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Since they changed ownership, the new team that handles press has become nothing more than a press release farm. They've ignored every effort to make contact for about a year, even replies to their press emails announcing new products. It's really unfortunate, as we loved the original bar.@@user-xt8yx4tz8x
Hi Guys,Great review as always. Kristy mentioned the Bose Smart Ultra had the best intelligently of the bar systems, can you adjust the volume of the subwoofer to the point of turning off on the Bose system? I need to be able to turn the bass off. Btw, on hearing loss, ive noted that at night i can hear the super high frequency chirps of micro bats that frequently pass by but my late 50s to mid 60s parents can't hear, I was at the time mid 30s.
@@user-xt8yx4tz8x i had expected to hear them mention the Nakamichi dragon as the best choice for the money no object purchase. Now you mention it, i do vaguely remember the Sennheiser sound bar. I wonder if an updated version has been released since then?
yes more clarity, just noting that you take time to review products we would be interested in , not going down other tangents some other creators think their success affords them, keep up the good work!@@andrewrobinsonreviews
@@gunsandcars3648 I agree but I can’t see them going in any other direction. Your initial post made it seem like they were. In any case, Robinsons for the win!
I appreciate how Andrew actually discusses the product, different features included and how they work, comparable products and the differences. In other words focusing on the product and thorough. There are a few others that I watch who are literally reading specs, on camera from Crutchfield or Amazon, and that's their review. Very basic to say the least. Another thing I love about Andrew's reviews are that you get 2 perspectives which might not seem like a big deal, but it really sheds another light in the same review. Keep up the great work!
I love that you're giving yamaha its due, well deserved. They have been left in the dust the last couple of years. Im content with may arc and sub in the living room and bose 600 in my office/game room. But I always like to hear about the new shiny toys. But now that i have those its hard for me to go back to the cloth bars.
Your videos are very good! you actually inspired me to get my first dedicated audio setup. even though its all second-hand stuff I love it so much and i have no regrets.
I will truly miss this room and design. That being said I can’t wait to see the new room and design and hope it’s all that you wanted and wished for. You guys are stellar when it comes to design, production and overall quality of everything, so I’m 1000% confident it’ll be awesome! Great video and review as always! I’m glad to see Yamaha pushing the envelope and bring competitive. (I’m a bit biased towards them in audio world, as my favorite trumpet is made by Yamaha hehe). Hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday!
The room will not be done for several months, but we have a temporary solution you will see next week that will give us a lot to discuss (along with being VERY rental-friendly). Bracing myself for the comments next week 😬
As far as I can remember, this review of the Yamaha sound bar provided more price information about the product and its competition than others. It's so helpful in putting a review in perspective is to talk price. Yes, specs, quality, reactions are so important, but at what price??? Thanks, SnellKrell
Happy Monday from Virginia! I enjoyed the review and I can understand from a number of my friends who have lost access to the upper frequencies that it can be a real FOMO moment. I enjoy listening to Celine and Enya, but I have friends with the hearing loss say that they can't stand Celine and they are happy that they no longer hear her full range. Excellent review and a recommendation for a budget setup. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Thanks, Yes, with a 450 sq ft. room I prefer speakers and more especially as I have programed the sound for the Atrium with choral and the Transom for the upstairs effect. One bedroom has a bar and that is great for that!
I would very much like to hear a video of Kristi doing some sort of ASMR, or really just talking about Hi-Fi for a whole video, that I could then loop and occasionally fall asleep to. What a soothing voice. Or better yet, narrate an audiobook. Does any of that sound reasonably plausible that it might happen, or is that a pipe dream?
Another great video guys, thanks. I admit this sounds like a good soundbar but those satellites are a big hesitation for me. I've been looking strongly at the Bose (I have a weakness for them) but I've also been a long time Yamaha fan so now I have to drive 3.5 hours if I want to hear it without "buying and returning" (which I hate doing). I've also always had a preference to listening to separate speakers for best separation and the ability to toe-in to listening spots. Also, I am setting up a small listening room for a friend and this may be a good choice for him.
I, for one, really appreciate Kristi's input. I feel like I align with her views, simply because she offers what feels like a more holistic perspective to living with hifi and theatre. I really value your guys' interactions and discussions at the end. Some people are wild for writing what they do, and I hope none of that garbage ever discourages you guys from doing what you do.
Always helpful insights. I really like the soundbar reviews. While I am not presently in the market I have really enjoyed the Sony bar we have in our bedroom. I think there is a really broad audience for these reviews. It is good to see what is presently available and to watch progress occur in this segment. Thanks again guys. Good luck with the renovation.
Personally I really like "great cost effective" products for the masses. I don't need and won't spend for the best money can buy. Great channel. Thx to you both. ❤
Good review, thanks guys. Quick question, why do you think people don't hit the like button? If they watch the whole video, why not hit it? It isn't like they are saying they like the product!
I feel you Kristi! I still have good hearing, but concert going as a young person did some damage to my left ear. I have to be careful. No more concerts, especially in small venues for me. Cant handle ambient crowd noise at all. Stereo and home theater allows me to at least control the volume. Cheers!
On one hand, I don't regret all of the time spent at live shows because those are mostly great memories, but I wish I would've listened to my grandfather when he cautioned me of listening to the radio at full volume in my car. I think that probably did more damage.
Thanks for the review yall' I like it when you take the time to review more affordable products. While it is fun to watch a review for a $5000 pair of tower speakers...that is just something I will never own.
I have an older Yamaha soundbar and sub that do a really solid job (for what was a fairly low price). Yamaha nail value proposition and are ALWAYS a solid, good quality, low risk choice 👍 Not always the BEST choice... But never a BAD choice.
I agree still have and use my Yamaha Yas -207 which this new model is an update of in some ways nice new features feel the rear surrounds should be included with the bar
@@jefferyberg8186 Yep, mine is the YAS107... Same as yours but without the sub... I opted for a separate Yamaha YST-FSW-050 sub as it better suited my space. Not a fan of the DTS Virtual X (which sounds a bit boxy to me), but otherwise a really solid bit of kit (and used to be very reasonably priced).
