InfoComm 2017: Yamaha To Unveil First Soundbar, Commits to Unified Communications Market

Yamaha (6360) commits to the unified communications market with the development of a dedicated UC department. Leveraging the expertise of Revolabs, a subsidiary of Yamaha that will be part of the new department, Yamaha will focus on solutions that enhance communication and continue to develop products that help organizations reach their business goals. At InfoComm 2017, Yamaha will also introduce new products such as the VXS1L Series, as well as unveil the first sound bar.

Yamaha Commits to Unified Communications Market With DC Department

Revolabs_CS-700-Application

Yamaha acquired Revolabs in 2014, broadening Yamaha’s portfolio, knowledge of and entrance into the UC market. Revolabs is well-known in the industry for its high-quality audio and conferencing solutions and technology integration with UC service providers and software leaders, including Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and Zoom. The recently announced Yamaha CS-700 Video Sound Collaboration System for Huddle Rooms is the jointly engineered UC product from the two companies. It couples Revolabs’ microphone knowledge with Yamaha’s audio strict quality control. Alongside its high quality audio, the CS-700 incorporates a wide-angle HD camera that ensures meeting participants can see facial expressions and body language that are vital to productive meetings.

This solution, whom according to Yamaha is the first to include video technology from its company, provides users with comprehensive, high-quality voice, audio, and video that eliminates any operational challenges. It creates more productive, intuitive collaboration experiences within huddle spaces .The Yamaha CS-700 will be exhibited in the Yamaha and Revolabs booth 3281, at InfoComm 2017. In addition, Yamaha and Revolabs will show its portfolio of market solutions for providing customers with high-quality UC experiences.

Yamaha Products To Be Launched

Yamaha VXS1L Series

The new VXS1L Series of slim column array speaker systems will make their official debut during InfoComm 2017 at Yamaha booth #6360 along with the recently announced VXS1ML compact speaker and VXS3S sub. All three products, and a comprehensive set of installation accessories join the popular Yamaha Commercial Audio Solutions (CIS) product line

The new Yamaha VXS1L Series can provide flexible coverage adjustments. For example, units can connect vertically for deeper coverage, and side by side to tighten horizontal dispersion. The VXS1L-8 covers 40 degrees in the vertical plane, while the VXS1L-16 and VXS1L-24 models can be easily switched between 20 and 30 degrees of vertical coverage by way of a single switch on the rear of the speaker.

“The VXS and VXC CIS products have become staples in distributed audio environments such as retail and hospitality,” states Marc Lopez, director of marketing CA products, Yamaha Professional Audio. “We constantly strive to provide our contractors with the tools they need, and by adding the very slim, high-quality VXS1L column array, compact VXS1ML speaker and VSX3S sub, we continue to meet the needs of their applications with a strong aesthetic appeal.”

The VXS1ML and VXS3S are ideal choices for environments where relaxing, natural-sounding BGM reproduction is the goal. The VXS1ML features a newly developed 1.5” full-range driver unit that, thanks to a powerful neodymium magnet and other refinements, delivers extraordinary sonic quality despite its size. It offers wide 170° horizontal and vertical dispersion so large spaces can be efficiently served by a relatively small number of speakers.

The VXS3S subwoofer employs Yamaha’s own SR-Bass technology and achieves natural bass reproduction in a compact enclosure. The VXS3S supports both low- and high-impedance connections to ideally serve the scale and purpose of a variety of systems. It also includes satellite connectors that allow convenient, direct connection to the VXS1ML or other full-range speakers such as the Yamaha VXS3F, minimizing the number of amplifier channels required. A built-in crossover is automatically applied when the satellite connectors are used, providing smooth frequency transition from the subwoofer to full-range speakers.

Yamaha Unveils First Sound Bar

DTS Virtual: X(R) Technology

Yamaha will be the first brand to deliver a DTS Virtual:X-ready product with the release of the YAS-207 sound bar, available for purchase in July with the DTS Virtual:X firmware update in August. Additional OEMs integrating DTS Virtual:X technology in sound bars, as well as A/V receivers and televisions, will be announced in the coming months.

Sound bars are the fastest growing home audio category as consumers continue to adopt them for improved audio for their TVs or in lieu of a full home theater system. Leveraging DTS’ extensive research and development in virtual surround sound, DTS Virtual:X technology delivers the perception of up to 7.1.4 content through traditional speakers in the horizontal plane, such as a sound bar, creating the sound experience that consumers have come to expect from today’s content.

DTS Virtual:X in A/V Receivers

DTS’ research shows that fewer than 30 percent of consumers that purchase multichannel A/V receivers actually connect the height speakers and fewer than 48 percent of consumers connect the rear surround speakers, for a variety of reasons. DTS Virtual:X technology in an A/V receiver will provide an immersive sound experience without the need for rear surround and height speakers while still allowing consumers to upgrade for an even better immersive sound experience when they’re able to add additional speakers to their system. A/V receivers featuring DTS Virtual:X technology will be available this fall from a number of brands.

DTS Virtual:X in Televisions

As televisions have become lighter and thinner, the demand for larger screen sizes has increased.  In the US market alone, 86 percent of US consumers now own a TV greater than 40 inches, and 18 percent now own a TV of over 60 inches, according to the Consumer Technology Association’s 19th Annual Consumer Technology Ownership and Market Potential Study, published April 2017. While larger screen sizes provide a more quality viewing experience, the audio experience from a TV alone is compromised due to the market’s desire for a thin form factor, which limits speaker driver size and placement. DTS Virtual:X technology provides an immersive sound experience without the need for larger drivers or additional speakers added to the television. Televisions with DTS Virtual:X technology are forecast to be available in early 2018.

InfoComm 2017 will be held on June 14-16 in Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.