Yamaha NS-P270/NS-P276 Home Cinema Speaker System

Precautions

To assure the finest performance, please read this manual carefully. Keep it in a safe place for future reference.

• Install the speakers in a cool, dry, clean place – away from windows, sources of heat, sources of excessive vibration, dust, moisture or cold. Avoid sources of electrical humming (e.g., transformers and motors). To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose the speakers to rain or water.
• To prevent the enclosure from warping or discoloring, do not expose the speakers to direct sunlight or excessive humidity.
• Avoid installing the speakers where foreign objects may fall onto them and/or where they may be exposed to liquid dripping or splashing.
• Do not place the following objects on top of the speakers: Other components, as they might damage or discolor the surface of the speakers; Burning objects (e.g., candles), as they might cause fire, damage to the speakers or personal injury; Containers of liquid, as they might spill and cause electric shock to the user or damage to the speakers.
• Do not place the speakers where they are liable to be knocked over or struck by falling objects. Stable placement will also ensure better sound performance.
• Placing the speakers on the same shelf or rack as the turntable can result in feedback.
• Secure placement or installation is the owner's responsibility. YAMAHA is not liable for accidents caused by improper placement or installation of speakers.
• Any time you note distortion, reduce the volume control on your amplifier to lower setting. Never allow your amplifier to be driven into "clipping". Otherwise, the speakers may be damaged.
• When using an amplifier with a rated output power higher than the nominal input power of the speakers, care should be taken not to exceed the maximum input of the speakers.
• Do not attempt to clean the speakers with chemical solvents as this might damage the finish. Use a clean, dry cloth.
• Do not attempt to modify or fix the speakers. Contact qualified YAMAHA service personnel when service is needed. The cabinet should never be opened for any reason.
• Be sure to read the "Troubleshooting" section regarding common operating errors before concluding that the speakers are faulty.

This unit features a magnetically shielded design, but there is still a chance that placing it too close to a TV set might impair picture color. Should this happen, move this unit away from the TV set.

For SW-P270

• Do not operate this unit upside down. It may overheat, possibly causing damage.
• Do not use excessive force on switches, controls or connection wires. When moving this unit, first disconnect the power plug and the wires connected to other equipment. Never pull the wires themselves.
• Since this unit has a built-in power amplifier, heat radiates from the rear panel. Place the unit away from walls, allowing at least 20 cm of space above, behind and on both sides of the unit to prevent fire or damage. Furthermore, do not position the unit with the rear panel facing down on the floor or other surfaces.
• When using a humidifier, be sure to avoid condensation inside this unit by allowing enough space around the unit and avoiding excess humidification. Condensation might cause fire, damage to the unit, and/or electric shock.
• Do not cover the rear panel of this unit with a newspaper, tablecloth, curtain, etc. to avoid obstructing heat radiation. If the temperature inside the unit rises, it may cause fire, damage to the unit, or personal injury.
• Do not plug this unit into a wall outlet until all connections are complete.
• The voltage to be used must match that specified on the rear panel. Using this unit with a voltage higher than specified is dangerous and may cause fire, damage to the unit, and/or personal injury. YAMAHA is not responsible for damage resulting from use of this unit with a voltage other than specified.
• Super-bass sound reproduced by this unit may cause a turntable to generate audio feedback. In this case, move the unit away from the turntable.
• This unit may be damaged if certain sounds are continuously output at high volume level. For example, if 20 Hz–50 Hz sine waves from a test disc or bass sounds from an electronic instrument, etc. are continuously output, or if a turntable stylus touches the surface of a disc, reduce the volume level to prevent the unit from being damaged.
• If you hear distorted noise (i.e., unnatural, intermittent "rapping" or "hammering" sounds) from this unit, reduce the volume level. Extremely loud movie soundtrack low frequency, bass-heavy sounds, or similarly loud popular music passages can damage this unit.
• Vibration generated by super-bass sound may distort images on a TV. In this case, move the unit away from the TV set.
• When disconnecting the power cord from the wall outlet, grasp the plug; do not pull the cord.
• When you plan not to use this unit for a long period of time (i.e. vacation, etc.), disconnect the AC power plug from the wall outlet.
• Install this unit near the wall outlet and where the AC power plug can be reached easily.
• As long as this unit is connected to the AC wall outlet, it is not disconnected from the AC power source even if you turn off this unit by POWER.