I have in the past Yas207 the true X is a Big Big step on performance. Some options are no mentionned on reviews. If you want the best ot true X system. Put bar on Still 5 sec in movie button Lightning on bar 3 Times After that. And enjoy !!! Amazing value bar😊
This bar is a amazing value ! And if you want the best sound 1 - power on 2 - press and stay 5 seconds on movie mode on remote (The led flash 3 times) 3 - enjoy you have the best sound. (More powerfull more dynamic and dont need anymore at good levels bass extension ot clear voice) BEST VALUE for me 😊 (This procédure is indicated on manual)
I used to be skeptical about Yamaha sound, but then I picked up a really old 2.1 speaker set by Yamaha. It sounds way better than any plastic speaker should. Sound bars sure have come a long way too, I remember some really early ones sounded pretty awful.
Thank you so much for the double review i always watched all your videos especially the soundbar videos and tv ones i think asked for a polk review way back last year with patience i got the review. My expectations was correct about the bar it is neutral leaning and is better for music but also i think polk does work better in even smaller space so no doubt its the better value. I do have the older poks the none AX version without atmos.according to rtings that bar was even more neutral for music it was enjoyable for music and movies. Although im missing some dolby atmos im not really having fomo about it as the music is so enjoyable neutral yet quite airy in the upper treble at 18khz. Im looking forward to another soundbar review the mini sounbar from sennheiser. Wonderful review with comparisons best part would be its entertaining and enjoyable with great personalities behind it.
Appreciate you watching this video. Not everyone in the hobby is as receptive to soundbars, so you never know if a video like this will find the right audience. Glad to hear it found you!
Good morning, even though I have no interest in sound bars myself I still know that they are a good option for a lot of people and I just enjoy watching your content. So thank you
I appreciate you watching every week, even if the video may not be for you, and I appreciate you being kind in your realization that even though 'bars may not be for you, you still allow for their presence in the home theater space.
It's nice when husband and wife come together and discuss topics about hifi audio & video you don't see that much happening or mabe not at all blessings folks👍👍👍💯💯💯
Good afternoon! I appreciate that you do not stick to reviewing 2-channel audio because it opens the mind of your viewing audience to the potential for experiencing products they might not otherwise experience. I'm struggling with the purchase of a good soundbar because of the video entertainment desert that we exist in at this time. So, for that reason only, I lean toward a 2-channel with a phantom center (but feel free to twist my arm😄). If Hollywood turns the corner and we return to pre-pandemic quality for movies and episodics, I'd say yes. 😊
There are still some really good episodics out there but I understand your point. We finally watched Saltburn last night and what a self-serving piece of cinema. Beautifully filmed, the sets and locations were gorgeous, but the plot and character development were seriously lacking.
@@dawaynecleckley8673 I'm excited to check out AMC's Shogun. Constellation is going nowhere fast, but The New Look is incredible (unless you're a Chanel fan).
I have a Pioneer Elite 704 I have had no problems until I hooked up a PS5 all media apps voices seemed to come from the right speaker could you do a video on how to correct this
I think when comparing it on price, it should come down to whether or not you want the speakers now or might want them up the road. Because once you add those, you're in the price range in which you can now regularly pick up the Samsung Q990C, or within a hundred or so dollars of it. That makes it a tough ask unless maybe you're positive the bar and sub is all you need - but then, as Andrew points out, you might want to consider the Polk.
Great show/episode as always. Imagine my glea this morning to watch you guys. Random question; when Kristi 1st starts talking about inteligibility you had a clip of an action sequence. I think military type gun sequence. What movie or series was that? Looks like fun to watch. 12:08 mark. Thanks as always 🙏🏾
Hello from Virginia, and thanks for the great reviews. May I ask one question.... Which of the other soundbars offers fully wireless surround speakers like this? Battery powered and wireless connectivity at any price point. Thank you
This looks amazing but the Q990C is only $1400 for the set here in the UK and the Yamaha including the rears comes to almost the same so the question is... Is it worth the $200 savings or is it better to save up another $200 and go for the Q990C?
I'd be interested to see a comparison between the Yamaha w/ the rear speakers and the Samsung Q700C w/ its optional rear speakers. I believe the cost would be pretty close once you add it all up.
I'm from nz had a Samsung q90r 2019 model soundbar got rid of it for the polk magnifi max sr and it's much better especially for music and top gun maverick sounds awesome could of got the q990 for pretty much the same price but happy with the polk
@@maxpower78-15 It was the coffee table you had been seeing for 2 years. I moved it under the TV while we swapped out some other stuff. But it's not a good solution honestly so we're moving on.
I tagged the cabinet in the video if you want to check it out. If you refresh the video, you should see the tag pop-up while the video is playing. Or you can open the description box and find it there as well.
I cant tell how i feel about totally wireless surrounds. On one hand, the utility of a bluetooth speaker is awesome, but whi desnt already have one? But i would probably place them plugged in all the time anyway? I'm not going to move them? And having to teach the family how to position them and charge them when they run out of power could be a hassle. On paper "satellite/portable speaker" seems like a value add, but i dont see it being all that practical. Though maybe FlexConnect can help? (I havent watched enough of the video to find out if this supports that or not)
Thank you for your review. I think many of us woould like to see more comparsion to other soundbars vs cheap 5.1+ receivers. At the end of reviews or special episode. You know, the for the money in price. Many of us consider what we should buy soundbar or 5.1 or even active speakers.
We do precisely that here: th-cam.com/video/ocoPP-tyyrw/w-d-xo.html. Watch it first, and then be sure to tune in today in a couple of hours for the follow-up Unplugged episode.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews great! I will watch it next episode for sure as well. I really like your original reviews. It is good that you don't skip budget level. There's many other in similar price product's like Heco Aurora, Pylon Pearl, Magnat, and little expensive Dali Oberon, Monitor Audio Bronz and others. I know you do not have time and possibly to tested all but maybe in the future. It would be great to see this too. Right now I'm waiting for next episode.
Good morning from Ottawa 🇨🇦 I feel for you, Kristi: I go for my hearing test on Tuesday; going to get custom moulded ear plugs for sleeping and concerts. Gotta take care of your hearing, folks! 👂🏻
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I saw Lizzo in Toronto a few years ago, and it was so loud (110db) that it did damage. VERY faint tinnitus. I’m not messing around now 😤 earplugs everywhere!
