Skip to main content

Yamaha’s entry-level sound bar gets classier and more versatile

Yamaha’s YSP-5600 sound bar, which offers brilliant Atmos and DTS-X virtual surround sound, is one of the most impressive (and expensive) sound bars on the market right now. However, the company hasn’t forgotten those looking for a cinematic upgrade on a strict budget either, today unveiling the brand’s latest entry-level sound bar, the YAS-106.

An upgrade to Yamaha’s popular YAS-105, the next number up in the order offers a makeover of sorts in the design, as well as a few welcome new features.

Related Videos

The bar offers a sleeker, curvier design than the 105 while still offering the hallmarks of its sound engine, including dual down-firing “subwoofers” and twin bass reflex ports, allowing it to carve out some low-end thunder without the need for a separate wireless subwoofer.

But it’s the bar’s inclusion of HDMI support that marks the biggest change over its predecessor. Unlike the YAS-105, the YAS-106’s single HDMI input offers both HD audio and 4K video passthrough to directly connect your video component, be it a gaming console, Blu-ray player, or 4K UHD Blu-ray player. As Yamaha points out, the setup allows for accurate 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound audio support to correctly feed the system’s virtual surround DSP, and if your TV is equipped with ARC, you can use just a single HDMI cable to send audio and video, and also source TV sound back into the bar.

In addition to HDMI, the YAS-106 also offers a single digital Optical input, and Bluetooth connection to  stream music from your phone and connect to Yamaha’s handy Home Theater Controller app to control audio parameters wirelessly. If the single bar isn’t enough power for your home theater setup, the bar also provides a subwoofer output to wire up the sub of your choice.

While many of these features have become standard on pricier bars, it’s nice to see all those modern conveniences in one place on a bar with an MSRP of just $200. One feature the YAS-106 doesn’t offer is compatibility with Yamaha’s new multiroom audio system, MusicCast, which allows you to connect multiple Yamaha speakers and even A/V receivers in a Sonos like system over Wi-Fi. You’ll have to move up a few notches in the sound bar food chain to land those features.

That said, Yamaha’s new YSP-106 offers a lot of bang for its $200 price point. The unit is slated to hit shelves in mid-August.

Updated 8-9-2016 at 8:50 a.m. PST: This post has been updated with information recently added to Yamaha’s website, including the addition of ARC and Optical connection.

Editors' Recommendations

I used two of the year’s oddest tech gadgets so you don’t have to
The open Nokia 5710 XpressAudio and Huawei Watch Buds

If you’re intent on not keeping your true wireless earbuds in a normal charging case, and want to hide them inside a different gadget, now is your time. The Huawei Watch Buds is a smartwatch with a pair of true wireless headphones inside, and the Nokia 5710 XpressAudio is a 4G phone that stores a pair of earbuds in the back.

It’s a bizarre niche that I’m surprised contains two products. I’ve used them, so it's my duty to report that both are a bit silly — and I don’t want to use any more of them, thank you very much. However, for the few people out there thinking they want to buy one, this is what they're like. For everyone else, you get to marvel at two of the oddest tech products seen in a while.
Phone or smartwatch?

Read more
What is Dolby Vision? The dynamic HDR format fully explained
An example of the difference between Dolby Vision and regular HDR.

Of all the new TV technologies to emerge over the last few years, it's arguable that none has had as big an impact on overall picture quality as High Dynamic Range, or HDR. When properly implemented, HDR makes everything pop, while enhancing details and improving color. We think it has been more impactful than the move from Full HD (1080p) to 4K Ultra HD or even 8K resolution.

But not all HDR is created equal; in fact, HDR is a catch-all term that refers to several distinct and competing technologies. The one with the biggest brand recognition is Dolby Vision. Dolby Labs has done such a good job of marketing Dolby Vision as its own platform, many consumers aren't even aware that it's an HDR format.  That shouldn't be a surprise: TVs that have Dolby Vision technology are often labeled as "4K HDR TV with Dolby Vision," making it seem as though the two terms aren't related.

Read more
What is Sonos? The speakers, app, and everything you need to know about wireless music
Sonos Roadm in three colors.

When you think about wireless music, one name comes to mind. Sonos. And unless you’re a diehard analog music fan who shuns anything digital, you’ve likely encountered the Sonos brand. It effectively pioneered and normalized the idea of multi-room, digital wireless audio, and it’s still the gold standard to beat.

Curious about what exactly Sonos does, and how it works in the same world that already includes Apple, Spotify, and even your old Technics turntable? Is Sonos right for you? Let's dig into it.
What is Sonos?

Read more