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

(For China, Korea, Asia and General models)

The voltage selector switch on the rear panel of this unit must be set for your local main voltage BEFORE plugging this unit into the AC main supply. Voltages are 110-120/220-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a YAMAHA NS-P270 or NS-P276 Home Cinema 5.1/6.1 Channel Speaker System. Each of these systems includes the following speakers:

NX-E270

The NX-E270 are full-range acoustic-suspension speakers. Each system includes two (2) front and two (2) surround speakers. In addition, the NS-P276 system includes an additional NX-E270 that serves as a surround back speaker.

NX-C270

The NX-C270 is a full-range acoustic-suspension center speaker.

SW-P270

The SW-P270 is a subwoofer that features a built-in power amplifier. It utilizes Advanced YAMAHA Active Servo Technology to reproduce extremely high quality super-bass range sounds that add a rich, realistic dimension to your home theater. (Refer to page 9 for detailed information on Advanced YAMAHA Active Servo Technology.)

Package contents

Please confirm that the following items are included in the package.

Front and surround speakers (and surround back speaker in NS-P276):

• NX-E270 (x4 for NS-P270, x5 for NS-P276)

Center speaker:

• NX-C270

Subwoofer:

• SW-P270

Accessories:

• Speaker cables (x3, 4m and 10m lengths)
• Subwoofer cable
• Fasteners (for NX-C270) (x2)
• Non-skid pads (1 set, 8 pcs for NX-E270)
• Non-skid pads (1 set, 4 pcs for SW-P270)

Setting up the speakers

Before you connect the speakers, place each speaker in its respective location. Speaker positioning is very important as it affects the overall sound quality of the system. Place the speakers in locations that will optimize the sound quality at your listening position. Refer to the illustration below.

The position of the subwoofer is not as critical as the position of the other speakers because low bass tones are not highly directional. Refer to "Positioning the subwoofer (SW-P270)" on page 4 for more information.

Note: These speakers are magnetically shielded. However, if you place them too close to a TV, they may impair picture color. In this case, move the speakers further away from the TV.

Diagram Description: A typical home theater setup is shown with a TV in the center, front speakers to the left and right of the TV, a center speaker in front of the TV, surround speakers behind the listening position, and an optional surround back speaker behind the listening position for the NS-P276 system. The subwoofer is placed near one of the front speakers.

Positioning the front and surround speakers (NX-E270)

Front speakers: Place the two front speakers on the left and right sides of the TV, at approximately the same height as the TV, facing directly forward.

Surround speakers: Place the left and right surround speakers behind your listening position, facing slightly inward, about 1.8 m (approx. 6 feet) above the floor.

Surround back speaker (for NS-P276 systems only): Position the surround back speaker behind your listening position, precisely between the surround speakers, about 1.8 m (approx. 6 feet) above the floor.

You can set the front, surround, and surround back speakers on tables or other supports, or mount them on a wall or speaker stand. (For more information, see "Mounting the front and surround speakers" on page 5.)

Non-skid pads: When placing the speakers on a flat surface, attach the included non-skid pads to the corners of the speaker bottoms, as shown above. The non-skid pads will prevent the speakers from sliding.

Diagram Description: A single NX-E270 speaker is shown with a non-skid pad attached to one of its bottom corners.

Positioning the center speaker (NX-C270)

Place the center speaker precisely between the front speakers, facing directly forward. You can place the center speaker on top of a TV (if the top of the TV is flat), on the floor beneath the TV, or in an entertainment center. Be sure to place the speaker in a stable location.

When placing the speaker on top of a TV rack, etc., to prevent the speaker from falling, attach the provided fasteners at two points on the bottom of the speaker and on top of the TV, as illustrated below.

Diagram Description: Shows how to attach fasteners to the bottom of the speaker and the top of a TV rack. An instruction indicates to "Peel off the seal.".

Cautions:

• Do not place the center speaker on a TV that has a top surface area smaller than the speaker bottom. Otherwise, the speaker may fall and cause injury.
• Do not place the center speaker on a TV that has a slanted or inclined top.
• Do not touch the adhesive surface of a fastener after you peel off the seal, as this will weaken the adhesive strength of the fastener.
• Thoroughly wipe to clean the surface where the fastener is to be applied. Note that adhesive strength will be weakened if the surface is dirty, oily or wet. Weakened adhesive may cause the center speaker to fall.

