YAMAHA

YAMAHA NS-555 3-Way Bass Reflex Tower Speaker

Specifications

• TYPE: 3-way bass reflex speaker system Magnetic shielding type
• DRIVER: 16 cm (6.5″) cone woofer x 2, Wave guide horn 13 cm (5″) cone mid-range, Wave guide horn 2.5 cm (1″) dome tweeter
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 35 Hz – 35 kHz
• NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 6 ohms
• NOMINAL INPUT POWER: 100 W
• MAXIMUM INPUT POWER: 250 W
• SENSITIVITY: 89 dB/2.83 V/m
• CROSSOVER FREQUENCY: 1 kHz, 4 kHz
• DIMENSIONS (W X H X D): 222 mm x 980 mm x 345 mm (8.74″x 38.6″ x 13.6″)
• WEIGHT: 20 kg (44.1 lbs.)

Introduction

For home theatre applications, Yamaha created the NS-555 tower speaker. The floor-standing speaker includes a pair of 6-1/4-inch polymer-injected mica diaphragm (PMD) cone woofers, a 5-inch midrange cone driver, and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter in a three-way bass-reflex configuration suitable for main channels. The midrange and tweeter make use of Yamaha’s unique waveguide horns for better imaging, which considerably lower reflected sound and enhance the percentage of directly created sound waves that reach your ears. This makes up for the fact that most homes don’t have sound-absorbing materials on their walls. The end result is an accurate replication of sound placement and direction found in commercial movie theaters.

Precautions

Read these precautions carefully before using your speakers.

• To assure the finest performance, please read this manual carefully. Keep it in a safe place for future reference.
• Install the speaker in a cool, dry, clean place – away from windows, heat sources, sources of excessive vibration, dust, moisture and cold. Avoid sources of humming (transformers, motors). To prevent fire or electrical shock, do not expose the speaker to rain or water.
• To prevent the enclosure from warping or discoloring, do not place the speaker where it will be exposed to direct sunlight or excessive humidity.
• Do not place the following objects on the speaker: Glass, china, small metallic, etc. If glass etc. falls by vibrations and breaks, it may cause bodily injury. A burning candle, etc. If the candle falls by vibrations, it may cause fire and bodily injury. A vessel with water in it. If the vessel falls by vibrations and water spills, it may cause damage to the speaker, and/or you may get an electric shock.
• Do not place the speaker where foreign objects such as water drips might fall. It might cause a fire, damage to the speaker, and/or bodily injury.
• Do not place the speaker where it is liable to be knocked over or struck by falling objects. Stable placement will also ensure better sound performance.
• Placing the speaker on the same shelf or rack as the turntable can result in feedback.
• Never put a hand or a foreign object into the port located on the rear of the speaker as this might cause bodily injury and/or damage to the speaker.
• When moving the speaker, do not hold the port as it might cause bodily injury and/or damage to the speaker.
• Any time you note distortion, reduce the volume control on your amplifier to a lower setting. Never allow your amplifier to be driven into “clipping”. Otherwise the speaker may be damaged.
• When using an amplifier with a rated output power higher than the nominal input power of the speaker, care should be taken never to exceed the speaker’s maximum input.
• Do not attempt to clean the speaker with chemical solvents as this might damage the finish. Use a clean, dry cloth.
• Do not attempt to modify or fix the speaker. Contact qualified YAMAHA service personnel when any service is needed. The cabinet should never be opened for any reasons.
• Secure placement or installation is the owner’s responsibility. YAMAHA shall not be liable for any accident caused by improper placement or installation of speaker.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN POSITIONING THE SPEAKERS

The speaker is constructed with the majority of the weight located in its upper portion, and is thus susceptible to falling over if proper care is not taken to insure its stability. If the speaker falls over, it may damage the speaker or be the cause of injury (or even death) to persons and/or damage to personal property.

