Yamaha Sound Bar - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
TV audio has always posed a conundrum for users: We spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on the latest 4K TVs, but the sound quality almost always sounds like FM radio at best. For years, the best (and only) option was to connect an expensive multi-speaker surround sound system to the TV — and that's assuming you had room for a ton of speakers in your TV room.
Fortunately, there is now a better option: sound bars. Soundbars are flat, rectangular speakers designed to sit directly below the TV and provide higher fidelity audio and smoother sound; and they are much more affordable than multi-speaker alternatives. In fact, sound bars are so popular that virtually every electronics manufacturer makes at least one model. One of the big names in soundbars is also one of the big names in home theater: Yamaha.
If you're ready to enter the world of soundbars, or if you're looking to upgrade your current soundbar to a more reliable brand, Yamaha's are among the best available. The company makes sound bars to fit a variety of budgets, and the products offer more dollar-for-dollar value than many competitors. Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Yamaha sound bar for your television.
Main Features of Sound Bar
Different sound bars include a variety of features. These are the ones that matter the most.
- Connectivity
First of all, you need to be sure that you will be able to connect the audio from your TV with your sound bar, so pay close attention to the connectivity options. For example, if you plan to use an optical cable from your TV to connect it, make sure the sound bar you buy has an optical input. Likewise, if your TV doesn't have an optical output and you want to use HDMI, make sure you buy a soundbar that has an HDMI input.
- Subwoofer Options
Some Yamaha soundbars come with external subwoofers, which are usually large, bulky boxes that need to be placed elsewhere in the room. Some subwoofers are wireless; others need to be connected directly to the sound bar. If you want a lot of bass, look for a model with a great wireless subwoofer. If you want a sound bar but don't want to disturb your neighbors, buy one that includes built-in subwoofers.
- Length
Soundbars come in different lengths, but most people prefer to get one that...is roughly the same length as their TV for cosmetic reasons. Before you start shopping, take a moment to measure the footprint of the TV and keep those dimensions in mind when comparing sound bars.
- Supported Audio Formats
TV and movie audio comes in a variety of different formats, ranging from basic two-channel stereo to cutting-edge formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Take a moment to consider which audio formats you use the most, and make sure the soundbar you buy supports them. For example, if you're planning to hook up your cable box, you'll need one that supports Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, but if you're planning to hook up a 4K Blu-ray player, you might want a soundbar that supports Dolby Digital 5.1 as well. common 4K audio formats like Dolby Atmos.
- Voice Control
Remote controls are great...until you lose yours. If you're tired of digging through sofa cushions to find your remotes, or if you want to integrate a digital assistant like Amazon's Alexa, get a soundbar that includes voice control. With voice control, you can easily use verbal commands to turn the soundbar on and off, or even change the volume.
Tips
Before you buy a soundbar, check your TV setup to make sure you meet your specific connectivity needs. There are several ways to get audio from your TV's components to the soundbar, and you'll need one that can be easily plugged into your setup. Decide how you're going to set up your soundbar: will you connect it to your TV with an optical cable, or will you connect it to your cable box and TV with HDMI cables? Once you've figured out how you want everything to work, make sure the soundbar you buy supports your ideal connectivity options (and don't forget to buy extra cables if you need them).
If you buy a Yamaha sound bar with a subwoofer, experiment with placing the subwoofer in different places in the room. Subwoofer audio is directionless, so you don't have to be in front of one to hear sound. But that doesn't mean you don't benefit from ideal placement. Pick your favorite bass track or an exploding movie and do a few tests with the subwoofer in various locations. You'll be surprised how much a well-placed subwoofer can enhance your television viewing experience.
Make sure the soundbar you buy has an auto-off feature. The soundbars must be connected, and in most cases that means that when you turn off the TV, you must turn off the soundbar separately. It's easy to forget to turn off the soundbar once the TV is off, so buy one that has an auto-off feature. This could help you save on your electricity bill.
FAQ
Que. How come some soundbars claim they can produce surround sound without using additional speakers?
Ans. Many sound bars actually have multiple speakers inside, often pointing in different directions. In these cases, the sound bar is often capable of projecting surround sound audio (such as music or ambient sound effects) out of different speakers, bouncing it off the floor and walls. The result: In the right environment, many soundbars can mimic surround sound, creating compelling, immersive audio. Although a soundbar will never offer the sound separation that a multi-speaker home theater environment might, it can turn any TV room into a mini-home theater.
Que. Do I have to have an A/V receiver to use a sound bar, or can I just plug one into my TV?
Ans. The soundbars have built-in amplifiers, so they do not need to be connected to another amplifier such as an A/V receiver. Soundbars typically connect to TVs directly via HDMI cables or via optical audio cables.
Que. What separates Yamaha soundbars from the competition?
Ans. In the home theater market, Yamaha has made a name for itself as a producer of quality equipment, but it's the company's affordability that makes it unique. In many cases, finding a better option than a Yamaha would mean paying twice as much.
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