About the Yamaha NX-N500
Tried and true stereo performance meets cutting edge wireless music
Tried and true stereo performance meets cutting edge wireless music
The Yamaha NX-N500 powered speakers put iconic sound in your living room, while MusicCast opens the door to wireless whole-house audio.
Here's an impressive stereo speaker system that reminds us of Yamaha's storied history and knack for innovation. The Yamaha NX-N500 powered bookshelf speakers are modeled after the company's legendary NS-10M studio monitors, a staple in many famous recording studios. You get the same smooth, natural sound and cool, iconic looks. (I've always dug those classic white woofer cones.)
But under the surface, these speakers are anything but old-school. Yamaha's included a versatile array of wired and wireless audio connections. Stream music via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, hook up your computer via USB, or use the optical digital input for TV sound. Maybe coolest of all is Yamaha's new MusicCast multi-room music feature, which makes it easy to assemble a whole-house wireless music system that you control with your smartphone or tablet.
Accurate, studio-quality sound
Yamaha's pulled out all the stops to make sure you get sound that's exciting and true to life. Each speaker includes a woofer and tweeter powered independently by their own high-performance amplifiers. The 5" woofer has an incredibly light and stiff diaphragm for tight, articulate mids and lows. The 1" dome tweeter delivers clear, immediate highs. Each speaker's cabinet is carefully constructed out of solid MDF, borrowing a three-way mitred joint technique from Yamaha's piano designs to enhance durability and eliminate unwanted resonance.
MusicCast lets you choose how to listen...
The Yamaha NX-N500 lets you play a range of sources, including TV sound and high-resolution audio files.
MusicCast gives you lots of music sources to choose from. Access your personal digital music library, Internet radio, and popular streaming services. There's support for Pandora® and SiriusXM. If you're a Spotify® Premium subscriber, Spotify Connect lets you access all your favorite albums and playlists. MusicCast even supports wireless streaming for high-res PCM files up to 24-bit/192kHz.
You can play DSD files via DLNA or a direct USB connection from your computer.
...and send TV sound or other connected sources to other rooms
With MusicCast, you can play the same song or music service in a room or group of rooms, while you play different music in other parts of the house. You can even send a connected source from the Yamaha NX-N500 speakers to other MusicCast components. It's a real treat to leave the room and have your music or TV's sound follow you.
Built-in 2-way Bluetooth for even more freedom
Want to quickly play a song you found on YouTube™ or SoundCloud? Not a problem. Use Bluetooth to stream sound from your phone through the MusicCast system — no restrictions! You can also send audio from the NX-N500 to other Bluetooth-enabled hardware. That means you can play MusicCast sound through portable speakers and wireless headphones.
A free app puts the control in your hand
Control all your MusicCast speakers and components with the free app for Apple® and Android™ smartphones or tablets. It lets you select rooms, browse music sources, and start and stop playback with an intuitive interface.
Product highlights:
- bi-amplified operation with two built-in amplifiers per speaker
- 45 watts for woofer
- 25 watts for tweeter
- frequency response: 54-40,000 Hz (-10 dB)
- each speaker features:
- one 1" dome tweeter
- one 5" advanced Polymer-injected Mica diaphragm (A-PMD) cone woofer
- built-in high-performance 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC (ES90100K2M)
- plays high-resolution digital music files (PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution; DSD up to 5.6 MHz .dsf files)
- rigid MDF cabinets reduce vibration and eliminate unwanted resonance
MusicCast wireless multi-room music system:
- connects to your Wi-Fi network for wireless music listening
- built-in Bluetooth lets you stream directly from compatible devices
- also sends audio wirelessly to Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones
- free MusicCast app lets you control the player and play music with your Apple or Android device
- support for online music services, including Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and thousands of free Internet radio stations (subscription required for some services)
- connects wirelessly to other Yamaha speakers and receivers with MusicCast to play the same song through multiple speakers or different songs in different rooms
- plays MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and AIFF files
- supports high-res playback for PCM-based files up to 24-bit/192kHz
- built-in music enhancer for smoothing out the sound of over-compressed MP3 files
- Apple AirPlay® for streaming from compatible Apple devices and computers running iTunes®
- DLNA support for streaming music from compatible networked computers and NAS drives
- supports 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)
Connections and Dimensions:
- both speakers require AC power (AC adapters included)
- two connections between left and right speaker:
- balanced XLR audio connection (9.8-ft. cable included)
- Ethernet connection (9.8-ft. cable included)
- rear optical digital (SPDIF) input handles PCM audio signals up to 24-bit/192kHz
- 1 USB Type B input for connecting a computer
- 1 stereo minijack analog input
- Ethernet port for a wired connection to a home network
- toggle switch to turn off wireless circuitry
- remote control
- 6-3/4"W x 11-1/4"H x 10-11/16"D
- weight: 13 lbs. (right) 13.8 lbs. (left)
- If connecting to a TV, please make sure you can select "PCM" output in its audio menu. This DAC is not compatible with Dolby® Digital signals.
