There comes a time in every person's life when an upgrade to a real home theater system is in order. The gear can cost a fortune, but it doesn't have to. If you're not sure what you need or how much you should spend, the Yamaha YAS-101 is a good place to start.
What Is It?
A $300 soundbar that delivers the type of 5.1 channel surround sound found in much more expensive systems.
Who's it For?
People without a home theater who want to step up their gear's game. Or just people with tiny apartments.
Design
The YAS-101 has a sleek, piano-black finish that looks impressive sitting right below a TV. Some soundbars come with external subwoofers, but the one in the YAS-101 is built-in, giving it a wide profile.
Using It
The ultra-simple setup takes five seconds. Just plug the TV to the soundbar with an optical cable. A remote allows you to control volume and to toggle between stereo and surround sound modes.
The Best Part
Excellent bang for the buck in an unbelievably easy-to-use package.
Tragic Flaw
There's no easy way to connect your smartphone, iPhone, or computer to the soundbar, so listening to music out of it is a pain.
This Is Weird...
Despite the built-in subwoofer, there's an output for an additional subwoofer—as if that's something you'd spring for when you're buying the cheapest soundbar in the world.
Test Notes
• Inception on Blu-ray sounded well-balanced across the tonal range, and the internal subwoofer delivered convincing bass. Over a month of testing, moments like this made the Yamaha (almost) perform like a great home theater system.
• Music sounded terrible on an iPhone hooked up through a TV, but Pearl Jam Twenty, on Netflix streaming, sounded great, with plenty of nuance and good dynamics.
• Playing Mass Effect 3 through the system was a pleasure. It does a nice job of emulating a full surround sound system (but you don't quite hear shell casings hitting the ground behind you). At times, the lack of an independent subwoofer left the sound a bit tinny.
Should You Buy It?
Yes! Especially if you've got a HDTV and no sound system.
Yamaha YAS-101 Soundbar
• Power: 30 watts per channel
• Drivers: dual 3-inch
• Subwoofer: Built-in, bass reflex type
• Inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial
• Outputs: Subwoofer out
• Price: $300
• Gizrank: 3.5 stars
DISCUSSION
How does this honestly handle vocal stuff? I've had bars and box systems before and my biggest grip is that while they sound "impressive" (not good per se, but boomy and showy) in action stuff, they're absolute rubbish for any kind of vocal work. I watch mostly talking dramas and so these have always been a no-go for me.
At this price point I'd rather purchase Audioengine speakers. You'll get more kick and better clarity. Maybe a motivated DIY'r can rig up an enclosing box and make it a "soundbar" lol.