Features
For Any PC Compatible or Mac Computer
3-Piece Satellite/Subwoofer Speaker System
Advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology (Advanced YST) for Powerful Bass Response
High Output Power: 6 W x 2 (satellites, 1 kHz, 4 ohms) + 18 W (subwoofer, 100 Hz, 4 ohms)
Frequency Response: 45 to 20,000 Hz
Input Sensitivity: 200 mV (1 kHz, 4 ohms, at rated power)
Available in Platinum White or Calypso Black

Specifications:
Satellite Speakers
Standby Switch and Master Volume Control
5cm Spruce Cone Full-Range Driver
Magnetic Shielding: No Monitor Distortion
Angle-Adjustable for Optimum Listening Position
Dimensions (W x H x D): 65 x 75 x 119 mm
Weight: 0.45 kg (right channel)/0.36 kg (left channel)

Subwoofer
Volume Control (subwoofer level)
12cm Multi-Range Spruce Cone Driver
2 Audio Input Terminals
Magnetic Shielding: No Monitor Distortion
Dimensions (W x H x D): 183 x 196 x 183 mm
Weight: 2.3 kg

Accessories
AC Adaptor (DC14 V, 1.7 A)
3.5mm Black Stereo-Mini Cable (1.8 m)
Non-Skid Pads (8 pcs.)

Background
I already have decent Yamaha RH-5Ma headphones and very satisfied with them, but wanted something more in some situations where headphones don’t fit: enjoying music at the same time I can get to the door when somebody knocking off my room. And sometimes my head becomes too big and heavy so I gotta laid it rest on a spongy cushion while drinking to Opeth, Anathema and Katatonia’s liquid dark and evil tunes in lethal dosage as sleep pills. That’s where a tiny audio system suits my need.

Then I met shiny and elegant Yamaha speakers in a computer store standing out of the crowded Philips, Logitech, Altec Lansing, Creative, and some unknown brands of china-made speakers. Hmm, I was wondering the guys at Yamaha slump into market war of low end gadgets despite they’re bearing top class reputation in pro audio market. That should be something to check further I thought.

First obligatory ritual to do as a poor guy walking around a store: checking the price tag. I was surprised: Rp 375,000 (around US$40 at the time I write this) that’s make my curiosity grows bigger, a Yamaha, a computer speakers system, at US$40?

Sound check
I got the salesman doing a demo with some tracks from his winamp (dammit I’m not familiar with those pop teen-ass gay songs he’s playing, probably a linkin fart or so) just to make sure that it’s original Yamaha, not a fake one. I owned $35 Altec Lansing cheapo toy box tossed in the garbage bin a year ago so I’m familiar with its sound. I said in my head, if this Yamaha sounds better than my Altec, I’ll bring it home straightaway.

First impression: yes. It’s better than my Altec. Ten times better! Brought it home, set in the PC desk, fire it up, and I start cruising the voyage of Yamaha world exactly as promised in their booklet: powerful, responsive, deep, thumping bass coming out of 5” YST subwoofer and clear, crisp, sparkling treble from the satellites. That small toys sound real big and alive.

YST-MS30 is a stereo speakers system. No surround features, no THX-certified, Dolby Digital-DTS kind of shit. This 2.1 system designed purely for musical enjoyment purpose. If you’re looking for system to amplify your dvd or game console, look elsewhere.

Dig further, cymbals sound crispy and fatigueless, kickdrum’s deep and loud, bass’s deep and great, snare, vocals and guitars clearly defined and smooth. But after experiencing hours of ear testing, I found some weakness:

1. The YST subwoofer does the job perfectly. It’s too perfect that only sub bass frequencies are boosted, approximately around 50-200 Hz. In the other side, the satellites are naturally designed not to reach mid bass/midrange frequency. They’re handled well upper midrange section and up. Therefore, there’s a hole in the mid bass/lower midrange region makes YST-MS30 suffers lack of clarity. The dip in this spectrum causes baritone and bass male vocals, low string guitars and upper bass guitar slaps are sounded thin and weak.

2. The lower midrange dip above can be compensated with EQ plug-ins from winamp, windows media player or sonique mp3 player built in, try to boost the mid frequency around 250 – 750 Hz a little at maximum 3 dB, but now the satellites easily distorted at high volume level. Consequently, you have to play at reasonably low level to hear balanced tones. Still, this volume is enough in my small room.

For those who don’t care about balanced tones and big fans of “smiley EQ” type of sound (you know the boom boom and chzzz chzzz thingy), then YST-MS30 is irresistible at that price range. Despite the weakness above, if you search the similar products in the US$50-100 price range, you won’t find anything match Yamaha sound quality.

I think Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 surpasses Yamaha YST-MS30 in sound quality but it surpasses the price ten times as well! ProMedia is a high end computer speaker product falls beyond casual consumer class. If you have thick wallet, golden ears and one of purist hi-end audiophile jet-set, check out Klipsch ProMedia, KEF KHT or Acoustic Energy Evo.

Draw a conclusion, YST-MS30 is the best computer speakers in its price range and wattage class. Forget Altec Lansing, Creative, Logitech or other plastic stereo toys sit near your computer. Get Yamaha and sure it blows them away.

Coming from the company who make grand pianos, bass and guitars, pro speaker system and studio monitors, PM5000 hi-end analog mixer, DAW and bunch of premium quality pro audio gear, should we have expected anything less?

Score
Feature 5/5
Sound 4/5
Value 5/5

Where to buy
Indonesia:   Fastncheap.com
International:   Amazon.com

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