The Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar is the company’s one of the most high-performing smart speakers out there. Since its release in 2019, the speaker has been a decent soundbar with a balanced sound performance. The subwoofer features Amazon’s Alexa, allowing you to manage the device with voice control.
The Yamaha YAS-209 comes with a 2.1 setup. It creates great bass, which makes it efficient for multiple purposes. It also has two channels (left and right), so it may not project sound at a vast distance without satellite speakers. However, to solve this issue, Yamaha has built a virtual surround sound setting in the YAS-209 soundbar.
The controls on the Yamaha YAS-209 are easy-to-use, and the design is sleeker than the previous models. Overall, this speaker shows better performance than the Yamaha YAS-207.
Best Deal Today
- Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar (Amazon) – $299.95 (14% discount)
- Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar (NewEgg) – $299.95 (14% discount)
- Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar (Best Buy) – $299.99 ($50 discount)
- Easy setup with HDMI or Optical cable and automatic subwoofer connection
- Wireless subwoofer for deep bass and flexible placement. Center unit-36-5/8 × 2-1/2 × 4-1/4 inches, Subwoofer-7-1/2 × 16-1/2 × 16 inches
- Clear voice for enhanced dialogue clarity
- Alexa built-in for voice control of your sound bar, playing music, listening to news, setting alarms and timers, asking questions, controlling smart home devices, and more
- With Alexa, playing music is as simple as asking for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon music and more
Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar Overview
To know about the Yamaha YAS-209 completely, you need to check its specifications, features, release date, and price of the soundbar. Below is a brief description of everything the Yamaha YAS-209 bar has to offer.
Release Date and Price
The Yamaha YAS-209 was launched in 2019 and still retains its market position. At the time of its release, it was priced at $350, which is also its current price on Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg. However, you can find great discounts on many platforms.
Different Models
The Yamaha YAS-209 is definitely an improved version of Yamaha’s previous speakers, including the Yamaha SR-C20A and MusicCast Bar 400. The YAS-209 may not have the audio-sharing feature for multiple speakers like the Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400, but it offers an easier setup than the Yamaha SR-C20A.
Features
Although a little old, the Yamaha YAS-209 still offers advanced features that usually the latest soundbars offer. Apart from the great, flawless audio quality, you will also get the following features in the YAS-209:
- Wireless subwoofer
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in Alexa voice assistant
- Wi-Fi-enabled
- DTS Virtual:X
- Spotify and Amazon Music via the Yamaha Sound Bar Controller app
Specifications
| Components | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Colors | Black |
| Ports | HDMI (with ARC) in, HDMI out, Optical in |
| Speakers | 4x 1-3/4-inch mid drivers, 2x 1-inch tweeters, 1x 6-1/2-inch subwoofer |
| Smart Assistant | Alexa |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Size | 36.6 x 4.3 x 2.5 inches (soundbar), 36.6 x 4.3 x 2.5 inches (subwoofer) |
| Weight | 6 pounds (soundbar), 17.4 pounds (subwoofer) |
Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar Review
The Yamaha YAS-209 delivers exceptional sound quality. The audio usually sounds similar in every corner of your home theater. Not only that, but the voice control also works amazingly from a significant distance. The specialist audio mode also adds value to this soundbar.
However, you may not like its design. The soundbar’s subwoofer is a little bulky, which is why it doesn’t fit in all types of spaces. Also, you may be unable to see the LED lights if you sit on the floor since the lights are on the top of the speaker. But, these flaws are easily ignorable, considering the performance the Yamaha YAS-209 offers.
Design
The Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar is not exactly a moderately-sized speaker. Instead, it features a wireless subwoofer that measures 16.5 x 16 x 7.5 inches, adding significant weight to the soundbar. If you are expecting a soundbar that fits into narrow spaces, the Yamaha YAS-209 may disappoint you in this regard.
Apart from its size, this soundbar features four 1.75-inch drivers, two 1-inch tweeters, one HDMI input, and one HDMI output. The speaker also features Bluetooth and optical digital audio. You will have sound modes and LED indicators on top of the speaker. You can use Alexa to control power and select input from buttons that are touch-sensitive.
©marekfromrzeszow/Shutterstock.com
Installation
The best part about the YAS-209 is its easy installation. You only need an HDMI cable to connect the speaker to your TV. Next, you’d have to install the Yamaha Sound Bar app to use Alexa and music streaming services. Once installed, simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device.
When connecting the Yamaha YAS-209 to your internet connection, remember the speaker only connects to 2.5-GHz wireless networks or an ethernet cable. This way, you won’t find it hard to install the soundbar.
Voice Control
Surprisingly, the Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar responds instantly to the voice command. Moreover, thanks to Amazon Alexa, you can perform different functions on your soundbar with just your voice. For instance, you can change the volume and input, receive weather updates, and enable the Wemo switch.
You will be surprised that the YAS-209’s Alexa even works while the soundbar is off. But, in some cases, it may not respond to your voice commands, such as turning the speaker on or off.
The Yamaha YAS-209 may also show different bugs and errors during the installation. To prevent all these issues, ensure that the soundbar’s firmware is updated to the most recent version. Outdated firmware may cause Alexa to respond weirdly.
Performance
The YAS-209 offers superb gravitas and depth because of its high-performing subwoofer. It also disperses sound to different rooms of your house if you have enabled the 3D Surround Mode. The speaker also delivers a decent amount of bass.
When watching a movie, the YAS-209 will make it simple to understand the quiet dialog scene. In Stereo Mode, the speaker also handles various types of music like a pro. It gives crisp audio and full music effects. The best part is that you will have different settings to change the audio according to your preferences.
For instance, the Stereo Mode is exceptional for dual-channel sources, and the 3D Surround Mode works amazingly for wide sounds. The Clear Voice enhances dialog, and the Bass Extension delivers deeper low-end sounds. You are able to also manage the subwoofer levels according to your preferences.
Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar: Pros and Cons
Below are some pros and cons of the Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar to help you make the right choice.
Pros
- Well-balanced sound
- Decent build
- Exceptional stereo performance
- Clear, projected dialog
- Speech is crystal clear
- Voice control via Alexa
Cons
- Not-so-impressive surround performance
- Less room-filling
Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar: is it a Buy?
Until now, you may have decided whether or not the Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar is the one you were looking for. But if you still need to decide, let’s dive into who this soundbar might be for.
Buy it if…
- You want a decent-performing soundbar at a reasonable price. The Yamaha YAS-209 is priced at just $350 on Amazon, which is pretty affordable. It also offers most of the features that the recent soundbars come with.
- You want to control your soundbar through voice commands. The speaker’s built-in voice assistant, Alexa, performs all the functions efficiently. So, whether you want to turn on or off the speaker or change the volume, you can easily do it through voice commands.
Don’t Buy it if…
- You want a compact soundbar. Unfortunately, the Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar is quite hefty compared to other models due to its thick subwoofer.
- You want floor-rattling audio. Although the Yamaha YAS-209 performs exceptionally well for quiet audio, it may not impress you in delivering heavy audio due to no surround sound.
