Yamaha YAS-209

amazon Yamaha YAS-209 reviews

Invisible sound

I’m not saying the design of the YAS-209 is boring. Still, if you look up the word “Nondescript” in a dictionary, you won’t find any images because dictionaries usually don’t have images, but you get the point. In any case, even more so than its predecessor, the 209 is virtually invisible underneath your TV, which Yamaha claims is how customers want it.

A tubular black brick wrapped in soundproof fabric, the only thing keeping the 209 from disappearing is its rudimentary LED display that remains visible from the seat yours on the couch while placed on top of the unit. The basic system provides cues for the volume and subwoofer level from a distance and indicates settings such as power, surround sound, and Yamaha’s Clear Voice settings at a closer look. I complain about the significant lack of digital displays, but LED solutions have become so common in the segment.

The side-firing subwoofer looks almost exactly like a PC tower (save the shadow port in front) and begs to be taken out of sight for its anonymous existence.

The driver dimensions for the 207 and 209 are the same, including dual 1-inch tweeters and four 1-inch drivers in the bar, 6-inch woofers in the sideboard. Yamaha says the 209’s drivers and amplifiers have been redesigned to improve clarity, and while I’m not sure I’ve heard of any major changes, it’s still a worthy collection at this price point.

Loaded bar

Next to the LEDs on the top of the bar are all the basic control keys you’d expect from a standard stick (power, volume, etc.), as well as a quick key to summon Alexa and dual microphone ports so you can tell her.

In the rear center, you’ll find digital ports including HDMI ARC for connecting to a TV, a second HDMI for connecting players or media directly, optical digital connections, and new this year, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Of course, there’s Bluetooth streaming, but Spotify fans can now stream over Wi-Fi through Spotify Connect for even higher audio quality. One shortcoming is any analog connection, something we’re starting to see abandoned more often these days. It won’t affect most people, but you’ll need an adapter if you want to connect an analog device like a turntable.

Spotify fans can now stream over Wi-Fi through Spotify Connect.

Yamaha rocked it’s remote a bit, curving it into a more curved sheet of plastic. It boasts a bunch of buttons that signify the bonus of features you get for your money. There are quick keys for Source (including “TV” for ARC or Optical input), multiple surround sound/EQ modes such as TV, Movie, Music, and Sports, as well as a Stereo key, which I strongly prefer over other options for music. Most of the basic functions can also be controlled through the Yamaha Sound Bar control app.

The remote also has a key for Yamaha’s aforementioned Clear Voice feature (which I frequent for increased clarity) and a 3D Surround key that activates the DTS Virtual: X feature. Virtual: X enables the DTS Virtual: X feature. The soundstage is wider on the vertical, as well as a horizontal axis for a wider soundstage. It certainly expands the image a bit more, although as I would have expected, the trade-off is less weighty for the mids and treble registers. Yamaha claims this has improved over 207, and I’ve noticed less frost stability this time around.

According to the audio format, the 209 supports decoding Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Digital Surround. Through 4K HDR is supported on the video side, but you can’t get past Dolby Vision or HDR10+. That limits some of your options when connecting the stick directly if you have a TV with one of the more advanced HDR formats, but we’ll give the system a pass for this price.

Let’s talk to Alexa

Full disclosure, I’m not a huge fan of Alexa (or any voice assistant, for that matter). Call me old school, but if someone listens to my conversation, I want a higher return (or, should I say, more capable) in exchange for my privacy. That said, Yamaha has implemented Alexa right in 209. For one thing, you can easily mute the microphone via a key on the top of the stick to turn off the music player. What’s more, the well-designed Soundbar Controller app lets you choose whether Alexa is always listening whether the bar is resting or not.

In terms of functionality, the system allows rudimentary soundbar controls like volume up/down, mute, and source switching (though you can’t toggle EQ modes), all of which can be done by calling Alexa or summon her with the quick key on the remote or the stick. Other Alexa favorites, checking the weather, playing from streaming services (including Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, and others), setting timers, and controlling smart home devices smart, are also included. Not available at this time are drop-down notifications or notifications during smart speaker setup, phone calls, or your alternate wake words.

While the YAS-209 offers Wi-Fi streaming and control, it’s not a MusicCast device, meaning it can’t sync with other MusicCast speakers in Yamaha’s family. However, anyone with an Alexa speaker in their collection can add 209 to the party when added through Amazon.

One complaint I would register is that there’s no obvious way to turn Alexa’s volume down independently, meaning if you’re listening to quieter content. You call Alexa for assistance; her voice is as loud as hell. Hopefully, this is something that can be fixed via an update down the line.

where can you get a Yamaha YAS-209 online

Yamaha YAS-209 2.1-Channel Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer and HDMI Cables: Buy it now

Yamaha YAS-209 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer, Bluetooth, and Alexa Voice Control Built-in (Renewed): Buy it now

Establish

Setting up the YAS-209 is super easy – as long as you have an HDMI cable, the 209 doesn’t come with one. HDMI ARC is the preferred connection, allowing easy control of volume and power with your TV remote (although you may need to enable CEC in your TV settings). You’ll want a cable to connect, as my first attempt with an older cable failed to transmit audio. While Yamaha isn’t the first to ditch all the cables you need, I’ll go ahead and say this now: All audio speakers with HDMI ARC need to include an HDMI cable!

Another point of note: My TCL 6-series TV remote works fine for volume and power but won’t cause it to stop working. That is the second of many reviews where I encountered this problem, so it appears to be a TCL communication issue just like Yamaha’s, and the unit worked flawlessly with the LG SM900P in the official test. Again, for TCL owners, here’s hoping Yamaha fixes this.

Performance

Like its predecessor, the YAS-209 delivers a smooth and well-defined midrange, high transparency, and plenty of reverb from the squarish subwoofer to blow up all your favorite movies – all at affordable rates.

209 serves up sneaky detail in your favorite movies and TV shows without having to punch your ears with sharpness or mediocrity. Black Panther’s helmet’s spears or metallic clatter aren’t as expressive in the thriller as with Klipsch’s similarly priced Bar 40. Yamaha does a better job of balancing all the elements, especially is when it comes to bombing action scenes like the car chase in Busan, where screeching wheels, machine gunfire, and various explosions are all richly represented.

209 serves stealthily – fine details for your favorite movies and TV shows.

I especially like the dusty to the mid-range pulp of the YAS-209 that folds into your ears with just the right touch, whether it’s the giant propeller from the helicopter in The Rock’s Rampage or the streaming instruments online like acoustic guitar and snare drums. While I’m far from succumbing, the YAS-209 is also relatively good with music for its price, only faltering with some minor luminance in cymbals and other high-frequency instruments. Honestly, it won’t be a hi-fi music experience, but at $350, it doesn’t have to be — especially with so many features.

With that said, I’m still not a fan of the DTS Virtual:X in most situations due to its sharpness to the treble, although this time, it did a better job of extending the soundstage of the YAS-209 powerfully cinematic action scene. After the action simulators stop working, I often want to disengage again, forcing me to search for the remote. Luckily, it’s easy to adjust EQ, soundstage, and subwoofer levels on the go, and, like the YAS-207, you may need to do so when switching between sources if you want to experience the best of both worlds optimal experience.

Overall, the YAS-209 is an impressive upgrade over your TV’s audio, and at times it seriously surprises you with its detailed, accurate, and powerful capabilities.