Yamaha True X Bar 40A Review: Affordable Soundbar with Impressive Clarity

The Yamaha True X Bar 40A exceeds expectations for its price, delivering clear and vibrant sound for both films and music. With two built-in subwoofers and up-firing speakers, it offers a taste of surround sound and Dolby Atmos. While some distortion occurs at high volumes, this soundbar stands out as an excellent, cost-effective option for enhancing home entertainment.

Reasons to Consider

• Quick two-minute setup
• Remarkable sound quality for the price
• Excellent vocal clarity and detail
• Powerful bass from built-in subwoofers
• Rich treble sound
• High volume capability
• Comprehensive remote control, no complicated app needed

Possible Drawbacks

• Distortion may occur at loud volumes
• App usability could improve
• Sound clarity diminishes during complex scenes

Yamaha, a well-known audio manufacturer, has been producing soundbars for two decades. The True X Bar Series, particularly the entry-level 40A model, offers a sleek design in a single soundbar.

I compared the Yamaha True X Bar 40A with the True X Bar 50A, which features a wireless subwoofer for enhanced bass. Testing both simultaneously highlighted the strengths of each model across varying price points, and I was genuinely impressed by the 40A's performance.

Quick Verdict

For its price, the Yamaha True X Bar 40A provides detailed and colorful sound. Its built-in subwoofers deliver solid bass, while the up-firing speakers support Dolby Atmos, a rarity in this price range.

Sound clarity is generally high, though it can become muddled during busy scenes. In direct comparison with the Yamaha True X Bar 50A, which includes a wireless subwoofer, I found the 40A's bass surprisingly effective without the additional component.

This compact and budget-friendly soundbar elevates home entertainment, producing fantastic sound across genres. Its minimalist design fits well in various interiors, and it comes with wall-mount brackets.

Though the app could use enhancements, and customization options are somewhat limited compared to alternatives like the Samsung HW-QS750F, which offers extensive audio control, the 40A remains a fantastic speaker at a lower price.

Yamaha True X Bar 40A: Specifications

Yamaha True X Bar 40A: Setup

Setting up the soundbar was straightforward: just plug in the power and connect the included HDMI cable to your TV's ARC port. For older TVs lacking ARC ports, an optical cable is also included.

Audio from my TV played through the soundbar instantly, allowing setup in under two minutes. With Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect compatibility, connecting to other devices is seamless.

My only issue was with the app connection. After following the setup steps and entering my Wi-Fi password, I encountered an error message. Eventually, the soundbar appeared on the main screen, fully connected. This might have been a unique issue, as I could still use the soundbar without the app, and its features are also accessible via remote.

The soundbar comes with brackets and screws for wall mounting.

Yamaha True X Bar 40A: Design and Features

Despite being priced under $500, the Yamaha True X Bar 40A features impressive hardware capable of producing quality sound, though it's limited in features and adjustments.

It includes two up-firing speakers, making it Dolby Atmos compatible, even at this entry-level price point. For true Dolby Atmos, however, higher investment is necessary.

With its two built-in subwoofers, the 40A offers decent bass without needing a separate unit. Users can adjust levels via the app or remote.

Available sound settings include:

• Clear Voice: Enhances vocal clarity.
• Bass Extension: A simple on/off bass boost.
• Subwoofer Volume: Control built-in subwoofer volume from -10 to +10.
• Sound Mode: Select from Stereo, Standard, Movie, or Game.

While it's beneficial to adjust the built-in subwoofer volume, the sound mode options are somewhat limited compared to other models. Users can't tweak treble or mid-range settings, and there's no feature for optimizing surround sound based on room acoustics.

There's no night mode for quieter playback, but users can lower the sound and subwoofer volume. Competing soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra can better manage sound levels in dynamic scenes.

While the app's features are mirrored in the remote (a rarity), the app can be slow and less user-friendly. The soundbar doesn't appear in the app unless powered on, limiting remote access.

In practice, while improvements could be made for quicker feature access, once settings are established, they typically remain unchanged.

