What is MusicCast Surround?
Yamaha’s MusicCast platform has proven one of the most successful at connecting together multiple devices in different rooms for multiroom music playback. Now the company is extending the system to the movies, connecting together devices in the same room, including use of its successful soundbars and AV receiver ranges with wireless speakers, in what amounts to an impressive simplification of surround sound for the home.
Other multiroom systems, including Sonos and HEOS, have previously allowed the use of their wireless speakers to supplement the relevant front soundbar product, but Yamaha’s implementation of MusicCast Surround with proper AV receivers will allow far more input flexibility, including full HDMI switching, a higher calibre of surround processing and a wider choice of speaker solutions.
MUSICCAST SURROUND RECEIVERS
The new technology appears in Yamaha’s new ‘85’-series receiver range, including the $795 RX-V485, the $1099 RX-V585 and the $1199 RX-V685 (pictured above right, due in June). And it’s a fair bet that all future Yamaha receivers above this level will include the MusicCast Surround technology. The receivers also operate conventionally for 5.1 or (for the two larger receivers) 7.1-channel surround.
For the rear speakers and subwoofers, Yamaha has released three new wireless speakers, the first to carry the ‘MusicCast’ tag in their headline model numbers
NEW MUSICCAST SPEAKERS
So for rears you can use a pair of MusicCast 20 speakers ($349 each, pictured below right), or a single central stereo MusicCast 50 ($699, below left). Each of these can operate as a standalone MusicCast music speaker, or be incorporated into a surround system either permanently or ad hoc as required for a big movie or sports experience. We gather that the MusicCast receivers will beam to the wireless rears using built-in wireless, rather than stressing your home network.
These speakers are also Alexa-compatible, though we await word on whether this functionality will be immediately available in Australia. The two new MusicCast speaker models continue to include Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Wi-Fi networking using Yamaha’s excellent MusicCast app.
One question for the future might be whether this technology could be used also in stereo receivers, since using the wireless solution renders the rear amplifier sections of a conventional AV receiver redundant. It would require surround processing to be incorporated, and potentially HDMI socketry, both established Yamaha areas of expertise.
WIRELESS SUBWOOFER
To bring up the bass, Yamaha’s new MusicCast SUB 100 at $599 will also connect wirelessly to the Yamaha receivers to complete a surround set-up. The subwoofer has an 8-inch driver and benefits from Yamaha’s Advanced (YST Yamaha Active Servo Technology) in a modern piano finish.
But it’s not just for the movies. The SUB 100 can also operate with the MusicCast 20s in stereo, or with the MusicCast 50, to create a larger-sounding system.
MUSICCAST BARS
Less surprisingly, two new soundbars will also include MusicCast surround. The $799 MusicCast BAR 400 has a wireless subwoofer included (pictured in the main image) and the standalone $599 MusicCast BAR 40 will also allow two MusicCast 20 or single MusicCast 50 speakers for wireless surround.
The new receivers are already rolling out; the other new models are expected to launch in Australia from August onwards.
More info: au.yamaha.com