Yamaha DXS12 Review

Recently I have discovered an amazing product – The DXS series of active subwoofers developed by Yamaha that was designed to work together with the DXR product line. Yamaha DXS12 is an active subwoofer with a high-efficiency built-in 600-watt amplifier that delivers the sound of a good quality on different frequencies. This subwoofer includes versatile connectivity options and inputs, as well as various modes, like the usual mode, which is better for bass response, and the boost mode, that works better on higher frequencies. These modes are the perfect option for experimenting with specific music genres. Yamaha DXS12 is rather small in size and has different mounting options, like ceiling and standalone mounting, which make it very comfortable to use, carry around, and store anywhere.

Yamaha DXS12 Design

DXS12 is a relatively compact and lightweight device in comparison with similar active subwoofers. I think that it can be conveniently placed anywhere, regardless of the studio size.

Moreover, it features a dual angle pole mount and comfortable rigging points. It’s made of wood which is quite durable and won’t be damaged if dropped on the floor or scratched. The wood is also acoustically optimized for better sound quality. Just like almost any subwoofer available on the market, DXS12 comes in conventional black color. There’s a LED light in the front of the device which is used to indicate whether the product is still turned on or not. This LED light could be disabled with a special button on the back of it.

Yamaha DXS12 Features

Having 600 watts of built-in power and 950 peak power, I should say that DXS12 specs are rather powerful for an average subwoofer. The RMS D class amplifier contributes to solid bass sounding and may reproduce frequencies under 47 Hz. The key feature of DXS12 is the ability to choose from a variety of sound modes. I thought that such powerful subwoofers won't work for long and could be easily overheating, but DXS has an efficient cooling system that allows the product to work for many hours straight.

I have tested both – the off mode for low frequencies, and the extended boost mode designed to work with higher frequencies – up to 160 Hz, and both of them work great, having clarity on each level. So judging from the frequency range this device would be perfectly suitable for a small or medium-sized room.

This subwoofer has double XLR inputs with the help of which I could connect my mixer and the main speaker to the device. These inputs also allow connecting crossover systems or linking DXS12 with additional subwoofers to make its work even more efficient. Furthermore, DXS12 has versatile mic and line input capabilities, so I believe this subwoofer is a jack of all traits that could be connected almost to anything.

There’s another option which I have used to make the bass even better. It’s the D-XSUB built-in processing, that allowed me to make the frequencies even lower. The device also includes an intelligent onboard 3 channel mixer that worked great when I have experimented with the combination of several music styles.

Yamaha DXS12 Performance & Sound quality

I have tested different Yamaha DXS12 settings and I can say that this device performs quite well for a 600-watt device. It delivers high-definition sound on low frequencies without any traces of distortion. This item has worked surprisingly well on higher frequencies, especially when I have used the extended boost mode – the results were very satisfying. The sound was crystal clear and very pleasant which is strange because this particular item is designed to be efficient on lower frequencies.

The off mode or the usual mode also worked well, although it seemed to be noticeably quieter than the sound on the boost mode. The D-XSUB processing seemed to work well and deliver high-quality bass without any kinds of twists. This processing has brought up the lower notes that seem to be inaudible while played on other settings. I have stood right near the subwoofer and I have noticed that there’s no irritating air rumbling out sound, which is very common for the overwhelming majority of other similar products. In comparison with previous subwoofers that I have tested, the 720p sounds a lot deeper and full, which is another plus for this device.

Yamaha DXS12 Setup

The product is very easy to assemble and convenient to use because I could instantly plug my sound input and the microphone right at the back of the subwoofer. Most importantly, it has versatile options, not only standalone but also a pole mounting socket that has 0 and 7-degree angles that may help redirect the sound right to your audience. It was also helpful for me to use the installed rigging points and U-brackets with the help of which I could hang the device to the ceiling; by the way, both vertical and horizontal configurations are possible.

Once the item is set, I didn’t have any issues with tuning the subwoofer. All of the buttons and inputs are located at the back of the device, and there are a name and a sign to each input, so I had no trouble in connecting the cables and adjusting the mixer and the main speaker to DXS12.

Conclusion

I strongly recommend this subwoofer because, after reviewing it, I realized that the sound delivered from this 600-watt device is of a quite good quality. For its power, the sound is clear and loud on both frequencies and has no distortion, although the sounding slightly differs from the mode used.

Concerning the modes, the boost option worked surprisingly well on high frequencies, which is uncommon for subwoofers in general. To my mind, the product is best used in rather small or medium-sized rooms but not large areas or outdoors.

Although the design is simple and boring, DXS12 setup offers versatile placement and mounting options which is another rare option among other subwoofers. Judging by its features and performance, I think that this device is most suitable for small studios or medium-sized events.