www.audioholics.com 02.01.08 review YamahaSoavo-1 Loudspeakers Review by Clint DeBoer of Audioholics.com of DeBoer Clint by Review Review it turned out, a lot of this weight is due to due is weight this of lot out,a turned it myself.help couldn’t As almost I - speakers these disassemble to wanted instantly lbs.I Each speaker weighs variety. in at an impressive gold-plated 59.5 high-quality the of are and bottom the at speaker the of back the on located conveniently are posts binding biampable stance.The unshakable an them came pre-attached to each speaker and gave look. I also loved the cast outriggers - which imposing an speaker the gives and tweeter the bevel beautiful a apart has sets face that manicuredand corners tight lines. frontThe flawless,with was speakers these on finish quality.The build the or aesthetics the on skimp didn’t Yamaha that realize instantly Setup & Quality Build music. open good mind,of lots and an slate, clean a with beginning: the at began I so expect, to what idea no had honestly I - room living my into speakers Soavo-1 the unpacked I evaluation.When midrange for standard reference gold the as them of uses everyone Yamaha- NS-10s to Justfind a studio without some flavortry near-field industry.recording the hit popular to everspeakers most the of instruments good some and fine a making such with have reputation they since is shame, This speakers.a theater home amazing Introduction nak h Sao1 paes n you’ll and speakers Soavo-1 the Unpack their for known necessarily Yamahaisn’t seby hn hl i i m hn. If hand. my in it held I when assembly tweeter this of heft the believe couldn’t I screws.thread course four via Soavo-1 the of frontbaffle thick 1-inch the securedto is machined and four damped is screws.itself frame cast of The use the through frame metal cast this against secured is tweeter damped.is dome aluminumit 1-inch as The decorative as both is that plate metal thick piece piece. by components the at look a take and however bit, a up back Let’s drivers. bass twin the baffle on present magnets large front the and thick ridiculously almost the reference listening rooms.referencelistening our throughof them one in paces their but now we actually get a chance to put Expo,CEDIA 2007 the speakersduring these at peek sure.sneak be a Wegot to specimen magnificent-looking a and productSoavo-1flagship their towers- of pair a on hands our get to enough Soavo series loudspeakers. new We their were fortunate of introduction the year with that Yamahachange to aimed past speakers.This audio home their for appreciatedaren’t equally they that astounding it’s industry, recording the and reliable hit to ever speakers most monitor accurate the of some and reputation with making fine instruments The tweeters are mounted to an 1/8-inch Considering good a Yamahasuch has ExecutiveOverview detail spot more 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars sweet caps $1799.99/ea quality feature Yamaha Electronics Yamaha Pros Cons smooth narrow standard build could and grills finish MSRP: MSRP: Birch Value Rating: Rating: Value par Overall Rating: Overall Rating: Review SummaryReview electrolytic low Soavo-1 Loudspeakers Loudspeakers Soavo-1 / http://www.yamaha.com/yec Brown

Manufacturer: Manufacturer: • Moderately • Above • Beautiful • Plays • Magnetic • Outriggers • Biampable • Midrange • Uses m Brown, V/1 Dark

dB/2.83 bottom Advanced PMD Cone 5" (13cm) 59.5 lbs Yes Aluminum Aluminum Dome Biampable 1" (3cm) Advanced PMD Cone 89 Dual 6-1/2" (16cm) Black, 3-Way bass-reflex floor-standing 3-Way the Soavo-1 Loudspeakers Soavo-1 41-3/8" x 13-3/4" x 19-3/16" 35 Hz - 50 kHz near

