The Yamaha NS-AW150W outdoor speaker hit the sweet spot in sound, size, and affordability if you’re searching for wired outdoor speakers that broadcast music to your balcony or screened porch. The NS-AW150W gives good overall quality, with especially sharp treble and rich vocals, at under $100 for the pair. Although the bass isn’t as strong as some of the best outdoor speakers, few speakers this big can hammer out the low end. The Yamaha-NS-AW150W outdoor speaker also has two mounting options and utilize indoors, which is something that most outdoor speakers lack. Continue reading for a complete evaluation of a Yamaha NS-AW150W.
What you will see here?
Yamaha NS-AW150W: Price and Availability
The NS-AW150W has been around for a long time — according to
The speaker is also available in black, though most retailers are currently out of stock.
Design
The Yamaha NS-AW150W outdoor speaker is basically in the manner of a standard, rectangular bookshelf speaker, with the exception that the rear curve allows it to swivel when mounted. The speakers, which measure 10 x 6 x 5.19 inches, are neither the largest nor the tiniest wired outdoor speakers available.
A half-inch dome tweeter, as well as a 5-inch woofer, is there in each NS-AW150W speaker. The drivers are safe by a strong plastic casing and perforated metal covering that should endure the elements. I tried the white model, but it’s more off than most white outdoor speakers I’ve seen.
The speakers mount using the accompanying hardware, and they mount horizontally or vertically, depending on your needs. If you just want to put them on a table, the NS-AW150W also comes with a base, which is a nice touch.
Specifications
- Speaker Configuration: 2-Way.
- Power Handling: 35 W RMS, 120 W Peak.
- Bi-Amp Capability: None.
- Drivers: 5″ / 127 mm Polyetherimide Woofer, 0.5″ / 12.7 mm Dome Tweeter.
- Enclosure Type: Sealed.
- Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 40 kHz.
- Wired Connectivity: 5-Way Binding Post Pair.
- Impedance: 6 Ohms.
- Magnetic Shielding: Yes.
Yamaha NS-AW150W: Performance
When you’re listening outside, detail isn’t always a top priority, but the NS-AW150W provided plenty of it. When you’re hearing sounds of nature or at a pool party, the vocals are the most significant aspect of the mix. The speakers offer a clean, bassy sound, while the sound waves may get lost in the background noise. The sound is also very narrow, so it doesn’t go as far in an open backyard. Polk’s Atrium 4 speakers provide stronger bass and a broader soundstage, but they’re more expensive.
On “Therefore I Am,” Billie Eilish’s vocals were clear and rich, and the thumping bass beat was detectable but not dominant. The Weeknd’s vocals were strong as well as the keys were bright on “Blinding Lights,” but the threatening bass lacked substance. The War on Drugs’ “Living Proof” sounded more realistic thanks to the NS-brightness, AW150W’s and Adam Granduciel’s voice was appropriately rich.
The speakers have a 35-watt power rating. When I turned up the level to about 90 decibels, the speakers began to distort and sounded much better at 80-85 decibels. If you maintain it within that range, your neighbors will appreciate it.
Ruggedness
Yamaha doesn’t give the NS-AW150W a waterproof rating, but it does indicate the speakers remain water-resistant. This usually indicates that they can survive splashing but should not submerge in water. Outdoor speakers like this design to partial shelter from rain rather than entirely exposed.
Yamaha NS-AW150W: Setup
The Yamaha NS-AW150W aren’t powered, therefore you’ll need an amp to power them. You can connect a separate amplifier for your outdoor speakers if you have a home theatre receiver with such a separate zone, or you can use this as the output of your source. Plug the speaker wire into the inverting input on the back of the amp to connect the speaker to it. The NS-AW150W provided excellent terminal access. Plugging the Banana plugs into the terminals.
To install the speakers to the wall, first, attach the brackets to the wall, then attach the speaker with bracket screws. The speakers can then be swiveled to acquire the optimal sound angle in your room. If the bracket bolts come free, a safety wire is included as a backup.
Conclusion
The Yamaha-NS-AW150W is hard to beat for wired outdoor speakers. They deliver good vocals and sharp treble, as well as some bass, for only $99 for the set.
There’s more to the largest outdoor speakers than just sound. They must be adaptable enough to fit in the available space, as well as the Yamaha NS-AW150W will do it.
The Polk Atrium 4 speakers feature a bigger and bassier sound when it comes to audio quality. The Dual LU53 seem to be less expensive and sounds almost as nice, however, they are a little bigger. As a result, the Yamaha NS-AW150W found a sweet spot with wired outdoor speakers.
