Yamaha True X Bar 40A Dolby Atmos Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofers, Wi-Fi, Music Streaming, Optional Wireless Subwoofer and Surrounds (Black)

I feel compelled to write a review on this soundbar because I feel its overlooked when Samsung and Sonos seem to get all the attention when in comes to soundbars. I've tested and used many soundbars and Yamaha just seems to have its own sound signature that non of the other bars seem to have. Even comparing to my Samsung Q990D music, especially orchestral music sounds far more natural and full, and with the 1A rears (sold separately), this system packs a serious punch. Aside from sound, the main selling point to me was simply how discrete it is. The bar is low profile, the sub is slim and even slim enough to place on its side under a sofa (I did and the D-Box effect was amazing!) and the 1A rear speakers are so tiny and discrete you can have a full Atmos surround setup and completely blends into your space. And the best part is its simplicity. with only a few sounds modes and adjustments you won't be tinkering.. set it and forget it and enjoy. My preference as Movie mode + Bass Extension on, Voice Enhancer off and the sub at 8 out of 10 because its quite punchy. Pro tip, if you can put the rears up somewhere higher than ear level, I had them on top of 2 bookshelves on opposite sides of the sofa the immersion is insane.

I went back and forth on getting a soundbar with an external sub, because our TV area has limited space that would be ideal for a sub. I landed on the Yamaha True X Bar 40A after weeks of research and reading reviews. I felt it hit a sweet spot of having enough drivers to support Dolby Atmos from a single soundbar, still being within my budget (was 50% off when I purchased), and had good reviews for having built-in subs. A few months into ownership, I've been very pleased with the performance. Dialogue in moves is crystal clear, you can definitely hear side to side audio movement, and the bass is good, not great, but that's to be expected without a standalone sub. The only thing slightly lacking is vertical audio reproduction. It's there, just not highly noticeable unless your listening for it. Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase and would highly recommend for anybody looking for a standalone soundbar with built in subs.

Very Impressed With This System!! Reasonably Priced. High Quality Base And Immersive All Around You Sound. Great For Listening To Music, Or Watching Movies And Sports. Connects To Everything Easily. Just Unbox And Start Up. High Quality Without A Fortune, Living Up To The Yamaha Name In Sound! Purchase The Two Recommended Stand Alone Spekers Too Though, So You Can Have Sound Behind You.

The soundbar offers a nice, clean design with an intuitive setup process made easy through the Android app. The automatic firmware update was a plus, and the app’s ability to jump between different inputs and adjust settings was convenient. The built-in Alexa functionality is a nice touch, with the ability to control both input and volume. The provided optical cable is appreciated, and when paired with the right songs, the bass levels are very good. The clarity of sound is also excellent. SONG: Porsche Majeure (DC Gore Remix) by TVAM and Charlotte Spiral. Pros: + Nice Clean Design: The aesthetic appeal is sleek and minimalist + Excellent Instructions: The provided instructions are clear and straightforward, making setup hassle-free. + Easy Setup via Android App: The app simplifies the initial setup process, saving time and effort. + Automatic Firmware Update + App Usability: The app makes it easy to switch between inputs and tweak settings with just a few taps. + Built-in Alexa: Having Alexa integrated is a nice addition + Included Optical Cable: It’s a thoughtful inclusion that avoids an extra purchase. + Decent Bass (With the Right Songs): While bass performance varies, certain tracks sound exceptionally deep and powerful. See attached VIDEO for a demo. + Excellent Clarity: The overall sound clarity is impressive. It was particularly strong with dialogue and midrange frequencies. + Dolby Atmos: Noticeable spatial enhancement, especially in a smaller room. X Optical Connection: Functions well, but provides slightly less depth compared to HDMI eARC. Cons: X Bass Could Be More Consistent: The bass is good, but it could be more robust across all tracks. It doesn’t “shake the room”; better suited for those who prefer balanced bass without overpowering. X Volume: Requires higher volume settings for an impactful experience; might be a drawback for some users expecting booming sound at lower levels! X App Bugs: There’s an issue where changes made via the app or the remote don’t always sync properly. X Sound Mode Delay: A noticeable 1-second delay when switching between sound modes can be frustrating. X No HDMI Cable for ARC Connectivity: It’s disappointing that an HDMI cable isn’t included for ARC setup, which is becoming standard. X Non-Backlit Remote: The remote lacks backlighting, making it difficult to see the buttons in low light. X Pulsing Standby Light: A constantly pulsing light occurs when the unit is in standby, which can be annoying. X Subwoofer Standby Light Always On: The standby light behind the subwoofer never turns off, which could be bothersome for some users. X Limited Alexa Functionality: While Alexa can control inputs and volume, it doesn’t offer much else for the soundbar. It works perfectly as a stand-alone Alexa device though! X Wireless Subwoofer: Easy to place but lacks a power switch, requiring manual unplugging for full shutdown. Overall Impression: This is a very good unit with excellent features and sound quality, but it’s hard to justify the $1,000 price tag. At $199, it would be an excellent deal. However, it seems more like a Veblen Good purchased for its perceived status rather than its intrinsic value. Ignoring the price, it still is an excellent upgrade over the standard TV speakers. The sleek design blends well with any modern home decor.

As expected very good sound from Yamaha, big disappointment is a lip sync problem that I could not resolve yet and may end up as a return if unsuccessful at fixing it. Great immersive sound for sports if that is the only use but not for movies with the lip sync issue.