Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers, Black Finish ( Pair )

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1. Dadaist says:

   March 1, 2013 at 11:41 am

   43 of 52 people found the following review helpful

   
   great exterior, shoddy interior, October 25, 2009

   By 

   Dadaist (USA) –

   This review is from: Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers, Black Finish ( Pair ) (Electronics)

   Made purchase of these NS-6490′s on clearance from the ‘shack in fall 2009 and I’m glad I did. Probably not worth current retail prices but grab them on markdown if you can. The exterior is beautiful even with the glaring white woofers. The speaker has the required heft to dampen the 8″ woofer, and the range should be smooth with the choice of provided driver sizes. Unfortunately we consumers just won’t know what it is capable of until it gets a decent crossover. Inside you will find no acoustic fill, which by itself isn’t unexpected in a design at this pricepoint. However, there is no effective crossover. there are instead 2 capacitors acting as bass blockers for the 4″ mid and the tweeter glued to the back of the terminal cup and the 8″ woofer runs full range. In a larger woofer this may not be a problem as the voice coil simply wouldn’t drive higher frequencies; here it is. Budget for acoustic fill and a proper crossover, or run a new terminal cup and bi-amp with eq’s. I didn’t take the other reviews seriously about the lack of bass, chocking it up to the sealed design. Stock levels are woeful for the woofer and box size. I’m hoping some acoustic fill will round out the bottom end a little until I can get a decent set of crossovers.

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2. James Capolino says:

   March 1, 2013 at 11:58 am

   9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

   
   New Yamaho 3-Way Bookshelf NS 6490, March 27, 2007

   By 

   James Capolino –
   
     

   This review is from: Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers, Black Finish ( Pair ) (Electronics)

   WOW! What an outstanding product. They handle tons of power, it can output a lot of bass without distortion and the overall sound is exceptional for the price and size. Using as FRONT speakers in my setup. Sound clarity is also very good.

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3. Adam Sanders says:

   March 1, 2013 at 12:53 pm

   8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

   
   Not what they used to be! Beware!, July 27, 2012

   By 

   Adam Sanders –

   Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

   This review is from: Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers, Black Finish ( Pair ) (Electronics)

   If your looking for GOOD Bookshelf speakers for playing MUSIC…(WEATHER ON CD OR VINYL). PASS ON THESE YAMAHA’S!

   Ok,
   So I’m on a budget, (like most these days) and my 15 year old Yamaha (NS-A635) bookshelf speakers have served me well, but have had it. What do I do??? Well logically, buy another (supposedly) comparable pair of Yamaha bookshelf speakers, the (NS-6490′s) to be exact. I live in a condo, and when it comes to sound, I need quality not quantity. Excited to receive them, I hook them up and immediately notice the “sparkle” of my old vinyl records are now replaced with a “hallow tinny” sound. The warmth and detail of the Yamaha’s I knew so well is gone. I understand at this price point I’m not going to be dazzled, but the sound quality on these new model Yamaha’s is simply AWFUL! While my old Yamaha’s were made using wood laminate, Yamaha now uses a cheap plastic to construct these. Frustrated, I lug them back to the Post Office, and after endless research, conversations, and weeks of research; I’ve been convinced that a pair of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers, (the RTiA1′s) to be exact, will trump the Yamaha’s. At over double the price, (around $300 Dollars or so for the pair), I’m expecting nothing less…so I wait.

   A week later the Polk’s arrive. Upon unpacking them I’m immediately impressed. Polk Audio sure makes a nice product, real wood cabinets, handsome design, etc… Upon playing them, (I know there is a break in period involved), while detailed, there is NO SPARKLE. That is, the high end sounds “subdued” and not crisp. Even upon increasing the treble response, (while still warm sounding) vocals still sound “muffled,” cymbals and other percussion instruments have the missing clarity and punch that I’m used to with Analog recordings. The same clarity that my old Yamaha bookshelf speakers had. After about a week of lackluster performance, I head back to my friends at the Post Office and return the Polk’s.

   Finally, upon more research, I’m convinced that the Klipsch (RB-51) bookshelf speakers will deliver what I’m looking for. While slightly pricier than the Polk’s, I’m determined to at least replace, if not excel my old Yamaha’s sonic sparkley sound, (incidentally, they sold for around $100 a pair not that long ago). Upon quickly receiving the Klipsch (RB-51) bookshelf speakers I’m immediately impressed. The weight, build quality, cool magnetic grills, and copper colored woofers, are attractive. After hookup, I drop the needle on Billy Joel’s Piano Man, (MOFI edition)Lp. In short, they are FANTASTIC!!! It was like Billy was almost playing in my living room. The KLIPSCH speakers had the clarity and detail that the POLK’s and Yamaha’s lacked. No need to crank the treble response up anymore. In short the Klipsch (RB-51) bookshelf speakers are bright, (not harsh), detailed, warm and sonic. All things considered, I can honestly say they are simply FANTASTIC!!!

   In short, save yourself the time and trouble with these, (Yamaha’s), and spend the extra money for a quality set of speakers. The difference, (even with moderate equipment) will be ASTOUNDING!

   On a final note, Yamaha still builds some FANTASTIC stuff, but in this case you most certainly get what you pay for.

   Adam Sanders
   Audio Enthusiast

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