Positioning the subwoofer (SW-P270)

It is recommended to place it on the outside of either the right or the left front speaker. (See fig. A.) The placement shown in fig. B is also possible, however, if the subwoofer system is placed directly facing the wall, the bass effect may lessen because the sound from it and the sound reflected by the wall may cancel out each other. To prevent this from happening, face the subwoofer system at an angle as in fig. A.

Note: There may be a case that you cannot obtain enough super-bass sounds from the subwoofer when listening in the center of the room. This is because "standing waves" have been developed between two parallel walls and they cancel the bass sounds. In such a case, face the subwoofer obliquely to the wall. It also may be necessary to break up the parallel surfaces by placing bookshelves etc. along the walls.

Diagram Description: Figure A shows the subwoofer placed at an angle to the front speaker. Figure B shows the subwoofer placed directly facing the wall. The subwoofer is labeled as ": Subwoofer" and the front speaker as ": Front speaker".

Non-skid pads: Place the included non-skid pads at the four corners of the bottom of the subwoofer to prevent the subwoofer from sliding due to vibration or minor impact.

Mounting the front and surround speakers

You can place the front and surround speakers (and surround back speaker in an NS-P276 system) on a shelf or rack, set them on the floor, or mount them on a wall or speaker stand.

To mount the speakers on a wall:

1. Affix screws to a firm wall or wall support as shown below. (Use tapping screws 3.5 to 4mm in diameter.)

Diagram Description: A side view of a wall mount shows screw holes on the speaker's rear panel and a wall support with screws inserted. Dimensions are indicated: 70 mm, 10 mm minimum, 20 mm.

2. Suspend the speaker by mounting the holes in the speaker's rear panels on the protruding screws.

Diagram Description: Shows the speaker being hung on the wall screws. A note states: "Make sure that the screws are securely affixed in the narrow part of the holes.".

Installing the speakers on commercially available speaker stands:

You can mount the front, surround, and surround back speakers on a speaker stand. When you install the speaker on a commercially available speaker stand, you need to attach a bracket to the bottom of the speaker using a screw.

Diagram Description: Shows a speaker with a mounting bracket (option) attached to its bottom using an M4 screw (option). An instruction indicates to "Insert only M4 screws through the outside holes.". Dimensions are indicated: 60 mm.

Cautions:

• Each front or surround speaker weighs 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs.). Do not mount the speakers on thin plywood or on a wall made of soft surface material. Otherwise, the screws may pull out of the surface and the speakers may fall, possibly damaging the speakers or causing personal injury.
• Do not affix the speakers to a wall using nails, adhesives, or unstable hardware. Long term use and vibration may cause the speakers to fall.
• To avoid accidents resulting from tripping over loose speaker cables, affix the cables to the wall.
• Mount the speakers in a wall location that will be unlikely to result in injury to an individual's head.

Connections

Caution: Plug the power cables for the subwoofer and other audio/video components into an AC outlet only after you complete all other connections.

Basic connection example

Diagram Description: A diagram illustrates the basic connection of the speaker system to an amplifier. It shows front speakers (left and right), surround speakers (left and right), a center speaker, a surround back speaker (for NS-P276 systems), and a subwoofer. Speaker cables connect the speakers to the corresponding terminals on the amplifier. The subwoofer connects to the "SUBWOOFER" or "6CH INPUT" terminal and then to an AC outlet. A note indicates that the rear panel of various amplifiers may differ in appearance.

Connecting speaker cables

Keep the speaker cables as short as possible. Do not bundle or roll up excess cable. If the connections are faulty, you will hear no sound from the speakers.

Before connecting the cables:

Remove a small amount (about 10 mm) of insulation coating from the end of each speaker cable.

Diagram Description: Shows examples of "Good" (bare wire exposed correctly) and "Not Good" (insulation too close to the terminal) cable preparation.

One side of the included speaker cable is marked with a broken white line; the other side is unlined. Connect the (+) terminal on the speaker to the (+) terminal on the amplifier using the cable side marked with the broken white line. Connect the (-) terminals on both components using the unlined side of the speaker cable.

Inserting the cables:

1. Press and hold the terminal tab, as shown in the figure below.
2. Insert the bare wire core.
3. Release your finger from the tab to allow it to lock securely on the bare wire core.
4. Test the security of the connection by pulling gently on the cable at the terminal.

Diagram Description: Shows the steps for inserting speaker wire into a terminal: 1. Press tab, 2. Insert wire, 3. Release tab. Labels indicate "Black: negative (-)" and "Red: positive (+)". A note warns "Do not insert the insulation coating into the hole. The sound may not be produced.".