@@KristiWright I got used to sleeping with ear plugs when I used to work overnight warehouse shifts. Now I can’t sleep without them. 5 minutes of hearing your breathe and heartbeat and I am 😴
For tv/music/movies, do you prefer an av receiver with tower speakers, center channel, and surrounds, a soundbar with surrounds or 2.1 setup like klipsch sevens of nines? I feel like a av receiver setup is outdated. How do you feel about it? Too many wires, outdated look and it’s space consuming. Do you have similar thoughts?
how is this outdated? its the best sounding option. Double or Single Bass Array, Trinnov / Storm Audio or miniDSP / DSP based Solution everywhere the same speakers and a complete professional treated room is the way for a good cinema. Soundbars are crap and has nothing to do with homecinema
Toslink is another name for optical. Its a very limited connection in what its able to reproduce. For instance its its pretty much limited to a max 96Khz audio processing and technically cannot process height channels such as required for Atmos. If you have a HDMI or even USB connection available, its always best to choose USB OR HDMI over Optical/Toslink.
I know it must be something that needs to get views, but I'd be interested in seeing you guys review more passive speaker bars with a receiver or other gear. I know you guys did the one Klipsch bar but more are becoming available. In my living room, I'm using a passive speaker bar being powered by an Onkyo RZ50 receiver. I didn't bother setting up surround speakers because the living room is just for everyday viewing. We have a theater in the basement, not to mention we have a membership at our local theater for 20 bucks a month 3 movies a week. In any case, I find this receiver/passive bar setup to be far more flexible and tweakable than the Klipsch soundbar I once had and nearly as simple to set up.
@@KristiWright You're right there aren't many out there, but recently I've seen some from Goldenear, Paradigm, KEF, Elac, Definitive Technology, Martin Logan and Klipsch has a couple. Right, Now I'm using a monoprice OW-3 which will go to the bedroom once I decide between the KEF HTF8003 or ELAC Muro MSB41L. I really like my KEF R3 Meta that I use in my 2-channel room so why not try a kEF in the living room. However, the Elac comes in white with a grey grill and looks nice, but I've never heard an ELAC product.
The Sony HT-A9 is far better, but it's not really a fair comparison. The HT-A9 competes with systems like the Ultimate Sonos setup and dedicated (albeit smaller) home theater setups.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Hi, I really want buy HT-A9 but I'm little scared because few people have problem with that. Linus really love this sistem but he have a lot of problems with lags in music (propably wifi?) But I found this video on youtube (Review of the Sony HTA9 and a solution to the sound cutting off(FINALLY FIXED!) - I don't want paste link because YT can remove my comments, so you can check this? He add a cooling fan because of heating problem with main box. This set cost almost 10 thousand in my country and I don't know if risk and buy that or wait for maybe new fixed HT-A10 if Sony want makes that, maybe wired not wireless? Can you check this subject, talk with other peoples and create video about that? Thx and sry for my language.
The B&W formation bar and subwoofer was $699 (refurbished) directly from B&W outlet an almost 60% discount over the original price and definitely its gonna sound way better than the Yamaha ..
I'm watching your reviews and many others because I'm about to buy. I'm hesitating between Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4, LG S95TR Soundbar 9.1.5, YAMAHA SR-X50A + 2 x WS-X1A and you've confused me so much that I don't know. If I had to choose with my heart and experience in sound, I would probably choose YAMAHA... I also like the look very much. Will you comment?? 😀
It's a nice touch and a way of giving users additional value. They're not as good as say Sonos Ones or ERA 300s, but they're nevertheless more functional than a lot of soundbar surrounds.
My Philips b97 soundbar broke down. Which model should I choose as a replacement? JBL 1300 or Yamaha x50a + 2x WS-X1A? Mainly for movies and music from Spotify. I've listened to both reviews, and I'm not sure myself. Yamaha seems to be better for music. In JBL, I have doubts about the dialogue quality.
Andrew, I love the Eames Chair in your room there. I have always wanted to get one because of the look of it. How do you find it comfort-wise and build quality. If you don't mind, where did you purchase it? Also, if you wanted to get a real high end soundbar that is great for music and movies, which one would you choose. I will be moving soon to a home with a larger family room and want to get a soundbar that I don't feel like it is something you settle for as opposed to a separate speaker and receiver set-up and I am willing to pay the price for it. I have had separates in the past and found that it dominated the room and would like a cleaner appearance.
I love our Eames, though if I had to do it over again, I would've gone with a more traditional or universal finish. Our custom white oak and prone leather finish is very nice, and the leather is a definite quality upgrade, but the color scheme makes it less universal in all living spaces. I recommend going with one of the classic combos if you're shopping for one. We purchased ours from Design Within Reach, which Herman Miller owns. As far as high-end soundbars go, my favorites include the Bang & Olufsen Theatre ($$$), the Sonos Arc premium system ($$), and the Samsung Q990C ($$).
@cliffordhamblen5477 chiming in here - It's very comfortable and has great lumbar support. One word of caution, if you have mobility issues, the low seat and the seat's dip (which helps relieve back pain), can be more difficult to get out of. By the way, all of those systems Andrew mentions are noted in the description along with a wealth of other information I think you'll find useful. If you use one of our links, it does help to support the channel!
We weren't able to directly A/B the two. The JBL is great and still one I recommend. It's about 100 cheaper (amzn.to/39hJ1Xz). The bass may be a little deeper with the JBL - but again, I'm going off memory. I would choose the Yamaha for its intelligibility.
Hi, hope all is well. Like what you do. Kristi, as someone with hearing issues also, I've been looking at the Sennheiser Max or Plus. In this review you stated that the Smart Ultra was the best for dialogue. Which would you recommend as a straight choice of the 3, ignoring price? Greatly appreciate your advice. Cheers, Grant
Hi Kristi, thanks for that. The Sennheiser Max was the big beast you reviewed about 3 years ago. It was just called the Ambeo then. It was changed to the Max when the Plus came out. Cheers, Grant.
