Price Paid:  $70.00 from sears

Summary:
First off let me state by saying that I purchased a pair of these speakers at Sears for $70. The sign stated $70 however it was not clear on whether that price was for the pair or each. Speakers that were price each had "each" on them. To make a long story short. I purchased, recieved one, went back up stairs, made "a bunch of noise" truth in advertising, bait and switch, sears used to be honorable...blah blah blah. Recieved pair for $70.

Now that being said. After paying 70 for the pair I still don't have that "wow I got over" feeling. I feel I pretty much got what I paid for and would probably have been making a return trip if I were to have paid more.

I don't understand how a speaker that size could not have ported. Sure it's technically a bookshelf but come on. My "bookshelves" are on 12" stands. I'm really not a Yamaha fan and this proves why.

When compared to my 12 year old jbl l80t there is none! jbl has more air more bass more mid more stage more depth more .....the list goes on. My jbl had 10" drivers vs 12" on the yamaha. I guess size really doesn't matter (to a point). These jbl's are the pre-crap stage of jbl when they used to make REAL speakers instead of whatever you want to call those boxes they have out now

If I could find a replacement woofer for my 12 year jbl's I would have them in operation right now. My idiot cousin blew one woofer.

These speakers were purchased as a stop-gap measure until I could get what I want. As much as I miss my jbl's I also missed listening to things in stereo. One speaker wasnt going to cut. Especially when it comes to HT.

I like that they are rated to handle the wattage of my amp (200wpc) but they seem like they don't know what to do with that wattage.

My system:
Adcom GFA-555
Marantz AV550
Millenium 2.4.6dts
Toshiba sd-3109 dvd
Polk Audio Center Channel
Jbl studio monitor rear

Strengths:
For price I paid everything/for normal price decent cheap sound better than most in same range except paradigm

Weaknesses:
Not ported. Not the clearest sound. midrange seems cheap in sound

Similar Products Used:
last set was jbl l80t

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Sears

Summary:
I have to agree with Russ. These are not "so-called" top of the line speakers. But, in their category they are excellent speakers and a great value. I have made a personal commitment to Yamaha products from this point (I previously preferred Fisher) and will buy more Yamaha products.

Strengths:
price for performance, sound, size

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
NS-A636

Summary:
I have had these speakers for three or four years and don't believe the bad things people are saying about them. For the price, these speakers are a great buy. I have them hooked up to an Onkyo receiver and they sound really good(althought I do have a small sub too) for such a low cost. They have good accoustics and can handle a lot of power(I have actually used them to DJ small parties). I don't ever regret buying these, because I couldn't really afford much more at the time. So basically they are a great value for your money and a pretty good quality speaker. I paid $200 for the pair at that time.

Strengths:
price, looks, power

Weaknesses:
size may be a problem for some

Similar Products Used:
also have the smaller version NS-AS636

Summary:
It produce too much bass even in my large carpeted living room. I place the speaker upside down to move the woofer aways from the floor to make it work. They are to big to place on speaker stands.

But they work great for music that has a lot of bass, like Enya's CD.

Strengths:
Low Cost, and Yamaha make musical instrument

Weaknesses:
Too much Bass, so so sound

Similar Products Used:
Ess speaker

Summary:
I think I paid $200 for these when I got them a few years back. I use them in a spare bedroom so I don't listen to them that often. These are crappy speakers in a nutshell. I would not buy these again. I use something called a BBE Sonic Maximizer to process the signal and it makes a huge difference. It adds more bass, clarity and punch. Without the Maximizer the speaker sounds like you're wearing earmuffs while listening. Just my $.02.

Strengths:
Cheap.

Weaknesses:
Poor quality sound. The highs are not very good and the midrange grates on my ears.