6-ohms Specifications 200W

crossover

the placing About the only thing you’ll need to Dimensions (HxWxD): Dimensions (HxWxD): Weight: Woofer Type: Type: Woofer Mid Size: Type: Mid Size: Tweeter Type: Tweeter Response: Frequency Handling: Power Sensitivity (1W/1m): Enclosure Type: Enclosure Options: Veneer Impedance: Speaker Video Shielded: Size: Woofer I was able to sneak a peek at the

of the speakers and positioning the rear them of at the Yamaha cabinet, has the inductors kept away from the Some drivers. enough separation provide companies don’t and thus negatively affect performance due to the of interference these systems. concern yourself with removing the binding during posts to setup get to the access plastic caps which is cover the banana jack holes. If terminations you’re on your cables using then this will banana These affect plastic you. covers plug are put on because the spacing of actually the matches banana the jacks Schuko-style plugs power in some European countries. As a crossover crossover network which is bottom. the towards mounted cabinet the of back the to Yamaha chose to go with electrolytic caps - not the best choice in our but opinion, a budget consideration to be sure and shared one by many (both speaker online and manufacturersThe traditional). issue don’t capacitors is of types these typically that exhibit linear frequency response at frequencies due high to variations in impedance and a potential for higher We’d distortion. almost wish they’d upgrade the caps dump the and video shielding in future models. By The 5-inch poly cone midrange driver In my next adventure in disassembly,

showed showed off an indestructible-looking cast basket – there is no allowance for the use of stamped aluminum in While this system. I would have expected to see a somewhat larger magnet structure on it this is driver, at least shielded so people with legacy CRT- based systems can experience they place before screen the to closer these speakers people most that Given effects. negative any likely are range price this in speakers buying to flat have this panel is displays, one area I would have love to see some cost-savings on the part This of Yamaha. could or the lowered allowed have price of entry, either for a more capable midrange driver. I pulled out the two were bass monstrous drivers. These things, which a lot explained of the capable low-end I heard later. The magnets on these almost drivers dwarf though the half cones, of the mass is simply video shielding. Hold them in your hands and you’ll realize you’re holding a serious not the driver, wimpy drivers and stamped baskets found in lower cost The products. Soavo-1 speakers have ample depth, which is crucial for ensuring that enough have room to be installed correctly these drivers and provide enough box volume necessary frequency response. for the you you look at the pic, you’ll quickly almost which thickness see baffle front the overbuilt certainly allows can I no drivers, the all removed Having resonance drivers. from the tell you that it continues all the way down the in speaker the same thickness. www.audioholics.com

