The new Disklavier Radio system allows the pianos to play live music broadcasts, including accompaniments to streamed, pre-recorded performances. The new digital radio stations will include music across a variety of genres including Broadway, Classical, Country, Great Piano Solos, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Soundtracks and Standards. In addition to playing live streams, many additional tracks can purchased through Yamaha’s new DisklavierMusic Store, and saved directly to the piano for later playback.

The streaming service works with Yamaha’s Disklavier Mark IV pianos, running software version 2.0 or later. It’s available on a subscription basis for $19.95 monthly or $199.50 per year.

[via SlipperyBrick]

The YSP-500 reflects sound from 18 individual sound drivers to deliver truly immersive surround with only a single box. Just like it’s bigger siblings, the box has all the requisite digital and analog inputs for DVD players and other audio sources.

It can decode Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 sound formats. It also offers SRS TruBass enhancement for the low end of things, but you’ll really want to supplement this system with a subwoofer if you really want a solid bass boom. As has been the case with all but the earliest YSP systems, this one includes IntelliBeam automated room calibration, so you you can get up and running with optimal sound in just a few minutes.

Keep in mind that while the surround effect from YSP speakers I’ve tested is pretty amazing, it’s best experienced in a room that has four normal walls, so sounds can be bounced off of surfaces appropriately. From my experience with the original YSP-1, odd-shaped rooms can be a bit of a challenge.

The YSP-500 should hit stores in Japan later this month for about ¥75,000 (appx. $647 USD), making it significantly less expensive than the larger models in the series. Expect to see these stateside within a few months of their Japanese release date.

[via ITMedia]

The top-of-the-line YSP-1100 features 40 high/mid-range speakers and 2 woofers, along with 42 discrete amplifiers to position sound using beam-focusing technologies. Last year, Yamaha improved upon the tricky calibration process of the 1st generation systems by adding their automated IntelliBeam system, and that feature is included in this year’s models as well.

The 1100 is said to have a wider virtual soundstage than prior models, and feature a new “My Beam” mode which allows you to save very precise positioning of the beams to a specific listening location to allow for a more intimate sonic experience.

Both the YSP-1100 and smaller YSP-900 support Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 formats. The 1100 also adds built-in video switching of two component inputs and an RS-232 port and IR in/out ports for remote control installations.

The Yamaha YSP-1100 should be available this month, and lists for $1699.95 USD. The YSP-900 should run $899.

Speaking from personal experience (with the original YSP-1 in my home theater,) the surround capabilities are pretty astounding if you have a reasonably square or rectangular room with walls to bounce the beams off of. Be sure to add on an external subwoofer though for optimal bass reproduction.

[via Audioholics]