Yamaha is breaking that mold with its $180 SR-C20A. Most all-in-one bars feature this simplicity, so this isn’t anything new, but instantly improving your TV’s sound in less than five minutes is always a nice perk. Seeing as this bar was built to be compatible with several different setups, I can understand why it wasn’t given the extra ports that might be beneficial for a theater-focused soundbar. According to Yamaha, they found many owners of these bars didn’t use them as part of a conventional theater setup in a living room. The SR-C20A checks all those boxes. With that intel, Yamaha made the C20A, which measures just over 23 inches wide and roughly 2.5 inches tall, all while weighing in at a spritely 3.9 pounds. There’s no rule saying you can’t incorporate the C20A into your living room, and I imagine some folks will simply for its minimalist aesthetic. Be immersed with virtual surround sound technology. It’s only two feet long and two feet high, so it can fit into smaller spaces. The Panasonic SoundSlayer, which unlike the Yamaha, outwardly designates itself as a gaming soundbar, has a corresponding HDMI input and output to better aid battle stations, though it does come with a $300 price tag. But each of those soundbars are built to achieve specific goals – the SoundSlayer has positioned itself as a gaming-specific solution, and Zvox designed its bar mainly for making dialogue easier to hear. CES 2021 FULL COVERAGE. At the same time, it comes at the expense of the low end needed to be a compelling solution for movies, while having a cost and feature set that too closely mimics its more capable relative. Like all Yamaha audio products since time immemorial the C20 comes with some excellent sound modes including Stereo, Game, Movie and Clear Voice. Copyright ©2021 Designtechnica Corporation. In the default movie mode the Vizio sounded more natural and at ease during the Thanator Chase scene from Avatar. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. The speaker measures just 23.6 inches wide by 2.5 inches high and 3.75 inches deep, and it’s covered in an attractive fabric grille in keeping with the range’s bigger speakers. Its sonic chops are still decent, however, and it sounds better than the even-smaller Roku Streambar ($130 at Amazon) ($130) with more prominent bass and a smoother high end. But I can’t help but believe that it sits in a weird soundbar limbo. For example the input display is now on the front of the unit facing you rather than facing upwards, making it easier to read. Both include built-in subwoofers, numerous sound modes, including virtual surround sound and Clear Voice technology for enhanced dialogue clarity. If your main criteria for choosing a soundbar is its ability to shoehorn inside a particular space, then this compact speaker could be for you. Its sonic chops are still decent, and also sound better than the smaller Roku streambar ($ 130 on Amazon) ($ 130) with more prominent bass and a smooth high end. If compact size and clear audio. This will enable you to connect a set-top box and even a turntable via a preamp if you like. Yamaha SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer (SRC20A) Model #: SRC20A | Manufacturer#: SR-C20A | UPC #: 27108959252 Write a Review. If you want a lot of bass, look for a model with a big wireless subwoofer. About the product Features Reviews; Sometimes, the best things come in small packages. Total harmonic distortion less than 0. REVIEW: YAMAHA - SR-C20A SOUND BAR WITH BUILT-IN SUBWOOFER AND BLUETOOTH - BLACK Best Buy Tech Insider Network BIG SOUND (not giant) FROM A SMALLER SOUND BAR What you want from a soundbar is a vast improvement from what you get out of your video system (TV). CNET may get a commission from these offers. Yamaha is rolling out quite a few new items this year, and one of them is a new compact soundbar targeting those who prefer to keep a smaller footprint at home. The LG SN11RG was a cinematic behemoth, and the Samsung HW-Q800T was a large, powerful unit in its own right. For a small soundbar, it’s significantly cheaper than the $300 Panasonic SoundSlayer or the $300 Zvox AV157. The Roku delivers almost no bass (sans the optional sub) but the Yamaha offers just enough that you don't really need one. Yamaha SR-C20A SoundBar - Black. If you're not constrained by size then there are plenty of great-sounding options available for the same money, starting with the Vizio V21 ($180 at Best Buy). Want to boost the intelligibility of the dialog? There’s no Wi-Fi to configure with the C20A, and no included wireless subwoofer to connect to. When I spoke to Yamaha representatives they suggested you could hook the soundbar up your computer as well, as long as the bar's 3.75 inch depth isn't an issue. Meanwhile, the chunky remote is pleasingly tactile and offers a great deal of control over the soundbar's functions. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you have a issue, I promise to quickly work things out. The C20 is the smallest soundbar I’ve seen from Yamaha just 23 inches wider. If you need clear sound and strong vocals in a smaller space in your house, the C20A is a solid, somewhat expensive option. The latest Yamaha SR-C20A reviews, news, buying guides and in-depth features from Stuff. We do not refund shipping charges, unless the item description allows it. DTS Virtual:X offers a huge soundstage and I was able to track sounds as they moved around the room and to the sides of my listening position. Though the C20A is wider than those competing soundbars, it isn’t much taller and is significantly less expensive. I’ve gone on record saying I would prefer the built-in Alexa compatibility of the Yamaha YAS-109, but I don’t think Alexa over Bluetooth is a bad way to go. REVIEW: YAMAHA - SR-C20A SOUND BAR WITH BUILT-IN SUBWOOFER AND BLUETOOTH - BLACK Best Buy Tech Insider Network BIG SOUND (not giant) FROM A SMALLER SOUND BAR What you want from a soundbar is a vast improvement from what you get out of your video system (TV). © 2021 CNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. With the bar getting the same sleek redesign as the bigger B20A, I’ve got to say I’m a fan of the way it is constructed. Yamaha SR-C20A Review Conclusion At the end of our Yamaha SR-C20A review, our team will leave you with a simple takeaway: the soundbar is priced very affordably, it is a great option for limited household spaces that still crave for a home theater, and it is best for those who like bass without the bulky external sub. Those small bars are still asking full-size prices, with both retailing for $300. I was reminded of this question by the tiny Yamaha SR-C20A ($180 at Amazon). As I’ve found with past Yamaha products, from the spiffy-looking RX-V6 to its mini systems to its soundbars, the build quality of the C20A is solid. The Yamaha may be small but it was able to offer a wide, involving sound which was especially suited to action movies and gaming. All rights reserved. Since 1974. At just 60cm wide, the SR-C20A makes the ideal match for smaller TVs and tighter spaces. As a not-quite-crucial, but very helpful additional step of the setup process, I’d recommend downloading the Yamaha soundbar remote app. It is not specifically built to be a home theater solution, as opposed to the DTS Virtual: X-enabled B20A. The C20A’s gaming preset did provide a more immersive sense of sound during gameplay. Yamaha SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer and Bluetooth: Amazon.ca: Electronics The SR-C20A is the soundbar Yamaha designed it to be – a compact bar that can fit into tons of different nooks and crevices in the modern home – and it should be commended for that. But tunes sounded pleasant when streamed over Bluetooth and experimenting with the sound modes helped even further. Part of Yamaha’s marketing pitch with the B20A (and the more compact C20A) centers on the ability of the soundbar to effortlessly extend beyond the living room. The Yamaha SR-C20A is a very compact soundbar. Free Shipping! Easy to wall mount for even more space-saving possibilities. Please email me before you open a return case. Review Yamaha SR-C20A . When Max Rockatansky spins up his Charger's engines at the start of Mad Max Fury Road, for example, it sounded like a real car over the Yamaha, while the Roku's tiny cabinet lacked the oomph to sound believable. It only has one HDMI ARC port, and I have conflicting thoughts about that. Tags: yamaha srca yamaha srca. The problem is that the Yamaha C20 is just too expensive for what you get. This year, we’ve seen many soundbars go big. Some subwoofers are wireless; others need to be directly wired to the soundbar. Basically, if a song didn’t need substantial bass as a backbone to sound like it should, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the C20A. This smaller speaker boosts the sound quality of TV shows and music but it's not the best value. View full Yamaha SR-C20A specs on CNET. SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar With Built-in Subwoofer New Small sound bar, big sound. Press the Clear Voice button. Compared to a bigger speaker like the Vizio V21 the C20 is not going to rock your next party, but at maximum volume the Yamaha was loud enough that my child asked me to turn it down from the next room (not an Elbow fan, obviously). We try to respond all emails within 24-hours. Yamaha SR-C20A: Features, Reviews, and Price . In addition to the HDMI port, there are two digital optical inputs, an analog audio port, and a USB input meant strictly for firmware updates. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The C20A hasn’t picked a dedicated lane to stay in, and instead does several things well instead of doing one thing great. Its sonic chops are still decent, however, and it sounds better than the even-smaller Roku Streambar ($119 at Amazon) ($130) with more prominent bass and a smoother high end. View original. At only 23-inches in length, this new soundbar will be great for small TV setups and larger TVs all the same (depending on how much sound you need in the room). The C20 is the smallest soundbar I’ve seen from Yamaha at just 23 inches wide. Free shipping on all orders See details. 