Yamaha's 2009 home theater systems

Yamaha YHT-791BL

(Credit: Yamaha)

We almost missed it in the deluge of press releases from Sony's 2009 line show, but Yamaha also rolled out its line of home theater systems (HTIBs) this week. Unlike most HTIBs that feature a lightweight AV receiver and custom speakers, Yamaha's systems include a component-grade receiver, speaker system, and subwoofer. Let's take a look at the line:

2009 Yamaha home theater systems photos

Key features of the Yamaha YHT-391BL:

• 5.1 home theater system
• Includes component-grade 100-watt AV receiver (Yamaha HTR-6230BL)
• Four two-way satellite speakers, each with a 2.5-inch woofer and 0.5-inch tweeter
• 100-watt subwoofer with an 8-inch driver (Yamaha YST-SW012)
• $400 list price

Key features of the Yamaha YHT-491BL:

• 5.1 home theater system
• Includes component-grade 100-watt AV receiver (Yamaha HTR-6230BL)
• Includes NS-SP7800M speaker package (minus the sub), featuring two tall-boy speakers
• 100-watt subwoofer with an 8-inch driver (Yamaha YST-SW012)
• $550 list price

Key features of the Yamaha YHT-591BL:

• 5.1 home theater system
• Includes component-grade 105-watt AV receiver (Yamaha HTR-6240BL)
• Front and center speakers with four 2.25-inch woofers and a .75-inch tweeter; two satellite speakers with two 2.25-inch woofers and a .75-inch tweeter
• 100-watt subwoofer with an 10-inch driver (YST-SW216)
• $650 list price

Key features of the Yamaha YHT-791BL:

• 7.1 home theater system
• Includes component-grade 90-watts per channel AV receiver (Yamaha HTR-6250BL)
• Front speakers with 6.5-inch woofer and .75-inch tweeter; center channel with two 3-inch woofers and a .75-inch tweeter; four satellite speakers with a 3-inch woofer and .5-inch tweeter
• 100-watt subwoofer with a 10-inch driver (YST-SW216)
• Includes iPod dock (Yamaha YDS-11SL)
• $850 list price

Because these systems mostly include components sold separately, it's easy to calculate the value proposition offered by buying a bundle. For example, the Yamaha YHT-491BL includes the Yamaha HTR-6230BL AV receiver ($250 list), Yamaha NS-SP7800M speaker package ($700 list), and Yamaha YST-SW012 subwoofer (older product, street price of about $60 now). Sure, there's some double-counting because the NS-SP7800M includes a sub, but there's no denying you're getting a lot of home theater power for your $550 bucks.

Getting separate components also means it's easy to upgrade your system piece by piece, which just isn't possible with most HTIB systems. We're looking forward to getting these in for review, to see if they offer as much value as the spec sheet suggests.