
Buena Park, Calif. — Yamaha reentered the computer-speaker market after an absence of about five years with the launch of the $219-suggested NX-B55 with Bluetooth and the $149 NX-50.
They ship this month and offer features said to be mobile-device friendly.
The speakers feature a stereo mini input to connect a computer and a second input with auto-mix capability to connect a smartphone or tablet. On the NX-B55, the second input is a Bluetooth input. On the NX-50, the second input is a stereo mini input.
The speakers also feature headphone jack and front-panel volume control. Both are tuned for near-field listening experiences and use cabinet designs that prevent internal sound loss. Front-facing bass ports deliver deep bass, and automatic loudness control adjusts bass output to match sound volume.
Both also have metal grilles and an energy-saving auto-standby mode that kicks in after periods of inactivity. When in this mode, the speakers automatically power on again when they detect sound.
“The NX-B55 and NX-50 not only play nicely with your mobile devices, they also sound and look significantly better than your run-of-the-mill computer speakers,” said Bob Goedken, general manager of the A/V division at Yamaha Corp. of America.