For safe and proper use of the speaker:

• Position the speaker in a location that is solid, level, smooth, and low (with respect to the floor).
• Do not push or apply pressure to the side of the speaker when moving, or lean objects against the side of the speaker.
• Do not sit on or set objects on top of the speaker.

Vibrations or jolts associated with earthquakes and other phenomena or activities may cause the speaker to fall over.

For safety reasons, using commercially available products that increase stability in the speaker is recommended (metal fittings or chains, etc.).

Use the stands included with the speaker to increase stability:

Be sure to use the stands regardless of where the speaker is positioned. Attaching the stands included with the speaker reinforces the base of the speaker not to fall over.

Please be cautioned that even though the stands are connected, this does not guarantee that the speaker will not fall over.

ATTACHING THE STANDS

When placing the speakers, be sure to use the stands to increase stability.

Note

The provided stands are in two types. Two stands are for the right side and others are for the left side. Attach each stand to the proper position on the bottom of the speaker by following the figure below.

Use the 8 specified holes located on the base of the speaker.

Procedure:

1. First, put the screw through the washer, then through the inner hole of the stand, and screw it into the outside hole of the speaker. Do not tighten too much at this point.
2. Loosen the terminal knob.
3. Insert the bare wire.
4. Tighten the knob and secure the cable. Test the firmness of the connection by pulling lightly on the cable at the terminal.

Note

Be careful not to apply force to the side of the speaker, otherwise the speaker may fall causing damage to the speaker or personal injury.

CONNECTIONS TO YOUR AMPLIFIER

This speaker system is capable of standard connections and bi-wired connections. Before making connections, make sure that the amplifier is switched off.

[Standard Connection]

CONNECTIONS

• Connect the screw-type input terminals at the rear of the speaker to the speaker output terminals of the amplifier (or receiver) with the speaker cable.
• Connect the (+) terminals on the amplifier (or receiver) and the speaker using one side of the cable. Connect the (–) terminals on both components using the other side of the cable.
• Connect one speaker to the left (marked L) terminals of your amplifier, and another speaker to the right (marked R) terminals, making sure not to reverse the polarity (+, –). If one speaker is connected with reversed polarity, the sound will be unnatural and lack bass.

How to Connect

1. Remove the insulation coating at the extremity of each speaker cable by twisting the coating off.
2. Loosen the terminal knob.
3. Insert the bare wire.
4. Tighten the knob and secure the cable. Test the firmness of the connection by pulling lightly on the cable at the terminal.

Note

Do not let the bare speaker wires touch each other to avoid damaging the speaker or the amplifier, or both of them.

Using a Banana Plug

1. Tighten the terminal knob.
2. Simply insert the banana plug into the terminal

[Bi-Wired Connection]

This speaker system is capable of bi-wired connections. To connect the speaker to the output terminals of the amplifier (or receiver), two pairs of cables for each of mid-woofer/ woofer and tweeter used instead of standard connections.

This type of connection decreases the modulation distortion caused by electric resistance of the cables and driving current of the speakers. Consequently, purer sound quality can be expected.

To utilize bi-wired connections, remove the short bars from the terminals first, and then connect the mid-woofer/ woofer and tweeter to the amplifier separately using two pairs of cables.

PLACING THE SPEAKERS

Place the speakers on a sturdy, vibration-free surface, on a well-built stand.

• Using as 2ch stereo speakers Better stereo images will be obtained when the speakers are slightly angled in towards the listeners.
• Using as main speakers in a multi-channel system Position the speakers on both sides of the TV. The positioning of speakers is important, because it controls the whole sound quality of a multi-channel system. Set up the speakers on the basis of your listening position by following the owner’s manual supplied with your amplifier.

Note

This speaker features a magnetically shielded design, but there is still a chance that placing it too close to a TV set might impair picture color. Should this happen, move the speaker away from the TV set.

REMOVING THE FRONT COVER

The front cover is fastened to the enclosure at six points and can be removed if desired. To remove the cover, hold on to both sides and slowly pull straight away from the speaker. To reattach, line up the six pegs on the inside surface of the cover with the six corresponding holes on the speaker and push gently.

