Yamaha YST-M7 2 Speakers
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- Max. Power Output: 10 Watt
- Number of Speakers: 2 Speakers
- Connection Type: Cable
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Warm and Cheap - Great Spare or Travel Speakers!
Pros
Relatively great sound out of a small and cheap set of speakers
Cons
No EQ control, too much distortion above 50% volume
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Better mid-range response than most computer speakers, dual-inputs and subwoofer output makes them a unique, if somewhat ancient, sound system.
First of all, let me begin by saying that I bought these speakers at a thrift store for $5. Yes, FIVE DOLLARS. They were still brand new in the box (well, part of the box) and the masterminds at the thrift store priced them at five bucks. So, even though I already have way to many speakers and sound systems around my house, I bought them. That being said, these speakers sound very good for what I paid for them. Would I have paid $70 or even $40 for these? No way. So, keep that in mind.
Now, on to the review. These speakers are very warm compared to most computer speakers, they seem to put out a lot of good, clean mid-range sound. Highs are generally muddy, and lows are better than most speakers but still sparse. Of course, you can easily fix the latter situation by adding a subwoofer, as there is a line-level output on the back for connecting any powered subwoofer. Yamaha made a subwoofer specifically for this pair, the YST-MS10, though as far as I can tell it's no longer available (though neither are the M7's for that matter).
Although there is no feasible EQ of any kind on these speakers (just the useless "tone" knob as described in another review), I have found that using an EQ program of some kind within the computer they are connected to can be a great help. For instance, when I have them connected to my computer, I put a lot of boost at 4khz-16khz, and also at 64-125hz, but keep the 250hz-2khz range almost flat. That helps get clearer highs out of the M7's and deeper lows. Of course, if you're using them with a portable CD player or something else without any form of EQ control, you're out of luck.
The main speakers I use for my computer are a set of Altec Lansing ACS 33's, which is a three-piece system. The ACS 33's satellites have much, much more distinct and crisp highs than the M7's, and the subwoofer obviously destroys the meager bass response of the Yamaha's. However, the M7's still have a superior mid-range warmth, so I've often used both of the speakers systems at the same time by having a mini-jack Y splitter in my computer's headphone jack. Although it's an odd pairing, having the five speakers running at the same time sounds incredible for what I've paid for both of the sets.
In retrospect, I'm truly glad I picked up these speakers. Probably their greatest asset is how portable they are. You certainly wouldn't find me lugging the Altec ACS 33's around with its big subwoofer, but tossing these Yamaha M7's in a backpack along with a portable CD player and taking them on trips to use as a personal stereo system in a hotel room is genius. They sound much better than most other two-piece system I've heard, so I don't have to deal with clock-radio caliber sound quality while I'm on the road.
Although they have long since been discontinued, Epinions shows them as still being offered as NOS for $30 from a few online retailers, which isn't bad at all considering most computer speakers offered these days at that price level are pure crap. Although, if you happen to find them in a thrift store for $5... :D
Now, on to the review. These speakers are very warm compared to most computer speakers, they seem to put out a lot of good, clean mid-range sound. Highs are generally muddy, and lows are better than most speakers but still sparse. Of course, you can easily fix the latter situation by adding a subwoofer, as there is a line-level output on the back for connecting any powered subwoofer. Yamaha made a subwoofer specifically for this pair, the YST-MS10, though as far as I can tell it's no longer available (though neither are the M7's for that matter).
Although there is no feasible EQ of any kind on these speakers (just the useless "tone" knob as described in another review), I have found that using an EQ program of some kind within the computer they are connected to can be a great help. For instance, when I have them connected to my computer, I put a lot of boost at 4khz-16khz, and also at 64-125hz, but keep the 250hz-2khz range almost flat. That helps get clearer highs out of the M7's and deeper lows. Of course, if you're using them with a portable CD player or something else without any form of EQ control, you're out of luck.
The main speakers I use for my computer are a set of Altec Lansing ACS 33's, which is a three-piece system. The ACS 33's satellites have much, much more distinct and crisp highs than the M7's, and the subwoofer obviously destroys the meager bass response of the Yamaha's. However, the M7's still have a superior mid-range warmth, so I've often used both of the speakers systems at the same time by having a mini-jack Y splitter in my computer's headphone jack. Although it's an odd pairing, having the five speakers running at the same time sounds incredible for what I've paid for both of the sets.
In retrospect, I'm truly glad I picked up these speakers. Probably their greatest asset is how portable they are. You certainly wouldn't find me lugging the Altec ACS 33's around with its big subwoofer, but tossing these Yamaha M7's in a backpack along with a portable CD player and taking them on trips to use as a personal stereo system in a hotel room is genius. They sound much better than most other two-piece system I've heard, so I don't have to deal with clock-radio caliber sound quality while I'm on the road.
Although they have long since been discontinued, Epinions shows them as still being offered as NOS for $30 from a few online retailers, which isn't bad at all considering most computer speakers offered these days at that price level are pure crap. Although, if you happen to find them in a thrift store for $5... :D