Yamaha True X Bar 40A: TV and Movies

I anticipated a noticeable decline in audio quality when I disconnected the larger subwoofer from the True X Bar 50A, but the 40A still produced impressive sound. Surround sound is present, though it lacks the realism of pricier models like the Sonos Arc Ultra.

While watching Princess Mononoke, the built-in subwoofer performed admirably. The orchestral score created tension during pivotal scenes and atmospheric moments without overwhelming the action. Voices were clear and distinct, especially during quieter moments.

In John Wick Chapter 2, the bass was less impactful, especially during the train scene. Compared to other soundbars like the Samsung HW-QS750F, the gunshots lacked depth, merely sounding louder than standard TV speakers.

Combat scenes delivered enhanced audio, yet it remained a refined version of regular sound.

During Arrested Development, I was impressed by the sound balance. Background sounds remained subtle, and each character's voice was accurate, even with the Clear Voice feature, which sometimes alters sound quality.

However, distortion appeared during chaotic scenes with multiple sounds, similar to my experience with the True X Bar 50A. Yet, the 40A managed to retain better clarity, as the absence of a large subwoofer contributed positively.

Even without the deep bass, the volume can reach impressive levels. While watching Our Planet II, I noted thunderous sound effects, but clarity diminished during hectic scenes.

In an episode of Breaking Bad, the vocal clarity was excellent, with depth and color that made the audio feel immersive. The difference compared to standard TV audio was significant.

Yamaha True X Bar 40A: Music

The Yamaha True X Bar 40A is a fantastic choice for music enthusiasts, offering superior sound quality compared to portable speakers or standard TV audio.

I was pleasantly surprised by the power from the built-in subwoofers, which created robust bass across songs. While it doesn't replicate the impact of the 50A's subwoofer, it performs well for an affordable soundbar.

Listening to Massive Attack's Angel showcased its capabilities. The bass resonated without needing excessive volume, and during climactic moments, the sound remained distinct and harmonious.

Daft Punk's Phoenix revealed slight distortion at high volumes, particularly when cymbals and synths were prominent.

In Four Tet's Three Drums, clarity diminished with multiple instrumental layers, yet the overall experience remained enjoyable.

A Tribe Called Quest's Oh My God was well-balanced, though vocals occasionally got overshadowed by the instrumentals, even with Clear Voice engaged.

Compared to the 50A, the 40A provides more space for subtle details, helping to reveal finer elements often obscured by the subwoofer.

Matthew Halsall's An Ever Changing View highlighted this quality, though it's still not on par with premium soundbars. There were minor distortions, but the overall sound was airy and resonant.

Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues displayed some weaknesses in mids and highs, with his vocals sounding slightly strained at peak volumes, but the brass and percussion generally sounded excellent.

Cocteau Twins' Pitch The Baby resonated beautifully, replicating the lush sound of high-fidelity headphones.

Yamaha True X Bar 40A: Price

The Yamaha True X Bar 40A retails for $499.95, often available for around $350-$400. Positioned between entry-level and mid-range soundbars, its built-in subwoofers and up-firing speakers make it a strong value.

For an additional $200, you can opt for the Yamaha True X Bar 50A, which includes a wireless subwoofer. If deep bass is important, the investment might be worthwhile, but the 40A offers vibrant sound quality without it.

If you want a complete surround experience, consider adding two Yamaha True X Speaker 1As for $179.95 each, enhancing your audio experience.

While the Yamaha True X Bar 40A is an outstanding choice at this price, higher spending can yield richer sound quality. Models like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, priced at $1,099 and $999.99 respectively, outperform the Yamaha in every aspect.

Testing Methodology for Yamaha True X Bar 40A

I evaluated the Yamaha True X Bar 40A in my spacious living area, featuring a mix of hard floors, rugs, and soft furnishings, to assess its sound capabilities in a typical environment.

I used a standardized set of movie scenes and music tracks for consistent evaluation, ensuring a comprehensive assessment across various sound frequencies and genres.

Every sound setting was tested, and the soundbar was connected in all available formats to evaluate its surround sound performance.