2 www.audioholics.com 3 Track 6: “Hey Despite my comment about midrange, I This band was bass in this once caused the that Soavo-1 never sweeps track, including some speakers to nice chuff or break a When sweat. they ran they out of below 35Hz, frequency simply bowed out gracefully. Given I what heard I’d have a add hard a time subwoofer wanting for to music reproduction. Cranking the system up on this track there was plenty of tactile energy and sound it artificial. didn’t If anything, adding or two a might simply sub help compensate for deficiencies in your room acoustics. CD: A Decade of Steely Dan Nineteen” has been a reference track long of mine to hear well a system how recreates studio wide a of feel the recording. When the choral backing vocals that came the in, soundstage I extended the found room, making well for a into very pleasing The realistic and snap sound. on the kick drum was firm and you could guitar - being so played clear was the string almost feel the noise. Vocals were as clear expected given as the recessed nature of could this be positioning of images within mix and overall did I wide. and accurate was soundstage the note that the midrange sounded a tad thin during some of the more solo vocal lines, though I am a midrange snob tough and it’s to me make happy. noted that the tenor in was stunningly realistic and came “FM” though as if Pete Cristlieb were hanging out about 10 feet in front of me. I like having musicians play in my living room, so a speakers is good imperative for set this of experience. I felt that the had Soavo-1’s a nice punchy midrange that didn’t refrain from pushing out the parts of the music speakers that don’t have enough often cone area lost by as seemed certainly It task. this to dedicated if the Soavo-1’s dedicated 4-1/2" midrange was excelling at its given duties. The Riotous Brothers CD The Riotous Brothers mastered by a of friend mine Florida in who Orlando was one of the Engineers on the Eagles’ Hotel California While album. a bit hot, vocals DeBoer female Clint harsh B” “Junior 5 track “The finish on these is speakers with tight corners and flawless, manicured lines...” The closer you are Though track 14 is titled “Planet Dada Near the end of this track a harsh digital The last minute of this track makes a In can make even good speakers sound bad, so bad, sound speakers good even make can if you’re doing loudspeaker evaluations, be sure to know what putting you’re into the system. Yello CD: The Eye to these speakers the more you will want to toe them in for imaging. best They incredibly image well almost - uncanny. You’ll it’s know you have it right when the speakers melting into disappear, your listening room. If you’re sitting less than go 9-10 ahead feet and away, point these puppies straight at you. almost (Flamboyant)” I think the “click and pop” track describes it There nicely. is nothing analogue about this track and it lends itself to an incredible opportunity to hear some really wild and dynamic use this as one imaging. of the I track to dial now in I speakers am reviewing. any phone ring sound pops out made me that jump and actually turn my head to look back into the other room! Now two things was I that knew I One, here. said be to need I so music electronica of bunch a to listening and two I should been don’t have prepared, a have wireless phone that sounds anything remotely like this. And I still for it about think actually to had jumped and looked and a few seconds - it was that well imaged. and I’m now including good set of speakers, the Soavo-1s in in that full designation, 3D space. image Sounds behind pop you and as sweep if you full were listening 5-speaker to surround system. a Take into play to speakers these of ability the account down incredibly low and I could that to upgrade 5.1. dominate, dominate, but they come across as though you are listening live, with a vocalist hot, breathy standing right in There is a you. the lot of powerful but smooth room with Beyond

right. just sound to them

want

I pulled a few of my favorite reference The speaker grills for the Soavo-1 speakers speakers Soavo-1 the for grills speaker The

you drivers drivers require extra care in placement if could benefit from additional tweaking - the tweaking additional could benefit from anything, anything, this is where I felt the speakers listening to as pair of If electrostats either. the speakers were toed in, but it wasn’t like but like it wasn’t toed in, the were speakers (about two seats held together well) when The sweet spot wasn’t excessively wide more more than most speakers I’ve listened to. 1s tended to sound better toed-in a bit drivers drivers into the cabinet. I found that the Soavo- Additionally, system. were were the same screws that anchored the to get the most enjoyment out of your any time, especially since the fastening point fastening the since especially time, any need to would a add you subwoofer reason as though they would damage the finish at smooth. For music purposes, there is no place once positioned correctly. It never felt felt never It correctly. positioned once place fact that these speakers play very low and removed removed easily and seemed to “lock” in the comments I would make include the on things they The shouldn’t. grill covers material for this listening session. Overall deter little inquisitive hands from pushing Listening Evaluation protection protection against dust build-up and they on, simply on, because they offer some level of just to be sure. I actually preferred the grills I preferred actually just to be sure. all my eventual listening tests with them off with the sound though reproduction, I did these days. these I days. never felt the grills interfered (most likely broken) on most loudspeakers protrusions - the likes of which can be found found be can which of likes the - protrusions not going to break off any little plastic very easy to remove and ensures that you’re you’re that ensures and remove to easy very are This are magnetically makes them attached. someone who’s done this, no?). done someone this, who’s (certainly there is a Darwin Award for a banana speaker cable into the wall outlet connection type lest they accidentally plug result, result, they don’t want people using that dynamic range was intact. Compressed MP3s Compressed intact. was range dynamic with nearly all types of provided the music, were were extremely musical and sounded good that I quickly realized that these speakers

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 / / / / / / / DeBoer 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Clint By ngngng Rati Rati Rati

