Floorstanding loudspeakers — Yamaha NS-777

The Yamaha NS-777 is a bass-reflex tower loudspeaker with a three-way crossover, and it sits above the NS-555 as the bigger of this pair of Yamaha towers. It targets both stereo listening and front duty in a home theater. Matching speaker stands come with each unit, the list price was USD 599.95, with two years of warranty cover from Yamaha.

Key specs that matter

A pair of 8 inch (about 20 cm) woofers with polymer-injected mica (PMD) diaphragms handles the low range, a 5 inch (about 13 cm) cone works as the midrange driver, and a 1 inch (2.5 cm) aluminium dome tweeter covers the top. That makes four drivers per cabinet across three frequency bands. Yamaha quotes a frequency range of 30 Hz to 35 kHz. Sensitivity is 89 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and nominal impedance is 6 ohms. Input power is 100 W nominal and 250 W music power. Each speaker is 27.6 cm wide, 110.0 cm tall and 39.0 cm deep, at 24.4 kg, close to 49 kg for a stereo pair without stands.

Engineering and use context

Waveguide horns surround the midrange and the tweeter; Yamaha fits them to reduce reflected energy and to give the upper frequencies more controlled directivity. In plan the cabinet follows an elliptical shape intended to lower diffraction at its edges, and the surface is a high gloss black piano finish. Monster Cable is used for the internal signal wiring. All drivers are magnetically shielded, which allowed placement close to tube televisions and monitors of the period without colour distortion on screen. Separate terminal pairs for the woofers and for the remaining drivers make bi-wiring possible, and Yamaha states that splitting the runs in this way lowers distortion. A newly designed grille, described as acoustically transparent, protects the front of the cabinet.

Pairing

With a fairly easy load, the NS-777 works with surround receivers and typical two-channel amplifiers. Its twin woofers give it more bass reach than the NS-555, and the maker lists it for front positions in a surround layout together with Yamaha centre and surround models. Bi-wiring needs either an amplifier with A and B speaker outputs or two cable pairs landing on the same amplifier terminals.

Alternatives

The Yamaha NS-555 is the narrower sibling floorstander, fitted with two 6-1/4 inch woofers and a 35 Hz lower limit.