Note: Do not let uninsulated bare wires touch each other as this could damage the speaker or the amplifier.

Connections:

• Connect the front, center and surround speakers (and surround back speaker for the NS-P276) to the speaker output terminals on your amplifier using the included speaker cables.
• The included speaker cables have labels marked FRONT L, FRONT R, CENTER, REAR L, REAR R (and REAR C for NS-P276). Connect each speaker cable to the corresponding speaker as illustrated in the figure on page 6.
• Connect each speaker making sure not to reverse the polarity (+, -). If the speaker is connected with reversed polarity, the sound will be unnatural and lack bass.
• For the front and surround speakers only, connect one speaker to the left (marked L) terminals on your amplifier, and the other speaker to the right (marked R) terminals.
• Connect the subwoofer to the line output (pin jack) terminal(s) on the amplifier.
• To connect to a YAMAHA DSP amplifier (or AV receiver), connect the SUBWOOFER (or LOW PASS, etc.) terminal on the rear of the DSP amplifier (or AV receiver) to the INPUT terminal on the subwoofer.

VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch (For China, Korea, Asia and General models):

This unit has a voltage selector switch on the rear panel. If the preset setting of the switch is incorrect, set the switch to the proper voltage range (220 V-240 V or 110 V-120V) of your area. Consult your dealer if you are unsure of the correct setting.

WARNING Do not plug the subwoofer to the AC outlet before setting the VOLTAGE SELECTOR.

Connecting components and the subwoofer to AC power

After you complete all speaker and subwoofer connections, plug the amplifier, other audio/video components, and the subwoofer into an AC outlet of appropriate voltage. Make sure the subwoofer's VOLUME control is set to 0 before proceeding to adjust the speaker balance as described on page 8.

Using the subwoofer (SW-P270)

Diagram Description: A rear view of the SW-P270 subwoofer is shown with controls labeled: 1. Power indicator (lights green when ON), 2. VOLUME control, 3. INPUT terminal, 4. POWER switch (ON/OFF), 5. VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch (110V-120V / 220V-240V).

1Power indicator

Lights up in GREEN when the POWER switch 4 is turned ON; turns off when the POWER switch is turned OFF.

2VOLUME control

Adjusts the volume level. Turn the control clockwise to increase the volume, and counterclockwise to decrease the volume.

3INPUT terminal

Input terminal for line level signals from the amplifier.

4POWER switch

Press this switch to the ON position to turn on the power to the subwoofer. When the power of the subwoofer is on, the power indicator 1 on the rear panel lights up green. Press this switch again to set it to the OFF position to turn off the power of the subwoofer.

5VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch

(For China, Korea, Asia and General models)

If the preset setting of the switch is incorrect, set the switch to the proper voltage range (220 V – 240 V or 100 V – 120 V) of your area. Consult your dealer if you are unsure of the correct setting.

WARNING: Be sure to unplug the subwoofer before setting the VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch correctly.

Pre-adjusting the subwoofer volume

Before you use the subwoofer, first adjust the volume balance between the subwoofer and the front speakers by following the procedure below.

1. Set the VOLUME control to minimum (0).
2. Turn on the power to all other components.
3. Press the POWER switch to the ON position. The power indicator on the rear panel lights up in green.
4. Play a source that contains low-frequency sounds. Adjust the amplifier's volume control to the desired listening level.
5. Rotate the VOLUME control gradually to adjust the volume balance between the subwoofer and the other speakers. In most cases, set the control to a level at which you hear slightly more bass than when the subwoofer is not used.
6. Adjust the volume of the entire sound system using the amplifier's volume control.

• If you replace the front speakers (NX-E270) with other speakers, you must again balance the subwoofer and surround speaker volume.
• For more information on adjusting the VOLUME control, refer to "Frequency characteristics" on page 11.

Advanced YAMAHA Active Servo Technology (on the SW-P270)

The theory behind YAMAHA Active Servo Technology is based on two factors: the Helmholtz resonator and negative-impedance drive. Active Servo Processing speakers reproduce the bass frequencies through an "air woofer," which is a port or opening in the speaker's cabinet. This opening is used instead of, and performs the functions of, a woofer in a conventionally designed speaker system.

Thus, signals of low amplitude within the cabinet can, according to Helmholtz resonance theory, be output from this opening as waves of great amplitude if the size of the opening and the volume of the cabinet are in proportion to satisfy a certain ratio. In order to accomplish this, moreover, the amplitudes within the cabinet must be both precise and of sufficient power because these amplitudes must overcome the "load" presented by the air in the cabinet.

