One of the best-value soundbars I've tested delivers glorious sound for any movie or TV show

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is available now, with surround speakers sold separately (and individually).
• The sound produced by these speakers is rich, deep, well-blended, and spacious.
• I just wish the setup process was more seamless and simple.

For months, I was one hundred percent certain the JBL Bar 1000 soundbar couldn’t be beat. It offers incredible clarity of sound, rich bass, and brilliant surround via two wireless speakers.

When Yamaha sent me the True X Bar 50A to review, I assumed it wouldn’t be able to stand up to the sound the JBL delivered. Given that the Yamaha sells for roughly half the price of the JBL, that assumption was a fairly safe bet. And even though my audiophile ears could easily tell the difference between the two (with the JBL coming out on top), for the money, the Yamaha True X Bar 50A is hard to beat. 

Also: I changed these 5 soundbar settings for a better TV viewing (and listening) experience

One thing to remember is that I was also sent a True X Speaker 1A, which is sold separately and runs for $150 each. If you want surround (which you should), now you’re talking about $850 for the whole kit. Another thing to keep in mind is that I only reviewed this connected to my television and didn’t opt to test how music might sound via this speaker. For me, a soundbar serves a single purpose… to replace built-in TV speakers that rarely offer sound of much quality.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the review.

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The specs

• Drivers – Front L/R: 4.6 × 6.6 cm (1-3/4 × 2-5/8″) cone × 2, Height L/R: 5.2 cm (2″) cone × 2, Built-in Subwoofer: 7.5 cm (3″) cone × 2, Wireless Subwoofer: 16 cm (6-1/4″) cone
• Output power – 280 W (Front L/R: 30 W × 2-ch, Height L/R: 30 W × 2-ch, Built-in subwoofer: 30 W × 2, Subwoofer: 100W )
• Dimensions – Center unit: 1,015 × 63 × 112 mm (40″ × 2-1/2″ × 4-3/8″), Subwoofer: 187 × 407 × 409 mm (7-3/8″ × 16″ × 16-1/8″)
• Inputs – HDMI, digital optical
• Sound technology – Dolby Atmos with stereo, standard, movie, and game modes.
• Bass extension
• Wireless streaming

My experience

The first thing to note about this soundbar is that the setup can be a bit finicky. It took me several attempts to connect the subwoofer and surround speakers. The issue with the surround speakers turned out to be a low battery — they needed to be fully charged via USB-C before they would connect. Even then, the setup process is somewhat confusing, requiring you to download a manual on your phone using a QR code for guidance.

Also: This stereo amp made me feel like I was hearing my favorite band for the first time

For some reason, the subwoofer wouldn’t connect right out of the box either. I had to go through the manual setup a few times before it finally linked with the main speaker. But once everything was connected, the difference was impressive.

Many soundbars in this price range (without the additional surround speakers) tend to overemphasize midrange frequencies, which makes sense since that’s where vocals sit. However, too much focus on the midrange can result in tinny or harsh sound. That’s not the case with the True X Bar 50A. Instead, it delivers a well-balanced mix that adds richness to the sound. When the subwoofer kicks in, it adds depth and punch for a more immersive experience.

Once everything is set up, the True X Bar 50A is easy to use, thanks to a well-designed remote that lets you switch between modes (Standard, Movie, Music, Game, and All), adjust the bass, and control surround levels.

While this soundbar does advertise Dolby Atmos for a more immersive sound experience, mid-range systems like this aren’t quite capable of delivering the full effect. The True X Bar 50A gets close but doesn’t fully achieve the true Atmos experience. That said, it still fills the room with sound beautifully, and when you add the surround speakers, the sound really comes to life.

Also: I swapped my high-end soundbar for a JBL, and it surprised me in the best way

My only gripe with the surround speakers is that they lack the volume power of a JBL system. With JBL, the sound is so immersive that you sometimes wonder if it’s coming from the speakers, somewhere in the house, or even outside. In comparison, the Yamaha is more subtle. Even with the surround speakers set to max, the effect is more understated. However, the All mode, which sends sound to both the main and surround speakers, is a great solution — especially for watching TV or movies where dialogue can be hard to hear.

Hit the All button, and you’ll have no trouble understanding dialogue. There’s also a Clear Voice option that enhances vocal clarity. I tested it with a few films where the dialogue is notoriously hard to hear, and the Clear Voice feature easily solved that issue. In particular, Oppenheimer—which is known for its challenging dialogue — sounded crisp and clear with Yamaha’s Clear Voice technology.

You’ll likely find yourself using this feature often, especially with more films leaning into complex sound design.

The only downside

As I mentioned earlier, setting up the True X Bar 50A isn’t as straightforward as it should be. With JBL, it was as simple as unpacking, plugging in, and getting started. The Yamaha setup, on the other hand, requires a bit of patience and luck. But once it’s up and running, you’re good to go.

Also: I swapped my high-end soundbar for a JBL, and it surprised me in the best way

Here’s a tip: if you purchase the surround speakers, keep the soundbar on once everything is connected. When you turn the soundbar off, you’ll have to manually switch each surround speaker back on. While the speakers offer around 12 hours of battery life, I recommend keeping them plugged in via USB-C, especially if you mount them on the wall. If you choose to use them wirelessly, be sure to charge them regularly. Otherwise, you risk losing sound mid-movie—like during Prometheus—and ruining the experience.

ZDNET’s buying advice

If you don’t have the budget for a $1,000+ soundbar, but you still want high-quality sound, the Yamaha True X Bar 50A is a brilliant option. And if you can afford it, add the surround speakers for a much more immersive experience. 

Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time for setup, and don’t be surprised if you have to go through the steps a few times before everything connects properly.

If it weren’t for the exceptional sound of the JBL Bar 1000, the Yamaha True X Bar 50A would easily be my top pick. With its deep, rich bass, well-balanced mids, and crisp highs, this soundbar is a significant upgrade from your TV speakers and will likely outperform any midrange soundbar you’re currently using.