What’s good about the Yamaha YSP-1600 is it offers a very convincing, pseudo-surround sound in a compact device. It has a long list of features which will please a lot of people. It also includes HDMI, Bluetooth, and multi-room streaming functionalities. Even though it does lack a subwoofer, it does bring pretty decent bass but not quite the powerful punch.
The Yamaha YSP-1600 is a Well-Equipped and Beautiful Soundstage
The YSP-1400 had feet elevating the device from above the surface, the Yamaha YSP-1600 comes in direct contact with the ground (or to the surface where it is placed). It is now in a slimmer design which is at 2.5-inches in height. This means that it will also fit underneath a larger number of televisions that the 3.75-inch height that the YSP-1400 delivered.
Cosmetically speaking, the YSP-1600 soundstage differs from that of the curvy 1400. The 1600 offers a more “plank-like” aesthetic. The drivers are still in the same layout across the front of the 39-inch wide device. The bar is also just as deep which is found at 5-inches. The subwoofers, on the other hand, are now located at the top of the device which is located by wire grilles.
As for the device’s remote control, it is particularly easy to use. It has all the necessary buttons needed to control the soundstage, and it has a wide flat shape which should be able to fit most hands comfortably.
For the features, the YP-1600 can be deemed as your all-in-one soundbar. It features two 3.25-inch subwoofers on board. Even though it is only a front-facing device, it does utilize eight 1.125-inch beam drivers to stimulate surround sound. The unit does this be reflecting sounds across the surfaces of your room.
The soundstage is also able to decode Dolby and DTS sounds, albeit not with HD quality. It also includes HDMI in and out with support for 4K standards just like with other soundbars of equally or lower price ranges.
To complete the full-offerings of the YP-1600, it has Bluetooth connectivity, digital optical, a much-needed subwoofer out, and an analog input. These are brought into the package along with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. This allows the device to connect it with many media streaming devices including Apple AirPlay and the company’s own MusicCast system.
While the Yamaha YSP-1600 offers a great range of sound and features, along with a styling design, it somehow falls a bit short when looking at its sound quality and comparing that to its price.