Overview

The Yamaha NS-F700 is a three-way, bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker using a 16 cm woofer and 13 cm midrange with A-PMD cones plus a 3 cm aluminum-dome DC-Diaphragm tweeter. Its trapezoidal cabinet and rounded top aim to reduce standing waves, and a Piano Black finish matching Yamaha grand pianos’ appearance is available. The model is discontinued and mainly found on the used market [1][2].

Scientific Validity

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Manufacturer specs list 45 Hz–50 kHz (−10 dB) bandwidth, 6 ohm nominal impedance, 89 dB/2.83 V/m sensitivity, and 700 Hz/4 kHz crossover points [1][2]. However, no independent full measurement set (anechoic FR/THD/directivity) has been published for this model. Following the rule for unknown measured performance, we assign 0.5 pending third-party data.

Technology Level

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A-PMD cones, DC-Diaphragm tweeter, and cabinet geometry are rational choices. Still, compared with state-of-the-art waveguide/directivity optimization verified by modern measurements, the novelty is limited. Overall, this aligns with an earlier design generation rather than current best-in-class [1][2].

Cost-Performance

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Reviewed item’s market price used: 811 USD/pair (converted from 120,000円).
Comparator (cheapest equal-or-better): JBL Stage A170, a passive 2.5-way tower with 6 ohm impedance, 89 dB sensitivity, and independently verified performance including a largely flat midband and a low-frequency −6 dB point at 44 Hz [3]. New units are available at 265 USD each → 530 USD/pair [4].
Equivalence note: user-visible functions match (passive floorstander); third-party measurements confirm neutrality/extension meeting or exceeding the NS-F700’s spec envelope [3].

Computation (USD basis):
530 ÷ 811 = 0.65 → 0.7 (rounded to one decimal place).
Used listings in Japan commonly span roughly 70,000–120,000円 per pair depending on condition [5].

Reliability & Support

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The model is discontinued and no longer covered by new-product warranty. Documentation remains online, but parts/service depend on availability via Yamaha’s service channels. Each speaker weighs 25 kg, so shipping/handling risks are non-trivial [1][2].

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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The design consistently addresses known acoustic issues (cone stiffness/mass, wideband tweeter, cabinet-mode control) and is technically coherent [1][2]. Absent independent verification of transparent-level results, we keep this at a neutral 0.5.

Advice

• Choose the NS-F700 if you value finish/build and want a classic three-way passive tower from Yamaha.
• If you prioritize measurement-backed neutrality and lower cost, the JBL Stage A170 (530 USD/pair, new) is a strong alternative [3][4].
• For larger rooms or more bass, consider a subwoofer and optimize placement/toe-in.
• Use an amplifier comfortable with 6 ohm loads and with adequate headroom (sensitivity 89 dB/2.83 V/m) [1].

References

[1] Yamaha (JP): “NS-F700 Specs.” https://jp.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/speaker_systems/ns-f700/specs.html (accessed 2025-08-16).
[2] Yamaha (AU): “NS-F700 Overview/Specs (Discontinued).” https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/speakers/ns-f700/index.html / https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/speakers/ns-f700/specs.html (accessed 2025-08-16).
[3] Stereophile: “JBL Stage A170 loudspeaker Measurements.” https://www.stereophile.com/content/jbl-stage-a170-loudspeaker-measurements (accessed 2025-08-16).
[4] Reverb (listing): “JBL STAGE A170 Single Floorstanding Speaker (New).” https://reverb.com/item/74397137-jbl-stage-a170-single-floorstanding-speaker-black (accessed 2025-08-16).
[5] Mercari JP (search): “Yamaha NS-F700 listings.” https://jp.mercari.com/search?keyword=%E3%83%A4%E3%83%9E%E3%83%8F+ns-f700 (accessed 2025-08-16).

(2025.8.16)