Note

When the cover is removed, take care not to touch the speaker units with your hands or to exert excessive force with tools.

Information for users on collection and disposal of old equipment:

This symbol on the products, packaging, and/or accompanying documents means that used electrical and electronic products should not be mixed with general household waste.

For proper treatment, recovery and recycling of old products, please take them to applicable collection points, in accordance with your national legislation.

By disposing of these products correctly, you will help to save valuable resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste handling.

For more information about collection and recycling of old products, please contact your local municipality, your waste disposal service or the point of sale where you purchased the items.

For business users in the European Union:

If you wish to discard electrical and electronic equipment, please contact your dealer or supplier for further information.

Information on Disposal in other Countries outside the European Union:

This symbol is only valid in the European Union. If you wish to discard these items, please contact your local authorities or dealer and ask for the correct method of disposal.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does the impedance rating?****

6 ohms is the impedance rating.

What are the benefits of tower speakers?****

Because of their bigger size, which enables them to move more air through the drivers than desktop or bookshelf speakers, tower speakers are frequently able to create deeper, more dramatic bass than isolated bookshelf speakers.

If I have tower speakers, do I still need a subwoofer?****

Since most tower speakers already produce enough bass, they don’t need a subwoofer. However, if you want to hear powerful, room-shaking bass, a subwoofer would be a smart addition to your system.

Can tower speakers match the sound quality of bookshelf speakers?****

Bookshelf speakers and a powerful subwoofer can mimic the sound of a big tower speaker.

Should you place your subwoofer on the ground?****

A carpet can help to better balance the sounds in the room whereas bare hard flooring can allow deeper subwoofer sound waves to go farther without being muffled, depending on where other speakers are placed.

Do speakers progressively lose bass?****

The sound of a new speaker actually improves with use as the suspension becomes less rigid.

How far away from the TV should tower speakers be?****

Your seat distance from the television should match the stereo speakers’ spacing.

How far away from the TV should tower speakers be?****

Your seat distance from the television should match the stereo speakers’ spacing.

Is there bass on tower speakers?****

Even if modern bookshelf speakers with a subwoofer can mimic the frequency range of a larger tower speaker, there is still nothing that compares to the dramatic range a larger speaker offers.

Do speakers that weigh more sound better?****

Yes, to quickly respond. If you choose a high-end new model, the size and cost advantages of compact speakers may be greater than those of larger speakers. Performance is improved by larger speakers over smaller ones. Additionally, everyone pays close attention to a speaker’s performance in general.

Why are speakers made of wood better?****

A speaker box won’t experience much distortion when vibrated by music because it is naturally non-resonant. Wood is piled tightly. It has been used since the beginning of time to give instruments like guitars and grand pianos a richer, crisper tone.

Do tower speakers require an amplifier?****

Your speakers will need to be powered by a different amplifier.

Which is superior, a tower speaker or a sound bar?****

Whether you should purchase a soundbar or a set of speakers depends on your priorities. If money is scarce, a soundbar is more affordable.

Should you place your subwoofer on the ground?****

A carpet can help to better balance the sounds in the room whereas bare hard flooring can allow deeper subwoofer sound waves to go farther without being muffled, depending on where other speakers are placed.

Do speakers progressively lose bass?****

The sound of a new speaker actually improves with use as the suspension becomes less rigid.

How durable are tower speakers?****

Depending on the materials they are made of and the environment where the equipment is used, high-quality speakers can last up to 40 to 50 years before showing any signs of wear and tear.

What kind of electricity do tower speakers require?****

How well you speak and listen determines a lot of things. 200 Watts should be more than enough for you if your speakers are 90 dB efficient and you want to listen to loud, uncompressed music. If you only listen to light jazz and classical music and don’t expect them to rock the house, 50 Watts is more than enough.

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