- warranty: 2 years
- MFR # NXN-500BL
What's in the box:
- 2 Wireless network speakers
- Two 6.5' AC power cords
- 9.75' XLR cable
- 10' Ethernet cable
- WLAN antenna (installed)
- Remote control (ZS38940)
- CR2025 3V Lithium battery (installed in remote)
- Owner's Manual
- MusicCast Setup Guide
- Online Product Registration Card
- Warranty Sheet
- Supplement for Pandora
- Supplement to Listen to SiriusXM
- Supplement for Rhapsody
- Supplement for Spotify
- MusicCast app brochure
- Spotify Premium sheet
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More details on the Yamaha NX-N500
Features & specs
Connections | ||
---|---|---|
Ethernet Port | Yes | |
USB-A Port | No | |
USB-B Port | No | |
3.5mm Input | 1 | |
RCA Input | ||
XLR Input | No | |
Phono Input | No | |
Digital Input | Optical | |
HDMI Input | No | |
Headphone Jack | No | |
Subwoofer Output | No | |
Wireless Features | ||
Bluetooth | Built-in | |
Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | |
Wi-Fi Bands | 2.4 GHz | |
Audio Specs | ||
Max. Digital Audio Bit Depth | 24-bit | |
Max. Digital Audio Sample Rate | 192 kHz | |
High-res Audio Playback | ||
From Network | Yes | |
From USB Thumb Drive (USB-A) | No | |
From Computer (USB-B) | No | |
Ecosystems | ||
Apple AirPlay | Yes | |
Apple AirPlay 2 | No | |
DTS Play-Fi | No | |
Chromecast built-in | No | |
Roon | No | |
Sonos | No | |
HEOS | No | |
MusicCast | Yes | |
SoundTouch | No | |
Bose Home Speaker | No | |
WiSA | No | |
BluOS | No | |
Klipsch Stream | No | |
KEF Stream | No | |
Music Services | ||
Amazon Music | No | |
Apple Music | No | |
iHeart Radio | No | |
Pandora | No | |
Qobuz | No | |
SiriusXM | No | |
Spotify | No | |
Tidal | No | |
TuneIn | via vTuner | |
YouTube Music | No | |
Control | ||
Handheld Remote | IR | |
Control by app | Apple iOS, Android | |
Amazon Alexa | No | |
Google Assistant | No | |
Other Specs | ||
Width (Inches) | 6.75 | |
Height (Inches) | 11.25 | |
Depth (Inches) | 10.6875 | |
Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 2 Years |
Product Research
Speaker Section
Variety of Sources
Convenience Features
Speaker Section
Wireless Streaming Network Speakers: The Yamaha NX-N500 wireless streaming network speakers are part of Yamaha's MusicCast multiroom audio eco-system. Start with a pair MusicCast NX-N500 speakers and add more over time, or add other MusicCast products like AV receivers and soundbars. Up to 10 MusicCast devices can be connected.
- Two-Way Speaker Design: The Yamaha NX-N500 employs a two-way driver design with a single 1" tweeter and one 5" woofer in each speaker. The 1" tweeter incorporates a thick waveguide to achieve smooth and accurate high frequency reproduction. The 5" woofer employs the same new advanced PMD (Polymer-injected Mica) diaphragm used in Yamaha's high-end speakers. Together the 1" tweeter and 5" woofer deliver smooth high frequencies (up to 40kHz) and powerful low frequencies (down to 54Hz) to make your high-res music come to life.