Hi mate, Thanks for that. I dont think I was as clear as what I could have been. If you had to choose between the Ambeo, that you reviewed vs the Smart Ultra, which would you pick for dialogue. I watched your review of the Smart Ultra but it wasn't clear which one you'd pick for dialogue. It's a shame they're not dealing with you anymore as I would have loved to hear your thoughts on the new Plus in comparison to the original Ambeo. Keep up the great work. Cheers, Grant.
Good morning way off topic what mesh network work are you running. We recently lost power and some of our smart home devices hand shake was not working until I factory reset our mesh. My Apple TV remote app was not working correctly was the main problem. I was just wondering if you ever experienced this with your mesh network
When outages occur, sometimes the wifi hubs need a reset. Our Apple TV remote seems to have a bug, though...it's been showing only 20% battery life for a month or so despite being charged.
Samsung Q990C is like $170 more expensive than this and I feel like I should go for that or even Q930C is pretty much same price as this which on paper seems like a better choice. What do you think? These are the prices in India for anyone wondering
Your def not fans of the sub mini then lol, I have the mini with the arc in a small room and feel that it adds a lot, it does not shake the room but there is a big improvement in sound quality, it is prob not suitable for a larger room
@@KristiWright thanks , I did watch the complete video and your guys thoughts. Just figured if you had the Polk in house you would have made a complete video about it.
We had planned to when it first came out, but by the time we finally got one for review, we couldn't find a place for it on our schedule. Hopefully, the video gives you a decent impression of its performance and how it competes today.@@skydancerforever
@@KristiWright all reviews I've read say it's practically indistinguishable from the Q990C at reasonable volume, I have the Q930b tho, it's a fantastic bit of kit for smaller rooms
📌 FIND ONE HERE: bit.ly/3SNNu7b & bit.ly/3UU3tDc
🆘 Missed something? Open the description box ABOVE. Still have questions? Hit THANKS☝to highlight your Q + give thanks for the help you receive!☝ Please NO Links, Self Promotion, or Personal Info. Stay on topic and be respectful.
Why have you stopped mentioning sennheiiser? It’s like it’s vanished off your tadar
Since they changed ownership, the new team that handles press has become nothing more than a press release farm. They've ignored every effort to make contact for about a year, even replies to their press emails announcing new products. It's really unfortunate, as we loved the original bar.@@user-xt8yx4tz8x
Hi Guys,Great review as always. Kristy mentioned the Bose Smart Ultra had the best intelligently of the bar systems, can you adjust the volume of the subwoofer to the point of turning off on the Bose system? I need to be able to turn the bass off. Btw, on hearing loss, ive noted that at night i can hear the super high frequency chirps of micro bats that frequently pass by but my late 50s to mid 60s parents can't hear, I was at the time mid 30s.
@@user-xt8yx4tz8x i had expected to hear them mention the Nakamichi dragon as the best choice for the money no object purchase. Now you mention it, i do vaguely remember the Sennheiser sound bar. I wonder if an updated version has been released since then?
@@KristiWright oh thats interesting and a shame really. Poor move on Sennheiser's part.
please keep your formula going, its disappointing that many Tube creators get some success and change for the worse.
What do you mean? I appreciate your comment but would welcome a little more insight if you care to share.
yes more clarity, just noting that you take time to review products we would be interested in , not going down other tangents some other creators think their success affords them, keep up the good work!@@andrewrobinsonreviews
@@gunsandcars3648 I agree but I can’t see them going in any other direction. Your initial post made it seem like they were. In any case, Robinsons for the win!
@@gunsandcars3648 thanks for following up. One more question, what "other tangents" are you referring to?
I appreciate how Andrew actually discusses the product, different features included and how they work, comparable products and the differences. In other words focusing on the product and thorough. There are a few others that I watch who are literally reading specs, on camera from Crutchfield or Amazon, and that's their review. Very basic to say the least.
Another thing I love about Andrew's reviews are that you get 2 perspectives which might not seem like a big deal, but it really sheds another light in the same review. Keep up the great work!
I love that you're giving yamaha its due, well deserved. They have been left in the dust the last couple of years. Im content with may arc and sub in the living room and bose 600 in my office/game room. But I always like to hear about the new shiny toys. But now that i have those its hard for me to go back to the cloth bars.
I appreciate the diversity of your reviews.
Your videos are very good! you actually inspired me to get my first dedicated audio setup. even though its all second-hand stuff I love it so much and i have no regrets.
I appreciate your willingness to help those of us in lower budgets to make informed decisions. Thank you!
Happy to help!
I will truly miss this room and design. That being said I can’t wait to see the new room and design and hope it’s all that you wanted and wished for. You guys are stellar when it comes to design, production and overall quality of everything, so I’m 1000% confident it’ll be awesome! Great video and review as always! I’m glad to see Yamaha pushing the envelope and bring competitive. (I’m a bit biased towards them in audio world, as my favorite trumpet is made by Yamaha hehe). Hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday!
The room will not be done for several months, but we have a temporary solution you will see next week that will give us a lot to discuss (along with being VERY rental-friendly). Bracing myself for the comments next week 😬
As far as I can remember, this review of the Yamaha sound bar provided more price information about the product and its competition than others. It's so helpful in putting a review in perspective is to talk price. Yes, specs, quality, reactions are so
important, but at what price???
Thanks,
SnellKrell
Happy Monday from Virginia! I enjoyed the review and I can understand from a number of my friends who have lost access to the upper frequencies that it can be a real FOMO moment. I enjoy listening to Celine and Enya, but I have friends with the hearing loss say that they can't stand Celine and they are happy that they no longer hear her full range. Excellent review and a recommendation for a budget setup. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Yamaha is one of my favorite audio brand. Consistently producing quality products.
I agree, they really have been very consistent across the board lately!
Really appreciate your advice and nuanced suggestions!
So glad you find our reviews helpful!
Thanks, Yes, with a 450 sq ft. room I prefer speakers and more especially as I have programed the sound for the Atrium with choral and the Transom for the upstairs effect. One bedroom has a bar and that is great for that!
