While that isn’t a bad way to go necessarily, it does mean the main aspect that distinguishes this soundbar from the better-sounding B20A is its size. CNET may get a commission from these offers. A soundbar is a very simple way to improve the audio of our television. But throughout the press materials provided by the company, Yamaha isn’t shy about emphasizing that the C20A is a bar that can extend beyond the standard living space. At just 60cm wide, the SR-C20A makes the ideal match for smaller TVs and tighter spaces. 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. While on the top the controls include an input selector, volume and power. Yamaha today announced two new sound bars, models SR-C20A (23-inch, $179.95) and SR-B20A (36-inch, $199.95). Clear Crisp Voices, and overall good sound for a variety of content. Notably, the C20A is missing the subwoofer output that is included on Yamaha’s larger B20A, meaning you won’t have the opportunity to add a separate, powered sub and will be stuck with the output of the bar itself. Yamaha SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer (SRC20A) Model #: SRC20A | Manufacturer#: SR-C20A | UPC #: 27108959252 Write a Review. CES 2021. As a not-quite-crucial, but very helpful additional step of the setup process, I’d recommend downloading the Yamaha soundbar remote app. The Yamaha SR-C20A is a very compact soundbar. Be immersed with virtual surround sound technology. REVIEW: YAMAHA - SR-C20A SOUND BAR WITH BUILT-IN SUBWOOFER AND BLUETOOTH - BLACK Best Buy Tech Insider Network BIG SOUND (not giant) FROM A SMALLER SOUND BAR What you want from a soundbar is a vast improvement from what you get out of your video system (TV). They range from giant bars with a built-in wireless subwoofer to more compact soundbars. This smaller speaker boosts the sound quality of TV shows and music but it's not the best value. Its sonic chops are still decent, and also sound better than the smaller Roku streambar ($ 130 on Amazon) ($ 130) with more prominent bass and a smooth high end. The C20 is the smallest soundbar I’ve seen from Yamaha just 23 inches wider. I’ll completely break it down later, but if you’re thinking there’s no way to build a soundbar this small without making audio concessions, you wouldn’t be wrong. This sound bar can do what TV speakers can’t. By comparison, the company’s SR-B20A is 35 inches long and 7.1 pounds, with the older YAS-109 posting similar dimensions. X 2-line, D 45. It does, however, have a volume slider that shows you exactly how loud your bar is. Previous Yamaha SR-C20A SoundBar - Black Next. 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. If compact size and clear audio. Yamaha enters the compact sound bar market with the C20A, designed to fit any space without sacrificing sound or specs. 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. This will enable you to connect a set-top box and even a turntable via a preamp if you like. It is not specifically built to be a home theater solution, as opposed to the DTS Virtual: X-enabled B20A. In the default movie mode the Vizio sounded more natural and at ease during the Thanator Chase scene from Avatar. LikeEasy to set up and useSound great … 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. We do not refund shipping charges, unless the item description allows it. 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. 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. That doesn’t mean I think less of this bar. Rediscover rich, immersive sound, with this Yamaha soundbar. While it's easy to see the attraction in the adorable Roku Streambar - - it's cheap, it offers advanced streaming capabilities and it sounds big - - the more expensive Yamaha is a tougher sell. 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. It’s when you expect the C20A to effectively fill a living room, however, that the limitations of this bar reveal themselves. All of the functions you could need are laid out clearly, without looking like a scientific calculator. It only has one HDMI ARC port, and I have conflicting thoughts about that. The goal here, Yamaha told me, was to pack the biggest sound possible into the smallest possible bar. The B20 does lose the 3.5mm input, though. Buy Yamaha SR-C20A Stereo 100W Soundbar featuring Stereo Configuration, Up to 100W of Total Power, Bluetooth Audio Streaming, 1x HDMI ARC, 1x 1/8", 2x Optical Inputs, App Control via Bluetooth, Wall-Mountable via Keyholes, Includes Optical Cable & Remote Control. 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. 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. If you have a issue, I promise to quickly work things out. 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). The C20 needs a price drop to become recommendable to a larger group of people. is important to you, you’ll have to be willing to shell out $300 for the Zvox AV157, which is a considerable price hike. Press the Clear Voice button. Unless you really are dictated to by size constraints, the larger Yamaha B20 or Vizio V21 with its separate subwoofer both make more sense at this price. 