- Bi-Amp Configuration: The NX-N500 utilizes discrete analog amplifiers to power the tweeter and woofer of each speaker. 24-watts (RMS) is sent to the woofer, while 20-watts (RMS) is sent to the tweeter. By powering each driver individually, the Yamaha NX-N500 is able to produce powerful sound at any volume level with little distortion. To obtain the highest sound quality, set the volume of your playback device to the maximum and gradually increase the volume knob on the rear-panel of the NX-N500 from minimum to your desired listening level.
- Rigid Enclosure: The speaker enclosure employs thick MDF with high rigidity to produce uniform acoustic characteristics, and features the total three-way mitered-joint construction traditionally used in Yamaha high-end speakers. Suppressing unwanted resonance and highly accurate, it helps ensure that you'll hear sound the way the artist intended. Each tweeter is protected by a grille. There is no grille for the woofers or front of the cabinet.
- Bass Ports: Each speaker enclosure features a rear-firing bass port for greater efficiency and bigger bass response.
MusicCast from Yamaha: MusicCast from Yamaha, brings music to every room in your home wirelessly with control provided by a free app on your Apple iOS or Android device. Designed to easily work with your existing home WiFi network, MusicCast offers access to a huge range of audio content. This content includes select online music services, Internet radio, digital music libraries, and Bluetooth audio. Yamaha AV receivers and soundbars which feature MusicCast even offer multiroom streaming of connected external sources; such as TVs, cable/satellite boxes, Blu-ray/DVD Disc players, CD/SACD players, and USB thumbdrives. MusicCast can even select terrestrial AM/FM radio stations for playback throughout the home when linked to a tuner-enabled MusicCast device (like an AV receiver). MusicCast is enabled on many 2015-up Yamaha components like their AV receivers, wireless speakers, soundbars, and other HiFi components.
Wired or Wireless Network Connection: The Yamaha MusicCast NX-N500 supports both WiFi (802.11 b/g/n; 2.4GHz) and wired Ethernet (RJ-45) connections, so you can choose to build a wireless or wired network, or a combination of both if desired. Network setup is completed through the free MusicCast app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device. It also supports WiFi direct, so you can directly connect this speaker with other WiFi-enable devices without using a wireless router.
ESS 32-Bit/384kHz DAC: The Yamaha NX-N500 employs ESS Technology's ES9010K2M DAC with high precision 32-bit processing, along with the ability to handle large amounts of audio data for full PCM 384kHz & DSD 5.6MHz native reproduction. Since the built-in D/A converter generates its own master clock, an original Jitter Elimination function is also included, permitting D/A conversion with extremely low impact of clock jitter.
Mounting Options & Placement: The speaker can simply be placed on a tabletop, shelf, stand, or other piece of furniture with a flat surface. The ideal stereo effect will be obtained by slightly angling the speakers toward the listener.
Variety of Sources
High Resolution Audio: MusicCast supports true high-resolution audio formats to deliver more accurate reproduction of sonic details. The MusicCast eco-system is compatible with Apple Lossless (ALAC) up to 96kHz/24-bit, as well as FLAC, AIFF, & WAV music files up to 192kHz/24-bit. In addition, it supports PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz via its USB-B input and DSD 2.8/5.6MHz via its USB-B input or DLNA. It also supports lower resolution music files like MP3, WMA, and AAC up to 48kHz.
File | Sampling Frequeancy | Bit-rate or Bit-depth | Gapless Playback |
---|---|---|---|
MP3 | 32/44.1/48 kHz | up to 320 kbps | N |
WMA | 32/44.1/48 kHz | up to 320 kbps | N |
AAC | 32/44.1/48 kHz | up to 320 kbps | N |
WAV | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 16/24/-bit | Y |
PCM | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384 kHz | 16/24/32-bit | Y |
FLAC | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 16/24-bit | Y |
AIFF | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 16/24-bit | Y |
ALAC | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz | 16/24-bit | Y |
DSD | 2.8/5.6MHz | 1-bit | Y |
Note: When multiple MusicCast devices are "linked" for multiroom audio playback, the Master room device's playback is at the native sampling rate (up to 192kHz/24-bit), while the other rooms and MusicCast devices down-converted to 48kHz
Asynchronous USB-B Input: The Yamaha NX-N500 is fitted with a USB-B input for connecting your Windows PC (7/8; 32/64-bit) or Mac computer (OS X 1.6.4-up). Through this USB-B input you can play back PCM & DSD files stored on your laptop or computer. The USB-B input bypasses your computer's inferior DAC and utilizes the NX-N500's 32-bit/384kHz DAC for exceptional sound of high-res music files. The NX500's USB-B input is compatible with asynchronous transmission and can perform low-jitter transmission by using its own master clock, without being affected by the PC clock. As a result, you get high-res music playback that is the way the artist intended.