O great review. I really needed this enjoyable review. Thank you both.❤🎉
I would very much like to hear a video of Kristi doing some sort of ASMR, or really just talking about Hi-Fi for a whole video, that I could then loop and occasionally fall asleep to. What a soothing voice. Or better yet, narrate an audiobook. Does any of that sound reasonably plausible that it might happen, or is that a pipe dream?
Very good detailed review.
Expecting the ambeo plus or max review through your chanel
Another great video guys, thanks. I admit this sounds like a good soundbar but those satellites are a big hesitation for me. I've been looking strongly at the Bose (I have a weakness for them) but I've also been a long time Yamaha fan so now I have to drive 3.5 hours if I want to hear it without "buying and returning" (which I hate doing). I've also always had a preference to listening to separate speakers for best separation and the ability to toe-in to listening spots. Also, I am setting up a small listening room for a friend and this may be a good choice for him.
I, for one, really appreciate Kristi's input. I feel like I align with her views, simply because she offers what feels like a more holistic perspective to living with hifi and theatre. I really value your guys' interactions and discussions at the end.
Some people are wild for writing what they do, and I hope none of that garbage ever discourages you guys from doing what you do.
Always helpful insights. I really like the soundbar reviews. While I am not presently in the market I have really enjoyed the Sony bar we have in our bedroom. I think there is a really broad audience for these reviews. It is good to see what is presently available and to watch progress occur in this segment. Thanks again guys. Good luck with the renovation.
Which sony do you have? We have a small one and I've found it to be good.
@@andrewrobinsonreviewsThe HTZ9F. It's mid-level at best. But it works well for a bedroom.
Personally I really like "great cost effective" products for the masses. I don't need and won't spend for the best money can buy. Great channel. Thx to you both. ❤
Thank you such much for watching!
More soundbars should come with subwoofer out options. Being able to hook up beefier subs to these would be cool
More expensive, larger bars sometimes do. It's rare, but it does exist.
Good review, thanks guys. Quick question, why do you think people don't hit the like button? If they watch the whole video, why not hit it? It isn't like they are saying they like the product!
I feel you Kristi! I still have good hearing, but concert going as a young person did some damage to my left ear. I have to be careful. No more concerts, especially in small venues for me. Cant handle ambient crowd noise at all. Stereo and home theater allows me to at least control the volume. Cheers!
On one hand, I don't regret all of the time spent at live shows because those are mostly great memories, but I wish I would've listened to my grandfather when he cautioned me of listening to the radio at full volume in my car. I think that probably did more damage.
Thanks for the review yall' I like it when you take the time to review more affordable products. While it is fun to watch a review for a $5000 pair of tower speakers...that is just something I will never own.
Really appreciate you tuning in!
Always interesting and fun! Thanks!
Thank you for continuing to support us and tuning in each week. We really appreciate it!
Good morning!
I have an older Yamaha soundbar and sub that do a really solid job (for what was a fairly low price).
Yamaha nail value proposition and are ALWAYS a solid, good quality, low risk choice 👍
Not always the BEST choice... But never a BAD choice.
I agree still have and use my Yamaha Yas -207 which this new model is an update of in some ways nice new features feel the rear surrounds should be included with the bar
@@jefferyberg8186
Yep, mine is the YAS107... Same as yours but without the sub... I opted for a separate Yamaha YST-FSW-050 sub as it better suited my space.
Not a fan of the DTS Virtual X (which sounds a bit boxy to me), but otherwise a really solid bit of kit (and used to be very reasonably priced).
I have in the past Yas207 the true X is a Big Big step on performance.
Some options are no mentionned on reviews.
If you want the best ot true X system.
Put bar on
Still 5 sec in movie button
Lightning on bar 3 Times After that.
And enjoy !!!
Amazing value bar😊
Great video. This hobby is insane. I’ve got, probably, $15,000 in A/V gear. Sounds okay. I’ve got a $155 sound bar in my bedroom. Sounds incredible.
could you make a video of your top picks for subwoofers?
Love it. Great run down peeps. ❤🎉😊
Hey, thanks for dropping by and showing some love! Hope you are well!
Thank you!
Another Sunday another great review. Good morning everyone.
Thanks so much for tuning in! We really appreciate it.
Hello! Thank you for watching.
This bar is a amazing value !
And if you want the best sound
1 - power on
2 - press and stay 5 seconds on movie mode on remote
(The led flash 3 times)
3 - enjoy you have the best sound. (More powerfull more dynamic and dont need anymore at good levels bass extension ot clear voice)
BEST VALUE for me 😊
(This procédure is indicated on manual)
I used to be skeptical about Yamaha sound, but then I picked up a really old 2.1 speaker set by Yamaha. It sounds way better than any plastic speaker should. Sound bars sure have come a long way too, I remember some really early ones sounded pretty awful.
Genius that you have a media shelf under the TV that’s almost the exact height of the subwoofer. Well played. 👏🏼
A pleasant Sunday morning Andrew & Kristi.
Thanks and the same to you! We really appreciate you watching.
Like button smashed!!
And we appreciate it!
Thank you so much for the double review i always watched all your videos especially the soundbar videos and tv ones i think asked for a polk review way back last year with patience i got the review. My expectations was correct about the bar it is neutral leaning and is better for music but also i think polk does work better in even smaller space so no doubt its the better value. I do have the older poks the none AX version without atmos.according to rtings that bar was even more neutral for music it was enjoyable for music and movies. Although im missing some dolby atmos im not really having fomo about it as the music is so enjoyable neutral yet quite airy in the upper treble at 18khz. Im looking forward to another soundbar review the mini sounbar from sennheiser. Wonderful review with comparisons best part would be its entertaining and enjoyable with great personalities behind it.
Appreciate you watching this video. Not everyone in the hobby is as receptive to soundbars, so you never know if a video like this will find the right audience. Glad to hear it found you!
Good review brotha 👍🏼. I am kinda undecided to get this or spend another grand for the devialet... Decisions, decisions
Good morning, even though I have no interest in sound bars myself I still know that they are a good option for a lot of people and I just enjoy watching your content. So thank you
I appreciate you watching every week, even if the video may not be for you, and I appreciate you being kind in your realization that even though 'bars may not be for you, you still allow for their presence in the home theater space.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews No problem, It wouldn't be a Sunday without a new video from you guys 😁
We sincerely appreciate you tuning in!