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?" For example, rock sounded best in stereo mode while the choral leanings of Dead Can Dance benefitted from the room-wide presentation of Music mode. Yamaha made some usability improvements those larger models don't have. This year, we’ve seen many soundbars go big. Clear Crisp Voices, and overall good sound for a variety of content. 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). 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. There’s no Wi-Fi to configure with the C20A, and no included wireless subwoofer to connect to. If you want a lot of bass, look for a model with a big wireless subwoofer. Want to boost the intelligibility of the dialog? 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. Yamaha Yamaha is targeting these disgruntled TV viewers by expanding its range of soundbars with two new models, the SR-C20A and SR-B20A, as entry-level models in the company’s soundbar lineup. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Easy to wall mount for even more space-saving possibilities. Meanwhile its ability to render dialog made it great for just watching the news as well. The C20A hasn’t picked a dedicated lane to stay in, and instead does several things well instead of doing one thing great. 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. It produces a very clear sound and does exceptionally well with acoustic-leaning music. It does effectively execute its mission of being smaller, and it sounds good in small rooms. Review YAMAHA C20A System Controller. The C20 supports Dolby Digital but sadly not DTS which is weird as it include DTS Virtual:X surround sound emulation. The jungle sounded more alive and less "hyped" than on the C20, and when the elephant-like animals are smashing up trees and trumpeting in disgust, there was simply no contest when it came to bass response. I noticed one Yamaha advantage on this scene, however: when I applied the Vizio's voice mode it made dialog recede as though it were in a tunnel, while the Yamaha's Clear Voice made it as crisp as you would expect. However, a few select few bars went in the opposite direction, like the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157. The remote’s bass extension button does make a difference, but the C20A is too bass-deficient to completely correct things. The Yamaha may be small but it was able to offer a wide, involving sound which was especially suited to action movies and gaming. The C20 is the smallest soundbar I've seen from Yamaha at just 23 inches wide. View full Yamaha SR-C20A specs on CNET. 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. FREE 2-day Shipping: Great sound for smaller setups Yamaha makes some of our most popular sound bars, and their new SR-C20A promises to deliver that. 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. Some subwoofers are wireless; others need to be directly wired to the soundbar. Please email me before you open a return case. With room-filling, immersive sound from all directions, you’ll instantly feel the difference. The C20 is smaller and contains one built-in subwoofer versus two on the B20A. All rights reserved. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. One small sound bar for your room, one giant leap for your home entertainment. That could mean two different phones, for example, which would allow multiple members of the same household to play their own music. Review Yamaha SR-C20A . The B20A does feature Bluetooth multi-point, allowing you to connect to a pair of devices at the same time. Or it could be your phone and an Amazon Alexa device, granting your Dot, Flex, or other Echo device the ability to broadcast through the far more powerful drivers in the C20A. We ship only to the USA. Basically, 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. The C20 is the smallest soundbar I’ve seen from Yamaha at just 23 inches wide. CES 2021 FULL COVERAGE. Free Shipping! After I used to overview extra TVs than I used to now, readers would ask me “Which TV ought to I get to suit inside my media cupboard?” I used to be reminded of this query by the tiny Y… Yamaha says the C20 distinguishes itself from the competition with its focus on audio and connectivity. I think it also does well in a smaller space, like a bedroom, where Yamaha’s ClearVoice tech can help you hear every clever line of New Girl, even at lower volumes. You can track the price of this productTrack Price. The experts at Yamaha told me that while they were working on their latest line of soundbars, they sought out information from current Yamaha soundbar owners. 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. Since 1974. At just 23 inches wide, the C20 is the smallest soundbar I've seen from Yamaha. $349. Small size, solid build Ty Pendlebury/CNET. 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