Bookshelf Speakers — Yamaha NS-3000

The NS-3000 is a Yamaha two-way speaker for stand mounting that carries over design ideas from the larger NS-5000 into a smaller cabinet. Yamaha describes it as a new generation of speakers using patented technologies taken from the NS-5000, and it shares that model's tweeter, a ZYLON soft dome, paired here with a newly developed ZYLON cone woofer. Yamaha presents the NS-3000 as the NS-5000 design philosophy in a smaller bookshelf form. A dedicated stand, the SPS-3000, was made for it.

Key specs that matter

The NS-3000 is ported and carries a 16 cm cone woofer and a 3 cm dome tweeter, and both diaphragms are made of ZYLON synthetic fibre. The crossover sits at 2.8 kHz. Rated frequency range is 39 Hz to 60 kHz at -10 dB, extending to 100 kHz at -30 dB. Sensitivity is 87 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m. Nominal impedance is 6 ohm with a minimum of 4.6 ohm. Nominal input power is 60 W and maximum input power 120 W. Each cabinet measures 244 x 394 x 326 mm and weighs 13.1 kg.

Engineering and use context

ZYLON is a Japanese synthetic fibre that Yamaha describes as having a sound velocity comparable to beryllium while keeping the softness of a textile. Applying it to the woofer cone as well as the tweeter dome is meant to keep the tone color consistent across the two units. The tweeter carries an R.S. (Resonance Suppression) Chamber on its rear, which cancels the tube resonance behind the diaphragm that could otherwise move it. Inside the cabinet, a new acoustic absorber designed for this model reduces the effect of internal standing waves and allows less sound-absorbing material to be used. As with the NS-5000, FEM analysis and laser measurements were used to position the reinforcing cross piece, suppressing box ringing caused by delayed vibration from the six panels. The crossover uses the MCap SUPREME EVO audio capacitor from Mundorf of Germany together with a large woofer coil. The speaker terminals are cut from pure brass and shaped to fit the hand for easy tightening.

Pairing

The NS-3000 presents a moderate load, and its average sensitivity suits a conventional stereo integrated amplifier. Within its own range Yamaha positions the A-S3200 integrated amplifier as the top model of its current hi-fi series, and the SPS-3000 stands are engineered exclusively to match this speaker.

Alternatives

The Yamaha NS-5000 is a larger bookshelf model with a 30 cm woofer in a three-way layout, with ZYLON diaphragms on all three drivers.