Music File Type | Sampling Frequency | Bit-rate or Bit-depth |
---|---|---|
PCM | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384 kHz | 16/24/32-bit |
DSD | 2.8/5.6MHz | 1-bit |
Streaming Music Partners: MusicCast includes Pandora, Spotify Connect, Rhapsody, and SiriusXM Internet Radio streaming services, as well as thousands of free local and international Internet radio stations from vTuner.
Music Service | Description |
---|---|
Pandora | Pandora is free, personalized radio that plays music and comedy you'll love. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs, comedians or composers and Pandora will create a custom station that plays similar tracks. You can also rate (thumbs up/thumbs down) songs as they play, and Pandora will adapt stations to your feedback. You can create up to 100 stations and easily switch between your favorites. |
Spotify Connect | With the Spotify app (premium account required) on yourApple iOS orAndroid smartphone, you've got instant access to millions of songs. And now you can stream those same songs from your smartphone to the Yamaha AV receiver by using Spotify Connect; simply hit play on the app to start streaming music. What's more, when you've been listening to Spotify on your smartphone outside and come inside, the song immediately begins to stream to the system for uninterrupted music enjoyment. You can also personalize playlists and receive phone calls while listening to music. |
SiriusXM | SiriusXM Internet Radio lets you listen to over 120 channels of commercial-free music, talk radio, news, sports, entertainment, and more. |
Rhapsody | Rhapsody is a streaming music subscription service (starting a $10 per month) that allows you to play the full-length songs you choose on demand from a collection of over 10 million songs, without ads and without having to purchase or download the music. |
vTuner | You can also listen to Internet radio stations using the vTuner Internet Radio Station database service particularly customized for this unit, providing a database of numerous radio stations around the world. You can search for Internet Radio stations by Location, Genre, New, Popular, or Podcast. |
AirPlay: AirPlay lets you stream your favorite songs directly from your Apple iOS (4.3.3+) device or from your iTunes (10.2.2+) library on your Windows PC or Mac computer to the Yamaha MusicCast NX-N500 speakers, over your home's WiFi network connection. From your Apple iOS device you are able to stream stored music and music apps on your device to the Yamaha MusicCast speakers. From your Windows or Mac you can stream your stored iTunes music library on your computer to the MusicCast speaker.
DLNA: The MusicCast NX-N500 speakers support DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5, allowing access to DLNA-compatible Windows 7/8 computers (with Windows Media Player 11 or 12) and network attached storage (NAS) devices. You'll be able to wirelessly stream the music libraries on your computer, laptop, or NAS to the Yamaha MusicCast speaker system.
Music File Type | Sampling Frequency | Bit-rate or Bit-depth |
---|---|---|
MP3 | 32/44.1/48 kHz | up to 320 kbps |
WMA | 32/44.1/48 kHz | up to 320 kbps |
AAC | 32/44.1/48 kHz | up to 320 kbps |
WAV | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 16/24/-bit |
FLAC | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 16/24-bit |
AIFF | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 16/24-bit |
ALAC | 32/44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz | 16/24-bit |
DSD | 2.8/5.6MHz | 1-bit |
Bluetooth Audio: The Yamaha MusicCast NX-N500 offers built-in Bluetooth (v.2.1+EDR) for wireless music streaming & control. This allows you to stream stored music and music apps on your Bluetooth-enabled Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows Phone/PC, Mac computer/laptop, and more to the MusicCast NX-N500 speakers.