@@KristiWright Thanks Kristi
It's nice when husband and wife come together and discuss topics about hifi audio & video you don't see that much happening or mabe not at all blessings folks👍👍👍💯💯💯
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Does the bar simulate the rear channels if you don't have the optional satellites connected?
Is there a soundbar where I can place the surround speakers above my head? But not installed inside the roof.
Good afternoon! I appreciate that you do not stick to reviewing 2-channel audio because it opens the mind of your viewing audience to the potential for experiencing products they might not otherwise experience. I'm struggling with the purchase of a good soundbar because of the video entertainment desert that we exist in at this time. So, for that reason only, I lean toward a 2-channel with a phantom center (but feel free to twist my arm😄). If Hollywood turns the corner and we return to pre-pandemic quality for movies and episodics, I'd say yes. 😊
There are still some really good episodics out there but I understand your point. We finally watched Saltburn last night and what a self-serving piece of cinema. Beautifully filmed, the sets and locations were gorgeous, but the plot and character development were seriously lacking.
@@KristiWright I've looked at Masters of the Air on Apple TV as of late. But that's about it.
@@dawaynecleckley8673 I'm excited to check out AMC's Shogun. Constellation is going nowhere fast, but The New Look is incredible (unless you're a Chanel fan).
Good video! Sounds like a good soundbar solution, but how did you like the cloth covering? Looks like it could be a dust magnet over the long haul….🥴
I’ve just taken this Yamaha, this bar has fantastic ratio sound/price.
Totally agree!
The same Amazing value bar !
I have a Pioneer Elite 704 I have had no problems until I hooked up a PS5 all media apps voices seemed to come from the right speaker could you do a video on how to correct this
I think when comparing it on price, it should come down to whether or not you want the speakers now or might want them up the road. Because once you add those, you're in the price range in which you can now regularly pick up the Samsung Q990C, or within a hundred or so dollars of it. That makes it a tough ask unless maybe you're positive the bar and sub is all you need - but then, as Andrew points out, you might want to consider the Polk.
Happy sunday once again. Sun is shining. Coffee in hand!
Love it! Enjoy the video!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews always!
Morning from Canada - coffee’ done, time for some oatmeal 😂
@@fonkenful right on!! Wilfred Brimley is smiling down upon you!
Hi!!
Great show/episode as always. Imagine my glea this morning to watch you guys.
Random question; when Kristi 1st starts talking about inteligibility you had a clip of an action sequence. I think military type gun sequence. What movie or series was that? Looks like fun to watch. 12:08 mark.
Thanks as always 🙏🏾
Michael, you'll find a list of the content shown in the description!
Hello from Virginia, and thanks for the great reviews. May I ask one question.... Which of the other soundbars offers fully wireless surround speakers like this? Battery powered and wireless connectivity at any price point.
Thank you
Dang! That lounge is pretty sweet and wasn't expecting that price point!
I thought that lounger was one of those highfalutin 3K jobbers.
Samsung 990D vs Yamaha X50A sets. Which would be better ? In terms of movie immersion and Lady vocal Sound?
I see you, sneaking that Cambridge CXN V3 into the background...
You mean this bit.ly/49OCqxq?
Do you have a frequency graph for this like the samsung and jbl?
This looks amazing but the Q990C is only $1400 for the set here in the UK and the Yamaha including the rears comes to almost the same so the question is... Is it worth the $200 savings or is it better to save up another $200 and go for the Q990C?
I'd be interested to see a comparison between the Yamaha w/ the rear speakers and the Samsung Q700C w/ its optional rear speakers. I believe the cost would be pretty close once you add it all up.
I really do love that stand.
If you refresh the video, I've tagged it on the timeline for you.
@@KristiWright sweet!
Hello from Seattle !
I'm from nz had a Samsung q90r 2019 model soundbar got rid of it for the polk magnifi max sr and it's much better especially for music and top gun maverick sounds awesome could of got the q990 for pretty much the same price but happy with the polk
Top of the moring 🌄 to ya!
Same to you!
Same to you!
Have you reviewed the Polk Magnify Max SR or is this a little teaser? I’m super excited.
This will be our "review" of the Polk at this time.
Really liking that rack-cabinet under the tv.
It's about to be replaced. 😂
@@andrewrobinsonreviews hahaha and just like that, it was gone!
@@maxpower78-15 It was the coffee table you had been seeing for 2 years. I moved it under the TV while we swapped out some other stuff. But it's not a good solution honestly so we're moving on.
I tagged the cabinet in the video if you want to check it out. If you refresh the video, you should see the tag pop-up while the video is playing. Or you can open the description box and find it there as well.
Pricing strategy for this product is totally different around the world, here in EU Yamaha X50A WITHOUT rear speakers costs more than full Q990C set.
Good morning, friends! Looks like a solid, straightforward solution. Have a great weekend.
Solid and straightforward are two good ways to describe the Yamaha.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews can't wait to see the updated look for your room!
Thanks for watching !
So i can get the hwq995gc for 750€ and the yamha for 890 with the rearspeaker. What would u do? For me the samsuung dont look so great
I cant tell how i feel about totally wireless surrounds. On one hand, the utility of a bluetooth speaker is awesome, but whi desnt already have one? But i would probably place them plugged in all the time anyway? I'm not going to move them? And having to teach the family how to position them and charge them when they run out of power could be a hassle.
On paper "satellite/portable speaker" seems like a value add, but i dont see it being all that practical.
Though maybe FlexConnect can help? (I havent watched enough of the video to find out if this supports that or not)
Thank you for your review. I think many of us woould like to see more comparsion to other soundbars vs cheap 5.1+ receivers. At the end of reviews or special episode. You know, the for the money in price. Many of us consider what we should buy soundbar or 5.1 or even active speakers.
