This Yamaha Soundbar Delivers Luxurious Audio (and It's Still $200 Off)

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is disposable now astatine a discount, pinch situation speakers sold separately (and individually).
• The sound produced by these speakers is rich, deep, well-blended, and spacious.
• I conscionable wish nan setup process was much seamless and simple.

For a constricted time, Amazon is trading nan Yamaha True X Bar pinch subwoofer bundle for $200 off.

For months, I was 1 100 percent definite nan JBL Bar 1000 soundbar couldn't beryllium beat. It offers unthinkable clarity of sound, rich | bass, and superb situation via 2 wireless speakers.

So erstwhile I started testing nan Yamaha True X Bar 50A, which sells for astir half nan price, I assumed it wouldn't beryllium capable to guidelines up to nan sound nan JBL delivered. But moreover though my audiophile ears could easy show nan quality betwixt nan 2 (with nan JBL coming retired connected top), for nan money, nan Yamaha True X Bar 50A is difficult to beat.

Also: I swapped my favourite JBL speaker for this caller Bose, and it'll beryllium difficult to springiness it up

I besides tested nan soundbar pinch its companion True X Speaker 1A, which is sold separately and runs for $150 each. If you want situation (which you should), now you're talking astir $850 for nan full kit. Another point to support successful mind is that I only reviewed this connected to my tv and didn't opt to trial really euphony mightiness sound via this speaker. For me, a soundbar serves a azygous purpose… to switch built-in TV speakers that seldom connection sound of overmuch quality.

With that successful mind, let's dive into nan review.

My experience

The first point to statement astir this soundbar is that nan setup tin beryllium a spot finicky. It took maine respective attempts to link nan subwoofer and situation speakers. The rumor pinch nan situation speakers turned retired to beryllium a debased artillery -- they needed to beryllium afloat charged via USB-C earlier they would connect. Even then, nan setup process is somewhat confusing, requiring you to download a manual connected your telephone utilizing a QR codification for guidance.

Also: 5 easy tweaks that instantly improved my soundbar's audio - for free

For immoderate reason, nan subwoofer wouldn't link correct retired of nan container either. I had to spell done nan manual setup a fewer times earlier it yet linked pinch nan main speaker. But erstwhile everything was connected, nan quality was impressive.

The Yamaha sub is connected nan near and nan JBL Bar 1000 sub is connected nan right.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Many soundbars successful this value scope (without nan further situation speakers) thin to overemphasize midrange frequencies, which makes consciousness since that's wherever vocals sit. However, excessively overmuch attraction connected nan midrange tin consequence successful tinny aliases harsh sound. 

That's not nan lawsuit pinch nan True X Bar 50A. Instead, it delivers a well-balanced operation that adds richness to nan sound. When nan subwoofer kicks in, it adds extent and punch for a much immersive experience.

Once everything is group up, nan True X Bar 50A is easy to use, acknowledgment to a well-designed distant that lets you move betwixt modes (Standard, Movie, Music, Game, and All), set nan bass, and power situation levels.

While this soundbar does advertise Dolby Atmos for a much immersive sound experience, mid-range systems for illustration this aren't rather tin of delivering nan afloat effect. The True X Bar 50A gets adjacent but doesn't afloat execute nan existent Atmos experience. That said, it still fills nan room pinch sound beautifully, and erstwhile you adhd nan situation speakers, nan sound really comes to life.

Also: The viral wireless audio dongle for in-flight intermezo conscionable sewage a large upgrade - and I emotion it

My only gripe pinch nan situation speakers is that they deficiency nan measurement powerfulness of a JBL system. With JBL, nan sound is truthful immersive that you sometimes wonderment if it's coming from nan speakers, location successful nan house, aliases moreover outside. In comparison, nan Yamaha is much subtle. 

Even pinch nan situation speakers group to max, nan effect is much understated. However, nan All mode, which sends sound to some nan main and situation speakers, is simply a awesome solution -- particularly for watching TV aliases movies wherever speech tin beryllium difficult to hear.

These situation speakers are mini but they nutrient awesome sound.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Hit nan All button, and you'll person nary problem knowing dialogue. There's besides a Clear Voice action that enhances vocal clarity. I tested it pinch a fewer films wherever nan speech is notoriously difficult to hear, and nan Clear Voice characteristic easy solved that issue. In particular, Oppenheimer—which is known for its challenging speech -- sounded crisp and clear pinch Yamaha's Clear Voice technology.

You'll apt find yourself utilizing this characteristic often, particularly pinch much films leaning into analyzable sound design.

The only downside

As I mentioned earlier, mounting up nan True X Bar 50A isn't arsenic straightforward arsenic it should be. With JBL, it was arsenic elemental arsenic unpacking, plugging in, and getting started. The Yamaha setup, connected nan different hand, requires a spot of patience and luck. But erstwhile it's up and running, you're bully to go.

Also: The champion sound systems you tin buy: Expert tested

Here's a tip: if you acquisition nan situation speakers, support nan soundbar connected erstwhile everything is connected. When you move nan soundbar off, you'll person to manually move each situation speaker backmost on. While nan speakers connection astir 12 hours of artillery life, I urge keeping them plugged successful via USB-C, particularly if you equine them connected nan wall. 

If you take to usage them wirelessly, beryllium judge to complaint them regularly. Otherwise, you consequence losing sound mid-movie—like during Prometheus—and ruining nan experience.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you don't person nan fund for a $1,000+ soundbar, but you still want high-quality sound, nan Yamaha True X Bar 50A is simply a superb option, particularly pinch Amazon's existent discount. And if you tin spend it, adhd nan situation speakers for a overmuch much immersive experience. 

Just make judge to springiness yourself plentifulness of clip for setup, and don't beryllium amazed if you person to spell done nan steps a fewer times earlier everything connects properly.

If it weren't for nan exceptional sound of nan JBL Bar 1000, nan Yamaha True X Bar 50A would easy beryllium my apical pick. With its deep, rich | bass, well-balanced mids, and crisp highs, this soundbar is simply a important upgrade from your TV speakers and will apt outperform immoderate midrange soundbar you're presently using.

The specs

• Drivers - Front L/R: 4.6 × 6.6 cm (1-3/4 × 2-5/8") cone × 2, Height L/R: 5.2 cm (2") cone × 2, Built-in Subwoofer: 7.5 cm (3") cone × 2, Wireless Subwoofer: 16 cm (6-1/4") cone
• Output powerfulness - 280 W (Front L/R: 30 W × 2-ch, Height L/R: 30 W × 2-ch, Built-in subwoofer: 30 W × 2, Subwoofer: 100W )
  
• Dimensions - Center unit: 1,015 × 63 × 112 mm (40" × 2-1/2" × 4-3/8"), Subwoofer: 187 × 407 × 409 mm (7-3/8" × 16" × 16-1/8")
  
• Inputs - HDMI, integer optical
  
• Sound exertion - Dolby Atmos pinch stereo, standard, movie, and crippled modes.
  
• Bass extension
  
• Wireless streaming

This communicative was first published connected September 12, 2024, and was updated connected July 7, 2025.