10 reasons to shop with us. Get the guaranteed best price on Acoustic Classical & Nylon Guitars like the Yamaha CG201S Classical Guitar at Musician's Friend. Previous Yamaha SR-C20A SoundBar - Black Next. CES 2021. Out Of Stock 49.000 KD. The idea was to provide a … The C20 offers a pair of 1.8-inch cone drivers, a built-in 3-inch subwoofer: and two passive radiators. With that intel, Yamaha made the C20A, which measures just over 23 inches wide and roughly 2.5 inches tall, all while weighing in at a spritely 3.9 pounds. Small size, solid build Ty Pendlebury/CNET. The C20A has an interesting array of connections. If you want a soundbar but don’t want to bother your neighbors, buy one that includes built-in subwoofers. However, a few select few bars went in the opposite direction, like the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157. Being the Marvel nut I am, I tried out the original Avengers (2012) with the C20A. You should also look … X 2-line, D 45. along with better balance for music. It’s also easier to determine when the soundbar’s ClearVoice and bass extension features are in use. It’s when you expect the C20A to effectively fill a living room, however, that the limitations of this bar reveal themselves. Yamaha today announced two new sound bars, models SR-C20A (23-inch, $179.95) and SR-B20A (36-inch, $199.95). The remote’s bass extension button does make a difference, but the C20A is too bass-deficient to completely correct things. Under $200 Sound Bars. That doesn’t mean I think less of this bar. The C20 is the smallest soundbar I've seen from Yamaha at just 23 inches wide. Both were excellent at pulling dialogue out of the background but the Yamaha bolstered the performance with better bass. That’s a tricky question to answer. While it lacks the Roku's streaming capability, the Yamaha does offer more connection options. The B20A does feature Bluetooth multi-point, allowing you to connect to a pair of devices at the same time. Crutchfield: Audio, video, and more. Under the hood of the C20A, there’s a pair of drivers representing the front left and right channels, a built-in subwoofer driver, and a pair of passive radiators. Get a low price and free shipping on thousands of items. I actually agree with the marketing, and outside the living room is where I think the audio profile of the C20A makes the most sense. If your main criteria for choosing a soundbar is its ability to shoehorn inside a particular space, then this compact speaker could be for you. While on the top the controls include an input selector, volume and power. When I used to review more TVs than I used to now, readers would ask me “Which TV should I get to fit inside my media cabinet?” I was reminded of this question by the tiny Yamaha SR-C20A ($180 at Amazon). While the C20A may look petite and undersized with a 65-inch TV looming over it – or perhaps a 100-inch projector screen – its remarkably compact footprint gives the bar a lot of versatility as to where it can be utilized. It does feel like a sturdy product, though, with connections that aren’t exactly state-of-the-art but don’t appear to be going anywhere soon. When watching action movies the Yamaha had a clear advantage over the Roku. That could mean two different phones, for example, which would allow multiple members of the same household to play their own music. If a song didn’t need substantial bass as a backbone to sound like it should, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the C20A. It does have an included remote, plus an optical cable for tethering the bar to your display. With room-filling, immersive sound from all directions, you’ll instantly feel the difference. Meanwhile its ability to render dialog made it great for just watching the news as well. The C20 needs a price drop to become recommendable to a larger group of people. Samsung's Neo QLED TVs are packed with futuristic-sounding tech, CES 2021 prediction: 5G talk will dominate this year's virtual conference. At the same time, if part of the utility of this bar includes integrating into a gaming station like Yamaha suggests, then an extra HDMI port would be just as necessary, if not more so than if the C20A was mainly meant to sit in your living room. is important to you, you’ll have to be willing to shell out $300 for the Zvox AV157, which is a considerable price hike. For such a compact sound bar it's still well specified with an HDMI ARC port, two optical connections, 3.5mm analog and Bluetooth. 0 - Reviews . When I used to review more TVs than I used to now, readers would ask me "Which TV should I get to fit inside my media cabinet?" It may lack the physical side-firing speakers of the Roku Streambar but the Yamaha makes up the difference with ingenious software. The B20 does lose the 3.5mm input, though. The speaker measures just 23.6 inches wide by 2.5 inches high and 3.75 inches deep, and it's covered in an attractive fabric grille in keeping with the range's bigger speakers. We ship only to the USA. It can even be used as a soundbar for the monitor. To properly characterize the sound of the C20A, I would argue it’s vital to consider the environment for which it’s designed. For $200, Yamaha’s SR-B20A is a better option for bigger rooms, though it doesn’t have the luxury of compact versatility on which the C20A prides itself. Both the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157 measure just 17 inches wide, with the latter of the two weighing in at just 2.8 pounds. As I've found with past Yamaha products, from the spiffy-looking RX-V6 to its mini systems to its soundbars, the build quality of the C20A is solid. Yamaha enters the compact sound bar market with the C20A, designed to fit any space without sacrificing sound or specs. 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