Yamaha Taps New Niches

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/30/2012

LAS VEGAS — Yamaha is entering two new home audio niches with the launch of two “hi-fi-in-a-box” systems and a flat pedestal- and wall-mountable one-piece integrated audio system.

The hi-fi-in-a-box systems consist of a component- size stereo receiver packaged with speakers to tap into consumers’ growing two-channel interest and “assure consumers that everything works together,” said Yamaha Electronics president Tom Sumner. They carry prices of $599 and around $1,000, he said.

The integrated system, the Restio ISX-800, is square in height and width and only about 3.5 inches deep. It’s mounted on a floorstanding aluminum pedestal but can also be mounted on the wall with optional bracket. The front grille comes in four colors. Restio’s cabinet incorporates an AM/FM tuner, CD player, and iPod/iPhone-compatible USB port that accepts iPod/iPhone audio in digital PCM form. Other features include auxiliary analog input, front clock, and digital amplification. Its price is $799.

Sumner said he sees potential for selling the product through nontraditional CE retailers such as high-end furniture stores and interior design companies.

Among the packaged stereo systems, the $599 model features 2x50-watt amplification with 0.04 percent THD, an included powered subwoofer, 40 station presets, input for an optional iPod/iPhone dock, optional stereo Bluetooth receiver, zone two output, and one IR input and output. Seven inputs consist of phono, CD, iPod dock, tape, tuner, and line inputs 1 and 2.

The step-up packaged system at around $1,000 features 2x100 watts amplification with 0.04 percent THD, input for optional iPod/iPhone dock, iPod video output, Sirius-ready capability, two IR inputs and outputs, and included zone two IR remote. The number of inputs expands to nine with the addition of a Sirius input and a third line input.