This mid-range soundbar from Yamaha holds its own against systems costing twice as much

Key points of ZDNET

• the Yamaha True X Bar 50A now available at a discount, with surround speakers sold separately (and separately).
• The sound produced by these speakers is rich, deep, harmonious and spacious.
• I just wish the setup process was more seamless and simple.

For months, I was one hundred percent sure of that JBL Bar1000 sound system cannot be defeated. It delivers amazingly clear audio, rich bass, and brilliant surround sound through two wireless speakers.

When Yamaha sent it to me Real X bar 50A to review, I’d say it wouldn’t be able to stand up to the sound the JBL delivers. Given that the Yamaha sells for half the price of the JBL, that assumption is a pretty safe bet. And while my audiophile ears can easily tell the difference between the two (with JBL coming out on top), for the money, the Yamaha True X Bar 50A is hard to beat.

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One thing to remember is that I was also sent one True X 1A Speakersold separately and priced at $150 each. If you want surround sound (which you should), you’re currently talking about $850 for the entire set. Another thing to note is that I only looked at the device connected to my television and did not choose to test how music might sound through this speaker. For me, soundbars serve only one purpose… to replace built-in TV speakers that rarely provide high-quality sound.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the review.

specifications

• Driver – Front L/R: 4.6 × 6.6 cm cone (1-3/4 × 2-5/8″) × 2, L/R height: 5.2 cm cone ( 2″) × 2, Integrated subwoofer: 7.5 cm (3″) cone × 2, Wireless subwoofer: 16 cm (6-1/4″) cone
• Output Power – 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″)
• Input – HDMI, digital optical
• Audio technology – Dolby Atmos with stereo, standard, movie and game modes.
• Bass extension
• Wireless streaming

My experience

The first thing to note about this soundbar is that setup can be a bit complicated. It took me a few tries to connect the subwoofer and surround speakers. The problem with the surround sound speakers turned out to be due to low batteries — they needed to be fully charged via USB-C before connecting. Even then, the setup process is a bit confusing, requiring you to download a user manual on your phone using a QR code for instructions.

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For some reason, the subwoofer also failed to connect right out of the box. I had to go through the manual setup process a few times before it linked to the main speaker. But once everything was connected, the difference was dramatic.

Many soundbars in this price range (without additional surround speakers) tend to over-emphasize the mid-range frequencies, which makes sense since that’s where the vocals are. However, focusing too much on the midrange can make the sound harsh or harsh. That is not the case with the True X Bar 50A. Instead, it delivers a well-balanced mix that adds richness to the sound. When the subwoofer kicks in, it adds depth and power for a more immersive experience.

Once everything is set up, the True Bass adjustment and surround sound level control.

While this soundbar touts Dolby Atmos for a more immersive sound experience, mid-range systems like this aren’t capable of delivering the full effect. The True X Bar 50A comes close but doesn’t fully achieve the true Atmos experience. That said, it still fills the room with great sound, and when you add surround speakers, the sound really comes to life.

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My only gripe with the surround speakers is that they lack the volume power of the JBL system. With JBL, the sound is so immersive that you sometimes wonder whether it’s coming from the speakers, somewhere in the house, or even outside. In comparison, the Yamaha is more refined. Even when the surround speakers are set to maximum, the effect is diminished. However, All mode, which sends sound to both the main and surround speakers, is a great solution — especially when watching TV or movies where dialogue can be difficult to hear.

Hit the All button and you’ll have no trouble understanding the dialogue. There’s also a Clear Voice option that enhances vocal clarity. I tested it with a few movies that were notoriously difficult to hear dialogue, and the Clear Voice feature easily solved that problem. Special, Oppenheimer—known for its challenging dialogue—sound crisp and clear with Yamaha Clear Voice technology.

You’ll likely find yourself using this feature often, especially as more movies lean toward more complex sound design.

The only downside

As I mentioned earlier, setting up the True X Bar 50A is not as simple as expected. With JBL, it’s as simple as unpacking, plugging in and getting started. On the other hand, setting up the Yamaha requires a bit of patience and luck. But once it’s up and running, you can continue.

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Here’s a tip: if you buy surround sound speakers, turn the soundbar on once everything is connected. When you turn off the soundbar, you’ll have to turn each surround sound speaker back on manually. Although the speakers offer about 12 hours of battery life, I recommend plugging them in via USB-C, especially if you mount them on the wall. If you choose to use them wirelessly, make sure to charge them regularly. Otherwise, you risk losing sound in the middle of the movie—like during Prometheus—and ruins the experience.

ZDNET Buying Tips

If you don’t have the budget to buy a $1,000+ soundbar but still want high-quality sound, then Yamaha True X Bar 50A is a great option, especially with Amazon’s current discounts. And if you can afford it, add surround sound speakers for a much better experience.

Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time for setup, and don’t be surprised if you have to go through these steps a few times before everything connects properly.

If there is no special sound of JBL 1000 barThe Yamaha True X Bar 50A would easily be my top choice. With deep, rich bass, well-balanced mids, and crisp highs, this soundbar is a significant upgrade from your TV speakers and will probably perform better than any mid-range soundbar you currently have. use.

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