YSP have a gap below the sound bar so it won't interfere some of the larger TV stands. This is a great design and I wish Sony could do something like that. Even with the stand the Sony's doesn't provide nearly enough clearance for TV stand.
Yamaha is more sleekly designed, while the Sony feels more industrial. Both appear to be well made, but I like Sony's finish better. I think the Sony is heavier than the Yamaha.
The Yamaha design is more clever, more convenient, and goes well with a lot of TVs. The Sony feels really really solid, more industrial, more superior, but it may look out of place depends on your TV setup.
I would say it's a draw when it comes to design and look, but I would pick the Yamaha over Sony because of the TV stand clearance.
Control and connection:
Yamaha have one more HDMI input, and the HDMI connectors are better placed than Sony's.
Yamaha 4 in 1 out, Sony 3 in 1 out. Both have a small display on them but the Yamaha one provides more information.
I can plug the HDMI cable into the Yamaha straight and run the wires behind the sound bar/TV, but Sony's HDMI ports are 90 degree ones, which I have to bend the cables and harder to plug/unplug.
Both have basic control buttons on them.
Sony have built-in bluetooth and Yamaha requires an optional adapter.
I would rate the Yamaha above Sony in this round, unless BT is something extremely important to you.
Price:
Yamaha YSP-3300, MSRP $1599, street price, as low as $1000 new.
Sony HT-ST7, MSRP $1299, street price, as low as $1000 new.
IMO the Yamaha's MSRP is too high, around $1299 is probably the right MSRP for both. But please, do not pay MSRP for these, are they worth $1K? MAYBE, depends on what you are looking for, but no way I would pay $1300 for either one.
Overall, I'm liking the Yamaha over Sony at this moment, but it really depends on what you are looking for. Superior exterior design and sound quality, SONY. Convenient, easy to use, and better sound sound effect, Yamaha.
I will report back in a day or two for a quick update.
I had the opportunity to test out two different sound bars, one being the Sony HT-ST7, and the other one is Yamaha YSP-3300.
I just started this tonight so can't say much about it, but here are some of my first impressions.
Sound:
The Yamaha does a better job simulating the surround sound effect, but the sound quality itself is not as good as the Sony.
Sony's sound feels more bold, crispy, and full. Yamaha's sound doesn't feel as full and bold as Sony's, but they are more strategically directed to simulate the surround effect. The speakers in the Sony are larger than the Yamaha's, but there are less speakers in the sound bar.
I think there are more tweaking options on the Yamaha, but not on the Sony.
Surround sound effect: Yamaha wins
Sound quality: Sony wins
Design:
The Yamaha YSP have a gap below the sound bar so it won't interfere some of the larger TV stands. This is a great design and I wish Sony could do something like that. Even with the stand the Sony's doesn't provide nearly enough clearance for TV stand.
Yamaha is more sleekly designed, while the Sony feels more industrial. Both appear to be well made, but I like Sony's finish better. I think the Sony is heavier than the Yamaha.
The Yamaha design is more clever, more convenient, and goes well with a lot of TVs. The Sony feels really really solid, more industrial, more superior, but it may look out of place depends on your TV setup.
I would say it's a draw when it comes to design and look, but I would pick the Yamaha over Sony because of the TV stand clearance.
Control and connection:
Yamaha have one more HDMI input, and the HDMI connectors are better placed than Sony's.
Yamaha 4 in 1 out, Sony 3 in 1 out. Both have a small display on them but the Yamaha one provides more information.
I can plug the HDMI cable into the Yamaha straight and run the wires behind the sound bar/TV, but Sony's HDMI ports are 90 degree ones, which I have to bend the cables and harder to plug/unplug.
Both have basic control buttons on them.
Sony have built-in bluetooth and Yamaha requires an optional adapter.
I would rate the Yamaha above Sony in this round, unless BT is something extremely important to you.
Price:
Yamaha YSP-3300, MSRP $1599, street price, as low as $1000 new.
Sony HT-ST7, MSRP $1299, street price, as low as $1000 new.
IMO the Yamaha's MSRP is too high, around $1299 is probably the right MSRP for both. But please, do not pay MSRP for these, are they worth $1K? MAYBE, depends on what you are looking for, but no way I would pay $1300 for either one.
Overall, I'm liking the Yamaha over Sony at this moment, but it really depends on what you are looking for. Superior exterior design and sound quality, SONY. Convenient, easy to use, and better sound sound effect, Yamaha.
I will report back in a day or two for a quick update.