We do precisely that here: th-cam.com/video/ocoPP-tyyrw/w-d-xo.html. Watch it first, and then be sure to tune in today in a couple of hours for the follow-up Unplugged episode.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews great! I will watch it next episode for sure as well. I really like your original reviews. It is good that you don't skip budget level. There's many other in similar price product's like Heco Aurora, Pylon Pearl, Magnat, and little expensive Dali Oberon, Monitor Audio Bronz and others. I know you do not have time and possibly to tested all but maybe in the future. It would be great to see this too. Right now I'm waiting for next episode.
We've already tested a few of those in your list.
You can install the Yamaha soundbar above your head on the ceiling for best Atmos Sound
I know you are joking but for those who don't, this is not recommended.
In South Africa at this moment the Samsung Q990C is $778 and the Yamaha is $1098.
Is that a new Cambridge CXN100 streamer hiding in plain sight? Hopefully you can review it soon if so!
Good catch.
Good morning from Ottawa 🇨🇦 I feel for you, Kristi: I go for my hearing test on Tuesday; going to get custom moulded ear plugs for sleeping and concerts. Gotta take care of your hearing, folks! 👂🏻
Taking care of one's self is priority one!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I saw Lizzo in Toronto a few years ago, and it was so loud (110db) that it did damage. VERY faint tinnitus. I’m not messing around now 😤 earplugs everywhere!
For sleeping too? What's happening during sleep?
@@KristiWright I got used to sleeping with ear plugs when I used to work overnight warehouse shifts. Now I can’t sleep without them. 5 minutes of hearing your breathe and heartbeat and I am 😴
Gotcha! @@MatthewMcGowan
How this one campare with the vizio elevate 5.1.4 2020 model
watching from Oz.
Love it! Thank you!
Me too
Vs the JBL bar 500? Is it worth the extra $?
Afternoon Andrew and Kristi
Good morning! Thanks for tuning in hope you're having a great day so far!
Hey KJ!
@@KristiWright 👍👍
For tv/music/movies, do you prefer an av receiver with tower speakers, center channel, and surrounds, a soundbar with surrounds or 2.1 setup like klipsch sevens of nines?
I feel like a av receiver setup is outdated. How do you feel about it? Too many wires, outdated look and it’s space consuming. Do you have similar thoughts?
how is this outdated? its the best sounding option. Double or Single Bass Array, Trinnov / Storm Audio or miniDSP / DSP based Solution everywhere the same speakers and a complete professional treated room is the way for a good cinema. Soundbars are crap and has nothing to do with homecinema
Good morning, friends! Good to be here! :)
Good morning! So glad to see you this fine Sunday Leezah!
I'm waiting on a parking cone sub.
New TV have a Toslink connection also. It's great since you can free up an HDMI port for things that actually need and use HDMI, not a soundbar.
Toslink is another name for optical. Its a very limited connection in what its able to reproduce. For instance its its pretty much limited to a max 96Khz audio processing and technically cannot process height channels such as required for Atmos. If you have a HDMI or even USB connection available, its always best to choose USB OR HDMI over Optical/Toslink.
@@MaZEEZaM Toslink will handle everything up to 5.1 surround. Most systems are fine using the connection.
I know it must be something that needs to get views, but I'd be interested in seeing you guys review more passive speaker bars with a receiver or other gear. I know you guys did the one Klipsch bar but more are becoming available. In my living room, I'm using a passive speaker bar being powered by an Onkyo RZ50 receiver. I didn't bother setting up surround speakers because the living room is just for everyday viewing. We have a theater in the basement, not to mention we have a membership at our local theater for 20 bucks a month 3 movies a week.
In any case, I find this receiver/passive bar setup to be far more flexible and tweakable than the Klipsch soundbar I once had and nearly as simple to set up.
We are open to doing those reviews, but passive sound bars are not all that common. What passive bar are you using with your Onkyo?
@@KristiWright You're right there aren't many out there, but recently I've seen some from Goldenear, Paradigm, KEF, Elac, Definitive Technology, Martin Logan and Klipsch has a couple.
Right, Now I'm using a monoprice OW-3 which will go to the bedroom once I decide between the KEF HTF8003 or ELAC Muro MSB41L. I really like my KEF R3 Meta that I use in my 2-channel room so why not try a kEF in the living room. However, the Elac comes in white with a grey grill and looks nice, but I've never heard an ELAC product.
I’d love to hear yall compare this to the Sony HT-9. I know it’s not a soundbar but since it has a small footprint and is a HT out of the box, maybe?
The Sony HT-A9 is far better, but it's not really a fair comparison. The HT-A9 competes with systems like the Ultimate Sonos setup and dedicated (albeit smaller) home theater setups.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Hi, I really want buy HT-A9 but I'm little scared because few people have problem with that. Linus really love this sistem but he have a lot of problems with lags in music (propably wifi?) But I found this video on youtube (Review of the Sony HTA9 and a solution to the sound cutting off(FINALLY FIXED!) - I don't want paste link because YT can remove my comments, so you can check this? He add a cooling fan because of heating problem with main box. This set cost almost 10 thousand in my country and I don't know if risk and buy that or wait for maybe new fixed HT-A10 if Sony want makes that, maybe wired not wireless? Can you check this subject, talk with other peoples and create video about that? Thx and sry for my language.
The B&W formation bar and subwoofer was $699 (refurbished) directly from B&W outlet an almost 60% discount over the original price and definitely its gonna sound way better than the Yamaha ..
I am confused between Denon X2800h & Yamaha A2A. Which av will best for 50:50 movie+music experience?
I prefer Yamaha's sound. Go with the one that has the options you need and fits your budget.
I'm watching your reviews and many others because I'm about to buy. I'm hesitating between Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4, LG S95TR Soundbar 9.1.5, YAMAHA SR-X50A + 2 x WS-X1A and you've confused me so much that I don't know. If I had to choose with my heart and experience in sound, I would probably choose YAMAHA... I also like the look very much. Will you comment?? 😀
Love those speakers you can turn into Bluetooth speakers and take with you!
It's a nice touch and a way of giving users additional value. They're not as good as say Sonos Ones or ERA 300s, but they're nevertheless more functional than a lot of soundbar surrounds.
My Philips b97 soundbar broke down. Which model should I choose as a replacement? JBL 1300 or Yamaha x50a + 2x WS-X1A? Mainly for movies and music from Spotify. I've listened to both reviews, and I'm not sure myself. Yamaha seems to be better for music. In JBL, I have doubts about the dialogue quality.