Email - [email protected] Card Non-exclusive reprint rights have been provided to Yamaha Yamaha to been provided rights reprint Non-exclusive have bottom end to or waver the ports to chuff - it simply plays back everything it can and does it I reliably. think that listeners with an ear for good sound and an eye for good aesthetics could do a lot Yamaha worse has Soavo-1’s. than clearly the put a lot of their musical instrument-making skills into these and towers it shows. Electronics Electronics Corporation to reprint and freely distribute Any this other review. uses or instances of this review by parties other or Electronics Yamaha by Corporation are prohibited The without original prior review Audioholics. approvals from can be online viewed at www.audioholics.com Quality (reserved (reserved for or features areas that exceed norms) market Value core Score Features Overall Quality Accuracy 90620 Extension Build Value Metric Soundstage The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing Appearance Video Performance Build Fit and Finish CA Bass Metric Metric Bass Performance Dynamic Range

Performance Television Imaging StarStar Treble Extension Treble Midrange Accuracy Midrange Treble Smoothness Treble Ergonomics/User Ergonomics/User Interface Park, Outstanding

(714) 522-9105 Above Average Above

Buena Average

Performance x = Price Rating Factor/Value Performance 6660 Orangethorpe Avenue 6660 Orangethorpe / http://www.yamaha.com/yec Below average Below

Very poor Very

The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. Audioholics.com Note: Yamaha Electronics Corporation Yamaha

Audioholics Ratings Scale: The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly roughly rating a giving thus unit, each of cost individual the to respect with heavily weighed are numbers The equal to: of the product The in rating question. scale is based on performance/value If ratio. you products in notice future reviews that better have lower performing numbers in certain be areas, aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on his/her performance, own system and for ratings. each reviewer has Yamaha Yamaha has made some really nice Conclusion speakers in These the towers Soavo series. are some of the nicest I’ve looking seen speakers and Soavo-1s is the enough to make me wonder build if quality they aren’t slightly overbuilt of (meaning they the could probably cost a very a exhibit They little performance). sacrificing less without clean soundstage, though you’ll play a bit with the have toe-in for best I results. to extension the found of frequency low these speakers to be accurate and - important not with a There full-range system. boomy at it that caused the I threw anything wasn’t as

the from playing on organ DeBoer Being call B3

literally pub. Clint good a quite Hammond was are intimate

nice that About Yamaha About small, some so

a Brothers and at Yamaha Yamaha Electronics Corporation (YEC), USA, the “Yamaha has clearly put a “Yamaha lot of their musical instrument- making skills into these towers and it shows” The guitar intro in track “Real 2 Mother The bass open “Strange of Face of Love” based in Buena owned Park, subsidiary California, YEC of Yamaha. is offers Home a Theater wholly components and A/V systems, Receivers, featuring Amplifiers, DVD/CD, Mini-Systems, Speakers, Video Projection, as well & IT Products.Convergence as A/V

England, this is the probably England, you way would most commonly experience The Riotous Brothers, part of the mix album in a long time that hearing such a live engineers. I don’t recall really The Soavo-1’s wasn’t compressed flat. allowed this CD to emulate a late evening music performance that had my eyes and feeling as if I me had left my living closing What room. I loved best was getting sound of the a night club performance without all the smoke. on a stage in front of excessively wide There you. pans and are the drums no don’t jump across the soundstage as if they were 30 feet wide. is one of the cleanest electrics you’ll Ya” for I love the texture of ever hear. the snare in this track and it really came though clean, telltale ring and The all. male vocal had an edge to it that didn’t break up or have any guitar panned left The rhythm sound. nasally had some very nice staccato picking sounds and you felt as if you could reach out and grab the medium plastic pick as if it were right there for the taking. was smooth and clean, while this had the both vocal accompanying and guitar electric gritty sound that again had that absolutely ‘live’ sound you her when checking out band a there there are some awesome guitar and vocal tracks within this album that really the show detail in any speaker Track system. “Deja 1 Voodoo” features an guitar accentuated well well as clear stage-mixed drums that sound authentic and live. The like entire mix feels www.audioholics.com

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