Updated 3 Feb 2017
Yamaha
NX-N500
Snapshot: The Yamaha NX-N500 can be added to a network of speakers, but how does it sound by itself?
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Test results
Overall score
Sound Quality
Ease of use - Andoid app
Ease of use - iOS app
Good points
- Excellent sound quality.
- Very easy to use Android and iOS apps.
- Has WiFi Direct.
- Has Bluetooth and AirPlay.
- Can be used as network extenders.
But
- No dual-band WiFi.
- Doesn't work with Google Play Music.
System review
This speaker can be linked to other speakers to create a “network” or “system”.
The Yamaha MusicCast system has very good quality sound from its five speakers, including the NX-N500 which has excellent sound. The YSP-2700 soundbar offers a massive 16 speaker drivers and 7 channels. It's not a cheap system however, and doesn't have a few features like dual-band WiFi. The speakers can be used as network extenders though, which is very useful.
How we test
Sound is based on our panel of 3 music listening experts’ appraisal of different pieces of music (classical and rock/pop). The speaker is positioned about 2 metres away from the listeners, with the panel assessing overall sound quality.
For networked speakers this is done individually and as a system.
Ease of use considers both the Apple and Android versions of the apps and the ease of connecting and setting up the speaker, as well as sending music to the speaker.