Get a Samsung instead, they are simply the best for music and movies.
Andrew, I love the Eames Chair in your room there. I have always wanted to get one because of the look of it. How do you find it comfort-wise and build quality. If you don't mind, where did you purchase it? Also, if you wanted to get a real high end soundbar that is great for music and movies, which one would you choose. I will be moving soon to a home with a larger family room and want to get a soundbar that I don't feel like it is something you settle for as opposed to a separate speaker and receiver set-up and I am willing to pay the price for it. I have had separates in the past and found that it dominated the room and would like a cleaner appearance.
I love our Eames, though if I had to do it over again, I would've gone with a more traditional or universal finish. Our custom white oak and prone leather finish is very nice, and the leather is a definite quality upgrade, but the color scheme makes it less universal in all living spaces. I recommend going with one of the classic combos if you're shopping for one. We purchased ours from Design Within Reach, which Herman Miller owns. As far as high-end soundbars go, my favorites include the Bang & Olufsen Theatre ($$$), the Sonos Arc premium system ($$), and the Samsung Q990C ($$).
@cliffordhamblen5477 chiming in here - It's very comfortable and has great lumbar support. One word of caution, if you have mobility issues, the low seat and the seat's dip (which helps relieve back pain), can be more difficult to get out of.
By the way, all of those systems Andrew mentions are noted in the description along with a wealth of other information I think you'll find useful. If you use one of our links, it does help to support the channel!
Just checked out the Design within reach website. They have lots of great looking furniture, right up my alley.
Thanks Andrew.
Great, Thank You and Andrew for your help.@@KristiWright
By the way, I love your input during the videos. It helps get a viewpoint on systems that would probably more align with my wife's.
@@KristiWright
Top 5 budget AV recivers 2024?
You both seemed to love the JBL Bar 5.1, so now I’m wondering how this Yamaha and the Polk compare to the JBL. Thoughts?
We weren't able to directly A/B the two. The JBL is great and still one I recommend. It's about 100 cheaper (amzn.to/39hJ1Xz). The bass may be a little deeper with the JBL - but again, I'm going off memory. I would choose the Yamaha for its intelligibility.
Thanks so much for the reply! BTW Love it when you throw in a bit of snark with your comments. Great channel!
Hi, hope all is well. Like what you do. Kristi, as someone with hearing issues also, I've been looking at the Sennheiser Max or Plus. In this review you stated that the Smart Ultra was the best for dialogue. Which would you recommend as a straight choice of the 3, ignoring price? Greatly appreciate your advice.
Cheers,
Grant
We haven't heard the Max or Plus so I cannot comment on them. I would get bit.ly/45Mm4CY if dialogue is the biggest concern. It's great!
Hi Kristi, thanks for that. The Sennheiser Max was the big beast you reviewed about 3 years ago. It was just called the Ambeo then. It was changed to the Max when the Plus came out. Cheers, Grant.
We have not been able to review any Sennheiser bars since the Ambeo. Sadly, the new ownership has not responded to our review requests.
Hi mate, Thanks for that. I dont think I was as clear as what I could have been. If you had to choose between the Ambeo, that you reviewed vs the Smart Ultra, which would you pick for dialogue. I watched your review of the Smart Ultra but it wasn't clear which one you'd pick for dialogue. It's a shame they're not dealing with you anymore as I would have loved to hear your thoughts on the new Plus in comparison to the original Ambeo. Keep up the great work. Cheers, Grant.
Kristi answered your question in the first reply.
Did Yamaha pass on Chromecast? That's interesting
Good morning way off topic what mesh network work are you running. We recently lost power and some of our smart home devices hand shake was not working until I factory reset our mesh. My Apple TV remote app was not working correctly was the main problem. I was just wondering if you ever experienced this with your mesh network
We use Google Home/Nest products for everything wifi-related, and they have been trouble-free for (I think) 6+ years!
Great video you guys are a class act keep it up
Huge fan of the ASUS mesh systems. I have the AX11000 paired with one of their other ASUS routers. 600 megabits a second around the house.
When outages occur, sometimes the wifi hubs need a reset. Our Apple TV remote seems to have a bug, though...it's been showing only 20% battery life for a month or so despite being charged.
Samsung Q990C is like $170 more expensive than this and I feel like I should go for that or even Q930C is pretty much same price as this which on paper seems like a better choice. What do you think? These are the prices in India for anyone wondering
Hi Andrew! Have you heard Taga harmony Tav 607 5.0 + Taga harmony Tsw 212Se? If yes then how they sounds? pls review.
Sadly, I have not heard those products, sorry.
@@andrewrobinsonreviewsYour call on Denon X2800 vs Yamah A2A for 50:50 movie + music experience?
Your def not fans of the sub mini then lol, I have the mini with the arc in a small room and feel that it adds a lot, it does not shake the room but there is a big improvement in sound quality, it is prob not suitable for a larger room
Where is your video reviewing the Polk Magnifi Max AX SR you show here compared to this Yamaha X50A?
The Polk is discussed in this video so I would recommend you watch until the end for our thoughts. We are not planning to review the Polk.
@@KristiWright thanks , I did watch the complete video and your guys thoughts. Just figured if you had the Polk in house you would have made a complete video about it.
We had planned to when it first came out, but by the time we finally got one for review, we couldn't find a place for it on our schedule. Hopefully, the video gives you a decent impression of its performance and how it competes today.@@skydancerforever
Good morning!
Hello!
Morning!
Hello from Hong Kong～～～～
Hello!
Hope all is well!
@@KristiWright Yeah, all good !
Hello from 🇮🇳
Morning!
“You were more entertaining than the show” 😂😂😂
She was!
I can get the Q930C for £615 on Amazon - Game Over...
Glad you're happy with your Samsung. We haven't tested that one, but the 990C is a beast.
@@KristiWright all reviews I've read say it's practically indistinguishable from the Q990C at reasonable volume, I have the Q930b tho, it's a fantastic bit of kit for smaller rooms
Does an auro 3d soundbar exist?
Not to my knowledge.