This problem is resolved by a design in which the amplifier supplies special signals. If the electrical resistance of the voice coil could be reduced to zero, the movement of the speaker unit would become linear with respect to signal voltage. To accomplish this, the system utilizes a special negative-impedance output-drive amplifier that subtracts the output impedance of the amplifier.

By employing negative-impedance drive circuits, the amplifier is able to generate precise, low-amplitude, low frequency waves with superior damping characteristics. These waves are then radiated from the cabinet opening as high-amplitude signals. The system can, therefore, by employing the negative-impedance output drive amplifier and a speaker cabinet featuring a Helmholtz resonator, reproduce an extremely wide range of frequencies with outstanding sound quality and low distortion. The features described above combine to create the fundamental structure of conventional YAMAHA Active Servo Technology.

Our new Active Servo Technology -- Advanced YAMAHA Active Servo Technology -- adopts Advanced Negative Impedance Converter (ANIC) circuits, which allow the conventional negative impedance converter to dynamically vary to select an optimum value for speaker impedance variation. With these new ANIC circuits, Advanced YAMAHA Active Servo Technology provides a more stable performance and improved sound pressure compared to conventional YAMAHA Active Servo Technology, resulting in more natural and dynamic bass reproduction.

Diagram Description: A schematic shows "Signals of low amplitude" entering an "Active Servo Processing Amplifier" which includes an "Advanced Negative Impedance Converter". This processes the signals and outputs them through an "Air woofer (Helmholtz resonator)" in a "Cabinet" to produce "High-amplitude bass sound".

Troubleshooting

Refer to the chart below if the unit does not function properly. If the problem you are experiencing is not listed, or if the instructions fail to help you resolve the problem, disconnect the power cord and contact your authorized YAMAHA dealer or service center.

For the Subwoofer (SW-P270) only

Specifications

Frequency characteristics

The following graph displays the frequency characteristics of the SW-P270 subwoofer.

Diagram Description: A frequency response graph for the SW-P270 subwoofer, showing output level (dB) versus frequency (Hz).

The following graph displays the frequency characteristics of the SW-P270 subwoofer combined with NX-E270 speakers.

Diagram Description: A frequency response graph showing the combined performance of the SW-P270 subwoofer and NX-E270 speakers, with separate curves for each component.

NX-E270/NX-C270

• Type: Full-range acoustic-suspension speaker system, Magnetically shielded type
• Driver: <NX-E270>: 8 cm (8-5/32") woofer + 1.9 cm (3/4") balanced-dome tweeter; <NX-C270>: 5 cm (2") full-range cone speaker x 2
• Nominal Input Power: 30 W
• Maximum Input Power: <NX-E270>: 80 W; <NX-C270>: 100 W
• Impedance: 6 Ω
• Frequency Response: <NX-E270>: 100 Hz – 25 kHz (–10 dB); <NX-C270>: 130 Hz – 20 kHz (–10 dB)
• Sensitivity: <NX-E270>: 85 dB/2.83 Vm; <NX-C270>: 85 dB/2.83 Vm
• Dimensions (W x H x D): <NX-E270>: 105 mm x 151 mm x 113 mm (4-1/8" x 5-15/16" x 4-7/16"); <NX-C270>: 300 mm x 72 mm x 113 mm (11-13/16" x 2-27/32" x 4-7/16")
• Weight: <NX-E270>: 0.8 kg; <NX-C270>: 0.9 kg

SW-P270

• Type: Advanced YAMAHA Active Servo Technology, Magnetically shielded type
• Driver: 16 cm (6-5/16") cone woofer
• Output Power: 50 W (100 Hz, 5 Ω at THD=10%)
• Dynamic Power: 100 W, 5 Ω
• Input Impedance: INPUT (1P RCA pin jack): 12 kΩ
• Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 200 Hz
• Input Sensitivity: INPUT (1P RCA pin jack): 100 mV (100 Hz, 5 Ω at 50 W)
• Power Supply: [U.S.A. and Canada models]: AC 120 V, 60 Hz; [Australia model]: AC 240 V, 50 Hz; [U.K. and Europe models]: AC 230 V, 50 Hz; [China, Korea, Asia and General models]: AC 110-120/220-240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 200 mm x 365 mm x 370 mm (7-7/8" x 143-23/32" x 14-9/16")
• Weight: 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs.)

Specifications are subject to change without notice.