- SBC + AAC Codecs: In addition to support for the standard SBC Bluetooth audio codec, the NX-N500 speaker offers support of AAC. By supporting AAC, the NX-N500 offers better audio performance of the music streamed from your Apple iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
- Linked Playback Mode: With Linked Playback Mode, music streamed via Bluetooth to one MusicCast device can then be wirelessly streamed to multiple MusicCast devices for multiroom audio. Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec during Linked Playback mode.
- Bluetooth Output: The Bluetooth Output feature allows you to wirelessly stream audio from a non-Bluetooth source of a MusicCast device to another Bluetooth speaker or headphones (regardless of manufacture), making it even more convenient to add the MusicCast eco-system to your existing audio gear. Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec during "Bluetooth Output" Playback mode.
Optical Input: The Yamaha NX-N500 features an optical (toslink) digital input with support of 2ch PCM audio from a Blu-ray player, game system, or TV. The optical input can handle 2ch PCM S/PDIF audio with a sampling frequency between 32-192kHz and a bit-rate of 16/24-bit.
Aux Input: The NX-N500 is also equipped with a stereo minijack (3.5mm) input for audio playback from a connected analog device with an headphone jack or analog output.
Convenience Features
MusicCast App: The free MusicCast app can be downloaded for Apple (iOS 7.1+) iPod/iPhone/iPad and Android (OS4.1+) smartphones/tablets. The MusicCast app puts control of your whole home listening experience in the palm of your hand from your Apple iOS or Android device. You'll be able to quickly select the room or rooms you want to listen to music in, select the source or sources you want to listen to, browse music content from your music library and online music services or Internet Radio, plus control music playback functions.
- Rooms: Choose which room or rooms you want to listen to music in. You can select a different source for each room, group certain rooms together for playback of the same source, or link all rooms together so the same source is played back throughout the house.
- Source Selection: From the app you can select which source or sources you want to listen to; choose from network-connected devices, select online music services, Internet Radio, computer audio, or Bluetooth for the NX-N500. If you have incorporated a Yamaha AV receiver or soundbar with MusicCast into your system, you can also select from USB, Aux, Phono, analog and digital inputs.
- Music Browsing: You can browse music libraries from your network-connected devices; like your smartphone, tablet, computer, or laptop. You can also browse music content from select online music services and search Internet Radio stations from the MusicCast app. If your MusicCast device features a USB port, you can also browse music files on your USB-connected thumbdrive or computer.
- Playback & Song/Artist Info: From the MusicCast app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device you get Play/Pause, and Previous/Next Track; as well as song/artist information and album art.
- Favorites: Internet radio stations, content from select online music services, plus playlists and songs from your network-connected device's music library can be saved as "Favorites" for quick recall within the MusicCast app.
- Volume & Sound Settings: You can adjust the speakers' volume level, as well as its tone (bass/treble) and balance from the MusicCast app on your Apple iOS or Android device.
- Personalization & Customization: With the app's unique personalization features, you can choose from preloaded room images or change the color of buttons to represent each room in the home, or even take pictures of their own home and assign the images to each button. The content source buttons can also be customized to rename, remove or reorder selections for easier operation.
Presets: Up to 40 albums or songs stored on your computer, Internet radio stations, and streaming music services can be registered as presets for easily recall at any time from the MusiCast app on your Apple iOS or Android device. Your top 6 presets can even be accessed from the included IR remote control.
Remote Control: The Yamaha MusicCast NX-N500 comes with an IR remote for wireless operation of the network speakers. The remote provides Power on/off, Volume up/down, Mute, Source selection, Presets 1-6, and network connectivity setup.
Web Browser: A web browser (Internet Explorer 9/10/11 or Safari 8) on your Windows PC (7+) or Mac computer (OS X 1.7.x +) can be used to display or specify the various speaker and network settings.
Firmware Updates: Firmware Updates for the MusicCast device can be made through its network connection and the MusicCast app on your Apple iOS or Android device. The app will notify you when a firmware update is available.
AC Power: The Yamaha MusicCast NX-N500 wireless streaming speakers operate off of standard household current using their internal power supply and the included AC power cords. These speakers are not battery powered.
Auto Standby & Sleep Timer: The MusicCast speakers will automatically enter standby mode after approximately 20 minutes of no audio playback and no operation. You can set the unit's Sleep Timer to 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes from the app on your compatible mobile device.
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Bill from Redondo beach, CA