gdgt

Yamaha helped pioneer the concept of artificial surround sound, so it's not surprising that the YSP-2200 offered up the most convincing pseudo 5.1 experience of the bunch.

Yamaha has not quite convinced me that a compact, two-piece ... can replace “real” surround systems in every case, but it has certainly won a convert for situations where space, decoration, or the imperatives of domestic détente make a full system impractical or inadvisable.

It's an ingenious all-in-one home-cinema system for those without the space for separates or multiple speakers. While the subwoofer is rather unrefined, the YSP-2200's sonic clarity and surround-sound steering is excellent.

Eight hundred quid is no small amount of money, of course, but it's a remarkably modest sum to charge for a product that's so obviously shot through with genius.

With movies, its sound is exciting and assured, and the separate subwoofer doesn’t let the side down. Yes it’s pricey but worth every penny.

There are too many sound modes, the separate wired, yet passive subwoofer is a little unsteady and stereo seems a little limp, but otherwise it's a powerful performance.

...the Yamaha YSP-2200 is definitely worth consideration, especially when you note that a fairly accurate surround sound experience originates from just two points: the digital sound projector and subwoofer.