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The Yamaha YAS-209 is a well-designed soundbar that delivers clear and powerful sound, with multiple sound modes, built-in Alexa, and easy setup. While it lacks MusicCast and true surround envelopment, it is a good mid-priced option for improving your TV’s sound.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Yamaha YAS-209 is a 2019 model mid-range soundbar that offers built-in Amazon Alexa to improve the sound quality and customization option of TV audio. This system has a 2.1-channel setup, providing good performance with stereo content. That said, it lacks satellite speakers and doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, so it doesn’t have an immersive soundstage. You can find better soundbars for movies on our list of the top-ranked sound speakers today.
With ports such as optical shared HDMI ARC+Out full HDMI in and Ethernet, this system provides hassle-free connectivity. It has remarkably low latency over all its ports, so there is flawless sync between the audio and video feeds. This speaker has built-in Alexa for simple voice control and boasts a companion mobile app for flawless operation.
With a remarkably well-balanced sound profile, this unit is great for music and comes with a dedicated subwoofer, which produces deep bass. Equalizer presets allow adjusting the sound system, and this system has a dialogue enhancement feature that optimizes the quality of human voices. It also streams wirelessly, both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Read on to learn more about the Yamaha YAS-209 and see how it compares with the best-rated soundbars on the market today.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Yamaha YAS-209 Smart Soundbar is a decent midpriced soundbar with a well-balanced sound profile, good build quality, and stereo performance. It offers spacious, weighty sound with well-placed surround effects and clear dialogue, making it a good choice for both movies and music.
The inclusion of Alexa voice control is a plus, but the soundbar lacks MusicCast and a true surround experience. The DTS Virtual:X surround mode can be harsh-sounding, and there are some limitations to Alexa control over native soundbar features. Overall, the Yamaha YAS-209 Smart Soundbar is a good option for those looking to upgrade their TV sound without breaking the bank.
ReasonS to Buy
Well-balanced sound
This soundbar is great for TV shows and music thanks to its neutral sound profile with satisfying low bass. The stereo soundstage, which is wider than the bar, is satisfactory with precise sound placement.
Satisfactory voice clarity
Dialogues, vocals, and instruments are fairly clear because of the neatly balanced mids. However, since there is no dedicated center channel, dialogues don’t get very loud.
Good bass response
It has a good bass response because the subwoofer helps with extending the low bass, making it suitable for action movies and music.
Solid smart integration
You can use your smartphone to fully control the soundbar with the Yamaha Sound Bar Controller app (Android and iOS). The app is especially handy if you lose the remote. And you can control the system with your voice, courtesy of built-in Alexa.
Good connectivity options
The YAS-209 has good connectivity options: 1 x Full HDMI In, 1 x HDMI eARC, 1 x Optical audio, 1 x Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth. There is no audio lag across Full HDMI In (20 ms), Optical (-36 ms), and eARC (-41 ms), and the tested latency is among the lowest we’ve measured.
Reason to Avoid
Poor surround performance and missing Atmos
This soundbar is subpar for action movies because the surround performance is unimpressive, with the 2.1 setup downmixing surround sound to stereo. Sounds don’t feel like they’re placed around you, but the virtual surround feature may improve this. There is also no Dolby Atmos.
The design lacks a display
Changing settings is unintuitive because the soundbar has no display in the front. There are indicator lights at the top to show you what setting you are on, but it’s not visible when you’re facing the soundbar from the front.
Yamaha YAS-209 Specs
Bluetooth Enabled
Yes
Depth
4.3"
Equalizer Settings
Basic
Height
2.5"
Number of Audio Channels
2.1
Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Weight
6 lbs
Width
36.6"
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Soundbars based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
40.582
High End Roll Off (Hz)
2,381.68
Max Volume Test (db)
83.9
Latency (ms)
-41
THD @ 80dB
0.63
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Product Comparison
Yamaha YAS-209 Review
True Score
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Ranking
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Market Context
The Yamaha YAS-209 is a 2019 model mid-range soundbar that offers built-in Amazon Alexa to improve the sound quality and customization option of TV audio….
The Yamaha YAS-209 is a 2019 model mid-range soundbar that offers built-in Amazon Alexa to improve the sound quality and customization option of TV audio. This system has a 2.1-channel setup, providing good performance with stereo content. That said, it lacks satellite speakers and doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, so it doesn’t have an immersive soundstage. You can find better soundbars for movies on our list of the top-ranked sound speakers today.
With ports such as optical shared HDMI ARC+Out full HDMI in and Ethernet, this system provides hassle-free connectivity. It has remarkably low latency over all its ports, so there is flawless sync between the audio and video feeds. This speaker has built-in Alexa for simple voice control and boasts a companion mobile app for flawless operation.
With a remarkably well-balanced sound profile, this unit is great for music and comes with a dedicated subwoofer, which produces deep bass. Equalizer presets allow adjusting the sound system, and this system has a dialogue enhancement feature that optimizes the quality of human voices. It also streams wirelessly, both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Read on to learn more about the Yamaha YAS-209 and see how it compares with the best-rated soundbars on the market today.
The Yamaha YAS-209 is very similar to the Yamaha YAS-109, with both systems featuring built-in Alexa. However, the Yamaha YAS-209 has a dedicated subwoofer and…
The Yamaha YAS-209 is very similar to the Yamaha YAS-109, with both systems featuring built-in Alexa. However, the Yamaha YAS-209 has a dedicated subwoofer and produces deeper bass than the Yamaha YAS-109, which lacks a sub. Check out our Yamaha YAS-109 review to learn more.
With the built-in Apple AirPlay, the Yamaha YAS-408 offers more wireless streaming options than the Yamaha YAS-209, which doesn’t support that tech. That said, the…
With the built-in Apple AirPlay, the Yamaha YAS-408 offers more wireless streaming options than the Yamaha YAS-209, which doesn’t support that tech. That said, the devices are almost identical, featuring an equally neutral sound profile. Check out our Yamaha YAS-408 Soundbar review to learn more.
Featuring a 3.1.2 setup, the Samsung HW-Q600A is better for movies and TV shows than the Yamaha YAS-209 with its 2.1-channel setup. It also has…
Featuring a 3.1.2 setup, the Samsung HW-Q600A is better for movies and TV shows than the Yamaha YAS-209 with its 2.1-channel setup. It also has support Dolby Atmos, and comes with a graphic EQ, unlike the Yamaha YAS-209. That said, the Yamaha YAS-209 supports Wi-Fi and has built-in Amazon Alexa, unlike the Samsung device.
